Thursday, November 29, 2012
If the Irish can stack government with family, the Puerto Rican can, too, says Berrios, who has several family members on his assessor's staff and a host of others on county, school and state payrolls.
"In government," says Joe Berrios, Cook County Democratic Party chairman, "people help people." So why shouldn't he help the people named Berrios with government jobs? Berrios believes he's just like President John F. Kennedy — minus the Irish, of course — and entirely justified in putting relatives on the government payroll. The various Berriosi pull in more than $1 million in salary and pension benefits, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. His family members are eminently qualified to hold the various positions he's hired or promoted them into. And, really, you shouldn't question this. As he told the Sun-Times Wednesday: “Look at a great president that we had, President Kennedy. Who’d he appoint attorney general? You know? Same thing…
Sunday, November 11, 2012
A columnist who's covered Jackson since his first days in public office suggests Obama's rise sent Jackson to his downfall.
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.— who came into Congress bearing the heavy weight of his family name and lofty ambitions — counted Chicago's third airport as a signature issue for the better part of his time in office. And there's been no stauncher advocate for that project than Southtown columnist Phil Kadner. Construction of such an airport would bring much-needed jobs to an area plagued by chronic unemployment, and the airport itself, once realized, would serve as an economic engine for decades to come. So went the mantra. Targeted for a rural area outside the 2nd District until the latest congressional remap put the land into his district, Jackson's pursuit of the airport irritated Democrats and Republicans alike, from Chicago to Will …
Monday, February 27, 2012
General Assembly and congressional contenders from the south suburbs spoke to voters over the weekend at an open forum hosted by Team HOPE and the Democratic Women of the South Suburbs.
Jobs, transportation, education — and the need to make sure the Southland's issues get a fair hearing in government — were front and center in a weekend open forum for primary candidates. Hosted by Team HOPE and the Democratic Women of the South Suburbs in Hazel Crest, Southland residents heard several candidates for state and federal office speak Saturday. In the 2nd congressional district primary, challenger Debbie Halvorson questioned U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s ability to get things done. Jackson, in turn, touted his efforts on behalf of the third airport project. Patch towns in this district include Homewood, Flossmoor, Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields. In the primary for 19th State Senate District, Tinley Park Village trustee …
JOE IN LITH
11:11 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
There is absolutely too many opportunities to expound on the nepotism detailed here, so I'll ask just one question: $60,894 for a freaking toll collector??? That's over $30/hr. (The Tollway Authority is a whole separate subject of corruption). That job is a cashier job for crying out loud! Does anyone know of any cashier anywhere that makes half that amount. A cashier at McDonald's has a tougher … more ›