Mechanics

Kirk Still Your Average Conservative At Heart

2009-11-14T18:26:35Z

Mark Kirk is trying to walk a thin line here. He doesn't want to be Scozzafavaed but he doesn't want to come off as too conservative either. Take this excellent piece by Mike O'Brien (a former classmate of mine) in The Hill. O'Brien reports that Kirk is criticizing the "Pelosi healthcare bill" on its policy, not its ideology. That's enough to make a moderate Democrat in Illinois pause. A Republican who's actually criticizing the bill because of what it does and not because of who proposed it? Well maybe I'll take a listen. Kirk also keeps his conservative cred by criticizing the bill at all. Problem is, Kirk's criticism is so ridiculous, what he's really doing is just pandering to the base:

Kirk outlined core elements of Republicans' health reform proposals in the address, arguing that the healthcare bill passed a week ago by the House would do little to reform the system, and result in higher taxes.

What about reducing prices? What about insuring millions of Americans? What about stopping insurers from rejecting consumers based on preconditions? That's all nothing?

(Crossposted)

Chicago Matters Series Comes to an End

2009-11-13T05:02:39Z

The Chicago Community Trust announced today that it is ending its funding of the award-winning Chicago Matters public information series, which it sponsored in partnership with WTTW-TV, Chicago Public Radio, Chicago Reporter and the Chicago Public Library. The Trust will conclude its funding at the end of the year as it redirects $2.7 million toward basic human needs.

"Chicago Matters has provided the most rare form of new reporting - in-depth coverage of events from multiple points of view," said Elizabeth Richter, vice president of marketing and communications for the Trust, in a press release. "Chicago Matters has served the community well. The Trust is now looking at how to leverage our limited resources to work with those fulfilling core needs of our community in a time of crisis."

Reached by email, WBEZ Managing Editor Sally Eisele said, "Our commitment to public affairs reporting remains the same but obviously, I'm disappointed by this development. Chicago Matters is the type of journalism many of people in this community right now are concerned about saving. The end of this highly acclaimed series means the end of one of the most important local journalism projects in the region. For 19 years, Chicago Matters has been a forum for the exploration of key community issues through in-depth, insightful reporting across multiple platforms. Work produced for the series has won dozens of awards, including a Peabody award -- one of the highest honors in broadcast journalism."

The Trust isn't pulling out of funding media entirely. It has provided grants for "Arts Beat" on WTTW, Chicago Public Radio's Campaign for a Sound Future and Vocalo.org, and the Chicago Public Library's Chicago Vision Project in the past two years. It also just awarded $500,000 in grants to 12 organizations, including Gapers Block, to spur growth and innovation in the city's media landscape.

The Trust is also partnering with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to develop a set of regional indicators to track the health of Chicagoland across a wide spectrum of measurements.

It's interesting to me that the end of the Chicago Matters series occurs just as the public affairs journalism arena is heating up. The newly launched Chicago Current and soon-to-launch Chicago News Cooperative are newcomers to the field -- both might have been fine new additions to the Chicago Matters partnership, possibly breathing new energy into the series as it looks ahead to its twentieth year. Instead the participating media outlets will be left to go it alone, now with fewer funds to produce journalism that in some years was only being done as part of Chicago Matters.

Sen. Burris Celebrates 40 Years of Public Service

2009-11-13T00:08:49Z

Well while I'm sure many may admire his stance in favor of the public option for health care reform, what hurts this celebration is that he took a US Senate appointment from Rod Blagojevich.

A Chicagoan reflects on the Iron Curtain

2009-11-11T05:23:13Z

Jan Lorenc immigrated from a small town in southern Poland to Chicago's south side in 1962. Despite his young age--8 years old--he remembers living behind the Iron Curtain and suddenly finding himself in a new place where his first memory is riding in a pink Cadillac convertible.

Lorenc is now a successful designer in Atlanta, running a 31-year-old business that he founded in Chicago in 1978. He's also my dad.

As the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this week, I spoke to my dad about his memories of living in a country with one-party rule, moving to the United States, and watching Soviet tyranny dissolve.

RL: You came to Chicago at the height of the Cold War. What was your first thought when you arrived in the U.S.?

JL: For a kid of only 8, it was like landing on another planet. I didn't know the politics of either country, but understood instantly Chicago was much different than Poland. I left my little village on a truck with a tarp cover, and rode a steam engine train to Warsaw, where I took my first bath in a real bathtub [running water] and saw my first TV. In my village, I grew up in another century, another lifetime. But when I arrived in Chicago I was picked up in a pink Cadillac with power windows, and we drove on highways with lights alongside. My life underwent an amazing transformation.

RL: Your father had been to the U.S. for a short time before the whole family moved. Did he have any idea of what to expect?

JL: He had no idea what to expect. He came to the U.S. through the sponsorship of his sister, but, since she left Poland before he was born, he didn't know her at all. In the end, it was really his sister Tekla who assured him that all would be good. Still, coming to the U.S. was a huge risk.

Like many other immigrants, my parents gave everything up to move. They took two cardboard suitcases and started afresh. My father was fed up with the changes to Poland after the war, when Stalin cracked down and your neighbors turned you in for saying something against the party. My father's 4 month imprisonment for buying a piece of leather was one of the last straws, and it took several years for them to get exit visas.

My parents had enormous bravery to leave the familiar behind for a world they did not know anything about. My father saved money from the short-term work he had on his first trip, and when my mother came my parents remained frugal so that within 3 years we bought our first house on the south side.

RL: Do you remember your mother's reaction to her new situation?

JL: I don't. I can only recall my own apprehensions and fears. It was traumatic. My mother was so devoted to my father, and knew how horrible the Polish police state was. She knew the U.S. would be wonderful place to raise the family. I suppose they focused on me since my brothers were already grown.

My parents knew if they worked harder they would make more and save more for a good life and a good education for me. In Poland this was impossible unless you were in the party and kissed up to the system by turning in the non-participants. They came here at age 45 and were able to save for life and be debt-free. They saw America as a land of opportunity and freedom to start one's own business, something that was impossible in Poland, where you were always being watched.

RL: You went back to Poland a few years after you immigrated. What do you remember from your visit?

JL: If you haven't been there, you can't imagine the true physicality of the Iron Curtain. I saw the Iron Curtain when I returned to Poland at 15. I visited my brother in Warsaw and saw all kinds of propaganda billboards about the U.S., and met my sister-in-law's brother who was a pilot who trained the North Vietnamese how to use MIG fighters to bomb U.S. forces. I saw how the news was nothing more than government propaganda.

On my way back to Chicago I traveled through Berlin. It was an emotional experience. My brother dropped me off at the east-west border, and I took a train to the other side. There were desperate people at the train station who so badly wanted out. East Berlin even had a radio tower where you view the lights of the west--pretty torturous, I'd say.

I saw the prison that the Iron Curtain created, how it separted families. My brother was to meet us in the U.S. in 1964, but was unable to leave since he was given a state education. Then, he was to leave in 1979 for my wedding and was arrested taking a letter from someone at the airport. He finally left a year later in 1980, and stayed in the U.S. while his wife and two kids were kept in Poland till 1985.

RL: Did you watch President Reagan's speech in front of the Berlin Wall when he called on Gorbachev to tear it down?

JL: It was amazing. Reagan was a brave man to challenge the Soviets as he did. Some demonized his words, but my parents loved him and what he did to bring down the curtain. His challenges to Gorbachev were real, and they worked.

RL: I remember being at an event with you right after the Wall fell. You had designed a wall comprised of enlarged children's drawings of people for an event put on by MCI. They arranged phones for American kids to call East German kids, and I, being 6, had a short chat with a kid who spoke better English than my nonexistent German. How do you remember that event?

JL: It was an amazing event called Wall to Wall. Even under communism, these East German kids spoke great English, and spoke to kids from Montgomery Elementary School [in Atlanta]. I'm not sure the kids on either side understood who the other side was, but there was joy in communication. There was no hatred for the greedy Americans or the commie Germans--they were just kids. We asked questions about their school classes and lives.

RL: How do people in Poland feel today about the "old days?"

JL: Young people embrace freedom and capitalism, but the generation who grew up in the 60s misses the Poland of the past. Many who benefited from the laziness and complacency of the system miss communism's cradle-to-grave care. Family members who benefitied from the communist system miss the good old days when you did not have to work to get a job because it was just given to you. You did not have to apply to college because you were told where you would go (if at all). If you were sick the doctor was in 24 hours a day so you could get a bag of pills whenever.

Even today my cousin works for a 24-hour state-run dental clinic, and often works the 1 AM shift to take care of those who just can't wait until 7 to get a cavity filled. She even commented once that she received a bottle of liquor as a "gift" for treatment. It was the same bottle she had given her doctor months before. There have been many changes since 1989, but bribery and many parts of the old system are still alive and well.

RL: Lots of people are talking about who would deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for the end of the Cold War. Who deserves the award most?

JL: There's no doubt Reagan would have deserved it, but also Solzhenitsyn for his literature and bringing out the truth about the gulags. Pope John Paul II who quietly kept the pressure on the Soviets in his own subtle way. The media for bringing out the truth, and Gorbachev for opening the curtain just a crack. It was people like the protesters of the Velvet Revolution and Lech Walesa who risked jail time and their lives. It took a long time and the efforts of many people to force the Soviet system to the point when the Wall fell. It definitely is a wonderful thing that it did.

Schakowsky Could Be Bluffing

2009-11-10T22:44:02Z

Call me a cynic but I don't think there'll be much of a consequence if staunch liberals oppose a healthcare reform bill with the Stupak Amendment. That's what Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is doing and also what my new Congressman Mike Quigley is doing. It's a noble effort but really, the liberals in the House and the Senate are the ones who are in the worst position for attention getting. Are they really going to oppose a very progressive healthcare reform bill because it doesn't allow for abortion funding? Is it that much of a surprise that such a compromise exists?

I mean yes, it'd be really nice if the final bill didn't limit abortion funding but who's going to bend over backwards to accommodate Schakowsky? When push comes to shove is she really going to vote against a bill like this with its many other liberal attributes? I doubt it.

It's progressives' big chance to make a difference (although not as big of one as they and I would like). Withholding their vote on a very although not completely progressive bill would also likely endanger them with their liberal constituents.

And I suspect they know this as well. They just need to make a bit of a show so that their liberal voters know they aren't totally okay with such the bill as it is.

(Crossposted)

Doubtful Illinois Will Go Red In 2010

2009-11-10T21:59:20Z

Politico lists Illinois as one of a ten states that could lose a senate seat to the opposition party in 2010:

While Democrats failed in their efforts to woo state Attorney General Lisa Madigan into the race, Republicans scored a major recruiting coup when they signed up Rep. Mark Kirk, a mammoth fundraiser known for his success in holding a tough suburban Chicago House seat. Both sides agree that Kirk will make the race for a Democratic seat competitive. Democrats, meanwhile, have struggled to find a candidate they are comfortable with -- state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has emerged as the front-runner in the Democratic primary field, though his background in banking may provide fodder for opponents.

have to say that sounds...plainly... false to me. There are some states where President Obama's coattails aren't long enough to cover the Democrats in the senate and the house and even though Illinois politics is famous for corruption (often among Democrats) there's no way Mark Kirk who --is a moderate candidate only because every once in a while he'll say something on, say diplomacy, or Sarah Palin, that doesn't quite match up with the party line or the Democrats-- will gather enough support to take Burris's senate seat.

It's true that Alexi Giannoulias does have some questionable business ties but they're hardly enough to take him down IF he gets the nomination and I'm not convinced he will. It's still early and there's no reason to say Hoffman is out just yet.

(crossposted)

Chicago Gets a Role in Greenpeace Climate Video

2009-11-10T18:29:59Z

Members of Greenpeace recently uploaded a video on YouTube that shows activists fighting for climate action across cities in the U.S., including St. Louis, Raleigh, Chicago, Baltimore and L.A. Activists marched in support of International Day of Climate Action, held October 24, where environmentally-minded individuals gathered at key spots in cities worldwide to support the need for an international climate treaty and to raise awareness about climate change. In Chicago, dozens of activists gathered around the Fisk Generating Station at 1111 W. Cermak Rd. in Pilsen. The coal-fired plant is one of the worst polluters in Chicago.

At least watch the video until it hits our fair city (around the 2:01 mark) -- you'll hear activists ask how Obama's energy and global warming plan could let a coal-powered factory like Fisk, which is proven to contribute to the neighborhood's asthma problem, stay open. "Chicago claims to be a green city even though we have two coal-power plants located in predominately Latino neighborhoods," activist Moises Moreno, of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, says in the video. "The coal factories, we feel, haven't been held accountable for the violations they've committed."

According to a Greenpeace rep, photos and videos from these events were delivered recently to delegates in Barcelona at the final UN Climate meeting. Activists are hoping their message is heard before critical discussions begin next month in Copenhagen.

Check out the Greenpeace video here:

Could Todd Stroger Get Knocked Off the Ballot?

2009-11-10T01:12:35Z

Rumors are going around that Todd Stroger's petition signatures are so fraught with error that he could lose his place on the primary ballot.

With news of Danny Davis dropping out today (assuming he would stay dropped out should the remarkable happen and Stroger actually get knocked off the ballot), that could potentially boil the race down to Hyde Park Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Courts Clerk Dorothy Brown, and Water Reclamation District Chair Terry O'Brien.

Preckwinkle got the top position on the ballot. If Stroger is knocked out, Preckwinkle would have to be the frontrunner for the job, particularly if the Mayor is in fact going to lend her outright or behind the scenes support (as has been supposed). While Brown gets elected County-wide (with little challenge) and O'Brien is the sole white dude, Alderman Preckwinkle has the "independent" credibility with none of O'Brien's contractor problems.

Should Stroger get knocked out--and really, this would be a bombshell--I think Toni Preckwinkle has to be considered the prohibitive favorite. The question would be--behind whom would the Stroger organization line up? And would Davis jump back in (that's a timing issue, as well)?

Interesting stuff--personally, I thought Preckwinkle was the favorite since the mysterious timing of the Community Benefits Agreement on the Olympics/Announcement for Board Presidency/Sneed rumor about Daley support for Preckwinkle stuff. She has the right mix of smarts, reformist appeal to contrast with Stroger with the advantage of still having connections to heavy hitter pols and appealing to parts of the South Side African-American primary electorate.

UPDATE: Thanks commenters! I can't believe its already the 9th. Indeed, today, not next Monday, was the deadline for withdrawal. Davis is out for good.

Danny Davis Out of County Board Pres Race

2009-11-09T15:23:40Z

Danny Davis will announce this morning that he would seek reelection for his 7th District Congressional seat. Davis' announcement didn't come with any endorsement, but he did say that at least part of his reasoning was not wanting to split the black vote among four black challengers.

Giannoulias Campaign's Not Gonna Let This Go

2009-11-06T19:28:43Z

Nor should they. I'm not convinced Mark Kirk's letter to the Palin people constituted a request for an endorsement, but his campaign certainly made a pitch to Palin about his suitability. And for what? A "Palin bump" over his barely-existent primary challenges? Stupid move.

Turning in Petitions

2009-11-06T01:29:27Z

Understanding that the period for petition signatures and filing has passed as of this past Monday I wanted to show two videos of candidates making their filings in Springfield running for state offices.

This video from the Quinn campaign is a bit more "glamorous." The production values are very nice, although it doesn't seem to convey how long that they've stood in line to turn in the petitions. Found this via Capitol Fax in discussing an asset the Quinn campaign doesn't utilize or even publicize enough.

This video may not score as much as far a production values, but it sure does convey somewhat how serious the petition filing process is at the state level! This video was by Syron Smith running for state representative in the 32nd District. I posted another video featuring him earlier.

Well hopefully the candidate of your choice has put in all the hard work to file their petitions, whether on the federal, state, or even county levels. Hopefully the candidate of your choice will have solid petitions to remain on the ballot in 2010. I think we'll have some interesting elections to watch next year!

Carothers Wire Nabs Naperville Man in O'Hare Deal

2009-11-05T23:03:34Z

Austin-area alderman Isaac "Ike" Carothers was wearing a wire for a year or so after being nabbed in a zoning-for-cash bribery scheme. His wire has netted an arrest, of Wafeek Aiyash, a Naperville businessman.

The Chicago Sun-Times has learned that the cooperator is Ald. Isaac "Ike" Carothers -- who was charged earlier this year with corruption. Carothers is one of 14 members of the City Council's Aviation Committee.

Ike & the G.

One Year Ago Today...

2009-11-05T03:59:04Z

Exactly one year ago this evening--on November 4, 2008--Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States of America. Just prior to his victory, thousands of supporters spent the day on the outskirts of Grant Park, and lucky ones with a ticket were able to get inside the park and listen to his victory speech, creating a serenity not always seen in Chicago. Police and security surrounded every single corner around Grant Park while crowds aligned in excitement in anticipation of the evening.

One year later, as Mechanics took a stroll on the outskirts of Grant Park this afternoon, things seemed eerily quiet. A businessman on his lunch break walked around the grass, some pedestrians crossed the bridge at East Congress Parkway, looking over at the Metra train tracks below them, and a homeless man searched for a bench to sit on at a park just east of East Harrison Street and South Michigan Avenue.

SK Hand Tool Strike Ends

2009-11-04T22:01:20Z

Chicago Union News is reporting:

The SK Hand Tool strike is over, as Teamsters members voted Tuesday to end the job action and accept a contract -- with health care but lower wages -- from the company.

"They voted to both end the strike and sign the contract, and the contract included [a health care provision and] a return-to-work agreement," a spokeswoman for Teamsters Local 743 said Wednesday. The company is "going to call all the people back to work today and fire all the . . . scabs."

Arne Duncan Is Unqualified Case File: Militarization

2009-11-04T21:16:30Z

Andy Kroll reports on how Arne Duncan forged the most militarized school district in the country.

Yet a closer investigation of Duncan's record in Chicago casts doubt on that label. As he packs up for Washington, Duncan leaves behind a Windy City legacy that's hardly cause for optimism, emphasizing as it does a business-minded, market-driven model for education. If he is a "reformer," his style of management is distinctly top-down, corporate, and privatizing. It views teachers as expendable, unions as unnecessary, and students as customers.

Disturbing as well is the prominence of Duncan's belief in offering a key role in public education to the military. Chicago's school system is currently the most militarized in the country, boasting five military academies, nearly three dozen smaller Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs within existing high schools, and numerous middle school Junior ROTC programs. More troubling yet, the military academies he's started are nearly all located in low-income, minority neighborhoods. This merging of military training and education naturally raises concerns about whether such academies will be not just education centers, but recruitment centers as well.

Rather than handing Duncan a free pass on his way into office, as lawmakers did during Duncan's breezy confirmation hearings last week, a closer examination of the Chicago native's record is in order. Only then can we begin to imagine where public education might be heading under Arne Duncan, and whether his vision represents the kind of "change" that will bring our students meaningfully in line with the rest of the world.

Yes, I added double emphasis, because it says middle school. Twelve- and thirteen-year-olds. Thanks, Arne.

So, President Obama, why did you make this man our chief educator? For his track record of militarization?