Check out Alderman Troutman’s raucous news conference here. Unedited video. Must see. Chicago politics at its craziest.
Tribune story:
At a raucous City Hall news conference before today’s City Council meeting, Ald. Arenda Troutman asserted that she has been “an upstanding alderman for 17 years,” and will continue to seek reelection in February.
She said she “will continue to fight for my people and this city and the 20th Ward and stand strong.”
With about 50 supporters behind her, Troutman would not talk specifically about the bribery charges lodged against her, but her attorney, Sam Adam Jr., said the government’s case is baseless.
To Troutman’s challengers in February, Adam said, “Bring your ‘A’ game because Ald. Troutman is back.”
“I am bringing my ‘A’ game,” shot back David Neely, one of her challengers, who attended the news conference. “I will be the alderman of the 20th Ward,” he said as the Troutman supporters booed.
Sun-Times:
Attorney David Neely, who is on the Feb. 27 ballot trying to unseat Troutman, attended Troutman’s City Hall news conference, Neely repeated his call for a two-term limit for Chicago aldermen and, to the jeers of Troutman’s supporters, said: “If you look at the history of Chicago, every time a politician has been charged with committing a crime, they have press conferences. Their attorneys stand up and say they didn’t do it. There are tape recordings. There are videos. She will be indicted by Friday. And the people of the 20th Ward are being neglected.â€
LIVE session coverage...
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 1:45 pm:
Amen.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 1:56 pm:
“Alderman Troutman did not take money to do anything illegal.”–Troutman’s lawyer
But taking the money was illegal, right?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 1:58 pm:
If it was tied to a specific action, yes, it’s illegal. And that’s the allegation.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 1:58 pm:
“Not telling about the Christmas baskets”
Everybody is ripping off Bush’s play book now.
- Sly - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:10 pm:
I wished I lived in her ward, I’d vote for her. She needs all the help she can get now.
- ChiCountryGuy - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:12 pm:
Why would you vote for her, Sly? I missed that…
- Ambulance chaser - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:13 pm:
Where was Rocky Balboa? Was that Clubber Lang coming out of the crowd? The only thing missing was Don King!
- Squideshi - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:33 pm:
What what the point of the priest at the start of the conference?
- ChiCountryGuy - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:35 pm:
you have to ask Squid?
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:40 pm:
A person doesn’t just all of a sudden start taking bribes.
Assuming she has been doing this for some time, she probably didn’t report it on her taxes and owes penalties and interest she’ll never be able to pay off.
Hope the IRS is working on that angle.
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:52 pm:
Squideshi said….>“What what the point of the priest at the start of the conference?”
It was a exorcism of sorts..
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:53 pm:
Nobody ever went to jail for stealing their first nickel.
- Pat Hickey - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:55 pm:
Hey Squidechi, are the Greens leveraging John Somerville’s campaign in the 19th Ward? Is Josh Kilroy, Sonerville’s Campaign Managerm the same Green Party Josh Kilroy? I thought I’d ask over at Illinoize. I know you were all a’bubble about hitting the streets for the Green slate.
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 2:59 pm:
Jean Val Jean did for stealing bread.
- HoosierDaddy - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:10 pm:
Yes, but this isn’t Les Miserables…. just MISERABLE!
- Skeeter - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:14 pm:
Was there any real secret that she had some issues? Her gang ties have been pretty well documented. If anyone has made a list on New Year’s Day of “Alderman Most Likely To Be Indicted in 2007″ she absolutely would have been in the top five [I’m inclined to make a list, but I suspect that it would get the post deleted].
The real shame here is that the 20th more than most wards needs an effective alderman. Unfortunately, the voters keep electing people like Troutman. The people of the 20th have to stand up for themselves. They need to stop sending people like this to the City Hall.
On an unrelated note, does every post here have to include some angry reference either pro or anti-Green? Only Squid cares at all about them, and it has become tiresome.
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:20 pm:
Anyone doubt that she’ll be reelected?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:20 pm:
I agree about the Green stuff, Skeeter. Squid even posted on the State Fair band thread. The Greenies need a new schtick. But, I don’t want to ban them. Squid isn’t really doing anything wrong.
- Pat Hickey - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:26 pm:
Heck, no Rich.
It seems that John Somerville’s campaign for alderman in the 19th ward might be an attempt by the Green Party to gain some ground. It would be nice to know if Somerville’s run for alderman is part of the Green Party agenda.
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:35 pm:
If Troutman were serious about bringing her ‘A’ game, she should’ve gotten her rump off the bench and said something instead of keeping Adams in the starting line up while he kept missing free throws.
Give me a break on the Christmas basket to the old lady who doesn’t even know Troutman’s name or how long she’s lived in the neighborhood and so called affordable housing.
And for all we know, that old arm waving lady may not even live in the 20th ward.
Calling Jake CP - what do you think about this mess buddy?
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:40 pm:
I enjoyed the conference very much. Not as great as the night Eugene Sawyer became mayor, but it is a great piece of theater.
The priest sets the tone to ensure all witnesses that the following message is The Truth. The lawyer sets the tone to ensure all witnesses that what he says is the Legal Truth. Mary Ann Barry was there to ensure all witnesses that Troutman possess the ability to Heal. Troutman plays the Helpless Victim of Whitey.
In Japan, they would call this kabuki theater. This is what happens when you have one-party rule for generations. Chicago is the loser.
- Skeeter - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:49 pm:
“This is what happens when you have one-party rule for generations. Chicago is the loser.”
This has NOTHING to do with one party rule.
First, aldermanic campaigns are non-partisan with a pretty low signature threshold to get on the ballot. If you pay attention to the rules, it is pretty easy to get on the ballot.
Second, she has multiple opponents, including five this year.
Third, you see more real contested aldermanic races than you see for just about any office. For the U.S. Congress even in 2006, 94% of incumbents won re-election. That’s the nature of elections. Incumbents tend to win. Welcome to electoral reality.
Chicago’s City Counsel has its share of issues. However, “one party rule” has nothing to do with any of those issues.
- 105th Blues - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 3:58 pm:
Allot of yelling and angry vitriol going on there. Pretty odd to get that worked up if nothing illegal allegedly happened. If the DA’s got you dead to rights it will only increase the humiliation by holding a public press conference to denounce, so perhaps her lawyer thinks he has an angle.
- rachel - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 4:07 pm:
I’ve never seen a priest say “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” without making the sign of the cross.
- Pat Hickey - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 4:16 pm:
Depends. They guy might not be a priest but a minister, or maybe he’s just being ecumenical.
- Scoot - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 4:33 pm:
WOW that was the worse press conference to announce a re-election. When I look at this lady she reminds me of Cythnia Mckinney(former congressmen from GA)
- Niles Township - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 4:34 pm:
What’s the over/under on her reelection? Can wait to see the Trib editorial on the voters of the 20th ward.
- Judgement Day Is On The Way... - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 4:54 pm:
You should have seen all the press down in the lobby at Dirksen today - a small army on news media. As usual, they even had a team of camera guys waiting outside at each exit.
Another “Ho Hum” day….
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 5:02 pm:
With all due respects to other denominations, I don’t think the clergyman was a Catholic priest.
Whaddaya you think, Pat?
- Pat Hickey - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 5:09 pm:
If he is, the guy must be as soft as a grape,
- Hugh - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 5:17 pm:
> “Alderman Most Likely To Be Indicted in 2007″
> [I’m inclined to make a list, but I suspect that it would get the post deleted].
try here:
Open Thread: Top Ten Aldermen Most Worthy of Indictment
http://www.alderman4sale.com/
- Bill - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 5:18 pm:
Ho,Ho,Ho
- Hugh - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 5:19 pm:
The press was shouting for the good padre’s name, did anyone get it?
- Aldertrack Fan - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 5:19 pm:
“What’s the over/under on her reelection? Can wait to see the Trib editorial on the voters of the 20th ward?”
For what it’s worth, the AlderTrack site runs a stock market-type exchange for all of the aldermanic candidates. I noticed Troutman’s stock plummeted about 70% the day of the arrest. It’s ticking back up now, though. www.aldertrack.typepad.com
- Jab - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 5:52 pm:
I can’t believe anyone can say you see more real contested elections for alderman than other offices. Chicago elections are held in February to keep voter turnout low. That always favors the incumbent. 29 of the current aldermen were initially appointed by Daley, including Troutman. Alderman control so many real life issues for local businesses that they dare not contribute money to a challenger. You can’t afford to piss off your alderman. incumbency is a bigger advantage at this level than for Congress.
My alderman just knocked off all 3 contenders to get on the ballot through procedures. It is not that easy as we will see well over 100 potential candidates eliminated. You can only say it is easy if you have actually gotten through a challenge. You might get on the ballot unchallenged if they don’t think you are a threat. Then it is easy.
- I Live in the 20th Ward - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 6:20 pm:
the chief judge has banned the media from coming out of the media area in the dirk fed building
wonder why patrick fitz did not announce the charges? does gary shapiro has something personal against troutman? where was pat fitz? normally he anounce charges like these? gary shapiro…….things that make you say hummmmmmmm
- Marion - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 6:23 pm:
Arenda did NOTHING wrong. She told the truth.
This is a conspiracy by the powers that be to keep a strong Black woman down. This is only the law and entrapment of the White oppressor.
FIGHT THE POWER
- I live in the 20th ward - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 6:28 pm:
Marion 6:23,you sound like a Dorothy Brown supporter the day she was crying on t.v cause “she’s a woman”
- Skeeter - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 7:22 pm:
Marion,
Was Troutman’s complete lack of accomplishment during her 16 years in office also part of that conspiracy against strong Black women?
Given her lack of success, maybe its time to find somebody a bit stronger for that fight.
Also, it would be nice to find somebody who doesn’t let gang leaders use her car, and who doesn’t feel compelled to turn on the shredder when the feds come knocking, but that’s another matter completely.
- Squideshi - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 7:27 pm:
“Hey Squidechi, are the Greens leveraging John Somerville’s campaign in the 19th Ward? Is Josh Kilroy, Sonerville’s Campaign Managerm the same Green Party Josh Kilroy? I thought I’d ask over at Illinoize. I know you were all a’bubble about hitting the streets for the Green slate.”
I’ll be honest with you, when it comes to the Green Party in Illinois, there are those in Chicago and everyone else. I’m in the everyone else category, so I’m not always as up to date on Chicago information as I should be. I don’t know if Josh Kilroy is the same person or not. I’ve actually never met a Green named Josh Kilroy. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the same person–I didn’t know everyone in the party before; and now that the membership numbers have swelled following the 2006 campaign, there are even more people that I have yet to meet. It’s a good problem to have.
- Pat Hickey - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 7:40 pm:
Thanks Squidechi! Just asking. The guy must be flying under the radar.
- Bridget Dooley - Thursday, Jan 11, 07 @ 9:23 pm:
Oh my, that was by far the most entertaining thing I’ve seen all week.Only in Chicago.
- Snidely Whiplash - Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 8:40 am:
That was scarier than Peraica’s march on the county building! Politics in Chicago is giving daytime tv a run for its money lately, isn’t it?