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I’m not sure if this is just a bluff or for real, but check out this passage that was buried at the bottom of a story on John Stroger today.
But ward bosses may find their powers blunted this year in any case. Several committeemen told the Daily Southtown that loyal city workers — who typically make up the bulk of a ward’s political army — were having trouble getting off work on Election Day.Workers who owe their jobs to party bosses often ask for a vacation day that day so they can help get voters to the polls. Mayor Richard Daley’s office said there has been no change in policy, but some committeemen said a memo has circulated warning workers that only a few vacation requests would be granted.
“They’re worried about the federal monitor,” one city committeeman said. “That’s going to screw up a lot of organizations.”
Daley’s administration is working under a federal court-appointed monitor who’s supposed to prevent politics from entering into the city’s hiring, firing and other personnel decisions.
posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 2:15 pm
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That’s to bad this means that all those dead people in th Chicago cementries will not get to vote.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 2:21 pm
Even before Stroger was taken ill the Claypool campaign had put out broad-based calls for attorneys to help on Election Day. It would not be too much of a stretch to suggest that such volunteer attorneys would also be asked to gather information about compulsory or quasi-compulsory Election Day work by City or County employees. Axelrod’s right; this is going to be interesting to watch it play out. Sort of a political junkie’s March Madness (especially with Illinois and SIU out).
Comment by Eric the Red Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 2:24 pm
It’s President Claypool!
Seriously, Daley wouldn’t have put this memo out unless he intended to lie down to let Claypool walk in. This is just a time honored tradition of welcoming reformers to burnish a sagging reputation - Daley I did it all of the time.
Daley afraid of federal monitors? Please.
Daley’s more afraid that voters will be finally tired of the rampant corruption and cronyism - what better way to overcome that perception than to play nice with the reformer Claypool
Daley’s the master of the game.
Comment by Phocion Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 2:35 pm
How disappointing. If this is to be taken at face-value, it’s just another example of how the Feds are trying to criminalize politics. Can they really tell the City how to honor vacation requests !?!?
In this case, at least workers are asking for VACATION days, instead of doing it the old way by performing political tasks on government time.
I thought vacations days were designed for employees to get off work to pursue their leisure activities, which for many Chicago dems, just happens to be working Election Day.
Comment by Fed-Realist Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 2:53 pm
I think it may be true. I got a call asking for non-government workers in a Chicago race, because the “regular guys” were having a hard time getting off of work.
Comment by Anon Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 3:13 pm
Fed-Realist
Vacation leave is not a federal matter - but if certain governmental offices are as deserted as Christmas Eve at 4 PM, particularly when it is on election day, then you can see why Patrick Fitzgerald might be interested … .
Comment by Smitty Irving Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 3:25 pm
Think how badly Forest will feel now when he loses and the ciy workers are on the job! That will really bum him out.And his likely ethics director Ald. Mell. Opps I forgot Mell is only for EE and Alexander
Comment by HeKnowsBarack Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 3:50 pm
The only reform the mayor is interested in is trying to reform all us gun nuts in the south. Give it up Dick. We don’t come to Chicago and shoot your children. Your own thugs that you have failed to lock up do that for you. Look down here and understand that we will not be intimidated by the corrupt likes of you!
Comment by NIEVA Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 4:15 pm
If true this sounds like a good thing.
Comment by Levois Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 4:19 pm
It seems like the feds are only looking for improprieties. Daley is acting like there is someting worng going on. He seems guilty, defensive.
Comment by Wumpus Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 4:25 pm
People are lining up behind Stroger. The black vote finally became engaged. They are advocating that it is important to have an African American in that position, so they are starting to mobilize. Stroger will win, then be replaced with Houlihan.
Comment by Schiznitz Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 5:18 pm
Like I said before people seemed to be coming towards stroger but the that was before the stroke. Who wins now is anyones guess but I expect Stroger to prevail and then someone to take it to the General. How will Claypool feel to lose to someone in the Hospital? I bet the ward committeeman will have a laugh about that.
Comment by the ole precinct captain Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 5:23 pm
Uh, Schiznitz…how does Houlihan getting annointed to the office realize those hopes and dreams of the African American community to have an African American as County Board President?
Oh, I forgot. You mean that the party bosses are just duping the voters again? Of course.
Comment by Phocion Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 5:25 pm
This just in: Stroger on the Mend
CHICAGO - Cook County Board President John Stroger was moved out of intensive care at a Chicago hospital Sunday, but remained in serious condition after suffering a stroke last week, according to doctors.
Stroger showed signs of improvement during a neurological examination but continues to experience weakness on the left side of his body, Rush University Medical Center reported in a statement. Stroger appeared more alert, more communicative and was asking his doctors questions.
The 76-year-old politician suffered a stroke and was hospitalized on March 14, one week before the Illinois primary election.
Stroger, a Chicago Democrat, is in the midst of a contentious re-election campaign against County Commissioner Forrest Claypool. The race is the most competitive Stroger has faced since he first ran for president in 1994.
Though a recent poll had Stroger with a 10 percent lead over Claypool, political analysts say Tuesday’s primary is now up for grabs.
Wonder who is saying up for grabs? Looks like the 10 point lead is growing Bye Bye Forest
Comment by Mr. Anon Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 6:10 pm
Some State employees were sent a letter warning about the same thing. Although it did say personal or vacation days must be used to be off Tuesday. No sick days.
Comment by Mr. Ethics Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 6:25 pm
If that is true, it is a momentous day! It is the beginning of the beneficial payoff for Chicago, Cook County and Illinois from all those federal investigations and federal prosecutions.
The Chicago Machine lives by its army of patronage workers. If they are neutralized, democracy might just break out in this town.
The teeth are coming out of the tiger, one by one.
Comment by Bubs Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 6:58 pm
Stroger wins–you can go to the bank on it. Claypool is as much a reformere as I am (see Kass’ column today). Every worker that wants off will get it off. You reformers are worse than us hacks. Stop drooling all over yourselves and get a real candidate.
Comment by political hack Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 7:25 pm
Off-topic but did anyone see this article?
“That’s exciting news,” he said after Bradley made it to the Sweet Sixteen by beating Pittsburgh. “I’m not surprised. There’s a lot of basketball enthusiasm in Peoria. It’s almost like a little piece of Indiana in central Illinois.”
Maybe I am just being a sensitive Downstater who is a rabid basketball fan but preternaturally hates the Hoosiers, but does this comment seem a bit condescending or insulting to anyone else? I mean, the IHSA does claim to host the original March Madness and all.
Comment by These are our choices? Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 8:14 pm
Of course they will get time off. A lot of manpower is needed to shuttle around the displaced residents of public housing who forgot to re-register at their new residence. It will be a regular grand central station outside the polling place for Cabrini-Green, etc.
Comment by Rosey Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 8:19 pm
As much as I want reform, I hate to see political activists disenfranchised by scaredy-cats at City Hall.
The way to fix corruption and cronyism is to stop political hires (and respect the Shakman decree) — not to stop people from exercising their constitutional right to participate in the political process — especially on their own vacation time.
Maybe the bosses at City Hall are afraid that their people will exercise some political free will and work from non-machine candidates like Claypool ! Control and Party discipline ain’t what it used to be.
Comment by Fed-Realist Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 11:21 pm