Today’s quotable
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WBEZ’s city hall reporter…
…Adding… The great Fran Spielman…
More…
Ald. Carrie Austin (34th), the always outspoken Budget Committee Chairman, was suddenly speechless when asked to comment about Solis.
“Not about Danny. I might cry,” Austin said. “You don’t do that. You just don’t.”
Rules Committee Chairman Michelle Harris (8th) offered a variation on Don Corleon’s infamous admonishment to his son in the movie, “The Godfather”: “Don’t take sides against the family.”
“I try to think that we’re a family down here and we all work together. So, I got to say it’s probably a little disheartening for me,” Harris said.
…Adding… Paul Vallas…
My fellow candidates have been extremely and unusually quiet today, so let me be the first to call out the latest episode around corruption at City Hall. I said it first and I will say it again – there is a “code of silence” amongst Chicago’s political elite – including many elected and appointed officials and those who lobby to them, many of whom have made generational wealth of the city. Today’s revelation that Alderman Solis wore a wire to tape criminally-charged Alderman Ed Burke is just the latest scandal at City Hall.
There was a code of silence around Laquan McDonald and cover up of the video tape. There was a code of silence around former Country Assessor Berrios and his outrageous tax assessment practices that punished working families. There was a code of silence around the $22 million no-bid contract that landed CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett in prison. There was a code of silence around Emanuel and McCarthy’s degradation and scapegoating of the police department. This has got to stop!
There are only two reasons someone would wear a wire when conversing with public servants: they are in trouble themselves and are seeking to lighten the consequences through cooperation, or they have a sense of integrity. I won’t pretend to know which is the case in this instance of Alderman Solis taping conversations with the charged Alderman Ed Burke.
However, the sense of betrayal that is being expressed today by some other aldermen is frankly disgusting. One alderman said Solis was like “family,” with the clear inference that Solis betrayed the family. If there is a family of aldermen like that, then it is a crime family with a code of silence – and every one of the machine candidates who got into this race after Emanuel bowed out is connected to Alderman Burke in some way or another. I will be holding a press conference tomorrow to talk more about those connections. It is time for a clean sweep at City Hall. We need a Mayor and a City Council that are honest and puts our citizens first.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:30 pm:
Glad to hear Matt make that comment. I was thinking the same thing.
And it wasn’t just O’Shea. Sawyer made similar comments.
How do you ask gang members to testify against each other, when alderman refuse to do it?
It sums up a big part of the reason we have crime problems. Many aldermen are just not serious about it.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:31 pm:
Ald. O’Shea explains that the 19th ward operates on a Mafia code of non-cooperation with law enforcement and omerta.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:31 pm:
True that…
We keep our fraud to ourselves
Ut nos ipsi in nobis dolum
New city motto…
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:32 pm:
These people seem nice…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:32 pm:
You can think it… but don’t say it…
Capos know… “buttons” are more likely to talk like that.
- Paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:33 pm:
I think there is a difference between knowing about a crime and not helping the police and knowing you are in trouble and betraying someone to get out of it.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:34 pm:
This attitude is a real issue and only furthers corruption.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:35 pm:
So to sum up the message to the rank and file from City Hall: Codes of Silence = good. Keep writing those multi-million dollar settlement checks, folks.
- Bogey Golfer - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:40 pm:
“Chicago ain’t ready for no reform”. True then, true today.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:43 pm:
Also… if y’all are gonna turn on each other to expose things, hows about not getting mixed up in other things that make you vulnerable to flip on someone…
I get that you don’t join the Chicago City Council to be the one no one trusts because you might turn stoolie.. maybe that’s the root of the problem.
- northsider (the original) - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:44 pm:
Do these idiots realize they are talking about a federal witness?
- jim - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:45 pm:
that’s brave talk from Chicago’s native criminal class.
But the fact is that virtually all these tough guys wet their pants, crawl into a fetal position and start singing like songbirds when confronted by the feds with evidence of their misdeeds.
they’d rat out their mothers to save themselves.
all this bold talk is pure rubbish.
- Mike - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:51 pm:
Why do people “flip” (cooperate)? Because EVERYBODY flips.
- NomChompsky - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:54 pm:
This is an interesting take from any elected official in a day and age where our very own McPresident has publicly decried the act of “flipping.”
Or as the rest of us refer to it, “cooperating with law enforcement.”
Consider the company you keep in your statements, Alderman.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:55 pm:
Inmates say snitches get stitches, so these alderman are just rehearsing for their futures.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:59 pm:
Yeah, all those people should resign. Today. Now. If you have no respect for the law, you shouldn’t get to make the law.
- no license for you... - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:06 pm:
If any of these alderpeople are attorneys and were aware of the illegal activity, they better start cooperating and talking….
In re Himmel, 125 Ill. 2d 531 (1988)
- Original Rambler - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:10 pm:
That’s a great call by the whole truth. And PRS 1:33, I don’t see a difference at all. Solid either knew or suspected Burke was committing a crime and helped law enforcement by telling them. Are you intimating that he should have sat on that info and let the crime proceed because his motive for sharing was self preservation? That doesn’t sound very civic minded. The attitude of some of these aldermen to cast aspersions on Solis is disturbing.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
The gang
And the government
No different
That makes me 1%
— Jane’s Addiction
- Steve - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
This is going to be a big corruption scandal because what’s been revealed is 2 top players so far. If the FBI has interest in 2 Chairmen already, how many more Aldermen are they interested in ?
- Board Watcher - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:12 pm:
Really surprised O’Shea would make that comment after all John Lausch is a 19th Ward guy and lives close by him. Wonder if he will relay that message to him at a neighborhood football or hockey game?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:13 pm:
===If the FBI has interest in 2 Chairmen already, how many more Aldermen===
The G tends to move up the food chain, not down.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:15 pm:
Where is the Better Government Association or Coalition for Political Reform in all this craziness? Where is the long line of state legislators jumping over themselves filing all sorts of bills to respond to this scandal?
When scandals erupt in other parts of the state they’re very responsive, but when it is the City Council they are too busy.
- y - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:16 pm:
Disgraceful. Lock’em all up. In developing countries people believe the best politician is the one that steals the least. Ironic that in a developed country such as this one, the same adage applies.
- Jibba - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:19 pm:
Vaguely remembering something about an oath of office…
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:23 pm:
Love how Fran took a deep dive into the archives to pull up her old quotes calling Ambrosio Medrano “a stand-up guy” for keeping his mouth shut.
Allan Streeter? A rat. Medrano? A hero who took it like a man.
It’s like Jimmy Conway telling Henry Hill the rules of life: never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut. Except this isn’t fiction and these aren’t wise guys.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:25 pm:
These are the “peoples representatives ” who are only looking out for themselves and “crying about their colleagues”, not fighting back against corruption in government and the breach of trust with their constituents.
- Been There - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:26 pm:
===Solid either knew or suspected Burke was committing a crime and helped law enforcement by telling them===
You got to be kidding me. Are you that naive? The feds obviously had Solis on something of his own. He sang to save himself and not that he was being a conscience citizen. He probably could have done that 20 years ago if that was the case.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:31 pm:
At any given time 10% of them might get time for their actions. And yet, EVERYONE knows their Alderman and how to get in touch. From a government standpoint, it’s one of the most effective forms there is.
Now, if you could just keep the scoundrels out.
- Paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:33 pm:
- Original Rambler - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:10 pm:
“That’s a great call by the whole truth. And PRS 1:33, I don’t see a difference at all. Solid either knew or suspected Burke was committing a crime and helped law enforcement by telling them. Are you intimating that he should have sat on that info and let the crime proceed because his motive for sharing was self preservation?”
Original - that is what I am saying. Obviously, a minority opinion. I also believe that Medrano was a stand up guy for doing what he did. I mean not disrespect to your opinion because it is well thought out one. I just disagree with it.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:36 pm:
It was Michael Corleone who said to Fredo: “Don’t take sides against the family.”
The exact quote: “Fredo, you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever.”
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:48 pm:
these quotes are so ridiculous that I feel like I’m watching an episode of Chicago PD. It’s moving fast, it’s over the top, and the characters are caricatures. jeez, Chicago……
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:49 pm:
Shouldn’t they be more upset at the rampant corruption than another Aldermen wearing a wire? Holy cow those people are dysfunctional.
- Al - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:04 pm:
Nice to know Chicago is exactly the same as it was in the 1920s.
- Original Rambler - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:04 pm:
Been There, I do not disagree but the FOP schooled me yesterday about the presumption of innocence so I guess I have to presume Solis has not committed any crime until he please guilty.
(Yes he’s saving himself.) PRS no disrespect taken. Anonymous 2:49 sums up my position nicely. He/she should really get a handle.
- Colin O'Scopy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:28 pm:
Two rules for the Chicago City Council:
Rule #1) Keep yer pie-hole shut
Rule #2) See Rule #1
- Streeter and Sanitation - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:33 pm:
Here’s what I don’t get in all of this outrage today. This is a city that has a pretty good sense of its political history. Operation Silver Shovel is not that far in the recesses of the past. Operation Greylord was just a few years earlier. All of this while Ed Burke was in office, so he was aware of the effects of the investigations. Did the aldermen quoted today really think Solis wearing a wire was beyond comprehension? That represents a wishful form of amnesia.
- SSL - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:35 pm:
What they said is sad. But what they’re thinking is “I wonder if I’m on those tapes?”
Sleep well.
- Fav Human - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:40 pm:
And you can hug people all you want, but with modern technology I doubt you’re going to detect any audio device. They don’t have to be very big and the batteries can last for quite a while.
But it was very funny about “in trouble or has a sense of integrity.” I don’t know which one it is either, but I know which way I’d bet the farm!
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:53 pm:
Original Rambler-If you check out Second City Cop blog today you’ll see the rank and file don’t think too much about FOP’s endorsement of Burke.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:58 pm:
Well, Vallas seems to get it.
- My Button is Broke... - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 4:07 pm:
Accidental honesty…
- City Guy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 4:16 pm:
I give Paul Vallas credit for his statement. It won’t win friends with a number of the alderman, but it is a good display of integrity. I’m now waiting to see what Daley, Preckwinkle and the others say.
- MissingG - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 4:19 pm:
This just supports Daley’s bid for Mayor. He wants to get rid of 70% of the corrupt city counsel members
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 5:41 pm:
I hope Second City Cop does not represent the rank and file, most of the opinions there are beyond the pale.
- Harvest76 - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 5:55 pm:
Vallas was the only one who said what we all already know. Well, all but the council members in Chicago, apparently.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 9:27 pm:
Alpha cities shouldn’t have a 19th century political culture. Embarrassing.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 10:00 pm:
–And yet, EVERYONE knows their Alderman and how to get in touch. From a government standpoint, it’s one of the most effective forms there is. –
Are you nuts? What is “effective” about it? You’re nostalgic for a time that never existed.
Read the papers, read the papers…..that’s your alderman.
It’s, obviously, one of the most corrupt systems possible, the tradition (not law) of “aldermanic privilege.”
Look at the scoreboard, of all of them who have gone down over the years just on mickey-mouse zoning shakedowns.
You have to kiss the tukkus of an aldermen to get an awning for your storefront, for crying out loud. Why in the world should you have to do that?
Burke was shaking down a Burger King that wanted to pave its parking lot. How in the world is that “effective” government, that you’d even have to contact an alderman for such a thing?
- City Guy - Thursday, Jan 24, 19 @ 8:51 am:
What Wordslinger said at 10:00 hits the nail on the head.