* From a reader…
Hi Rich,
I live in the 13th Ward and I got the attached letter at my door today from someone named “Steven Hensley” recommending I support Dan Lipinski for Congress and others.
I googled the name Steven Hensley and found this article from the Tribune. I don’t think it’s right that someone who is tied up in this stuff should be trying to influence me and my neighbors’ votes.
I don’t want to be involved or have my name associated with any of this, but I think people need to know.
Thanks
Must be a transplant.
* From the linked article…
House Speaker Michael Madigan swayed the University of Illinois to admit the relatives of public officials, political allies and donors who contributed $115,200 to campaign funds he controls, a Tribune investigation has found. […]
Madigan also sponsored a relative of Steven Hensley, a Madigan campaign contributor and circulator of petitions for the speaker’s campaigns. The relative, referred to in university records as a “Madigan request,” was an alternate to get into a competitive graduate program at the Chicago campus. The applicant eventually was admitted. What’s more, the relative then received more than $32,000 in taxpayer-funded legislative scholarships from the speaker.
* The flier…
Another handout is here. My favorite part…
- A Guy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:11 am:
Pardon my lack of shock.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:17 am:
== I don’t think it’s right that someone who is tied up in this stuff should be trying to influence me and my neighbors’ votes.==
This is a really pernicious attitude that amounts to , “because I don’t like your political/civic action, you shouldn’t be allowed to do it.” Does the tipster have an approved list of citizens who are allowed to be activists?
- JoanP - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:18 am:
In other news, water was discovered in Lake Michigan.
- Because I Said So.... - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:24 am:
Late Saturday A LOT of Lipinski signs popped up in the 19th Ward. From what I saw most were on parkways and corner pathways not technically on peoples lawns. Signs placed in these locations are often removed by the Ward Superintendent if they are not the party’s backed candidate.
By Monday morning I saw some taken out of the ground but not removed entirely.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:25 am:
Same reaction Rich. Wow did this person move to the wrong neighborhood.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:26 am:
A note from someone “not from around here” who doesn’t understand “we don’t want nobody nobody sent”
They must be “shocked” when 60 yard signs pop up all of a sudden too.
As informing as this is about the negative Newman stuff in the Ward, it’s an interesting snapshot of the Ward organization at work and a constituent not grasping how the precinct captain system works, and how “lucky” they are someone is there looking out for them, and a well-services Ward to boot.
Merely as a window into things at the precinct level politics, it’s fascinating for March 2020
- A Guy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:29 am:
Better the person not reveal herself. If it snows, other innocent people use that alley too.
- Trollbait - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:30 am:
Is anything in this letter incorrect? They do have an incredible service office. There are more street lights in the 13th ward than any other ward. They remove graffiti from schools and houses. They work really hard to make it a nice neighborhood. A new alderman, committeeman or representative wouldn’t be able to recreate what they took decades to build.
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:33 am:
Rich -
Congrats on subscribing political outsiders, you continue to grow while the Chicago Tribune circulation is down over 20 percent.
- Boomerang - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:50 am:
Here’s hoping these “new” 13th Ward Homeowners who thought they were moving into Lincoln Park South grasp the full picture of what it means to enjoy life in Madigan-land.
#KeepCalmAndVoteThePalmCardAndYouWillBeFine
- Victor Kingston - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:57 am:
This is not the first time this cycle I’ve heard of people that are shocked, shocked I say, that people might dare to knock on their doors or send them a letter for a candidate they aren’t supporting.
This new breed of politically aware humans don’t seem to be aware of how campaigns actually work. Let alone how they work in the 13th ward. It’s not all Facebook ads and sub-tweets.
- Paddyrollingstone - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:58 am:
Here’s hoping these “new” 13th Ward Homeowners who thought they were moving into Lincoln Park South grasp the full picture of what it means to enjoy life in Madigan-land.
#KeepCalmAndVoteThePalmCardAndYouWillBeFine
That’s the beauty of this style of politics. To almost every person voting, it really hardly matters whether Lipinski or Newman wins. Whoever is the congressman will not change anything really fo the average person. Therefore, if it means that much to the people that clean the graffiti, plow the snow, pick up the trash, etc, why not vote for who they ask for?
I’d rather have the 13th Ward’s services then what I get from living in “enlightened’ Evanston.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:01 am:
===don’t seem to be aware of how campaigns actually work===
Four years ago some online goofs thought a 13th Ward palm card was an official county sample ballot. lol
- Parody Marie Newman - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:03 am:
Can you please send this Madigan-Lipinski letter to the suburban parts of the district?
- All This - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:07 am:
Newman is running for the US House of Representatives. How does that impact snowplows or garbage pick up or street lights? Is the alderman going to go on strike or something?
- McCarthyism - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:09 am:
I don’t know why anyone would want to be a volunteer precinct captain in the 13th ward. These people are targeted for unprecedented scrutiny and brutal media attacks.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:11 am:
===…a volunteer precinct captain in the 13th ward.===
volunteer precinct captain should be in quotes to make the comment work.
- Victor Kingston - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:13 am:
===Four years ago some online goofs thought a 13th Ward palm card was an official county sample ballot.===
I’m quitting show business.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:38 am:
They’re getting paid, but still volunteer should be in quotes
- Sue - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:45 am:
So who will Madigan support if Sanders is the nominee
- Fav human - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:51 am:
Seems like some parts of the machine are still in good working order.
- Independent - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:55 am:
“Newman is running for the US House of Representatives. How does that impact snowplows or garbage pick up or street lights? Is the alderman going to go on strike or something?”
Correct. If Lipinski loses the nomination it will be business as usual for Madigan and Quinn. And if Newman won I think she and Madigan would somehow make peace.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:59 am:
-How does that impact snowplows or garbage pick up or street lights?-
It makes the ward organization look weak, and they can’t have that.
- All This - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 11:59 am:
-So who will Madigan support if Sanders is the nominee?-Lipinski.
- Save Ferris - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:03 pm:
@Sue
Do you live under a rock?
Madigan is the chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, so therefore he would support the Democratic nomination whoever it is.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:15 pm:
Pretty sure no palm card needed for the general, welcome to one party rule.
- Powdered Whig - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:19 pm:
=== Newman is running for the US House of Representatives. How does that impact snowplows or garbage pick up or street lights? Is the alderman going to go on strike or something? ===
Lipinski brings home a lot of federal transportation money home to the district. You can see the difference in the quality of roads in the 13th Ward when compared to other parts of the City.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:20 pm:
=== welcome to one party rule.===
No one is stopping the GOP here in Illinois to decide to *be* relevant, or at least be competitive to make Democrats work,
Surrendering and deciding not to compete is not the same as “one party rule”
- the Patriot - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:20 pm:
This is why I ignore IL dems crying about how foul and corrupt Trump is. If you voted for a legislator that backed Madigan, Trump has the moral high ground on on you…just sayin.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:23 pm:
@ OW; true.
- Fav human - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:25 pm:
“stopping the GOP here in Illinois”
You mean like electing a socially moderate governor? 😆😆😆😆
- Billy Sunday - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:37 pm:
Coming soon to the 13th ward: “Newman-Madigan.” It sure will be an odd political couple…
- Powdered Whig - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 12:47 pm:
=== Trump has the moral high ground on on you ===
If Trump can ever legitimately claim that he has the moral high ground on me, then I would hope that I am sitting in a jail cell.
- JP Altgeld - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 1:28 pm:
It’s early yet but OW’s comment is in the running for comment of the year:
“volunteer precinct captain should be in quotes to make the comment work.”
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 3:20 pm:
Que Sean Connery saying “and that’s the Chicago wayyyyy”
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 10:01 pm:
So what exactly are Mr. Madigan and Alderman Quinn offering that aren’t the standard public goods and public services folks are supposed to receive?