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* This officeholder really needs a primary so she can be held accountable…
Cook County Democratic leaders are leaning against backing State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez as she seeks a third term against three potential challengers next March.
During Tuesday’s endorsement session, a panel recommended an “open primary.” A final decision will come Wednesday, but it’s rare for the party to reject a committee recommendation.
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is backing her onetime chief of staff, Kim Foxx, a former assistant state’s attorney who helped Preckwinkle lead an effort to lower the jail population and reform the juvenile justice system.
Other committeemen backed Donna More, a lawyer who was a county and federal prosecutor and Illinois Gaming Board attorney. Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey, a former assistant attorney general and state representative, said he’s running but did not ask for an endorsement.
With the loyalties of ward and township committeemen divided, Preckwinkle suggested the open-primary recommendation.
* Looks like she almost broke her arm while patting herself on the back…
Alvarez acknowledged “there might be criticism from some members” of the committee, but she said, “I have been the most innovative state’s attorney in the history of the state’s attorney’s office.”
* And you just knew this would happen…
Anita Alvarez invokes diversity in asking Ck Cty Dems for endorsement. "I'm the only Latina on this ticket."
— Mark Brown (@MarkBrownCST) August 18, 2015
* Meanwhile…
The surprise of the day was an unexpected push to slate [Todd] Stroger to fill the remaining two years on the term of Patrick Daley Thompson, who left his seat on the Water Reclamation District board to become 11th Ward alderman.
“Most of you knew my father, and I’d like to follow in his footsteps,” Stroger told committeemen, invoking his late father, John, his predecessor as county board president.
Influential Thornton Township Committeeman Frank Zuccarelli and Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) voiced support for Stroger.
“I think he got a bum rap,” Burnett said.
Later, behind closed doors, Zuccarelli told committeemen: “He needs the job.”
Sheesh. Could that county party get more arrogant?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:02 am
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I thought Todd Stroger went away after he was denied unemployment. Sheesh. The Cook County Bd’s continual political patronage is as blatent as it gets.
Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:10 am
that State’s Attorney primary will be fascinating to watch: black woman, Hispanic woman, white female, white male. Ethnic politics at its best/worst.
Comment by Samuel K. Gove, RIP Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:10 am
What has Alvarez done to reduce the number of folks going to jail instead of being diverted to other forms of correction. Prosecutors play a big role in diversion, probably, the biggest role, yet the Illinois prison population remains high, and also remains disproportionately composed of minorities, with ruinous effects on individuals and communities, including in Cook County. Especially in Cook County.
If there is someone who can do a better job addressing this problem than she has, that person should get the job.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:23 am
The next time I interview I’ll go to my father’s current employer and just mutter these words and leave, “Most of you knew my father, and I’d like to follow in his footsteps,”. Why hire someone based on merit? We deserve the broke city/county governments that we have. Just seeing Todd’s name makes my stomach turn over.
Comment by Jose Abreu's next homer Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:25 am
> Could that county party get more arrogant?
*This* is what pushes you over the edge?!? Sheesh.
Comment by Anonybody Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:25 am
Some of these county races are going to be very interesting, I’m curious to see if they’ll drive their own attention (and turnout) or if they’ll get drowned out by the Presidential race and the Senate race drama.
Leading into election day for the Illinois primary it seems possible that the Republican presidential primary will still be unsettled and if so that will likely draw the largest coverage. I don’t think the US Senate primary will be much of a race but because of it’s national prominence it is getting a lot of coverage.
On the Democratic side there will be an interesting primary for statewide comptroller and that will get some coverage. And even though the Democratic nomination for President should be wrapped up by the time Illinoisans head to the polls Clinton will still get coverage as an Illinois native and likely the first female nominee for President.
In that environment which of these interesting county races/candidates can break through and how do you predict what the electorate looks like? I have some ideas but they’re just best guesses.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:26 am
I’m going to be torn over which ballot to pull in this primary. So many incumbents I want to vote against. Anita Alvarez near the top of that list…
Comment by Dean Keaton Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:30 am
===This* is what pushes you over the edge?!?===
Um, no.
lol
I’ve been over the edge for a while. Their refusal to even think about the damage Berrios is doing is ridiculous.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:32 am
With that many in the SA race, it will be interesting to see how career prosecutors break, overtly or covertly.
An office that big, with that rough of a job, a lot of stuff never sees the light of day. I’d count on a lot of revelations in the coming months.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:41 am
Well put, Rich. Hope you are feeling better.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:45 am
===Their refusal to even think about the damage Berrios is doing is ridiculous.===
Amen. And it’s not like voters are telling them to stop doing this… there’s been major push back against a lot of Berrios’ picks.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:46 am
Doesn’t the Governor get the appointment to fill the MWRD vacancy??
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:52 am
I’m sure one of the candidates could indicate that (s)he “identifies” as Hispanic. Wouldn’t that count?
(SNARK)
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:56 am
Soccerchild really needs a job. Is all of the slating completed? She doesn’t really have any of the necessary skills or training, so I think she might have a real shot…
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:09 am
Preckwinkle is great at pushing the myth that Cook County has all of these misunderstood and non-violent inmates ready to reintegrate into society at a moment’s notice if only given the chance. Meanwhile, shootings and homicides are up.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:12 am
What a bunch of greedy hacks.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:13 am
BYE, Anita!
Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:16 am
When Ms. Foxx’s name was first mentioned she was not licensed as an attorney with ARDC. Someone must have let her know you have to be a licensed attorney to be SA.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:31 am
Sounds like it’s time for Anita to become a judge.
Comment by Annon3 Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:51 am
@West Side the Best Side -
Ms. Foxx has been licensed since November, 1997. She has no record of discipline.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 12:16 pm
The nod would’ve helped Alverez not run on her record.
Now, all that patting of the back, will not have an endorsement to give it credibility.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 12:42 pm
Ms. Foxx has no discipline problems with ARDC, but a couple of months back she was not licensed as active to practice law, presumably not paying dues because of her job which didn’t involve going to court.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 12:51 pm
I believe it’s the Governor appointment somebody should check to verify
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 1:07 pm
Surprised nobody made a move for the Board of Review. That job is a fundraising machine. Raise a lot of money and move up in 4-8 years. If Clinton on ticket then the lone Republican Patlak would be toast. That could be a good back up for Fritchey or even Gainor , figure somebody going to take him on last time he won by less then 1%.
Comment by Wheeling Precint Captain Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 1:13 pm
Stroger wasn’t endorsed.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 1:56 pm
I think Alvarez has been been working the Latino angle and community hard for awhile. Univision follows her everywhere.
Comment by Politix Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 2:07 pm
- burbanite - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:10 am:
I think he was working as an advisor to Howard Brookins for awhile.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:38 pm
@ West Side the Best Side @ Joan P, yep, West Side is correct…Foxx was not a licensed attorney the last time I checked, which is truly bizarre. I know people who retire early but she’s supposedly using her legal skills to help Aunt Toni. why not be under the auspices of the ARDC? if she has re upped her license, the records will still show a gap in licensing.
as for what the SA is supposed to do, ask the police if they think it’s a social service agency or not. they think the SAO does not charge ENOUGH. the job of the SA is to handle the many, many cases coming in the door, to assess whether some should come in the door, and provide innovative services to victims, creative prosecutions, and be the attorney for the County on civil matters. Anita Alvarez is a working prosecutor, trying cases, this is unusual.
what is the role of the Public Defender’s Office? should that office be subjected to a social service standard? the legal system is about two sides represented. and the SAO has a HUGE caseload. crime happens, SAO has to deal.
as to Wordslinger’s question of whether the office insiders will divide, yep, happened the last time. the Milan support crew left and many went with Sheriff Dart. no idea if anyone remembers/sides with Foxx, but More’s assertion that she was an assistant to Daley is laughable. that’s like saying any ASA was an assistant to Daley.
as for the Latina angle, how many Hispanics are on the ticket? time for the County party to get real and, yes, Anita benefits. what, ethnic politics doesn’t count now that it applies to a Latina?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:42 pm
When I think of Anita Alvarez, I think of the agony Mrs. Koschman has went through under this States Attorney’s tenure. I think also of the blanket cover up and protection of those responsible in investigating David Koschman’s death. I think of Dan Webb’s Report. She does not deserve another term on this issue alone. I hope people remember. I pray the family will find peace.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:13 pm
Hey Cook County Democrats: I need a job as well. Where do I apply for a public position with a great pension and healthcare and only requires one meeting a month?
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 8:13 pm
Just to be clear, Stroger went for endorsement but didn’t get it. Sustainability advocate Tom Greenhaw was ultimately slated over Stroger. Also the Governor can appoint someone to the MWRD vacancy but that person still has to be elected in the 2016 election. The appointment only covers the gap between the special election. There have been unexpired terms for MWRD before that resulted in elections, last one was nearly a decade and a half ago.
Comment by Spagnost Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 2:54 pm