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* Democratic machine politicians had quite a day yesterday…
Cook County commissioners voted to appoint former colleague Edward Moody to serve as the recorder of deeds for the next two years before the office is folded into the county clerk’s operation in what’s been billed as a cost-saving measure.
Moody is a longtime political operative for Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. The dissolution of the recorder’s office was spurred by a November 2016 referendum in which voters opted to merge the office with the clerk’s by the end of 2020. Karen Yarbrough was sworn in as clerk Monday after running to succeed David Orr, and Moody was appointed Tuesday to fill her vacancy.
With Moody as the new recorder and Yarbrough as the new clerk, Madigan allies are now in charge of streamlining the two offices and eliminating highly paid but duplicative administrative jobs. Yarbrough once served in the House under Madigan’s leadership and is currently vice chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party that Madigan leads.
The Moody brothers, Ed and Fred, are two of Madigan’s best captains. They could talk a dog out of a meat truck.
* Meanwhile…
It didn’t take long for former Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios’ sister and one of his close friends to land new government jobs, though they did have to take a major pay cut.
Carmen Berrios and Victoria LaCalamita started work Monday with the Illinois secretary of state. That office is led by Jesse White, who cut a campaign radio ad for Berrios, the former chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party and an unabashed defender of old-school patronage politics.
The secretary of state’s office, which has around 3,700 jobs, has long been known as a patronage haven under both Democrats and Republicans. The two women will each make $37,992 a year as public service supervisors in the Vehicle Services Department, said Dave Druker, White’s spokesman.
Druker said the two were hired to fill open positions after going through an application process and were “graded based on experience and training.”
Both were making six figures at the assessor’s office, so it wasn’t all great.
* And then there was this…
Ed Burke has not yet officially landed on the feds’ “naughty” list, but Santa Claus himself joined over a thousand others bearing gifts Tuesday to support Chicago’s most powerful alderman despite the cloud of a federal investigation.
The St. Nick lookalike rode past the Sheraton Grand atop a firetruck bearing a sign declaring “I’m for Ald. Ed Burke,” as the Friends of Edward M. Burke showed themselves to be friends indeed.
They turned out in mass for Burke’s annual holiday fundraiser supporting one of his political committees, just five days after federal investigators raided the alderman’s City Hall and 14th Ward offices.
Hundreds arrived at the ritzy hotel more than a half hour early to wait in a long receiving line to demonstrate their support for Burke, who already has more than $12 million in the three campaign funds he controls.
* A little video…
Here it is: The "I'm For Ald. Ed Burke" Christmas fire truck with "Run Rudolph Run" blasting & Santa Claus waving, which drove past his annual holiday fundraiser tonight at the Sheraton.
The FBI raided Burke's City Hall & ward offices on Thursday. https://t.co/YoJvaTTq8A pic.twitter.com/Wqyne1prmX
— Ashlee Rezin (@Ashlee_Rezin) December 5, 2018
* And, finally, if you click here you’ll see a Chicago Teachers’ Union notice that its executive board is recommending 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn for a formal endorsement by the union’s House of Delegates, which meets today. That’s Speaker Madigan’s ward and that’s the alderman whose brother is alleged to have sexually harassed a campaign worker in Madigan’s office. Ald. Quinn is known as “The General” in Madiganland.
The CTU’s executive committee is also recommending the endorsement of Toni Preckwinkle for mayor. Preckwinkle, as you know, chairs the Cook County Democratic Party.
* On to the song…
It’s alright we told you what to dream
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 9:54 am
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Everyone complains about Machine politicians, but they sure win a lot of elections. Maybe people secretly like Machine politics.
Comment by AlphaBettor Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 9:59 am
Yuck. Just yuck.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:00 am
Rich-It should be mentioned that 3 high ranking staffers from former Cook County Clerk David Orr’s staff have landed positions with new Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi.
Comment by Progressives aren't saints Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:06 am
Here’s the official concert video of Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn1R-5p_j5c
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:07 am
That Christmas fire truck is the jolliest “#*$% you” I’ve ever seen.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:07 am
As a former county commissioner, Ed Moody is well qualified for his new gig.
Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:09 am
Honestly if Berrios was smart he would have found his relatives jobs with Jesse White 8 years ago in exchange for hiring Jesse White people at the Assessor’s office. That way everyone gets employed but you don’t get to wear the Scarlett N for Nepotism
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:11 am
“Druker said the two were hired to fill open positions after going through an application process and were “graded based on experience and training”"
My eyes are getting dizzy from rolling so much.
Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:13 am
How old is Ed? Because if he’ll be over 55 when he’s done at the Recorder in 2020 then this gig will do wonders for his pension.
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:13 am
@Montrose - Like the Ice Cream Truck story from the Sopranos
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:14 am
===It should be mentioned===
You can always start your own blog.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:14 am
If only the fire truck plans were known far enough in advance for some wiseacres to get together and follow it in dark suits with earpieces in a black sedan.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:15 am
Did Yarbrough fire all the Orr people at Clerk’s like Kaegi did to the Berrios people at Assessor’s?
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:17 am
Glad to see Ed Moody continue his service to Cook County. If he puts the same effort there as he does at the doors he will be very successful.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:19 am
Last night could be a major microaggression for those who don’t celebrate Christmas. Alderman Ed Burke has committed a major sin in the brave new world of identity politics….
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:26 am
Orr was backing Fritz in the primary and I saw reports that they were working with Fritz on transition. Those moves from Clerk to Assessor aren’t surprising. Also, IMO Orr’s people are pretty good government administrators, most government offices would be happy to have them.
If memory serves Yarbrough didn’t purge Gene Moore’s folks when she took over the Recorder’s office. Some turnover but it wasn’t wholesale, so I am not expecting her to do that now.
Comment by Anonish Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:32 am
=== Did Yarbrough fire all the Orr people at Clerk’s like Kaegi did to the Berrios people at Assessor’s? ===
No she did not.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:34 am
Was that a Lipinski sign on the back of the firetruck? Lol.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:34 am
–They could talk a dog out of a meat truck.–
That’s a new one on me. Sounds like high praise.
Burke — the dude has $12 million banked, has the federales on him, and still puts on a spectacle for a funder.
He doesn’t seem too worried. Perhaps others should be, if it gets that far. Burke knows where all the bodies are buried.
Is that firetruck from Brown Township in Champaign County? Here’s hoping it’s been decommissioned and is now privately owned. It’s a long way from home, in case of fire.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:39 am
I was at the Burke funder last night and the crowd was massive.
Comment by Paddyrollingstone Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:41 am
–Last night could be a major microaggression for those who don’t celebrate Christmas. Alderman Ed Burke has committed a major sin in the brave new world of identity politics….–
Oh no, are the Breitbart and Daily Caller sites down? Need an outlet to regurgitate your cult’s approved chanting points?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:41 am
The new salaries for Carmen Berrios and Victoria LaCalamita are moot. If they are pension eligible, their pension will be calculated using the highest 4 consecutive years of salary within the last 10 years of service. Their pension won’t be based on their salary with the SOS, it’ll be those lucrative years with Cook County. Assuming they’re near retirement, the service credit earned working for the SOS is far more valuable that the salary. All they have to do is ride out a few more years.
The joke, as always, is on us.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:44 am
–The joke, as always, is on us.–
How true. No one should be surprised if they are moved to more lucrative positions once the attention dies down.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:48 am
Nice article, Rich. I’d sure hate to see anything happen to it.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 10:50 am
Republicans in Cook Co. never seem to miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
Comment by A 400lb. Guy on a bed Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 11:17 am
===Republicans in Cook Co.===
Heck, Pat Brady was reportedly at the Burke funder.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 11:24 am
Yes, and Pate Philip did it much differently…
“Reform” is based on ur definition. Look at that, even a story now on whether Chuy is still a “reformer” or just formed his own “machine”
Good for him, truly. Ive been stating the same about Schakowsky for years.
Generally, candidates who are better organized tend to win more and raise more money. Thats not illegal either
Comment by low level Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 11:38 am
He sees you when you’re sleeping.
He knows when you’re awake.
He knows if you’ve been bad or good.
So be sure he’s also on the take.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 11:52 am
===even a story now on whether Chuy is still a “reformer” or just formed his own “machine” ===
LOL
Another ridiculous Kass column that uses a former 23rd Ward precinct captain to bash Garcia. C’mon, man.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 11:56 am
Pat Brady and Tom Cross at a Burke fundraiser. What more can you say ? The GOP really is an arm of the Democratic party in Illinois. Maybe, some day, the GOP will have an actual group of real leaders.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 12:01 pm
–Another ridiculous Kass column–
Is there any other kind?
Somehow he managed to work in a reference to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Breitbart/Lou Dobbs scary-uppity-lady-of-color-of-the-month.
Surprised he left out Soros, who’s been scaring him for some time with his “globalism.” Must have misplaced his dog whistle.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 12:10 pm
IPI to drop “Welcome to the Machine’ music video featuring Speaker Madigan and his lieutenants next month.
Comment by Stark Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 12:32 pm
Fair enough about Kass, but the original idea still holds. Schakowsky and Chuy would both claim to be “reformers” yes? And yet they have considerable “clout” over races at all levels. They are able to raise money and deploy troops. Maybe not ones tied to govt jobs, but volunteers nonetheless.
Many would say those are all indications of “machine style” politics and antithetical to “reform”. No?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 1:53 pm
===Many would say===
lol
So, anyone who organizes a field operation to win multiple elections is an enemy of reform? Right. Stick with that.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 1:54 pm
Didnt say they were an enemy of reform, simply that they use the same tactics they denounce, Rich.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 1:59 pm
===simply that they use the same tactics they denounce===
And what tactics are they using that they are also denouncing?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 2:01 pm
And you did say this: indications of “machine style” politics and antithetical to “reform”
So, you most certainly did connect precinct work in multiple races to being anti-reform.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 2:02 pm
Yes- Chuy and Jan consistently criticize “bosses” for influencing races. Deploying troops etc. That somehow its a “bad” thing. Or they denounce big money yet raise big bucks themselves. Did Schakowsky not want her CD protected? No “fair maps” for her.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 2:06 pm
I’m sure when promotions are available in the coming months these candidates will have their responsibilities and salaries increase based on “experience and training.”
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Dec 5, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Cook County Recorder of Deeds Edward Moody is one of the most compassionate, intelligent, and hard working public servant. He will make a difference.
Comment by Big Fan Thursday, Dec 6, 18 @ 10:44 am