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Geo and Andy

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Illinois

* Two former legislators died this week, Sen. Adeline Geo-Karis and Sen. Andy McGann.

* You can find the complete wake and funeral arrangements for Geo here. I’ve already posted several stories about her here. McGann’s obit and arrangements are here.

* By popular demand, I’m opening up comments to those who would like to reminisce about these two legislators, both of them unique in their own special way.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 13, 08 @ 8:19 am

Comments

I had a bit of trouble with the Great Lakes Credit Union while I was stationed up there in the late 90s. Long story short, I wrote Sen. Geo-Karis to see what she could do for me.

It didn’t take long (maybe a day or two) for her to call me back. She had the Credit Union President and myself on a conference call. I explained my situation. The president hemmed and hawed his position at which point Geo told him “no excuses, fix this now.” It was fixed later that day.

I met her shortly thereafter and thanked her for her help. She told me that it was “just part of the job.” No pretense, no false bravado, she was the definition of a public servant. She was one classy woman and Illinois is better because of her.

The Daily Herald estimates 2000 at the funeral. It will be closer to 5000+. My sympathies to her family. Rest In Peace Geo!

Comment by jwscott72 Wednesday, Feb 13, 08 @ 10:34 am
The very first campaign I worked on was the 18th Ward Aldermanic race, Andy McGann vs Bob Kellam. I was with Kellam. Andy was a great opponent becasue he was really easy to dislike. It was a dirty, nasty campaign…slashed tires, broken windows, true Chicago politics at it’s finest. Kellam won and years later, McGann and the 18th Ward Organization made up. Andy eventually made it to the state house. I moved out of the 18th to the 19th ward and continued to hear stories about Andy. He lost part of his finger in a casket accident. When I saw his picture in the obits, I couldn’t help but think he really looked like an old time political boss.
Rest in peace Andy.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Feb 13, 08 @ 12:16 pm
I first met Geo in 1984 when I was a young reporter for WKRS in Waukegan covering Zion’s “Jubilee Days” festival (she was Mayor at the time). Going to her law office to interview her was Lake County’s equivalent to having an audience with Richard J. Daley and I was nervous as hell. She was very nice to me and didn’t have to be and I always found her to be a straight shooter, what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of politician.

I later worked with Geo and her office many times while I was Press Secretary for Congressman John Porter and while managing his re-election campaigns. She was a lady of her word and someone who cared deeply about public service.

In sum, Geo was a class act through and through…I felt bad about the way she was shoved aside for renomination during her waning years. She will be missed.

Comment by Chicago Drummer Wednesday, Feb 13, 08 @ 4:38 pm
“You tell them Geo!” “Give them hell Geo!” “Go get ‘em Geo!” “Way to go Geo!”

I can’t tell you how many times I heard someone shout out lines like that when she was addressing crowds in her District. They knew she meant every word she said. Sometimes folks would come up to her while she was siting at a restaurant just to say hi. Having lunch with her in Lake County when she was still in office was like dining with a rock star.

While I was working in her office suite, I witnessed a steady stream of visitors to see her and her phone never stopped ringing. She was determined to try to fix every problem, no matter how large or how small. She would spend the entire day urging everyone to improve themselves by going to school, by seeking that promotion, to buy a house, to take care of their families. She was always the optimist. She never gave up. She would always raise the bar on us and force us to improve ourselves.

She hooked me and my wife up with an unknown named Corrine Wood when she was running for the State House. Geo enthusiastically supported her. “She’s a good egg. Give her some help.” That’s all I needed to hear. We ended up being charter members of “Team Corrine.” And Geo would always remind Corrine that we were still “her people.”

When she was unsure of her position on any topic, she would ask everyone for their opinions. From the janitor to a bank president, she would ask “How do you feel about . . .” When she would later say “the people in my District feel . . ” she knew what she was talking about.

When she was advocating a position on any topic she was relentless. You had two choices according to her: (1) come around to her position, or (2) agree with her position. Try to convince her otherwise and you would get a “never mind that” type of response.

Her personality was such that a red blooded American Male didn’t mind carrying her oversized heavy purse. Or being behind the wheel driving listing to her directions. And then at events she would introduce the person who brought her there.

On February 5th, I spoke with her for the last time at Glenbrook Hospital. She asked about my mother and brothers. I asked her how she was feeling and what she wanted. She replied “when can I get out of here?”

I visited her every day after that but no more conversations were possible. Sunday’s visit was the hardest one of all.

I, like many others, will forever miss my “Auntie Geo.”

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Feb 13, 08 @ 11:18 pm