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* Back in 2016, while newspaper editorial boards and conservative groups throughout the land were clamoring for the elimination of townships, the Daily Southtown took a look at a township in its own coverage area…
Everywhere Frank Zuccarelli goes in Thornton Township, people approach him for a handshake or a hug and kiss on the cheek.
At the senior center in Calumet City, where the township hosts lunches and events, including line dancing classes. Outside a township food pantry in Harvey, which Zuccarelli boasts is one of the state’s biggest. In Dolton, while one of Zuccarelli’s youth work crews mow a resident’s lawn. Zuccarelli greets everyone warmly.
“I really do love the people,” says Zuccarelli, Thornton Township’s supervisor since 1993. “I don’t have to fake it.”
Zuccarelli heads the largest township in Cook County. Thornton Township includes parts of at least 17 communities in Chicago’s south suburbs, including some of the state’s poorest towns. He’s also a powerful political player in Cook County and Democratic circles.
He was definitely a standout
* But now the Z-Team has lost its Z…
Frank Zuccarelli, a south suburban power broker who ran one of the state’s most influential political organizations, died Monday. He was 70.
Zuccarelli was Thornton Township supervisor since 1993, where he ran public assistance programs that helped some of the state’s neediest people. He also headed a powerful political machine that inspired countless visits from political hopefuls looking to get a boost at the ballot box and drew criticism for waste and patronage. […]
He also was chairman of South Suburban College’s board of trustees since 1987 and was active in the Cook County Democratic Party, where he controlled the most votes within the party. […]
In an interview this week, party chair Toni Preckwinkle praised Zuccarelli as “a real heavyweight in the south suburbs” and noted he retained his electoral popularity even as the region changed demographically.
“He was a white person who was responsible for an overwhelmingly African American constituency in Thornton Township and was beloved by everybody. If he’d run for committeeperson again, (he’d have won),” Preckwinkle said. “That says something about the way in which he served the people he was responsible for and their regard to him.”
There’s no replacing him.
* The Times…
Calumet City Mayor and State Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet City) was among those paying tribute to Zuccarelli on Monday.
“He was my mentor, my friend, my brother,” Jones said. “The south suburbs lost a warrior. … He left a trail of service to others.”
Jones said one of his earliest political memories was of walking around his neighborhood as a 13-year-old, knocking on doors in support of Zuccarelli.
“Even though we had our battles, we understood each other,” Jones said. “We fought, but we came together not only for each other but for the people of Thornton Township.”
* Well said…
Frank Zuccarelli was a friend, and not just to me. He delighted in being a friend to many. His legacy reflects his life as he lived it: in service and friendship to the South Suburbs community and the students, families, and seniors who shape it.
Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/9E9lIP93LY
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) January 3, 2022
* What’s next…
According to Matt Dietrich, public information officer for the Illinois State Board of Elections, the township has 60 days to call a meeting and make an appointment. The board can appoint any qualified candidate that does not have a felony. They do not have to call a special election.
However the statute also states “if a vacancy exists in any township office and the vacancy is not filled within 60 days, the electors at a special township meeting may select a qualified person to fill the vacancy and to serve until the expiration of that term.”
During his most recent swearing in ceremony which took place in May, Zuccarelli said he respected the people he served and that it was important to always work for the community. At that time, he said he was not looking to retire anytime soon and had more work to do to help the Thornton Township community.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:13 am
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Wow. RIP to a legend.
Comment by Hmm Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:49 am
RIP. I first met Frank in 1992 while managing Terry Steczo’s campaign and proceeded to work with him and his organization via my consulting business for the last 30ish years. He came to Terry’s campaign with a great crew of campaign volunteers and I will always recall us standing in a downpour in Oak Forest with Frank, Don and other leaders of his group and Frank saying we keep going. RIP - He was a great political and governmental leader.
Comment by Dave Fako / Fako Research & Strategies Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:50 am
Any likely successors? Z isn’t replaceable, but who comes close?
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:53 am
Townships are often the closest link between people and their government, especially in sprawling counties such as Cook county. RIP to a dedicated civil servant,
Comment by Ares Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:03 am
Thorton Township Superisor Salary (2020) - $245,000
Il Governor’s Salary - $177,412
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:10 am
- Downstate -
Do you live in Thornton Township?
To the post,
Godspeed, a true legend, one of the very last kingmakers in Illinois… my condolences to all his friends and his family.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:15 am
OW,
Est quid est.
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:19 am
Thornton Township Annual budget - $35 million
State of Illinois Annual Budget - $44 billion
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:29 am
- Downstate -
Move to Thornton, run for Supervisor.
Aren’t you a fan of “local” control?
(Sigh)
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:31 am
OW,
Again, “Est quid est”.
Simply pointing out the wastefulness of township government that would allow an official to collect .7% of all tax proceeds as his salary.
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:43 am
===wastefulness===
Your opinion, the voters and the township disagreed.
So there’s that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:45 am
“est quid est” isn’t even proper Latin so whoever you’re trying to impress with it - just know it’s not working.
Comment by huh? Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:45 am
===isn’t even proper Latin ===
Lol
Stop feeding trolls.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:47 am
Seriously, respect the departed and get back to the topic at hand.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:49 am
Surely he was not trying to speak Latin.
If so, his English arguments match his Latin abilities.
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:54 am
Sorry Rich as I posted during your posts.
Reading about a person that is in politics for the right reasons is always enjoyable. It sounds like this man had a lot of energy left and was looking ahead. Sad for his family, friends and community.
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:58 am
As a minor expert on all things Thornton, it’s sad to see the Supervisor pass.
RIP to a local legend.
Comment by Tweed Thornton Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:58 am
Although I’m an independent voter (vote cross-party), Mr. Z. did a helluva job in an area that strains to provide services to many people. When he began the township tax rebate program, I let him keep the few dollars I was due more than once, figuring the township needed it more than I did (and I’m no rich man). But I have no idea who fill the position. Whoever they are will need all the help they can get. RIP Mr. Zuccarelli.
Comment by thisjustinagain Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 12:57 pm
Frank dedicated his life to the residents of Thornton Township as a member of the Z team I was blessed to work on there him. He never took a vacation and spent wee hours of the like making sure that the most needy of Thornton Township residents where is included and got everything they needed he was a great politician but he was a great servant of the people Thornton Township. There will never be another Frank zuccarelli
Comment by Z team member Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 12:18 am