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Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) would be a lock to become the new chairman of the City Council’s Aviation Committee if not for his role in the #MeToo scandal swirling around House Speaker Michael Madigan’s political organization.
But Quinn is simply too hot to handle after playing a pivotal go-between role between his own brother and political consultant Alaina Hampton, who has accused Kevin Quinn of stalking her with a series of harassing text messages.
As a result, the race is wide open to replace Aviation Committee Chairman Mike Zalewski (23rd), who is resigning his City Council seat, effective May 31.
Although the Aviation Committee budget is a modest $109,496-a-year that’s been frozen since 2011, the position is pivotal.
The new chairman will preside over the $8.5 billion O’Hare Airport expansion project and make certain that African Americans and Hispanics get a fair share of the bonanza of jobs and contracts.
Zalewski’s 23rd Ward is closely allied with Speaker Madigan’s 13th Ward, the home of Midway Airport, which is always in danger of being overshadowed by O’Hare. Quinn would’ve therefore been a perfect contender.
Such is life.
* The Tribune takes a look at two of the contenders…
[Ald. Ricardo Munoz] is allied with onetime Emanuel opponent Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, and he is a member of the City Council Progressive Caucus that occasionally opposes the mayor’s initiatives. So it’s questionable whether Emanuel would put someone with such an independent streak atop a key committee.
“I would think the mayor would want someone who’s willing to do the work, to work hard,” Munoz said when asked if the mayor would consider him too much of a wild card.
[Ald. Nick Sposato] has been on the council since 2011, and it could rankle some longer-tenured aldermen if Emanuel gives him such a powerful chairmanship. But Sposato pointed to his work as vice chairman on the committee and his proximity to O’Hare.
“Come over to my house. If someone’s on a plane they can wave to you out the window,” he said.
Remember, however, that Chuy has been cutting a whole lot of interesting political deals the past several months, particularly on the Southwest Side.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 9:58 am
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Gil Villegas would be great for the spot but he’s only in his first term.
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:08 am
seems to me that Quinn would be disqualified. the mayor could take someone from a chair of another committee to chair this one.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:17 am
–So it’s questionable whether Emanuel would put someone with such an independent streak atop a key committee.–
It’s not Emanuel’s call, if City Council members develop backbones and organize their own affairs.
From the council’s Rules of Order:
–RULE 36. The membership of Aldermen on standing committees, and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of such committees, shall be determined by the City Council by resolution duly adopted.–
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:38 am
=== seems to me that Quinn would be disqualified ===
On what grounds? That a lawsuit was filed against a political organization he belongs to? This is nuts!
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:49 am
it’s never been the Mayor’s call. the City has a strong council weak mayor form of government. but, reality. Ed Burke still there advising, which might mean that indeed the choice is a Council Member who is Hispanic.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 10:53 am
Sorry Fax, but Villegas would be a disaster in that job. The only person floating his name is him.
I’d be surprised if Sposato got the job, but if he did, his sound bites would be pure Chicago. He has one of the best Chicago accents in the Council.
Comment by Suburbanon Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 2:50 pm
=== it’s never been the Mayor’s call. the City has a strong council weak mayor form of government. but, reality. Ed Burke still there advising, which might mean that indeed the choice is a Council Member who is Hispanic. ===
Still, it doesn’t mean that Alderman Quinn is disqualified from consideration. He may or not be selected, but there is nothing that says he is disqualified from chairing this committee.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 2:51 pm
Look for Chuy to get his way. He is the new boss in Cook County, no doubt. Munoz is his guy! Not sure Chuy is willing to cut any deals with Rahm though.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 3:43 pm
The people most impacted by the airport are typically people who live around and near the airport. Therefore, an Alderman representative of that constituency should be selected. My vote is for Sposato or bite the bullet-and select Quinn.
Politically, Emanuel won’t pick Quinn. And that’s too bad because the right choice would be an Alderman whose ward is closest to the airport.
This will be interesting to see.
Comment by Interesting Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 4:33 pm
=== Politically, Emanuel won’t pick Quinn. And that’s too bad because the right choice would be an Alderman whose ward is closest to the airport. ===
I don’t know. Quinn’s 13th Ward really carried the day for Emanuel against Chuy last time around. It could have easily gone the other way if the Speaker and Quinn threw their support around Chuy.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 18 @ 4:43 pm