Become part of the solution

I'm very dismayed at the unrest that unfolded over the weekend here in Chicago. I witnessed the demonstrations in downtown Chicago and unfortunately the vandalism of Chicago's streets and businesses having seen graffiti on not only streets and buildings and buses also. Even seen streaks where it was apparent someone threw something at a window on some buildings.

I get that people are upset about what happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Mr. George Floyd. It's generally agreed regardless of your political affiliation or even ethnicity that the police officers involved in his arrest and death had a very callous disregard for that man's life. It's great that people are demonstrating another instance of police mistreatment of yet another citizen.

What bothers me is the destruction not only of downtown Chicago which I know the city itself will do its best to take care of. It's the destruction in looting in south side neighborhoods. An area of the city which could ill afford it.

I've seen people bring up 1968 - there were riots after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. - there are parts of this city that never recovered from those riots sadly. And I'm definitely concerned that those areas hard hit by the recent looting and violent may take a long time for recovery.

I've seen reports of the Walmart in Chatham on 83rd & Stewart was not only looted, it was also on fire. I've not been up there to see what's been going on with that, however, I'm sure many of us assume it's still standing and will be repaired.

I remember the debate over bringing a Walmart to that location. The debate was over the rate of pay for Walmart workers. Another debate unfortunately was racial as people were concerned about who'd shop there as people of many backgrounds will shop there. Some of those comments were seen on this blog at that time.

Ald. Howard Brookins was eventually successful in getting a Walmart on 83rd and it's sad to see that in a matter of days his hardwork to bring new stores and jobs into the community has suffered a reversal. As of now it appears that this Walmart will be reopened in the near future, I did start off pessimistic on this and I'm glad the recent unrest wont close any Walmarts in the city.

Just about 13 years ago J.P. Paulus and I started this blog. My goal was to create something of a community blog akin to blogs such as the now defunct Broken Heart of Roger's Park, Uptown Update, Sloopin' and even Edgeville Buzz. I don't know if this blog had fully fulfilled that mission over the years though by some accounts whether second hand or personally it seems that we have.

I don't consider myself a community activist or even a journalist though some have argued as such over the years. I do know that as of now, my goal is to be part of the solution.

My goal is to continue updating you all especially with our fb page. You all stay safe out there

Body found in trash can on west 95th Street last week!

On our FB page and on Concerned Citizens of Chatham have seen a notice from Ald. Howard Brookins with regards to a murder victim. The body of a woman was found in a trash can on west 95th Street last Monday unfortunately the woman herself still hasn't been identified.

I thought it was important to find an article about this grisly story:

Investigators will now await toxicological results and additional details of a death investigation following an autopsy for a woman found dead inside a trash bin on the city’s South Side.

City trash collectors discovered the woman’s body as they emptied the bin into a truck in an alley in the 500 block of West 95th Street in the Brainerd neighborhood just before 11:30 a.m. Monday, police said.

It was unclear how long the woman’s body had been in the trash can, but a Chicago police spokeswoman said it the woman’s body had no obvious signs of trauma.

Well so far most of the other stories I found out there about this, are very short and not a lot of information as of now! Hopefully we will see further updates to this as far as the late woman's identity and hopefully what happened to her.

Meanwhile here's a statement from Ald. Brookins' office

 

87th/Dan Ryan mall parking

I'm sharing this for those of you who have been affected by this and for those of you who patronize the shopping on the west side of the Dan Ryan to beware. I will share first Worlee Glover's post from Concerned Citizens of Chatham looking for people affected by the towing of legally parked vehicles.

Also a post at Nextdoor regarding this. 

I am at the Staples mall protecting my people

That predatory tow truck company got 1 van under my watch. I met another victim who owns a pickup. He had to pay $1,500 to retrieve his truck. It cost more for pickups! I filed my paperwork. This is a job for Ald. Brookins to address. He is going to hear from me.

A bit more detail

Ash Said is the owner of Rapid Recovery, which received an "F" from the Better Business Bureau.

 I recommend you sign up for nextdoor to get involved in the discussion or get in touch with Worlee or share a comment here on this blog about what your experience as far as the parking in the shopping areas of 87th/Dan Ryan.

Hey perhaps we should get the Parking Ticket Geek involved! Though I recognize he doesn't specialize in towing of legally parked vehicles from privately owned parking lots.

For What It's Worth: Every candidate but one draws an objection in 2nd Subcircuit race

I'm quite late to this post however Jack Leyhane - the blogmaster of For What It's Worth - covers the race for 2nd Subcircuit. Mainly the news is over objections to petitions, and recent entrant to this race 21st ward Ald. Howard Brookins scored himself two objections. Perhaps someone out there didn't like the fact that he pivoted towards a judicial election as opposed to taking on Bobby Rush for US House or Representatives.

This race is for the vacancy of Valerie Turner who was forced to give up her post when it was discovered she allowed a clerk to don judicial robes and preside over cases for traffic court. The clerk attorney Rhonda Crawford ran for judge in 1st subcircuit and won, however, was barred from taking the bench.

#NEXTGEN Youth Summit at Simeon Career Academy

 Just got this in via e-mail today.

• 21st Ward Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr. to Host 
  2017 #NEXTGEN Youth Summit in the South Side of Chicago
  
  2017 Youth Summit at Simeon Career Academy
  
  Chicago – On October 14, Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr. teams up with various organizations, schools, and community leaders to host the 2017 #NEXTGEN Youth Summit. The Youth Summit will take place at Simeon Career Academy located at 8147 S. Vincennes starting at 9:00am and ending at 4:00pm.
  
  This is the first year that Alderman Brookins will be hosting a Youth Summit in the 21st Ward. “I think it is extremely important that we as leaders and adults develop opportunities for young people to learn and get inspired to become positive productive citizens of our ward and the city,” stated 21st Ward Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Education and Child Development.
  
  The Youth Summit will be filled with keynote speakers, live entertainment, and workshops on career development, college readiness, health and nutrition, STEM, entrepreneurship, public speaking and art. In addition, the Youth Summit will have two panel discussions – one will focus on Government and Politics and its Effect on Young People and the other will focus on Violence in Chicago. Lastly, there will be an area where various organizations will disseminate information to all of the participants. 
  
  For additional information please contact the 21st Ward Office at 773-881-9300.

Flyer posted to our ig page.

Sneed: Black officials to boycott Duckworth event

Last week Tammy Duckworth became the Democratic nominee for US Senate against incumbent Senator Mark Kirk. I would ask if this would hurt her chances to win, however, I recognize that we have a long way between now and November.

“Why would we want to express unity with Tammy Duckworth, who was selected for that spot by the Washington insiders at the Democratic National Campaign Committee?” said a powerful member of the City Council’s 18-member black caucus who asked to remain off-the-record.

Sneed is told a hush-hush meeting of aldermanic and state caucus members, who had endorsed Andrea Zopp for the U.S. Senate seat, met recently in Hyde Park to discuss the boycott of the Duckworth event, which sources claim was organized by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Secretary of State Jesse White, who supported Duckworth’s primary candidacy.

Word is the boycott support group includes powerful State Sen. Kwame Raoul, State Sen. Kim Lightford, State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) and Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th).

“It was taken for granted we would suck it all up — her candidacy — and it was patently unfair,” the source added.

The Duckworth event is set for 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Pearl’s Place, 3901 S. Michigan Avenue.

#alvarezisgone 2016 primary elections

via @toy4dst ig

Not that I had been all over this, but aside from Donald Trump winning this state in his bid for the Republican nomination for President - the same with Hillary Clinton, btw. Also with longtime Congressman Bobby Rush beating his challenger Ald. Howard Brookins tonight. We have this.

I consider her response to a question about guns when Anita Alvarez first ran for Cook County State's Attorney. Her performance on 60 Minutes discussing Chicago being the false confession capital. And then the protests following the release of a video of a fatal confrontation with Laquan McDonald.

I share the pic above not only here but to our ig page just to share that someone is happy about Tuesday night's victory for the new Democratic nominee for State's Attorney Kim Foxx.

BTW, I have wondered people in other parts of the country and as it turns out suburban Cook County get those "I voted" stickers. Why don't we? DNA Info answers and unfortunately it took a few people to ruin it for everyone else as it turns out. :(

Howard Brookins mail for US Congress

Tomorrow is primary election day and one of the races Democratic voters will consider is the 1st congressional district race Bobby Rush has a challenger in Ald. Howard Brookins (21st ward) who shared this tidbit in a mailer that you see below:

I see got to hit him for that missing money for a job center. A story we've written about a few times in the past. Is this enough to propel Brookins from Chicago's City Council to Washington? Good question.

The whole mailer you can see below or here.

Tribune: Rush's campaign receives financial support from some of Emanuel's closest political backers

Howard Brookins we learned has help from the state House Speaker Michael Madigan. Bobby Rush is getting help from embattled Mayor Emanuel's financial backers:

With longtime U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush caught in a heated re-election battle for Congress, he's receiving major financial support for the first time from some of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's closest political backers.

The money comes as Rush has become a supportive voice for Emanuel in the African-American community, even as the mayor has struggled to regain trust with black voters after the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by a white police officer.

Though Rush and the Emanuel confidant who organized the fundraising effort deny any connection between Rush's support for the mayor and the contributions, records show they were made a little more than one month after Rush flanked the mayor and turned aside calls for Emanuel's resignation.

Led by close confidant and hedge-fund boss Michael Sacks, 16 top Emanuel supporters in February contributed more than $64,000 to Rush's campaign fund, according to newly filed federal campagin finance reports. Except for a small donation more than a decade ago, it is the first time any of the donors have ever given Rush political money. Their contributions account for most of his individual contributions since the campaign went into high gear, records show.

Rush and Sacks said the donations are a product of getting to know each other independent of Emanuel and that they have been working on projects to stem violence in the city and generate jobs.

Rush, in fact, said it was "absurd" to suggest a connection with Emanuel. Still, the congressman has refused to join calls for Emanuel to resign from protesters angered by the mayor's handling of the McDonald situation.

Speaker Madigan endorses Brookins....

I saw an article about this in the Sun-Times yesterday, and it's unbelievable. In addition to being the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Springfield, Michael Madigan is also the 13th ward Democrat committeeman and chairman of the state Democratic Party. He is also one of the most powerful Democrats in this state.

Make no mistake many politicians including some of his fellow Democrats have had to do battle with him and with varying degrees of success (which could be little to none). That being said when he makes an endorsement that would likely carry lots of weight. That being said Brookins (who faces Congressman Bobby Rush for his 1st Congressional District seat) still have to go through the primary.

Rich Miller takes a further look at this recent development:

As explained in the story, Brookins asked Madigan for help with his petitions and Madigan complied. Madigan’s 13th Ward has just two precincts worth about a hundred votes two years ago in that district, so it won’t mean much, anyway.

* But, c’mon. There’s no big mystery here. At the same time Brookins made his pitch to Madigan, Congressman Rush’s son Flynn was running against Madigan’s House Majority Leader. He ended up dropping out, likely because of serious defects in his petitions.

BTW, yesterday was the first day of early voting. Do you plan to vote ahead of the March 15th primary? Have you received your voter registration cards?

CapitolFax: Could Rush be toast?

Just to piggyback off of JP's post this morning we get some more details on the petition challengers of Bobby Rush. Alderman Howard Brookins who is also running for the 1 congressional district seat initiated a challenge to them. Over there you will get links to see copies of the petitions in question that Rush had turned in.

In a press release Brookins noted the following discrepancies:

• Multiple signatures from the same person on different petition sheets.
• One signer signed for another person or multiple people at a single address.
• Circulators signed their own sheets.
• Circulator signatures do not match.
• Notary notarized his own signature.
• Circulators repeatedly visited the same addresses and collected duplicate signatures.
• Some sheets have no signatures and only printed names.
• Is it possible for the veteran Congressman to push back the challenges to his petitions?

Here are the examples of the discrepancies for Rush's petitions provided by Howard Brookins

• Bobby Rush Petition Sheet 1
• Bobby Rush Petition Sheet 2
• Bobby Rush Petition Sheet 3

Will the veteran Congressman be able to beat out these challeges to get on the ballot next March?

1st Congressional District Candidates We w

At the end of this post is the list of those who have registered to be on the March 15, 2016 primary ballot for U.S. Representative for the 1st Congressional District. You can find this list at the state election website.

We will post more information such as photos & websites once all the challenges have been handled. We ask that candidates send us you web page link, as well as a link to your preferred photo, so that we can post this information  on the blog.

Note that the incumbent, Bobby Rush, has been challenged, as well as Harold Bailey. We should see the results by January 1, 2016.

Name	Office/Party	Status
	RUSH, BOBBY L. (Obj. Pending)3534 SOUTH CALUMET AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60653	1ST CONGRESSDEMOCRATIC	Active 11/30/2015 8:12 AM
	BRUTUS, O. PATRICK7637 SOUTH CHAMPLAIN AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60619	1ST CONGRESSDEMOCRATIC	Active 11/30/2015 11:12 AM
	BROOKINS, JR., HOWARD B.9636 S. WINSTON AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60643	1ST CONGRESSDEMOCRATIC	Active 11/30/2015 12:02 PM
	BAILEY, HAROLD L. (Obj. Pending)9619 SOUTH UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, IL 60628	1ST CONGRESSDEMOCRATIC	Active 11/30/2015 5:00 PM
	DEUSER, AUGUST (O'NEILL)18822 WREN CIRCLE MOKENA, IL 60448	1ST CONGRESSREPUBLICAN	Active 11/23/2015 3:48 PM
	TILLMAN, II, JIMMY LEE7420 SOUTH VERNON CHICAGO, IL 60619	1ST CONGRESSREPUBLICAN	Active 11/30/2015 3:14 PM

Another iteration of the Clout Wiki

Sometime before the 2011 municipal elections an earlier iteration of the Clout Wiki was shared on the 1n73rw3bs to the delight of Chicago political geeks such as myself. For many years, it was online with no updates other than the current officer holders when it was first published then eventually went offline.

Our friends at Aldertrack has unveiled a new version with the current players of Chicago politics especially those elected this year. Here's hoping they will continue to update for years go come.

In addition they have some changes to make such as 21st ward Ald. Howard Brookins is no longer chairman of the City Council Black Caucus. That distinction now goes to 6th ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer. Just one example amongst many to be sure.

Now I wonder who ran the earlier Clout Wiki!

UPDATE: The earlier version of the Clout Wiki was produced by Aldertrack's Mike Fourcher who conversely is also responsible for the current iteration of it. As per the comment you see below.

Election results - and a few thoughts/questions

Here are the results, as of , with at least 96% of precincts reporting in . Those in a runoff are in bold. Winners are bold and underlined.

Alderman 6th Ward

46 out of 48 precincts (95.83 %)

RODERICK T. SAWYER	5,541	55.99 %
RICHARD A. WOOTEN	2,605	26.32 %
BRIAN T. GARNER	1,750	17.68 %

Alderman 9th Ward

50 out of 51 precincts (98.04 %)

ANTHONY A. BEALE	7,108	62.55 %
MICHAEL E. LAFARGUE	1,793	15.78 %
HAROLD ''NOONIE'' WARD	1,159	10.20 %
THEODORE ''TED'' WILLIAMS	1,304	11.47 %

Alderman 21st Ward

52 out of 54 precincts (96.30 %)

MARVIN MCNEIL	1,747	14.10 %
JEFFREY BAKER	681	5.50 %
HOWARD B. BROOKINS, JR.	5,161	41.67 %
JOSEPH C. ZIEGLER, JR.	1,234	9.96 %
DORIS LEWIS BROOKS	1,450	11.71 %
PATRICIA A. FOSTER	1,273	10.28 %
KEN LEWIS	840	6.78 %

And for a few wards neighboring our main focus:

Alderman 17th Ward

41 out of 41 precincts (100.00 %)

GLENDA FRANKLIN	3,000	36.14 %
DAVID H. MOORE	4,413	53.17 %
JAMES E. DUKES	887	10.69 %

Moore narrowly lost a runoff last election.

Alderman 8th Ward

55 out of 56 precincts (98.21 %)

MICHELLE A. HARRIS	8,866	68.63 %
FAHEEM SHABAZZ	2,043	15.82 %
TARA F. BALDRIDGE	2,009	15.55 %

Michelle Harris is the incumbent.

------

And the Mayor's race:

Ward

Votes Cast

RAHM EMANUEL

%

WILLIE WILSON

%

ROBERT W. FIORETTI

%

JESUS ''CHUY'' GARCIA

%

WILLIAM WALLS, III

%

Total

458824

208176

45.37%

48582

10.59%

33907

7.39%

155485

33.89%

12674

2.76%

Question: will McNeil get support from the Chicago Teachers Union and/or work with Garcia's campaign?

=======

Any surprises for you, the reader? Your thoughts and analysis?

In a separate post, we'll break down some votes by ward (at least for Mayor).   Details are now up (as of 11:35pm) at http://www.chicagoelections.com/en/wdlevel3.asp?elec_code=10

Where rahm's PAC money is - and is NOT - going to for Aldermanic Races

Yesterday, DNA info published a piece that says where Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chicago Forward PAC put their money.

In the 6th ward, NO ONE is getting money. While Ald. Sawyer is part of the Progressive coalition that opposes the Mayor in certain issues (as opposed to another "progressive" coalition that some may deem as fiscally conservative/pro-North side), none of his opponents (Rich Wooten and Brian Garner) seem to be backed by Rahm Emanuel, which seems somewhat unusual, give our ward's track record of  voting (i.e. the last election was determined by just 2 votes per precinct).

Howard Brookins of the 21st received the 5th most form the Chicgao Forward PAC, with $43,266 so far. Anthony Beale of the 9th ranked #14 with $26,776  so far.

It would be interesting to see where each ward stands with polling as far as mayor is concerned, and if that will affect the vote for alderman.

Mailers From the 21st Ward

This was a race that first appeared to be one to watch but inexperience and political foolishness has turned it into a non-factor race. Most major endorsement organizations(AFL-CIO, CTU, SEIU,etc) has passed on endorsing any candidate.

Here is Alderman Howard Brookins mailer

Petition challenges for 21st Ward Alderman

Petition objections for 21st Ward Alderman. You can also view document on petition challenges via the Chicago Board of Elections.

• 15-EB-ALD-001 | Sharon Taylor | Marvin McNeil | 21st Ward Alderman | ON the ballot; objections overruled | Lynne R. Ostfeld 
• 15-EB-ALD-002 | Roy Davis | Marvin McNeil | 21st Ward Alderman | ON the ballot; objections overruled | Lynne R. Ostfeld 
• 15-EB-ALD-025 | Calvin A Lane, Jr | Howard B Brookins, Jr | 21st Ward Alderman | Pending Board Decision | Lynne R. Ostfeld 
• 15-EB-ALD-035 | Doris Lewis Brooks | CM Winters | 21st Ward Alderman | 1/6/15 10:30 AM Lower Level Conference Room | William J. Kresse 
• 15-EB-ALD-036 | Doris Lewis Brooks | Ken Lewis | 21st Ward Alderman | Pending Board Decision | Lynne R. Ostfeld 
•  15-EB-ALD-064 | Marquis Frazier | & Robert Allen | Marvin McNeil | 21st Ward Alderman | ON the ballot; objections overruled | Lynne R. Ostfeld 
• 15-EB-ALD-065 | Marquis Frazier & Robert Allen | Patricia A Foster | 21st Ward Alderman | ON the ballot; objections overruled | Lynne R. Ostfeld 
• 15-EB-ALD-066 | Marquis Frazier & Robert Allen | CM Winters | 21st Ward Alderman | 1/6/15 11:00 AM | Lower Level Conference Room | William J. Kresse 
• 15-EB-ALD-067 | Marquis Frazier & Robert Allen | Ken Lewis | 21st Ward Alderman | Pending Board Decision | Lynne R. Ostfeld 
• 15-EB-ALD-069 | Marquis Frazier & Robert Allen | Joseph C Ziegler, Jr | 21st Ward Alderman | Recommendation Pending | Joe Ponsetto 
• 15-EB-ALD-131 | Gia D Smith | CM Winters | 21st Ward Alderman | Objector defaulted, but other cases ALD- 035 and ALD-066 pending | William J. Kresse 
• 15-EB-ALD-132 | Gia D Smith | Howard B Brookins, Jr | 21st Ward Alderman | Overruled but other case, ALD-025, is pending | Richard Zulkey

Simeon ??? High School

It has been known as Simeon Vocational and is currently Simeon Career Academy, but what will the future hold. This past week the Chicago Public Schools announced the discontinuance of the electrical and automotive programs http://www.chicagocrusader.com/chicago/N... . Previously, they discontinued the cosmetology, graphics and machine programs. 

So since the school is no longer focusing on vocational training what is the focus? Better yet, what is the future. Is this the first phase of "reengineering" the school into a "selective enrollment" school, STEM??? Academy, or turning it over to a charter school operator? 

While the cosmetology program crashed and burned, the school made great strides improving their image and education offerings. Simeon was rebuilt in the 90's for $35 million which is approximately what CPS has spent on the additional for Jones and approximately half of which they spent on Payton. 

Let's keep our eyes on this.

87th Street Out of Control

 I don't know how many times you have to cross the intersection of 87th State Street but for residents of the 6th and 21st wards we have to pass it on a regular basis. Or in my case try to avoid. On Saturdays there is gridlock and it causes some to run the red light and get caught by the camera. The intersection is one of the top ten red light camera revenue producers in the city collecting approximately $500,000 a year. Part of what causes the gridlock is the street solicitors. On any given Saturday, there are the bucket boys, towel, candy, socks, taco & burrito, CD's (legal and illegal), DVD's (illegal) as well as alleged youth groups soliciting for "uniforms"and lastly youth groups performing  for  "uniforms" to perform in the Bud Billiken Day parade. Most of the solicitation occurs on the west side of 87th which resides in the 21st ward but spills over to the east side which is in the 6th ward. What is upsetting the residents of both wards is the City of Chicago not enforcing the non-solicitation ordinances that are in both wards. There is not suppose to be any solicitation from 87th Cottage to 87th Western. Now a local business has incensed residents with their advertising. Krispy Krunchy Chicken has hired an individual to put on a chicken suit and strut in the middle of 87th Street. I received the following from a concerned citizen

KRISPY CHICKEN AND SEAFOOD 

On Monday, June 16, 2014, I stopped in Krispy Chicken and Seafood located on 87th Street and the Dan Ryan in order to speak with the manager of the establishment. I kindly introduced myself and explained my reason for speaking with him. I proceeded by explaining that I feel that there must be a better way of advertising for their store. I told him that having a black man in a chicken costume dancing and jigging in the middle of 87th street for his store was offensive to me and the black community. I told him that this effigy isn't who we are as black people in this community and said, “I’m sure you don’t have a man of your ethic race in a chicken costume dancing in the middle of the street where you live.” The manager of the store shook his head in agreement to indicate that they don’t have this act of buffoonery in his neighborhood. He told me that he would share my concerns with the owner. I also told him that if this dog and pony show doesn't stop immediately that I will call for a boycott on his store and to please inform the owner. 

Brothers and sisters, have we become so immune to stuff in our community that what we see no longer affects us anymore? Or have we become so inundated with so much mess that our mess has become our normal? As long as I live in this neighborhood I will continue to say the words of the James Brown, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud.” What about you? We cannot continue to allow this debacle to take over our community and we say nothing about it. 

The struggle continues…………. 

For His Kingdom, 
Rev. Dr. Marc A. Robertson

WBEZ: Stroger defends new job at City Hall

Todd Stroger

Former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is back in the news again. This time he's taking a consulting gig with 21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins.

He’s tried selling life insurance, peddling overseas medical procedures and working for a trucking company.

But now, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger - a self-described political “lightning rod” - is defending his latest gig: working as a consultant to an influential aldermen at Chicago’s City Hall.

Despite the controversies that have surrounded him since leaving office in 2011, Stroger told WBEZ on Tuesday that he believes he’s more than qualified to work as a consultant for his one-time political ally, 21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins.

“Are you kidding? I think I deserve a better job than this,” Stroger said when asked whether he was qualified for the $25,000 consulting contract work, pointing to his long career in city, county and state government.

“I don’t think anybody ever asked Mayor Daley what makes him qualified to do the five things he’s doing now,” Stroger said, referring to longtime Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has held down several paying jobs since leaving office in 2011. “[Look] at my resume, which most people don’t. I think most people, especially the newspapers, look at my last name. And then they say, ‘Oh, well he’s a Stroger, so he shouldn’t be qualified for anything.’”