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Group sues over new Chicago ward map

April 2, 2013
Chicago Tribune

By Hal Dardick Clout Street

More than a year after Chicago aldermen thought they had settled the contentious issue of redrawing the city's 50 ward boundaries, the new map they approved is facing a challenge in federal court.

The remap is unconstitutional because it was designed to protect most of the current aldermen, rather than ensure equal and full representation of individuals, minorities and neighborhoods, according to a lawsuit filed today by the League of Women Voters of Chicago and 14 individuals.

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$44,256 to check email? Feds balk in case tied to Daley son

March 4, 2013
Chicago Sun-Times

By TIM NOVAK Staff Reporter

A big Chicago law firm is demanding $44,256 for a search of emails that a federal agency wanted in a case involving Cardinal Growth, a venture capital firm tied to former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s son, Patrick Daley.

The U.S. Small Business Administration says taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay, and it’s fighting the bill in federal court.

The agency seized Cardinal Growth in 2011 over $21.4 million in unpaid loans the Chicago fund got from the SBA to invest in several businesses.

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Red light camera firm admits it likely bribed Chicago official

March 2, 2013
Chicago Tribune

By David Kidwell, Chicago Tribune reporter

Chicago's embattled red light camera firm went to City Hall on Friday in its latest effort to come clean, acknowledging for the first time that its entire program here was likely built on a $2 million bribery scheme.

By its sheer size, the alleged plot would rank among the largest in the annals of Chicago corruption.

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The Cicero syndrome (Editorial)

February 25, 2013
Chicago Tribune

If voters in Cicero have a hard time distinguishing between Larry Dominick, the candidate, and Larry Dominick, the incumbent town president, it's probably because Dominick himself doesn't seem to know the difference.

Town spokesman Ray Hanania confirmed last week that uniformed community service officers driving official town vehicles have gone door to door, questioning residents about whether they had applied for mail-in ballots for Tuesday's municipal primary election.

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New Cook Co. Recorder hires family friend with felony conviction: EXCLUSIVE

February 25, 2013
Fox 32 News

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News & Better Government Assoc.) -
You might think pleading guilty to a felony for helping stage an armored car robbery would be enough to disqualify you from public service, but apparently, not in Cook County.

FOX 32 and the Better Government Association have learned that new Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough gave a top job to Richella Goeloe-Jackson--a family friend with a felony conviction. Evidently, having clout can get you a sweet political job even after you've been found guilty of stealing more than $400,000.

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As Cicero president seeks third term, town employees wear two hats

February 21, 2013
WBEZ

By: Chip Mitchell

Ahead of next Tuesday’s primary, what matters to some public servants is not their job duties but Larry Dominick’s reelection.Once upon a time, it was hard to get a government job in the Chicago area without going through a precinct captain or another party boss. Over the years, federal court orders and corruption prosecutions have helped draw a sharper line between public service and politics. But the message hasn’t gotten everywhere. With an election looming in Cicero, many employees of that western suburb are wearing two hats.

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Speed camera bidders picked heavyweight help in Chicago

December 23, 2012
Chicago Tribune

Xerox, ATS both undergoing monthlong test in competition for city contract

By David Kidwell, Chicago Tribune reporter

The two companies competing for the contract to run Mayor Rahm Emanuel's controversial speed camera program came prepared with teams of well-connected local lobbyists and consultants with long-standing ties to the elite circle of Chicago Democratic politics.

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Our view: Court clerk finally gets the message

December 20, 2012
SouthtownStar

We’re not sure why, but Dorothy Brown, Cook County’s imperious circuit court clerk, has finally decided to end her controversial policy of accepting campaign donations from her employees.

That’s good news, particularly for the workers. Brown should’ve done this years ago, but it takes longer for some politicians to get the message than others. Especially if they don’t have to worry much about being re-elected.

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City Council OKs overhaul of ethics board

October 31, 2012
the Sun-Times

BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter October 31, 2012 11:18AM

Updated: October 31, 2012 12:17PM 

Chicago’s do-nothing Board of Ethics was swept aside Wednesday in a housecleaning aimed at restoring public confidence and preparing the board to assume a powerful new role: as judge and jury punishing violators of the city’s ethics ordinance.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/16064664-418/city-council-oks-overhau... target="_blank">Read More...



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Ex-city official in red-light camera probe now in county post-Appointee also has ties to House Speaker Madigan

October 18, 2012
The Chicago Tribune

By David Kidwell, Chicago Tribune reporter
7:27 a.m. CDT, October 18, 2012

The former city official now at the center of an ethics investigation into the city's red-light camera program was appointed last year by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to a part-time job on an obscure board known as a haven for those with political clout.

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