Chicago Loop News Column January 2009
By Tim Egan
Political Tongues
The 2009 Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Expo opened with a gala breakfast on Thursday, August 6th and I was able to attend as a guest of possibly the greatest Certified Public Accountant who ever put numbers in a column, Mr. Enrique Lopez. The breakfast was hosted in the Historic Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier and the capacity crowd was teeming with true American entrepreneurial spirit, flavored with a Hispanic zest.
The Master of Ceremonies was ABC 7’s John Garcia, whose surname would certainly lend him credibility in Hispanic circles… until he attempts to speak Spanish. Not to be too critical, but his Spanish is worse than mine and that’s not “bueno.”
Garcia was rescued by an All-star panel of Hispanic community leaders that included Marty Castro, AETNA’s Vice President of External Affairs and Omar Duque, CEO of the IHCC.
Even more impressive stints on the dais were made by Chicago’s political powerhouses; Mayor Richard M. Daley, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Illinois 4th District Congressman Luis Gutierrez. While all are absolutely known as voices for the Hispanic population, only one is known to actually speak Spanish.
The entire world knows that Mayor Daley speaks only one language - “Chicagoese.” It’s unmistakable in tone and text. His Chicagoese is a commonsense vernacular that won’t win praise from diction and elocution coaches, but it speaks straight to hearts clogged with Italian beef that pound proud with diehard love of their sports teams. Mayor Daley talked about our rugged economy and how pundits predicting a quick turnaround should do so with extreme caution. “It’s gonna be flat for a while,” he said. The Mayor’s message that Chicago will survive and even thrive needed no translation.
Governor Quinn is another orator whose words come from the heart and he gave strong encouragement for the path to citizenship for those “undocumented” individuals fighting in our Armed Forces overseas as an American rite of passage.
Congressman Gutierrez got the biggest chuckle of the day when he said he dreamed of being the CEO of a bank when he retired from politics. His mission he said would be to work on the bank’s automated voicemail. Anyone calling a bank these days is treated to a voice that prompts you to punch a number for the language in which you prefer to do business. Gutierrez says when he’s in charge, a heavily accented Hispanic voice will say; “For ING-lesh, paleez perez wan!” This is in response to the tightest Caucasian recorded banker voices currently booming “PAIR-a Esp-AN-yo, press DOSE.” My unilingual writing doesn’t do the quip justice, but in live time it had everyone busting out with a laugh.
Alexi Giannoulias, the proud son of Greek immigrants, stole the show when it came to reaching the audience. While others, even Hispanics, stumbled over some well-meant greetings in Spanish, the Illinois Senate candidate spoke flawless in the native tongue of many of the members of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce crowd.
It’s not certain if Giannoulias had a crash course with Rosetta Stone or was inspired after a trip to Las Pinatas on Wells Street. Either way, his Spanish edification and articulation were prefect. Proof was found in the nodding heads of the nine Spanish speaking people at the table I was a guest. Other non-Spanish speakers’ fumbled attempts to linguistically blend were met with light laughter. Giannoulias was a Greek turned Guatemalan for a day. It was a defining moment that said, “I am part of your community” and Giannoulias scored big.
So why were the political elite in attendance? The Hispanic vote is a strong and influential one. According to the Pew Hispanic Center; “Illinois's Hispanic population is the fifth-largest in the nation. Nearly 1.9 million Hispanics reside in Illinois, 4% of all Hispanics in the United States. There are over 708,000 eligible Hispanic voters in Illinois, 4% of all U.S. Hispanic eligible voters.”
Giannoulias will need those 708,000 votes in a contest that promises to be a bullfight for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat currently being warmed by Roland Burris, whose next major political decision is if he should chisel an asterisk on his mausoleum. The charismatic, young Democrat Giannoulias will most likely face centrist Republican and U.S. Navy veteran, 10th District Congressman Mark Kirk.
The primary will be held February 2, 2010. So far Giannoulias’ most notable challenger is Cheryle Jackson from the Urban League. The advantage of money favors Giannoulias as well as the endorsement of 85 elected officials to date. Those endorsements include leaders who represent the 43rd Ward including U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton and State Senator Kwame Raoul.
In any language and with any accent and by pressing any button you prefer, Giannoulias’ support from of multi-cultural voter bases makes him “Numero Uno.”
For more information about Tim Egan and 43rd Ward United, please visit www.43rdwardunited.com or email 43rdwardunited@gmail.com.
Alexi lost that 2009 election but then became our Illinois Secretary of State. Tim, Alexi and Wedge
Chicago Loop News Column January 2008
By Tim Egan
Psssst!
Where are just several weeks away from what has been predicted to be a “bloodbath” in the 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman race. As I’ve said before, you can print volumes of what’s not printed in newspapers, so allow me to let loose with some things that were ‘off the record.’
During the few days after the 43rd Ward Aldermanic general election in February, my phone ran out of its dock, no longer able to say off its hook given today’s technology. It was Vi Daley and Michele Smith courting my support for their runoff. Please remember Vi was under 50%, Smith was just over 30% and our team garnered 12%, the swing vote. Playing that swing vote role was actually impressive for someone from no political lineage, no heavy clout and modest campaign funding.
In the Aldermanic race I was able to obtain endorsements from the Chicago Firefighters Union, Chicago Police Sergeant’s Association, the Teamsters’ Joint Council and a teenage political pundit call Jake, who lives in the 43rd Ward. Not too shabby for guy out there battling the rough political climate of Chicago with only family, friends and good nature by his side.
The decision was made to endorse Vi.
No, I didn’t get a deal with Vi in ink on paper when we met after the 43rd Ward Aldermanic general election. She was headed into what would prove to be a vicious runoff with Michele Smith in April 2007 and she was prepared to say whatever it took to garner my support. She said she was extremely displeased by then Committeeman Peg Roth and her lack of organization and support. Vi said she would welcome my running for Democratic Committeeman with more than open arms, would appoint me to whatever committees she was forming and help raise my profile in the community.
No signed contract, no blood oath. Just a naïve rookie politician taking a person who should be held to a higher standard for her word. After Vi won, there were no welcome arms, no committee appointments and my phone didn’t ring off or out of anything. It actually took several weeks to even get a call back to sit down for a meeting.
Back in our meeting after the general election, Vi was specifically asked if anyone from her camp was interested in running for Committeeman, specifically if her Chief of Staff was interested and the answer was an emphatic NO. No chance. No way. Vi stood firm on that. In August her Chief of Staff began circulation petitions for 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman and a slightly heated conversation was held between myself and that person and later with Vi at the Gold Coast Neighbors Evening on Astor.
The Chief of Staff’s sole motivation for running for Committeeman was to ensure Vi’s reelection in 2011. He said, “It’s all about team Vi.” Any denial, in my eyes, would be criminal.
In our meeting after word came that her Chief of Staff was circulating, Vi repeatedly said she did not encourage his campaign nor think it was a good idea.
Why the betrayal, the 180, reversal of word… self-preservation and that’s straight Chief horse’s mouth.
One Chicago Alderman grabbed me around the shoulders and said, “You got f-ed. What did you expect?”
Well, not to get f-ed I assure you.
Cheap shots are parcel and payment in Chicago politics I have now found out the hard way.
“That which does not kill us,” they say… “only pisses me off and make me work harder,” I say.
I have been contacted by other elected officials from Statewide offices to local and suburban, all adamantly stating that I am the best choice for 43rdWard Democratic Committeeman.
Smith launched her campaign website in early December and ironically it had the same layout, design and content as her Aldermanic website. For good reason too, she’s running her campaign for Alderman in 2011 right now. Her intent is to organize the 43rd Ward Democratic party for herself and defeat Vi in the 2011. She spent her time and hundreds of thousands of dollars creating a divide in the voters and citizenry of the 43rd Ward.
Her negative attacks and outright BS was astounding. She stood while the four other candidates were seated and up to address the crowd at the Peggy Notebaret Museum, at first the microphone would not stand up with her so she wound up crouching, and stated that she “and her good friend Dr. Winkler” were working on a plan to fix the vacant storefront problem on Clark Street.
I talked to Dr. Winkler and he said he had no use for anyone political in Chicago and the only conversation he had with Smith is when she called and asked him to give her one of those Clark Street store fronts for free. He obviously said no. That’s great work solving a problem don’t you think?
As one political insider stated, “she’s a mercenary.”
So neither choice is close to our team’s mission and vision.
The 43rdWard Democratic votes have a choice: Self-preservation or self-promotion. Or someone who is willing to dedicate their time, energy, resources and skill to organize a positive effort to build a respectable 43rd Ward Regular Democratic Organization.
Mr. Jesse White and Tim Egan during the Emergency Fund Turkey Drive
Chicago Loop News Column December 2007
By Tim Egan
Leadership & Bloodshed
Neil Hartigan labored to the stage, his gate obviously slowed by the painful bend an aged knee often brings, so much so his step up was assisted just a tad. The former Lieutenant Governor and Illinois Attorney General looked like he was happy just to reach the podium. The trip there, in front of over 300 guests of Vision Illinois’ Tribute To Ed Kelly, was tough.
“What did you expect,” the wonderfully humorous Hartigan said, “after carrying Kelly and Hynes all these years?”
That punch line was certainly well timed and delivered with comedic grace. Mr. Hartigan, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Tom Hynes represent a great age of leadership in Illinoisand especially Chicagopolitics. Ed Kelly is the former 47th Ward Alderman and Committeeman and is affectionately remembered as a coach to thousands of kids in the Chicago Park District leagues for over 50 years. Mr. Hynes was the force behind the 19thWard for decades and his political legacy lives on in son Dan’s commitment to public service as the State of Illinois Comptroller.
Hartigan’s speech was a fiery tribute to leadership, the leadership brand in the likes of Ed Kelly, and the desperate call for that type of dedication. It was a fist-pounding-on-the- podium lecture to every ear that needed to hear our City, our County, our State and our Country’s cry for a new brand of leadership.
It was also a prompt for me to define that new brand and finding good examples were right there in that banquet hall.
Leadership is not having the ability to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars putting your face on glossy mailings exalting self-praise.
Leadership is hard work. It’s long hours, pure dedication, following through and being accountable.
While our newspaper headlines and lead stories on the evening news talk about the troubled leadership in certain parts of our local government, you could fill volumes of news pages and countless video segments on the leaders who excel on a daily basis.
A living definition of the leadership Hartigan called for was sitting across from me before the sharp witted, legendary pol began his speech. The Honorable Jesse White, the Illinois Secretary of State. Every time I have had the opportunity to spend time with Mr. White, I have taken away a bit of wisdom and a smile. Mr. White is an inspiration and the stuff newspaper editorials and TV segments should rave on about.
Aside from his tireless effort in his role as Secretary of State, Mr. White has done miraculous work with the Tumbling team in his name. He has taken thousands of disadvantaged youths from Chicago streets and public housing and given them a chance to become disciplined and hopeful. Thousands try out for Mr. White’s Tumblers and those that make his ranks are dedicated to maintaining good grades, becoming model citizens and “staying out of SWU – Side Walk University.” Mr. White is a role model and that’s why they all call him Mr.
To continue the definition, the new brand of leadership needs to be a hybrid of what was right in the past and what is best from the present, both focused on the future.
Much of that hybrid leadership should rely on respect to those who lead the way, blazed a trail and did the work. Often, I’ve been told that the Committeeman spot is a “Thankless” job. So, allow me this opportunity to say “Thank You” to 43rdWard Committeeperson Peg Roth, who has decided not to run again. Deep respect should be offered to anyone who was able to navigate the rugged political waters of Chicago.
Which brings me to the next person who has had the most significant influence on my team’s campaign, Edwin Eisendrath. Edwin and I sat down to discuss where my political future may lie. Becoming 43rd Ward Committeeman was the best possible option for me to utilize my communication and organization talents in an effort to meet my desire to participate in the political process.
It is with great expectation that I will call on all the great things that have been displayed in the political efforts of all mentioned here and be influenced by their hard work and contributions. Mr. Kelly’s wonderful senior programs should be mandated and copied City wide. Edwin Eisendrath’s great knowledge and undeniable quest for good government should be emulated city, county, state and country wide.
That cross between what is great from the old and what is demanded by the new is what I plan to offer as your 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman.
Along the way you can count on a few attempted punch lines. After all, politics may not be beanbag, but it isn’t a blood sport either. No matter who says so.
Mr. Jesse White, Tim Egan and Edwin Eisendrath (2008)
Chicago Loop News Column 9.2007
Healing The Great "Soccer" Divide
Soccer Fields & Golden Rules
By Tim Egan
A thunderous storm pummeled Chicagoon Wednesday, August 23 and its damage to Lincoln Park’s terra firma laid witness outside of Latin School on Clark Street and North Avenue. The ferocity of the Mother Nature was evident in the uprooted trees that have stood for decades around the revamped and renamed Chicago History Museum. Full grown trees lay helpless, baring their bark, torn from their firm place in the ground, awaiting clear skies and a chain saw. The scene was foliage carnage and news film crews preserved the devastation on video.
At this same passage of time Mother Nature as usual could not trump Human Nature as a storm of a different sort spun inside the Latin School Auditorium while elected officials, school administrators and residents duked it out over a proposed soccer field on Chicago Park District property in Lincoln Park.
This open forum attendance was a Lincoln Park who’s who; past, present and future office holders and candidates, the otherwise politically savvy, community organizers and frenzied members of the media. Most in attendance were just looking for answers and information that was most definitely due.
In a bruised nutshell, Latin School has pledged approximately $1.4 million to put in an artificial turf soccer field in the south end of Lincoln Park and the Chicago Park District is damn happy to have the well-heeled school’s cash. A portion of the Latin cash represents 10 years of field permits in advance.
The threat to the community and those who preserve the park is the perception that Latin would essentially ‘own’ the field and this is a bad public-private deal.
Overall, it’s actually not a bad plan with some concessions. Latin picks up the tab on a project the Chicago Park District was already going to fund, allowing that budgeted money to pay for other sorely needed recreation projects in the city. At the beating heart of this problem is the blatant lack of “process” that should have been followed.
History backs up the August 17th Chicago Sun Times editorial that said “it’s too bad the (Aug. 23rd, 2007) meeting is about a year too late.”
Actually the debate is five years old.
In 2002 an ad hoc neighborhood group was formed to take on Latin School’s mission to build an athletic stadium. Keep Lincoln Park Public (KLPP) helped knock out the $2.2 million controversial running track plan.
A July 19, 2002 article in Skyline by Felicia Dechter stated that “community members and 43rdWard Alderman Vi Daley were caught off guard by the news that the Chicago Park District was resurrecting plans for a controversial running track/athletic field on the south end of Lincoln Park.”
That was in 2002.
In 2007, five years and a long snooze later; the Alderman’s Chief of Staff is quoted in the Chicago Tribune in July that the Alderman’s office was “blindsided” by the news of the Latin- Chicago Park District deal.
That Sun-Times editorial went on to state “Daley says she knew only that an Astroturf lot was being built on the public parcel. If Daley didn’t know about Latin’s plans, she should have.”
Ald. Daley, whose 43rd Ward encompasses the soccer field, stood up at the Aug. 23rdmeeting and said, “The Park District owes us an apology.”
The Chicago Park District certainly did not apologize. In fact their representative, Tom King said, “This is deal has been there since 2001. The contracts are already signed. The deal is completed.”
Many more community members had the opportunity to speak their mind.
One member of the KLPP said, “This is a case of clout. I’m from a family of attorneys and am shocked you believe this is a done deal.”
So here we are to sort out the mess after the storm, in the light of a clear day and not with chain saws but with remembrances of golden rules we all learned as kids.
As far as this issue blindsiding the powers that be for the second time, I say “fool me once shame on you.” But the second time around, who do you blame, the community?
No chance.
Dumbfounded Chief’s of Staff?
Quick trigger Chicago Park District officials who teamed up with Latin to ink the deal?
The lessons taught here is to push, pull, duck, cover, etc.
Latin School and the Chicago Park District didn’t learn the first time around and did the bare minimum not to violate the Open Meetings Act. The Chicago Park District did make it an agenda item on their Oct. 26, 2006 meeting open to the public. Since it is not casual reading or bumper sticker & expressway billboard promoted, it is our elected officials who should have been in tune with this plan.
“The substance of this plan is just as objectionable as the process,” said Former 43rdWard Alderman Marty Oberman. “This lack of process was not an accident and this is the alienation of public land. We need to protect public space.”
Lincoln Park long-timer Allan Mellis summed up the situation perfectly. If Latin School and the Chicago Park District would have aggressively gone to the community leaders the headlines covering this story would be much different.
“Instead of ‘Latin Land Grab’,” Mellis said, “the headlines could have read ‘Latin Provides Field Without Burdening Taxpayers.’”
The highlight of the meeting was calming demeanor of freshman 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly who said he was more than “disappointed by the process.” It was Ald. Reilly who grabbed the microphone when Oberman challenged that “two aldermen acting together can tell the Park District that an undoing can be done.”
Alderman Reilly said that he would look into what could be done and scrap the plan if able.
Latin School is already talking about compromise, which is great. So look for a soccer field in the south end of Lincoln Park and keep an eye open for what may blindside us next.
Chicago Loop News Column August 2007
By Tim Egan
A Fond Police Farewell
“Your tour has ended… go home safely to your family.” Over the years, these words have been heard by thousands of Chicago Police Officers as a heartfelt sentiment and direct order from retired Superintendent Phillip J. Cline.
On Friday, August 3rd, retired Superintendent Cline addressed a massive crowd of well-wishers at the Chicago Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive there to celebrate a life of dedicated police work. Among the many accolades and comments made, none was more touching than Cline’s own words and actions.
Before grabbing a bouquet of flowers and embracing his wife, this time his order of relief was to himself.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have finished my tour. I am headed home safely to my wife and family.”
For just a shade under 40-years, Cline served in the Chicago Police Department and should be remembered for headline grabbing drug busts as a member of the Narcotics Division, for his great sense of humor and for his even greater commitment to being part of Chicago’s “blue line” between criminals and our citizenry. While Cline has stepped down as Chicago’s Top Cop, his mission to serve in a leadership role for Chicago’s Police Department and the citizens of our great city will thankfully continue as he has accepted the Executive Director position at the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (cpdmemorial.org).
The event was a great display of the way to celebrate all good things in life. And that good life has been on display all summer long in the 43rd Ward – Chicago’s home for the best neighborhood street festivals. While all of the recent events have brought on rave reviews, please allow me to talk up some events ahead.
GCN Silver Anniversary – Part II
The Gold Coast Neighbors’ Silver Anniversary continues with an Evening On Astor on Wednesday, September 5th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The quaint evening among neighbors and friends takes place between Chicago’s most mispronounced street, Goethe, and Banks.
The event is highlighted by live music, children’s games and entertainment all courtesy of the GCN. Continuing a tradition of supporting the neighborhood, the Evening On Astor which began in 1982, will feature samples of the outstanding menu items from Mario’s Gold Coast Ristorante and beverages will be served by the Division Street Merchants Association.
Admission is free of charge.
For more information about the Evening On Astor please contact GCN at 312.360.0386 or visit the GCN website at: goldcoastneighbors.org.
Old Town’s En Vino Veritas.
The year’s second round of blocked-off Wells Street fun will happen on Saturday, September 15th in Old Town with the Old Town Merchants & Residents Association’s 5th Annual Wine Crush.
This urban tasting and all-around wine festival showcases all the charm and charisma of Old Town in an open market atmosphere. There’s plenty of fun and good vino for the hard-core aficionado to the casual connoisseur and enough left over for the grape-spiked sipping novice.
Each year the Wine Crush plays host to wines from domestic vineyards as well as from around the world including the best of the best from France, Italy, Spain and more. Even the Aussies, who are known world wide for their love of great sport and even better beer, have become experts in producing excellent wines from Down Under.
The highlight of the Wine Crush last year for my family was the grape stomping competition. My sons, Wedge and Tadgh, had no idea what was transpiring inside the glass walls but the end result looked like a messy fun time which has created a big challenge at our house. We’ve got enough problems keeping the place clean without a Virgin Wine Crush competition on our kitchen floor. We’ll have to do all we can to stay away from the north side of Wells Street so that inspiration doesn’t take hold.
For more information about the Wine Crush please call the OTMRA at 773.868.3010 or visit: oldtownchicago.org.
A C.I.B. Loss
I make great attempts to stay positive for many reasons and one of them is to cover the great pain life inevitably brings by focusing on all good things. The Chicago Irish Brotherhood, which I so often state that I am proud to be Chairman and founder of, suffered the loss of one of our board members in late July.
Francis Timothy Whalen, Sergeant First Class, United States Army, left our presence at the far too young age of 46. “Old Tim” as he called himself was far from old, just a few years ahead of “Young Tim” which is me. He liked a good joke, was always there to lend an ear and definitely took care of the ladies with his gentlemanly acts and continuous deliveries of chocolate.
Tim was a warrior poet who spent over 20 years in the U.S. Army and was congressionally recognized more than once. While his loss is definitely a somber reality, the time he shared with family and friends was one of pure goodness in life.
Tim will be remembered and the proceeds from the C.I.B.’s 2007 Youth Burn Camp Fundraiser will be donated in his honor to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance’s Camp I Am Me.
One of my mentors in healthcare, Penny Davis, signs off on all of her emails with an inspiring quote. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
Because she’s a girl she can get away with that kissy-huggy kind of quotation. I, as the other gender and an ‘old boy’ rugby player have to butch it up. So, I like to go with some wisdom dispensed by a Monty Python tune.
“When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble… give a whistle.”
All good things do come to an end, but they should be enjoyed to the very last minute.
For more information about Tim Egan, his writings and the Chicago Irish Brotherhood please visit www.chiirishbro.org or blog at http://43rdwarddems.blogspot.com
