Captions:




The new map will shift control of Midway International Airport from the 23rd to the 13th Ward, and push the 14th Ward east, out of Garfield Ridge entirely. --Supplied image

Captions:

The new map will shift control of Midway International Airport from the 23rd to the 13th Ward, and push the 14th Ward east, out of Garfield Ridge entirely. --Supplied image

New ward map OKed

Spread the love

Reflects Madigan’s power

By Tim Hadac

The City Council this week approved a new ward map that, among other things, will see all of Clearing and most of Garfield Ridge shifted to the 13th Ward.

Midway International Airport also would shift from the 23rd Ward to the 13th.

Monday’s 43-7 vote means the issue will not go to a referendum, as some had hoped.

That works for 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, who told the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound a referendum would have cost taxpayers millions of dollars. He also praised the new map as a fair compromise between various political interests.

CRRNH NewWardMap2022 051822

The new map will shift control of Midway International Airport from the 23rd to the 13th Ward, and push the 14th Ward east, out of Garfield Ridge entirely. –Supplied image

The new map is a hard pill to swallow for some aldermen, especially 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares and other Hispanic members of the Council.

The Council’s Latino Caucus had been holding out for a referendum; but according to published reports, several of its members caved to political pressure—including arm twisting from several large unions–and said they would switch their allegiance to the map favored by the Council’s Black Caucus.

Tabares votes against the map. Also casting a “nay” vote was 14th Ward Ald. Edward M. Burke, who lost all the Garfield Ridge precincts he gained after the remap a decade ago.

In a larger sense, the map wrangling pitted the interests of black ward bosses against Hispanic ward bosses.

The new map includes 16 majority-black wards, 14 majority-Hispanic wards, and one ward where Asians hold the majority.

After Black Caucus leaders announced they have the 41 votes needed to pass their map, Latino Caucus leaders issued a statement that said in part, “The largest minority population in Chicago won’t be fairly and accurately represented as such…we’re disappointed some of our colleagues chose to save themselves over the Latino community. This ‘Welcoming City’s’ elected representatives have proven that they’ll let us in, but our voices do not count.”

The Black Caucus map, also known as the City Council Rules Committee map, appears to be a reflection of the political power of both Mayor Lori Lightfoot and former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. According to published reports, some of Madigan’s top lieutenants worked on drawing the map.

More than one political observer has said the expansion of 13th Ward power in Clearing and Garfield Ridge reflects a deal between former 23rd Ward Ald. Michael R. Zalewski and Madigan that dates back to 2015, when Madigan lent his then-massive political muscle to help Zalewski survive a tough re-election battle.

That purported deal, among other things, saw the sudden and surprising resignation of Zalewski in 2018, and Madigan protégé Tabares appointed alderman.

In the years since, Tabares has broken ties with Madigan’s organization over several concerns.

In response to a request for comment, Tabares wrote, “It’s unfortunate that aldermen loyal to Lori Lightfoot are forcing a map on Chicago that was drawn by Mike Madigan’s attorney behind closed doors.

“I think it’s disingenuous for an alderman to claim to prioritize constituent services while working to deny residents the opportunity to have input on our city’s map.

“Many of the new constituents of the 23rd Ward have been represented by politicians who have cozy relations with City Hall and ignore the issues of crime and the mistreatment of our police. That’s about to change.”

Background

Clearing and Garfield Ridge have long been regarded as political plums by some Democratic ward bosses.

Years ago, during the peak of 23rd Ward Democratic Committeeman William O. Lipinski’s political muscle, those plums were closely guarded against infringement by neighboring wards. In fact, there was a time when the 13th Ward did not have even one precinct west of Cicero Avenue.

But as that power started to wane, slowly in Lipinski’s final years and then rapidly under his successor, Zalewski, the 13th Ward gained more ground west of Cicero every 10 years under ward remapping.

After the 2010 Census, the 13th Ward scooped up even more ground in Clearing and Garfield Ridge. Even 14th Ward Democratic Committeeman Edward M. Burke got a bite of the plum, taking precincts away from the 23rd Ward on its north end, in what was then the St. Jane de Chantal area.

The new map, like every map, reflects winners and losers in politics. Burke, under federal indictment on corruption allegations and no longer Democratic committeeman, will see the 14th Ward pushed back east and out of Garfield Ridge.

Tabares will see the 23rd Ward lose all its ground in Clearing and much of Garfield Ridge, keeping only those precincts north of 55th Street.

Chatter on social media showed mixed opinions on the new map, with some 23rd Ward residents glad to be mapped into 13.

“Those guys shovel sidewalks in the winter, and they even have their own graffiti removal team,” said Ed Wisniewicz. “They are focused on service, service, service to their residents. I have no beef with the 23rd Ward. But give me a choice and I’ll take Marty Quinn.”

One woman who asked that her name be withheld said she is pleased her house is being shifted from the 14th Ward to the 23rd.

“I see all these old-time politicians, like Ed Burke and Mike Madigan, getting indicted, and I don’t want either one of them representing me. I mean, they could be going to jail, so they must be focused on their defense and not on serving the people of their wards.

“I like Silvana Tabares,” the woman continued. “She’s young, smart, energetic, highly visible in the community. She’s pro-police and pro-firefighters, and she’s honest and above-board with everything. She’s the type of representative this area needs. And I don’t like the fact that a male-dominated political organization–the 13th Ward, which was such a big part of the Me Too scandal–is trying to take political power away from a woman. As a woman who thinks for herself and who votes, I see what’s being done, and I don’t like it one bit.”

Local News

Purdue-bound junior Cole Van Assen fires a pitch for Brother Rice against Providence last week. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Area Sports Roundup: Brother Rice learning from lull

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer No one thought Brother Rice’s juggernaut, nationally ranked baseball team was going to go undefeated, even though they looked unbeatable through the first 17 games this season. High school baseball in Illinois relies on deep pitching depth, and with the IHSA instituting pitch counts in recent years an…

Louisville's Emily Fox (left) and the Red Stars' Bianca St-Georges jostle in the first half of April 30's game. Both scored goals in the Red Stars' 2-1 season-opening victory. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars catch lightning in season-opening win over Louisville

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars had not won a season-opener since 2015, and the prospects for beginning the 2022 campaign with a ‘W’ were not at their most promising. The Stars had never beaten their Game 1 opponent, Racing Louisville, a franchise that was an expansion team in 2021.…

Moraine Valley Athletics Director Bill Finn has a little fun with a sign at the school's celebration of 45 years of offering sports. (Photos by Jeff Vorva)

College Report: Moraine Valley celebrates 45 years of athletics in Finn fashion

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer Moraine Valley Community College celebrated its 45th year of offering athletics on April 30. Bill Finn has seen nearly all of them. Finn, the Cyclones’ athletic director, has spent 41 years at the college as a coach and administrator. The school opened up the Health, Fitness and Recreation…

LionsLogo

Lions Club offers eyeglass vouchers

Spread the love

Spread the loveWill be at Archer Heights Library  By Tim Hadac People of limited means who need eyeglasses but have trouble affording them are encouraged to be at the Archer Heights Branch Library, 5055 S. Archer, from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4–where a Lions Club International volunteer will be handing out vouchers worth…

SWNH_5KLogo_050517

Stars and Stripes 5K run returns

Spread the love

Spread the loveWill honor fallen CPD commander By Tim Hadac Hundreds of men, women and children will run, jog, walk or roll through the streets of western Garfield Ridge in about nine weeks, in part to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by a Chicago Police commander. The Stars and Stripes 5K Run will be held Saturday,…

CRRNH_GRCCGradBannerFrontPage_042722

Chamber offers chance to hail grads

Spread the love

Spread the love For the third year in a row, the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce is offering people an opportunity to salute graduates in a high-profile way. Congratulatory banners with the names of graduates will again fly over Archer Avenue and other main streets in the area. Banners cost $125 each and are about…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound April 27, 2022

Spread the love

Spread the love

Joan Hadac

Little visitors, big joy

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com As I write this, I am very excited about the upcoming visit of my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. They are coming for what I call a fly-by visit, short and brief; but no matter how long the visit is, I…

Farmers Insurance® agent Sandra Cavoto and her colleagues celebrate her selection as a Presidents Council member. --Supplied photo

Farmers Insurance® names Sandra Cavoto to Presidents Council

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports Farmers Insurance® agent Sandra Cavoto has been named to the national insurer’s Presidents Council, the Los Angeles-based organization recently announced. Cavoto maintains an office in Clearing, at 6118 W. 63rd St., as well as in Burr Ridge and downtown Chicago. Membership in Presidents Council is the organization’s most elite honor…

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi

Kaegi cheers passage of bill to help seniors, vets, people with disabilities

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently praise the passage of SB1975, a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that creates automatic renewal options for the people with disabilities and veterans with disabilities exemptions and expands income verification options for the low-income senior citizen exemption. The bill, which passed both the…

Neighbors

Appeals court skeptical of Mike Bost’s case to stop ballot counts after Election Day

Appeals court skeptical of Mike Bost’s case to stop ballot counts after Election Day

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – A panel of federal appellate judges on Thursday seemed skeptical of legal arguments made on behalf of Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, who claims Illinois’ law allowing counting of mail-in ballots for two weeks after an election is in violation of federal law. Bost’s late 2022…

DCFS hires on-the-spot at hiring events

DCFS hires on-the-spot at hiring events

By BETH HUNDSDORFER  Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com Cyrenthia Threat spent Wednesday morning at a hiring event in Fairview Heights waiting for word on whether she was hired by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.  Threat wants to move to Illinois from Georgia where she works as a social worker. She has 20 years…

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

By HANNAH MEISEL & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the case of actor Jussie Smollett, who was convicted for staging a hate crime against him in 2019 in a case that drew criticism for Cook County’s top prosecutor. Smollett made what turned out to be…

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

By PETER HANCOCK  Capitol News Illinois  phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com  SPRINGFIELD – Illinois continues to suffer from a shortage of teachers and other education professionals, although recent efforts by the state to ease the strain have made an impact.  That’s according to the latest annual survey of school officials from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools,…

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Two bills that would regulate battery disposal and storage are awaiting action from the full Illinois Senate after unanimous committee approval.   Senate Bill 3481, sponsored by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, would require facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency…

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The longtime chair and a relatively new member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board have resigned, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced Monday. The governor’s office announced the pair’s resignations within hours of each other nearly two weeks after Crosetti Brand was released from Stateville Correctional Center. Brand is…

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

By ALEX ABBEDUTO   Capitol News Illinois  abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com  The night before Rebecca Hooks started at the Illinois State Police Academy in 2002, she spoke on the phone with her father and her brother – both of whom worked in law enforcement.  Her father encouraged her, telling her she was strong and could get through the…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…