Ray Hanania
Joyce book a journey through city’s history
By Ray Hanania
Jeremiah Joyce was always a complicated but brilliant and astute politician.
I had the privilege as a community and City Hall reporter of getting to know him during a tumultuous political time in Chicago’s history. So I always saw him as a factor influencing the political events that swirled around the city and the region.
But it wasn’t until I read his recently published book that I truly got to know him.
Joyce has penned a compelling book for anyone who ties their origins or lives to Chicago. “Still Burning: Half a Century of Chicago, from the Streets to the Corridors of Power: A Memoir” was published in September 2021 by a Wisconsin publishing house.
Normally I don’t read books the way I used to. I pretty much enjoy listening to audio books as I drive to and from work, which these days involves writing op-eds and news on mainstream and Middle East political topics for local newspapers and for a Middle East-based giant, Arab News.
But it’s always the Chicago politics that grabs me by the collar and captures my full attention.
Joyce’s book offers insights into much of what has affected Chicago’s evolution.
His detailed reminisces reflect his brilliance. A member of the Mensa society, his memory is impeccable and he is able to take you back to his youth in Visitation Parish. He later attended St. Sabina and Leo High School, where he stayed until a disagreement with the school sent him to Calumet High School.
Joyce was loyal to his friends and although he was academically brilliant, he didn’t like being separated in an honors-like division and rebelled. But Joyce also digs deep into his family roots to share his memories of his grandparents, uncles, parents and siblings in the context of a fast-changing world of racial tensions and crime, white flight and efforts to temper the divisions.
He spent part of his youth down the street from Al Capone’s wife on South Prairie Avenue. He was influenced by the activism of his uncles in unions and by relatives in the police, with one being shot and killed accidentally by friendly fire during a chase of street gang suspects.
He became a bricklayer and then entered business school and later Northern Illinois University, my own alma mater where I attended two years before entering military service during the Vietnam War.
Joyce graduated with a teaching degree and taught high school history. He also became a policeman, too.
Eventually, he became an investigator and worked undercover during the “Days of Rage.” Joyce also embeds a lot of deep history in his remembrances of growing up in Chicago that makes this a fascinating read, without even getting into the period of time where most people might have known about him. That includes when he became alderman of Chicago’s 19th Ward in 1975, serving one term, and later serving 14 years as a state senator.
Joyce is candid about his political relations. He won without Richard J. Daley’s support, but Daley claimed he always thought he would do well. Joyce spoke out often and honestly about problems that didn’t sit well with Daley’s successor, Michael A. Bilandic, or with Jane Byrne, whom he was a friend with until after she became mayor.
Joyce consulted with many presidents and candidates for president, including with former President Barack Obama.
I bought the hardcover and spent the past week reading it at a fast pace. You can see his bright personality come out in every page.
Joyce offers insight into nearly every big name in Chicago, Illinois and American politics.
Two of his sons ran for public office; one serving in the Illinois General Assembly, Kevin Joyce, and another, Jeremiah Joyce Jr., who ran for mayor of Chicago.
Joyce was involved in many political antics, but he was always an honest and good person. That honesty and caring for Chicago comes out clearly in his writings. I have to say for a former politician, he is a great writer.
I urge you to read Joyce’s book and learn a little bit more about Chicago that often gets pushed aside by the media but that really offers genuine depth.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Boys Volleyball | Stagg ends Marist Invite with win over Riverside-Brookfield
Spread the loveBy Jason Maholy Sports Editor Stagg outlasted Riverside-Brookfield in a marathon first set, winning 36-34, then followed that with a 25-20 clincher on March 23 to finish seventh in the Silver divison at the 20th Marist RedHawks Invitational. The Chargers went 2-3 in the tournament. They opened pool play on March 22 at…
Boys Volleyball | Shepard finishes 4th in Bronze at Marist Invite
Spread the loveShepard served as one of three host sites for the 20th Marist RedHawks Invitational, and kicked off play in Palos Heights by facing Lincoln-Way East on March 22. The Griffins defeated the Astros, 25-10, 25-15. Marian Catholic beat Shepard, 25-23, 25-9, in the Astros’ second match of the day. The Astros fell to…
Obbie’s Pizza to stay ‘unique and delicious’
Spread the love. New owner vows to serve same popular menu . By Tim Hadac Archer Avenue’s long-time king of pizzerias will continue to rule. Same recipes at Obbie’s Pizza, 6654 W. Archer. Same pizza and ingredients. Same pasta, broasted chicken, shrimp, perch, Italian beef/sausage/meatball sandwiches, sides and pop. Same seasoned, Middleby Marshall pizza oven…
Countryside City Council tackles long list of items
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Water leaks, a new truck and abandoned vehicles were among a laundry list of items tackled by the Countryside City Council at its latest meeting. They were all from the infrastructure committee chaired by Ald. Mark Benson (3rd). All of the following were approved by a unanimous 6-0 vote on…
Argo High School holds Iftar Dinner for community
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan More than 100 people gathered at Argo Community High School last week for a now annual Ramadan Iftar dinner organized by Argo teacher Nadia Elkhatib. Elkhatib was happy with the turnout for those coming Thursday night to break bread with the school’s Muslim students and their families. “I will continue…
Pool improvements advance in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights aldermen last week approved contracts advancing improvements at the municipal pool. Alderman Jefry Key motioned for approval of a letter of agreement with the American Institute of Architects between Williams Architect and the City of Palos Heights for the pool improvement project. Since first proposing pool improvements in…
Teens enjoy Green Hills karaoke party
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Hills tweens and teens sang their hearts out for karaoke night at a neighborhood coffee house. Green Hills Library invited all tweens and teens for a karaoke night at Strange Brew Cafe on West 103rd Street and 87th Street on Feb. 22. Organized by Green Hill Library Youth Program…
Cervantinos Authentic Mexican Restaurant opens in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White When choosing a location for his second business location, Luis Garcia knew he wanted it to be Palos Heights. “I absolutely love it here,” Luis Garcia, of Oak Forest and the owner and chef of Cervantinos Authentic Mexican Restaurant #2, said. “It’s a great area, nice clientele and I’m happy…
Worth Polar Plunge raises record amount
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The FOP Worth Polar Plunge has been deemed a major success and local officials said the amount raised has set a new record. The annual event, sponsored by the Worth Police Department, took place in a large swimming pool that was put up in the parking lot of the Marrs-Meyer…
Green Hills Public Library hosts Eid Clothing Drive
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The Islamic calendar has two major holidays each year: Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan and celebrates an entire month of fasting, and Eid al-Adha, the festival of the sacrifice that occurs during the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage season. It takes place two lunar months after Ramadan.…
Neighbors
Boys Volleyball | Stagg ends Marist Invite with win over Riverside-Brookfield
Spread the loveBy Jason Maholy Sports Editor Stagg outlasted Riverside-Brookfield in a marathon first set, winning 36-34, then followed that with a 25-20 clincher on March 23 to finish seventh in the Silver divison at the 20th Marist RedHawks Invitational. The Chargers went 2-3 in the tournament. They opened pool play on March 22 at…
Boys Volleyball | Shepard finishes 4th in Bronze at Marist Invite
Spread the loveShepard served as one of three host sites for the 20th Marist RedHawks Invitational, and kicked off play in Palos Heights by facing Lincoln-Way East on March 22. The Griffins defeated the Astros, 25-10, 25-15. Marian Catholic beat Shepard, 25-23, 25-9, in the Astros’ second match of the day. The Astros fell to…
Obbie’s Pizza to stay ‘unique and delicious’
Spread the love. New owner vows to serve same popular menu . By Tim Hadac Archer Avenue’s long-time king of pizzerias will continue to rule. Same recipes at Obbie’s Pizza, 6654 W. Archer. Same pizza and ingredients. Same pasta, broasted chicken, shrimp, perch, Italian beef/sausage/meatball sandwiches, sides and pop. Same seasoned, Middleby Marshall pizza oven…
Countryside City Council tackles long list of items
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Water leaks, a new truck and abandoned vehicles were among a laundry list of items tackled by the Countryside City Council at its latest meeting. They were all from the infrastructure committee chaired by Ald. Mark Benson (3rd). All of the following were approved by a unanimous 6-0 vote on…
Argo High School holds Iftar Dinner for community
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan More than 100 people gathered at Argo Community High School last week for a now annual Ramadan Iftar dinner organized by Argo teacher Nadia Elkhatib. Elkhatib was happy with the turnout for those coming Thursday night to break bread with the school’s Muslim students and their families. “I will continue…
Pool improvements advance in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights aldermen last week approved contracts advancing improvements at the municipal pool. Alderman Jefry Key motioned for approval of a letter of agreement with the American Institute of Architects between Williams Architect and the City of Palos Heights for the pool improvement project. Since first proposing pool improvements in…
Teens enjoy Green Hills karaoke party
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Hills tweens and teens sang their hearts out for karaoke night at a neighborhood coffee house. Green Hills Library invited all tweens and teens for a karaoke night at Strange Brew Cafe on West 103rd Street and 87th Street on Feb. 22. Organized by Green Hill Library Youth Program…
Cervantinos Authentic Mexican Restaurant opens in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White When choosing a location for his second business location, Luis Garcia knew he wanted it to be Palos Heights. “I absolutely love it here,” Luis Garcia, of Oak Forest and the owner and chef of Cervantinos Authentic Mexican Restaurant #2, said. “It’s a great area, nice clientele and I’m happy…
Worth Polar Plunge raises record amount
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The FOP Worth Polar Plunge has been deemed a major success and local officials said the amount raised has set a new record. The annual event, sponsored by the Worth Police Department, took place in a large swimming pool that was put up in the parking lot of the Marrs-Meyer…
Green Hills Public Library hosts Eid Clothing Drive
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The Islamic calendar has two major holidays each year: Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan and celebrates an entire month of fasting, and Eid al-Adha, the festival of the sacrifice that occurs during the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage season. It takes place two lunar months after Ramadan.…