In what a memo released today from Chicago City Clerk Miguel Del Valle calls "Unprecedented Transparency" at City Hall, his office has posted City Council Legislation online dating back to the Byrne Administration.
"The old days of crawling around the basement of City Hall searching for ordinances is a thing of past" says Del Valle thanks to his website. Click on the website and Journals of Proceedings to view city budgets, executive orders and more dating back 27 years.
Visit www.ChiCityClerk.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Chicago Takes Center Stage at Convention
The opening day of the Democratic Convention in Denver couldn't have more Chicagoans in the lineup if Mile High Stadium was host to a Cubs-Sox Doubleheader. They're all there: Lisa Madigan, Alexi G., Dan Hynes and even Chicago City Clerk Miguel DelValle. All were on hand to grab their moment in the national Democratic spotlight and give roaring endorsements to the Obama/Biden ticket as the week of roaring endorsements gets under way. It was great to see DelValle gain some national attention because he so widely respected as a politician who is "in" and "of" the community. There will be plenty to come, but it's a nice way to start off.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Getting In Political Shape / CLN Aug. Column
Recently I joined the Wells Street Athletic Club because I couldn’t rationalize the fact my suits weren’t fitting any more by saying the dry cleaner was shrinking my pants. For the first 21 years of my life, the majority of my time and effort was focused on training to be in basketball shape. After a collegiate basketball career, I immediately stepped into a competitive rugby lifestyle that became the next step in a rigorous dedication to sport.
That was before putting on sympathy weight for my wife during her back to back pregnancies, and then finding out that sour cream was a perfect addition to late night burritos and that finishing everything on your plate was bad parental guidance… especially after six trips to the buffet line. I am currently tipping the scale in a commiseration that would equal a pregnancy for my wife in which she’d be carrying triplets in the fourth trimester.
There are many reasons I love the Wells Street Athletic Club. One particular amenity I’m drawn too is the stationary bike right in front of a pillar in the middle of the exercise floor. It’s surrounded by a row of treadmills, step machines and other bikes. This one is perfect, however, because the pillar blocks my views of the mirrors that showcase the giant gelatinous spare tire surrounding my middle these days. Since I can’t get the dry cleaner to shrink that, I am feverishly peddling away at a stationary bike in front of that pillar. It’s like forcing yourself to race toward a wall without crashing.
The dry cleaner wasn’t the only professional to play a role in my attempt at an athletic resurgence. During an annual physical, my doctor mentioned my weight gain and asked if my life insurance policy was up to date. If that’s not a negative health indicator and motivation for change, chest pains and a left-arm tingling sensation are likely the next likely flags.
Making an effort to lose some poundage and get some stamina back into life is important for so many obvious reasons and some not so obvious when it comes to politics.
There’s a simple fact in politics… you have to be in shape and ready for assaults from any direction and challenges of all kinds. Look at Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, as young, attractive and in-shape a nominee as this country has seen since the vigorous JFK. His routine hoop playing keeps his cardio fitness intact while enduring one of the most grueling campaign schedules imaginable. In order for Obama to achieve success he’s got to bob-and-weave and keep running up a mountain of challenges that includes one of his supporters, an icon of the Civil Rights movement, threatening to cut off his privates.
With friends like that, you’ve got to keep your body tight and agile and, more importantly, your legs crossed.
Physical shape, however, is only part of the game in politics. You’ve got to keep your mental game sharp as well and be ready for all kinds of attempts of character castration. It really is silly that the political arena in the United States pits candidates against one another, and they are rated on how much slander, mud slinging and viciousness they can muster.
Politics is often called a blood sport and a contact game, especially in Chicago. Trust me; the reddest color in the world is your own blood on green grass or the ground in front of you. I’ve seen it on the rugby field and on the basketball court. The kind of blood and contact in the political game is psychological. In politics you’re supposed to be able to take the verbal and written hits with a lack of emotion and then take appropriate recourse. On the other hand, rather than politics as usual I prefer when someone responds with humor.
One of my political influences and the great Senator, George Mitchell (D – Irish-American) was asked a ridiculous question to catch him off guard during a press conference about the Good Friday Peace Accord he helped broker in Northern Ireland in 1998. At the time, one-time law partner Republican Bob Dole was a pitch man for Viagra and the reporter asked Mitchell if he needed any help from the little blue pill. Sitting to the side of the stage was Mitchell’s wife, almost 30 years his younger with their newborn child.
''The answer is no,'' Mr. Mitchell replied with a broad smile, ''and I've got a 6-month-old son to prove that I don't need it!'' Laughter followed fact.
Mitchell showed how to banter with the media and being in shape to banter is a requirement to run our country. Fold on video these days and you’re, well, George W. Bush.
Senator Obama can certainly banter. When asked to respond to rival Senator John McCain’s digs regarding his recent trip overseas, a quick witted answer followed.
“I was puzzled by this notion that somehow what we were doing was in any way different from what Senator McCain or a lot of presidential candidates have done in the past. (Except) I admit we did it really well,” Obama mused to a round of chuckles and cheers, “but that shouldn't be a strike against me.”
So the lessons here are to get back into an exercise routine, be healthy and stay away from Jesse Jackson when he’s holding scissors.
By the way, the lotion in the men’s locker room at the Wells Street Athletic Club smells just like Bailey’s Irish Cream. Now that’s a great health club amenity.
That was before putting on sympathy weight for my wife during her back to back pregnancies, and then finding out that sour cream was a perfect addition to late night burritos and that finishing everything on your plate was bad parental guidance… especially after six trips to the buffet line. I am currently tipping the scale in a commiseration that would equal a pregnancy for my wife in which she’d be carrying triplets in the fourth trimester.
There are many reasons I love the Wells Street Athletic Club. One particular amenity I’m drawn too is the stationary bike right in front of a pillar in the middle of the exercise floor. It’s surrounded by a row of treadmills, step machines and other bikes. This one is perfect, however, because the pillar blocks my views of the mirrors that showcase the giant gelatinous spare tire surrounding my middle these days. Since I can’t get the dry cleaner to shrink that, I am feverishly peddling away at a stationary bike in front of that pillar. It’s like forcing yourself to race toward a wall without crashing.
The dry cleaner wasn’t the only professional to play a role in my attempt at an athletic resurgence. During an annual physical, my doctor mentioned my weight gain and asked if my life insurance policy was up to date. If that’s not a negative health indicator and motivation for change, chest pains and a left-arm tingling sensation are likely the next likely flags.
Making an effort to lose some poundage and get some stamina back into life is important for so many obvious reasons and some not so obvious when it comes to politics.
There’s a simple fact in politics… you have to be in shape and ready for assaults from any direction and challenges of all kinds. Look at Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, as young, attractive and in-shape a nominee as this country has seen since the vigorous JFK. His routine hoop playing keeps his cardio fitness intact while enduring one of the most grueling campaign schedules imaginable. In order for Obama to achieve success he’s got to bob-and-weave and keep running up a mountain of challenges that includes one of his supporters, an icon of the Civil Rights movement, threatening to cut off his privates.
With friends like that, you’ve got to keep your body tight and agile and, more importantly, your legs crossed.
Physical shape, however, is only part of the game in politics. You’ve got to keep your mental game sharp as well and be ready for all kinds of attempts of character castration. It really is silly that the political arena in the United States pits candidates against one another, and they are rated on how much slander, mud slinging and viciousness they can muster.
Politics is often called a blood sport and a contact game, especially in Chicago. Trust me; the reddest color in the world is your own blood on green grass or the ground in front of you. I’ve seen it on the rugby field and on the basketball court. The kind of blood and contact in the political game is psychological. In politics you’re supposed to be able to take the verbal and written hits with a lack of emotion and then take appropriate recourse. On the other hand, rather than politics as usual I prefer when someone responds with humor.
One of my political influences and the great Senator, George Mitchell (D – Irish-American) was asked a ridiculous question to catch him off guard during a press conference about the Good Friday Peace Accord he helped broker in Northern Ireland in 1998. At the time, one-time law partner Republican Bob Dole was a pitch man for Viagra and the reporter asked Mitchell if he needed any help from the little blue pill. Sitting to the side of the stage was Mitchell’s wife, almost 30 years his younger with their newborn child.
''The answer is no,'' Mr. Mitchell replied with a broad smile, ''and I've got a 6-month-old son to prove that I don't need it!'' Laughter followed fact.
Mitchell showed how to banter with the media and being in shape to banter is a requirement to run our country. Fold on video these days and you’re, well, George W. Bush.
Senator Obama can certainly banter. When asked to respond to rival Senator John McCain’s digs regarding his recent trip overseas, a quick witted answer followed.
“I was puzzled by this notion that somehow what we were doing was in any way different from what Senator McCain or a lot of presidential candidates have done in the past. (Except) I admit we did it really well,” Obama mused to a round of chuckles and cheers, “but that shouldn't be a strike against me.”
So the lessons here are to get back into an exercise routine, be healthy and stay away from Jesse Jackson when he’s holding scissors.
By the way, the lotion in the men’s locker room at the Wells Street Athletic Club smells just like Bailey’s Irish Cream. Now that’s a great health club amenity.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Is It Snowing In H-E Double Hockey Sticks
The following is an excerpt from a Letter to the Editor in this week's INSIDE Publication by Illinois State Rep. John Fritchey I thought everyone should see.
Three years of effort and countless obstacles along the way caused me to lead off the press conference announcing the agreement by stating that “it must be snowing in Hell”.
On the last scheduled day of this legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed what the Chicago Tribune described as “the strongest campaign fundraising restrictions state lawmakers have ever approved.” It must be noted that as of the time of writing this article, it remains to be seen what action Governor Blagojevich will take with respect to the bill.
I have now served in the Illinois General Assembly for twelve years, and am proud to count passage of this measure among the achievements of my tenure. Public confidence in government, once shaken, is very difficult to rebuild. But through the passage of this bill, we have taken a significant step in the right direction.
State Rep. John Fritchey
(D-11)
Three years of effort and countless obstacles along the way caused me to lead off the press conference announcing the agreement by stating that “it must be snowing in Hell”.
On the last scheduled day of this legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed what the Chicago Tribune described as “the strongest campaign fundraising restrictions state lawmakers have ever approved.” It must be noted that as of the time of writing this article, it remains to be seen what action Governor Blagojevich will take with respect to the bill.
I have now served in the Illinois General Assembly for twelve years, and am proud to count passage of this measure among the achievements of my tenure. Public confidence in government, once shaken, is very difficult to rebuild. But through the passage of this bill, we have taken a significant step in the right direction.
State Rep. John Fritchey
(D-11)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Obama-Clinton Ticket, No Chance
Lucky enough to be invited to a small reception for greatly respected Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, I waited for the opportunity to ask about the possibility of a Obama-Clinton ticket in November. Another curious political mover-n-shaker beat me to the punch. Sen. Harkin put it in clear terms, "No way." Good enough for the Honorable Tom Harkin, good enough for me. While the search continues to Obama's VP, there are a few names ranking at the top and time will be telling all very soon.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Obama Clinton Ticket A Sure Winner
Sen. Hillary Clinton's almost concession speech after Tuesday's Primaries certainly highlighted the fact that she was the winner in the key swing states that Sen. Barack Obama will need to win the Presidential election in November. If Obama chooses another running mate, Hillary could sit out and hope for an Obama loss which would set her up as the candidate to beat Sen. John McCain (R) in four years. I urge Obama to accept Hillary's obvious willingness to be his VP. She can be the attack dog and secure those voters on the fence that he has not been able to carry with his appeal and momentum. This could be a Presidential election that hinges on the choice of running mate. One other plus will be Hillary's sharpened edge over any VP choice McCain will bring to the table. The hard part will be coming up with catchy name like "Bennifer" or Bradjolina." How about "Barackary" or "Obamaton"? Yikes.....
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hillary Is Out... No She's In... Maybe She Wants V.P.
It's been kind of one of those back and forth Tuesdays for Sen. Hillary Clinton. With Sen. Barack Obama all but announcing he has all the delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination, the math is complete but the jocking is not. Sen. Clinton has had to do some damage control today because the press blasted reports that she would give her concession speech tonight. Now reports are saying she's open for the V.P. if that would help the Democratic cause.
The day's not over....
The day's not over....
Friday, May 9, 2008
Obama's Our Candidate
Watching the tickers on the local and national TV news sources viewers are able to read that all the momentum in the Democratic Presidential race is in favor of Barack Obama. Tuesday's primary in North Carolina said it all, a double digit win over the once heavily favored Hillary Clinton. The scrappy Clinton has vowed to battle on and that is a respectful way to go out, but the writing and the math to back it up is on more than TV screens around the world. It's time for unification, so it is in the Democratic party's best interest that the upcoming contests leave out the negative attacks and rhetoric. There will be enough of that after the conventions on the path to the November election.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Latin Soccer Field; Courts and Corner Kicks
Now that the Latin Soccer Field court case is in full swing, I thought it would be great to open some dialogue on the subject. I posted the following on the Chicago Tribune's website and am awaiting some spirited responses...
Funny thing about law suits, somebody wins and someone loses. Great thing about open process and compromise, all parties can walk away from the table with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This field is going to be built, now with the blessing of the court. If Latin is not the entity that finances the deal, it is another burden on the tax payer. Who has won and who has lost is certainly in the eye of those beholden.
Please let us know how you feel.
Funny thing about law suits, somebody wins and someone loses. Great thing about open process and compromise, all parties can walk away from the table with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This field is going to be built, now with the blessing of the court. If Latin is not the entity that finances the deal, it is another burden on the tax payer. Who has won and who has lost is certainly in the eye of those beholden.
Please let us know how you feel.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Holy Name Mass Invasion
As a father of two who attend class at Holy Name Cathedral, I am incensed about the absolutely inappropriate war protest that attendees of Easter mass had to endure on Sunday, March 23rd. This incident goes beyond the boundaries of sane taste and now these young war protesters will most likely carry a felony arrest on their records for the rest of their lives. What would have happened had these protesters chosen another holiday and another venue for their protest, like maybe the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Do you think fair justice would have been handed out right then and there had these protesters chosen to squirt fake blood and lie down on Columbus the Saturday a week before Easter?
Thoughts......
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