I didn't mean those currently serving time, I meant the pattern over the years. Google Otto Kerner, as just one example. Or George Ryan.
Here is a colorful article about the colorful tradition --
http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1776John "Quarters" Boyle -- you just can't make up names like that <g>.
I don't believe the current (and soon to be retiring) mayor is crooked. Not exactly. But his family and friends do seem to wind up doing well. My favorite was a few years ago when it came out that the contract for cleaning up downtown after the Taste of Chicago, an annual food festival, had gone out on an uncontested bid by friends of the family. Cornered, Da Mare said, "But they did an excellent job cleaning up!" As if that was the point.
His father had the same high squeaky voice. I can't find an audio clip although I have heard them on the radio. This is a classic, quoted from the Wikipedia --
"Daley, who never lost his blue-collar Chicago accent (better known as a southside Chicago accent), was known for often mangling his syntax and other verbal gaffes. Daley made one of his most memorable verbal missteps in 1968, while defending what the news media reported as police misconduct during that year's violent Democratic Convention. "Gentlemen, get the thing straight once and for all– the policeman isn't there to create disorder, the policeman is there to preserve disorder." That was the same convention where he was seen on national television slashing his finger across his throat, wanting the police to haul Connecticut senator Abe Ribicoff off the stage.
>Of three serving time (article may be outdated) two are Democrat:
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>
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28141995/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/>
>But don't worry, overall when it comes to public officials in Illinois, At least 79 elected officials have been convicted of wrongdoing since 1972 !
>
>Seriously, Blagojevich's crimes seem minor in comparison!
>
>
>>New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island at least deserve nominations.
>>
>>If I want to visit an incorrupt state at least I don't have to go far <g>. That would be the state of your birth.
>>
>>One thing I have never completely gotten about Chicagoans is how they take corruption with a shrug of the shoulders, like that's just the way it is. Maybe it's the high percentage of residents who come from places like Eastern Europe and Mexico. For whatever reason, it's a tradition. Not really specific to parties, either. Illinois governors, many of whom went on to to become familiar with federal penitentiaries, have traditionally mostly been Republicans. Democrat Rod Blagojevich was elected and was probably the worst one yet. Trying to sell the Senate seat of the newly elected President of the U.S. was a new level of audacity even by Illinois standards. His corruption trial this year ended with a hung jury, one holdout. He will be retried in the new year.
>>
>>>I've always heard (and read over the years) that the most corrupt government and public safety were Chicago, LA, and the entire state of Louisiana...
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>>Well, the negative reputation of cops in a lot of places doesn't come out of the air, things happen to lead to that reputation. I think the pay and the hiring/screening process should be very high, these are the people protecting us and putting their ass on the line so they should be paid accordingly and at the same time the bar should be very high as far as standards (especially psychological) for a new hire. Many times you have cop having no business being a cop and gives other good cops a bad name.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Ok, small rant, back to the topic :).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I agree with you across the board. The problem is public servants / government employees can't always be paid what they're really worth. As you say, policemen and firemen (and women) put their lives on the line every day. Teachers are another great example. Soldiers. (And Marines and sailors -- hi, John <g>). All these people make some small fraction of the incomes of, say, investment bankers, but would anyone seriously dispute that they make a greater contribution to society?
>>>>>
>>>>>You have a real soldier complex Mike. There are many admirable soldiers but like in other areas of life there are a fair few ----- as well.
>>>>
>>>>There's just something about a man in uniform that makes me all quivery, LOL.
>>>>
>>>>Of course you are right. And policemen and firemen and teachers. (Didn't we all have a few teachers who were either spectacularly inept at it or had burned out years ago?) Overall I have very high respect for them until one gives me reason not to.
>>>>
>>>>You might think I would have a lower opinion of the police, having lived in the city of Chicago for many years. And I mean inside the city limits, not 30 or 40 miles away where I am now. In fact a lot of my neighbors were with the CPD or CFD. It was required (although sometimes evaded) that they live in the city, and this neighborhood was one of the safest in the city where people without unlimited means could afford to live. I had my share of encounters with Chicago cops who were, for lack of a better word, rednecks. They were widely disliked and distrusted by blacks and to a lesser extent Hispanics. A former police chief is currently on trial over beating suspects, planting evidence, and so on. IMO it was pure happenstance that Rodney King happened in L.A. and not here. There is that element.
>>>>
>>>>All that said, I trust and admire the great majority.
