Motion Filed Accusing Todd Stroger of Political Hiring and Firing

For a while, I was actually feeling sorry for Todd Stroger. I was concerned he might lose his home, and, much as I disagree with the manner with which he has conducted himself while in office, those differences are political. Then he paid his taxes.

Now, however, we hear disturbing allegations of political hiring and firing based on political considerations:

An attorney who has battled political hiring and firing in government claims Cook County Board President Todd Stroger violated political hiring more than 150 times since the start of 2008.

In a motion filed in U.S. District Court, Michael Shakman said the Stroger administration altered the list of jobs not covered by a ban on hiring and firing based on political considerations.

Shakman alleges the Stroger administration has been hiring people and putting them in so-called exempt jobs, even though the positions do not appear on the court list.

Is America Ready for a Nuanced Discussion of Just War?

Writing about a lecture he attended at St. Irenaeus Church in Park Forest, Illinois, Park Forest Mayor John Ostenburg presents perhaps one of the most nuanced perspectives I’ve ever read on the Catholic Just War Theory. The lecture, given by Kathy Kelly, coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, "covered a much wider scope of things. Really, her presentation should have been promoted with the old John Lennon song title, ‘Give Peace a Chance,’ Ostenburg says on his blog, The Outpost Observer.

What follows is a summary of the lecture by Kathy Kelly, and additional perspective by Ostenburg, including the following:

While I agree with Ms. Kelly in principle, that the sincere and consistent efforts of even a handful eventually can reap genuine rewards, I also am inclined to believe that it is extremely difficult to control the behaviors of any individuals — or even nations — who have hatred in their hearts. Turning the cheek is a personal act that any one of us can take (I might even say, should take), but those charged with the responsibility of protecting the public at large face additional responsibilities that reach beyond that. As Christians, Ms. Kelly and her compatriots do well to imitate the actions of Jesus Christ in how he showed love for those who extended ill toward him; however, even Jesus took up the whip to expel the money-changers in the Temple because of the social ill they were spreading.

As such, I find it difficult to accept that absolute pacifism is enough to effect the kind of change that Ms. Kelly would like to see. Lest we forget, law enforcement also was a necessary component of the changes that ultimately brought major controls on racial hatred in the 1960s and 1970s. People had to be arrested, sentenced, and sent to jail; federal officers often had to engage in strong tactics in order to bring the wrongdoers to their knees. And — even with all the combined efforts of peaceful protest and effective law enforcement — things today are far from perfect and the ugly head of racism still rises all too often and spews its hateful venom.

So, from my perspective, it is legitimate for the U.S. to seek to curtail hateful acts by Al-Qaeda and/or the Taliban. But I also believe the methods we employ in our efforts at self-protection must likewise be legitimate.

An explanation of the Catholic Church’s Just War Theory follows.

What strikes me as fascinating in all of this is this line from Ostenburg’s post, "Even Jesus took up the whip to expel the money-changers in the Temple because of the social ill they were spreading."

Yes, He did. And I never thought about that in connection to warfare.

Read this post in full, and ask yourself, is America, polarized as it is today, ready for a truly nuanced discussion of war — and peace?

Todd Stroger Pays His Taxes

I really don’t want to comment on Todd Stroger any more. He will not be re-elected as President of the Cook County Board, and I’m happy with that. Some local pols are still fuming over that, angry at people like me who took Todd to task. However, from his first few weeks on the job when he fell more for the trappings of the office – remember the roped-off elevator? – it was apparent that Stroger was not ready for the big chair once occupied by his father.

That being said, I haven’t really paid much attention to President Stroger recently, but, sometimes, I feel like the Prophet Jeremiah:

I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it. Jeremiah 20:9

So I have to write.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Outgoing Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has paid his $11,668 federal tax debt.

The Internal Revenue Service recently filed a “certificate of release of federal tax lien” with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds that shows Stroger and his wife, Jeanine, paid the debt as of July 7. The payment settles what the Strogers owed the government since May 19, 2008, records show.

The IRS filed a lien on the Strogers’ South Side house in March 2009 — a move that usually follows multiple attempts to collect tax debts. The Chicago Sun-Times found the lien about two months later, and Stroger initially refused to discuss it, other than to say through a spokesman he’d worked out a payment plan to settle the debt.

I’m happy for Todd and his family. I don’t want to see anyone lose a home in this economy, and I certainly understand economic struggles.

Accountability: Two More Charged in Shooting Death of 20-year-old Adam Martinez

two charged with first-degree murder

Corey D. Anderson (Left) and Jabriel W. Anderson (right) (Photos: PFPD)

REMEMBER, all behavior here is alleged, and all are considered innocent until proven guilty.

That being said, the Park Forest Police Department stayed with this one.

There aren’t many homicides in Park Forest, after all. Each one means businesses.

From ENEWSPF:

The Park Forest Police Department announced this week two more arrests in connection with the fatal shooting of Park Forest resident, Adam Martinez.

Park Forest Police say the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office approved charges of first degree murder against 17-year-old Jabriel Anderson of Park Forest and 20-year-old Corey Anderson of Richton Park in connection with the death of Martinez.

Both were scheduled to appear in Room 104 of the Sixth District Court in Markham on Friday, September 3, for the purposes of a bond hearing.

Park Forest Detectives, in conjunction with members of the South Suburban Major Crime Task Force, continued working on leads from the May 12 homicide, in which Jason Burns was charged on May 18 with First- Degree Murder.

Congrations to the Park Forest Police Department, and our sympathies, once again, to the famliy of Adam Martinez.

And we hope, beyond hope, that these two arrested had no idea what was about to transpire when they allegedly did what they allegedly did.

Related: Richton Park Man Charged in Shooting Death of 20-year-old Adam Martinez

More Shooting Deaths on the South(west) Side of Chicago

On the south(west) side of Chicago, in the baddest part of town…

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Three people are reportedly dead and one person was hospitalized with “trauma” after being shot Thursday night on the Southwest Side.

Sources said police responded at 8:33 p.m. to the 6100 block of South Kildare Avenue and found three people dead and one person injured.

Fire Media Affairs Chief Kevin MacGregor said one person was taken with “trauma” to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office has not been notified of the deaths as of Thursday night.

Unconfirmed reports indicate all four were gunshot victims, and at least one person was found in a garage.

Wentworth. More violence.

And the gang chiefs say they’re being harassed.

Drunk Domers Sob Over Party Arrests

The author is getting hammered here (no pun intended), but he’s right.

Anyone who thinks alcohol is not a crisis issue with our young people has their head up their a$$.

No kidding.

From ENEWSPF:

>I have no sympathy for young, self-entitled adults extending their adolescence with alleged illegal behavior, particularly when it comes to alcohol. I would never argue for prohibition, but regulation is important. Notre Dame undergraduates, like those at many other colleges and universities, don’t deal well with alcohol and often act stupidly.

The article then quotes from Notre Dame’s Observer. We will quote more extensively here than the original article at ENEWSPF did:

The second major police raid last weekend resulted in a broken-down door, landed a police officer in the hospital and brought the total number of alcohol-related arrests since students returned to school to nearly 60.

The incident, in which students reportedly refused to open the door and one person punched and kicked an officer while resisting arrest, sent 35 people to jail.

The recent trend to arrest — rather than cite — students for underage drinking has caught the attention of both students and the University.

University spokesman Dennis Brown said the administration is working to address the issue.

“We clearly don’t condone underage drinking or gatherings that infringe on the rights of others,” Brown said. “At the same time, the welfare of our students is our highest priority.

“We have concerns about the handling of some recent incidents that we are actively addressing through appropriate channels.”

Indiana State Excise Police busted a party on Turtle Creek Drive Sunday morning and arrested 32 people for minor consuming alcohol, one person for public intoxication and one person for furnishing alcohol to minors.

One person was also arrested for resisting law enforcement, battery to a police officer, disorderly conduct and minor consuming alcohol.

Tim Cleveland, excise police commander for the district, said many of those arrested were Notre Dame students, but he could not confirm that all were students.

The excise police were in the area of the party because South Bend police asked them to check a location of another party. When officers arrived, the party they had been called for was not occurring, but they discovered the party on Turtle Creek Drive, Cleveland said.

“They stumbled across the one at Turtle Creek,” he said.

Meanwhile, South Bend police received a call for trespassing at the same party.

“There were individuals who were climbing the fence to gain access to the pool, which was closed,” Cleveland said.

South Bend and excise police officers were denied access to the apartment and waited for two hours to obtain a search warrant. Once the warrant was obtained, the residents continued to deny officers entry and South Bend police broke down the door. (Emphasis added)

Cleveland said officers decided to arrest rather than issue citations for underage drinking because of the resistance they encountered.

“They still didn’t open the door even though they knew we had a search warrant,” he said. “Then when we did gain access into the residence, people were hiding in closets and everywhere else that they could find.”

A police officer was injured when one person resisted arrest. He spent most of Sunday at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Personally, I have no patience with people who behave as idiots, and even less when their behavior results in the injury of a police officer.

These children have a lot of learning ahead of them.

Yes they do.

Notre Dame officials seem to be considering PR, and nothing else.

ND would be wise to issue a simple statement, "We support the efforts of law enforcement officers to keep the peace, and we do not support students who break the law."

Why Was This Dude (Now Deceased) Riding a Bike On The Dan Ryan At Night?

So what was this dude doing on the Dan Ryan, on a bicycle, at 9:15 p.m.?

We’ll never know, because he’s dead.

From the Chicago Tribune:

A male victim on a bicycle died after he was struck by a vehicle on the Dan Ryan Expressway tonight, officials said.

The accident happened at about 9:15 p.m. on the northbound lanes of the express lanes near 55th Street, said Illinois State Police Trooper S. Matias.

Police did not have any information about the victim and did not know why he was riding a bicycle on the Dan Ryan.

Too bad for him. And too bad even more for the driver of the vehicle that hit him.

Park Forest Prepares for 2010 Scenic 5 and More

Scenic 5 and More

Runners begin the Park Forest Scenic 5 and More. (Photo: Wendy Heise)

This Labor Day, plan on joining the fun in Park Forest during the 2nd Annual running of the Park Forest Scenic 5 and More. The race has been reconstituted onto a 5 mile course and augmented with a 5 mile family bike ride
on the same course, a 5K nature walk around the Central Park Wetlands and include a
variety of other activities at the Park Forest Aqua Center. Check out the course and invite
your friends to come out and cheer on the runners and bikers, or better yet, join in the fun
and fitness of the event.

Click here to register on-line through signmeup.com and receive a $2 discount.

Scenic 5 Mile and more…Race Brochure/Registration Form

Race features:

  • 5 mile family bike ride on the same course,
  • 5K nature walk around the Central Park Wetlands, and
  • A variety of other activities at the Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 N. Orchard, Park Forest.

Events begin on Monday, September 6 at 8 a.m. and include:

  • Beautiful Scenic 5 Mile Route (USATF #IL08085 certified course)
  • Musical Entertainment
  • Children’s Fun Run
  • CARA Runners’ Choice Series
  • Free T-shirt and refreshments
  • Prize money and awards
  • Post race Food Fest/Pool Party (bring the family)
  • Shower facilities
  • Marks and splits every mile
  • Aid stations at the Start, Finish and along the route
  • Marshals along the route

Click here to register on-line through signmeup.com and receive a $2 discount.

Scenic 5 Mile and more…Race Brochure/Registration Form

The race is a fast and flat picturesque run beginning Downtown (Orchard & Main St)
and cruising past the 90 acre Central Park/Wetlands. At 1.5 miles, runners
will dive onto the straight, flat and shaded Old Plank Road Bike Trail for
another 1.5 miles then onto the curving streets of Park Forest.

The home stretch will be Orchard Dr, passing under the Trail (only
significant hills on the course) and finish at Central Park and home
of the Village’s 4-Pool Aquatics Complex (feel free to jump in). Along the
way, townspeople are out in crowds encouraging you, giving water and
cheers. You will discover musical surprises all along the route. This
picturesque course is a CARA Runners’ Choice Series, and certified by
USATF #IL08085.

Check out the course and invite your friends to come out and cheer on the runners and bikers or better yet join in the fun and fitness of the event. For additional information, visit the Village’s website at: www.villageofparkforest.com.

Click here to register on-line through signmeup.com and receive a $2 discount.

Scenic 5 Mile and more…Race Brochure/Registration Form

“Every time I saw him, he was Alex”

"Every time I saw him, he was Alex."

So said Joe Stith, a Chicago Heights police officer for 17 1/2 years, remembering his former high school buddy Alex Lopez, on the untimely death of the 44-year-old mayor.

The quote is from an excellent article at the Southtown Star.

Rest In Peace, Mayor Lopez.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lopez family, and the city of Chicago Heights.

Chicago Heights Mayor Alex Lopez Dies of Apparent Heart Attack

Alex Lopez

Mayor Alex Lopez of Chicago Heights. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Chicago Heights Mayor Alex Lopez died this evening of an apparent heart attack according to a press release from Attorney T.J. Somer, corporate counsel for the municipality. Lopez, 44, was city’s first Latino and minority mayor:

It is with great sorrow that I must announce that at 6:39 p.m., this date, Mayor Alex Lopez, 44, Mayor of the City of Chicago Heights, Illinois was pronounced dead after collapsing from what is believed to be a heart attack. Mayor Lopez was with his daughter watching a basketball practice at the time of the collapse, and was transported to St. James Hospital, Chicago Heights, unresponsive.

Mayor Lopez was appointed to the office of Mayor in July of 2008 to fill the vacancy of the former Mayor Anthony DeLuca. He thereby became the first Latino and minority Mayor in the history of Chicago Heights. Mayor Lopez is survived by his Wife, Sandra and two children.

We ask that you please respect the family’s privacy as they attempt to endure this tragic ordeal. The City will follow up with further information regarding services and arrangements as it becomes available.

T.J. Somer
Corporation Counsel
City of Chicago Heights