In case anyone has forgotten how much power a few families wield over politics in Illinois, the likely 2010 election line-up allows for a nice recap:
The first domino fell when Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's daughter opted not to run for U.S. Senate or governor.
Now, we're waiting to see if Bobby Kennedy's son will go for the U.S. Senate or Illinois governor.
If Kennedy goes for the governor's race, he may face the son of former Illinois Senate President and Cook County assessor Tom Hynes.
The younger Hynes, however, may have trouble in that race because the son of Old Man Daley has already heaped praise on the current governor, Pat Quinn.
Finally, the son of former County Board President John Stroger also will face voters.
Got it?
Anyone got a problem with that?
This blog brought to you by the Sun-Times editorial board (click on names to read bios):
Now that Lisa Madigan has opted not to run for congress is she considering running for mayor of Chicago. The mayor is not as strong as he once was.
We need more political dynasties. Back to Feudalism! Back to Monarchy! It’s a little late to give ourselves back to England, so we have to make our own king. Ordinary citizens are the next thing to serfs now, politicians are the next thing to royalty. They can fight among themselves (lawyers will be the knights) and the winner becomes King of Illinois, with the privilege of royal succession. The losers will have to be Lords, Dukes, and Earls. We can change the state capital to Chicago, rename it Scamalot. Then Illinois can pick a fight with Indiana and Iowa and conquer them.
Hello, you forgot a few other candidates who would probbaly be unemployed but for their names: JohnBill Daley, Lipinski, Jetstream Jr and Mrs JetStream Jr.
I don't know of this ever happening,but how about the people of Chicago, IL vs. The Mayor of Chicago. Maybe the people is the best candidate for the job, its our money their spending. Isn't there a Deputy Mayor or it could just as well be us. The Mayor has sold everything the City owns with the council approval I think they should all go too. We sold everything for revenue but taxpayers stuck paying the bills, higher tolls, higher parking, higher taxes on everything. They want the Olympics while we living in the heart of crime city , a shooting every night. Too many innocent are shot and soon the police will be shooting at fleeing cars, how many more will be shot.
Since the Mayor has taken over the Public Schools he has yet to find a proper solution for funding the system. After selling everything you couldn't set anything aside for Education, where is the Revenue going.
The people of Illinois have had few options in the past. The status-quo keeps putting the same folks in front of us. But like never before, Illinois is ready to VOTE. Help the Independent get on the ticket, search them out on the web, sign the petition, show that the status-quo and politics as usual are over! We can see where Illinois is headed. Together we WILL change that direction.