Politics: April 2009 Archives

Being a hound, The Hound knows dogs and Bo the first dog, definitely is one. Bo also knows who'll be feeding him. The puppy's nose told him President Obama would be the one putting kibble in his bowl.

That's why the first photos of the six-month-old romping after the president had Bo following him. Dogs always know who's the alpha male.

As for the Obama kids naming the puppy, that's all well and good. But, did they check Bo's papers? Everyone says Bo is a Portugese water dog, but The Hound says that pup looks like a Labradoodle gone bad. After all, it was a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

The Hound is just glad the Obamas opted for a dog instead of a cat.

Another election is under the table and there certainly were winners --- some in stunning fashion. At the same time there were plenty of whiners. Let us differentiate between the two.

Winner: Bob Sabonjian in the Waukegan mayor's race and his crew of supporters who, from the easy win on Tuesday, out-worked the Democratic machine backing Mayor Dick Hyde.
Whiners: Those already regaling everyone with horror stories about how Sabonjian will govern Lake County's largest city. He doesn't take office until May 4, folks. And, there's no suggestion he will make Waukegan the next "sanctuary city" in Illinois.

Winner: Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik who, besides posting those annoying "WOW" campaign signs, stomped her two opponents by keeping a low profile.
Whiner: Gurnee mayoral candidate Tony Maniscalco, who thinks everybody's out to get him. However, as Jim Morrison once said: "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you."

Winners: Mettawa voters who look to have split the vote evenly between incumbent Mayor Barry MacLean and challenger Jess Ray. What a country, eh?
Whiners: Mettawa voters. If it weren't for the Costco controversy, MacLean wouldn't have faced a challenge . Seems when it comes to arguing over business development, that horse left the stable years ago in the one-time paper village when W.W. Grainger came to town.

Winners: The Lake County Clerk's staff. Tuesday's vote went off without a hiccup.
Whiners: Those who would like to challenge Clerk Willard Helander next year and were looking for a glitch to unseat her.

Winners: Lake County voters who finally have come to some sort of resolution that the extension of Route 53 should be built.
Whiners: Those voters who live in the path of the possible roadway. They were the only ones who voted against the advisory referendum which won by a 75 to 24 percent margin.

Winners: Most township supervisors, re-elected to their anachronistic "part-time" posts.
Whiner: To the Warren Township resident who took The Hound to task for not posting results of the Warren Township races. Ma'am, they were all unopposed. But, Supervisor SueSimpson was re-elected overwhelmingly with 4,711 votes. If you're interested, the rest of the Warren results are on the county clerk's Web site.

Listening to Illinois lawmakers over the weekend on various radio programs talking about reform reminded The Hound about the infamous Chicago alderman, Paddy Bauler, who died in 1977. Asked about reform in the Windy City, Bauler replied with language no one would consider ciceronian: "Chicago ain't ready for reform."

Which brings up the obvious: Is Illinois ready for reform? Are the lawmakers who will be making those decisions in Springfield between now and November ready to not go for the gold? Especially when filing begins for the March 2010 primary at the end of December.

Gov. Pat Quinn's ballyhooed "reform commission" --- founded by none other than the governor in the wake of Rod Blagojevich, et. al., and chaired by former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins --- has offered a sweeping blueprint for change in the Land of Lincoln. Will legislators go for some of the recommendations, considering Quinn used to walk hand-in-hand with Blago?

Some of the commission's proposals include: Capping individual campaign contributions at $2,400; protecting procurement officials from political pressure; strengthening the Freedom of Information Act; requiring politicians to report $1,000 contributions within five working days; barring lobbyists from donating to political campaigns; disclosing all state subcontractors and lobbyists. The panel is expected to provide even more recommendations as it works through April.

Which brings The Hound back to the original question: Is Illinois ready for reform? The Hound will believe it when it happens.

Like tulips in spring, candidates will be all over the ballot today in the consolidated election where municipal, township, school, library and park district officials will be elected. Join The Hound for two live chats, 3 to 4 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. today to discuss what looks to be a low-turnout election, according to the county clerk folks.

The Hound will bark with the best of you over the Route 53 referendum; the rough-and-tumble Waukegan mayoral contest; the equally tough Shields Township contest; Gurnee's three-way race; and much more. If fewer voters than ticks on The Hound turn out, we'll talk baseball or the latest on "American Idol."

So turn out and then tune in on The Hound's home Web site for our live bark.