Chicago Clout takes on issues with two Chicago Water Department Employees Video
Richard M. Daley Video Funny on Daley2011 from Bridgeport Republicans
Michael Tierney, city ditchdigger, caulker, and "Judgemaker" writes Russ Stewart
Russ Stewart writes. “JUDGEMAKER’S”
ANALYSIS & OPINION BY RUSS STEWART
Every lawyer dreams of being a judge. The robes, prestige, power and pension: It’s the profession’s pinnacle.
In Cook County, there are 40,000 attorneys. And there are 445 judges, of which three sit on the Illinois Supreme Court, 24 on the Appellate Court, and 418 on the Circuit Court. That means one of every 90 lawyers is on the bench.
The qualifications are not onerous: Have a pulse. Be a registered voter and licensed attorney. In theory, any undead lawyer can be a judge, and earn $169,555 annually.
But, in reality, most would-be judges are utterly clueless about the process: Start early, a year prior to the February primary. Get 500-plus signatures on multiple nominating petitions. Run as a Democrat. Get “qualified” ratings from bar associations. Get endorsed by unions and newspapers. Get slated by the Democratic party. Have an Irish surname. Be a woman with an Irish surname. Don’t have a weird surname. Attend political functions and get warm-and-fuzzy with Democratic committeemen. Spend $50,000 for ads and political donations. Win the primary.
And, most importantly, hire Mike Tierney: The Judgemaker.
While obscure to the public, Tierney, who works as a city plumber, has developed his own cottage industry. In the past eleven election cycles, since 1990, Tierney has handled the campaigns of 45 judicial aspirants, and 40 have been nominated in the Democratic primary, and thereafter elected. That’s an astounding 89 percent success rate. Among judges, Tierney’s reputation is legendary.
Tierney’s secret: Institutional knowledge. He knows the process. He knows the players. Lawyers don’t. “They’re busy people,” said Tierney of his clients. “My job is to initiate them. Mentor them. Direct them. And accompany them to key functions.” Already, Tierney is besieged with potential clients for 2012.
Here’s the Tierney Method…. Go read the rest by Russ Stewart at the Nadig Newspapers.
Chicago Plumbing Inspectors interviewed by Office of the Inspector General
The Office of the Inspector General is taking a close look at Chicago's Plumbing Inspectors. We are watching the OIG watch the Plumbing Inspectors. Time would be better spent watching the Chicago's Plumber's Union Local 130. Watch the current videos on this website.
Chicago Police scam 7-11 to makes end meet. Steal Coffee and snacks.
I am a great fan of the Chicago Police Department. Most cops are fine neighbors and upstanding Amigos. Many of the cops Daley promoted are pretty lousy and do not provide good leadership. The Daley family expects the public to pick up their tab everywhere they eat and drink. People brought up in the 11TH Ward and Chicago’s Bridgeport communities were brought up that way. Most of the cops I know pay for everything out of their own pocket. This store is in the 400 block of South Green Street. Regular customers like you and I have to make up the difference in the cost of the free coffee and snacks these cops scam. I always see a large group of Chicago Cops and detectives stealing coffee there. I put my life on the line every day at work, but I do not take free coffee and snacks. Photo by Patrick McDonough
More April , 2010 Video on Chicago Plumbing Issues and Corruption
Ask Your Plumbing Inspector, James Majerowicz, Plumber's J.A.C. Local 130 U.A. Video
Karen McDonough, Director of Autism-Illinois talks about Autism Video
Chicago Union Teamsters Local 700 fight for their Workers
Chicago City employees work hard and earn every dime. Daley has ruined the City finances with his multiple scams making it almost impossible for a City employee to make ends meet. Several sources have told me Daley is going to cut workers and take advantage of the mild winter. A consulting company is spinning the press to make the layoffs more plausible for taxpayers. What are the issues?
Repudiation of the Teamsters’ collective bargaining agreement;
Failure to process grievances in a timely manner;
Unilateral reduction in hours of work for hundreds of employees; and
Unilateral changes in working conditions and terms and conditions of employment.
The Chicago Teamsters are going to take the brawl to court and protect their workers. Many unions such as the Journeyman Plumber’s Local 130 are not protecting the workers and the grievance system has been ignored. Several workers have taken their fight directly to the State and Federal government for review and justice. Daley continues to pay millions to politically connect law firms instead of resolving workers issues. I support Teamsters Local 700 for fighting for their union members. I am surprised the Chicago mainstream media did not cover this informational picket. Daley broke the workers contract and he has the city broke. Photo courtesy of teamsters local 700 at 39th and Iron, Chicago Department of Water Management, March 19, 2010.