Good Timing or Something Else?
Someone at the FOP has a great sense of timing. We wrote about the lawsuit filed on behalf of retirees and their widows who may have been paying too much in insurance and today, Fran Spielman starts backpedaling for the City and publishing their excuses for the City's violating the terms of the lawsuit from a few years back.
We're going to assume the city knew they were screwing the retirees and the only reason they're settling up so fast is that they are 100% in the wrong and they can't take another publicity hit.
And speaking of publicity hits, how about that poll in the Tribune today? 56% of Chicagoans think Daley is doing a good job, but 70% think he knew about corruption and didn't do anything about it. Talk about your mixed bag of news. 7 in 10 think you are neck deep in corruption but nearly 6 in 10 think you're doing a good job? What the hell would people say if we actually had an honest politician in office running things?
We're going to assume the city knew they were screwing the retirees and the only reason they're settling up so fast is that they are 100% in the wrong and they can't take another publicity hit.
And speaking of publicity hits, how about that poll in the Tribune today? 56% of Chicagoans think Daley is doing a good job, but 70% think he knew about corruption and didn't do anything about it. Talk about your mixed bag of news. 7 in 10 think you are neck deep in corruption but nearly 6 in 10 think you're doing a good job? What the hell would people say if we actually had an honest politician in office running things?
posted by SCC at 5:50 PM
48 Comments:
Ok if the city knew they were in violation, then how in the hell could Donahue forgive Daley (city) $28 million dollars pay back to our pension fund. (Please, correct me if it's not $28 million)
Unknown to the FOP, a refund "in the ballpark" of $20 million was already in the works, said Clinton Krislov, counsel for retirees engaged in a legal battle over health care that dates back to 1987
This from The Fran Spielman article. A 19 year battle? This shows how screwed up this city is. This city is a joke when it comes to taking care of the retirees and the rest of it's employees. Just once I would like to see a contract settled once the old one expired. There are never any earth shattering outcomes on the new contracts therefore no reason for the long delays. It is nice to get the retro settlements but it would be even nicer to always work under a contract instead of the city making money on the money owed to us.
Mayor Daley has actually made some improvements to the city. When I left here over 16 years ago, Navy Pier was nothing, the Loop nothing, Housing, etc. However more improvements could be made, as we all know.
For one thing, how about starting with the INSIDE of the so-called machine. Each city department is pretty much on their own island. No communication with each other.
If you think about it, there are so many departments, that Daley actually needs someone in charge so that these department heads need to report and be accounted for. A check and balance system.
Now, back to the corruption thing. How in the world can one NOT know what's going on in your city? Could you tell me as a cop, you have NEVER seen something that you wish you have never seen?
We have Operation Greylord, Operation Gambut... and yet people still keep cropping up. Why?
In Operation Gambut, Robert Cooley wore a wire on some of the most dangerous mafia figures as well as people in the First Ward.
But from what I hear, not all he wanted to wear a wire on didn't go down because he had to go into the Witness Protection System. Why not? Why do certain people have that clout and with whom?
It will be interesting to see who Laski rats on, to get a deal, if any.
All I can say is what sucks is if you or I get elected Mayor, there are other officials who are elected into that position. So how the hell do you clean house and put people you hire into that position?
Come to think about it, wasn't Daley a prosecutor for us when they ran Operation Greylord AND Gambut?????????????
"So how the hell do you clean house and put people you hire into that position?"
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You hire out of town people.
In Chicago some scum are above the law..........
The Chicago Police Department has released its 2005 Year-End Briefing. There were at least 12,076 fewer victims of crime compared to the same period last year. Chicago leads the national decline in homicides, with a 32.9% decrease. Our innovative strategies have become a model for the nation quoted police alert.
Exactly, as the above comment states. Re-hire out of town individuals who will do your administration well. You can't tell me Mayor Daley had no knowledge. What a bunch of crap! The walls at city hall have ears for heaven sakes. A man in his position should know what's going on during his watch. To say otherwise, makes him look like a blubbering fool.
anybody care to comment how 20 years ago, you could afford to live in this city, crime filled as it was. now because of gentrification, there is less crime and the average p.o. has to scramble to pay the mortgage,city stickers,insurance,taxes, and forget about paying almost a million dollars for a frame on the northwest side.
. . . There were at least 12,076 fewer victims of crime compared to the same period last year . . .
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Not really.. that’s cause we throw a ton of fuc%ed up case reports in the garbage because these kids don't have a clue.
“To much college, not enough high school.”
Yes, Daley built up downtown and some areas... as people sit in traffic for 2-3 hours on their way home from lack of planing and development, trains block major arteries for emergency vehicles instead of viaducts... and many other problems that the middle class neighborhoods suffer from... not the 600,000.00 townhouse neighborhoods!
F&%&*(CK DALEY
How some everytime something happans in a certain department within the city Daley always moves out the Director of that department saying the buck has to end somewhere. Well how many departments have to have problems before the buck stops with him???? He is the one placing these people in the positions, they are not elected. He always has department heads taking the fall for things when will it be his turn
70% believe he knew, 50%+ say he's doing a good job.
No doubt it is the liberal yuppie pukes who make up this poll. They could care less about the corruption in this city because it does not affect them. They have their dog parks to go to and no longer have to put up with cigarette smoke at their wine bar after the Cubs game. Good job Dick!
Ask someone who works for the city who has to beg for a decent contract, work three jobs to send the kids to a private school because the public schools suck, and who has to constantly worry about cuts in our hard earned pension and health care. That poll will not come even close to a 50% approval rating. This mayor is a joke and his final legacy will be one of a corruption filled administration. It is no coincidence that his son left to join the military. The reason is two fold. One, to get him away from the impending storm that is coming down via the Feds. Two, it is an attempt to repair his reputation as an (fill in appropriate name here) by becoming a "war hero" or "patriot" so that he may run for mayor when his father leaves office. Don't fall for it!
Its sick how the mayor claims to have no money for the woking stiff in this city, but plenty of money to give to the thieves in the hired truck scandal, millions for a park none of us can afford to have lunch at let alone pay for the parking, and still afford to sell land worth millions on the cheap to his buddies who will make millions off the deal (see who are the owners of Halsted Market Townhomes near UIC.)
This city is about one thing, lining the pockets of the politicians and their friends. I hope the Feds do not let up and take everyone down so we can start over.
I went to get a prescription filled and the asshole insurance that this dirt ball city provides us told me, that I had to go through every type of over the counter crap before they would give me the medicine that my doctor prescribed to me. I am a 3 year wonder, but I will say this shame on the asses before me that allowed the union to piss away our medical benefits in past votes. i hope all of you are registered to vote so we can at least start at chipping away at this crooked ass Democratic liberal party.
to respond too the earlier post about trying to afford living in thhis city: ITS TIME TO GET RID OF THE RESIDENCY INPRISONMENT WE HAVE!!! so i can move to a suburb and get a mansion with 5 bedrooms and a huge backyard for the price of my 2 bedroom 1926 raised ranch. i will feel so bad for these copperswho paid in upwards of $300,000to 400,000 for a mt greenwood or garfield ridge shantie if there is a heaven and the residency is lifted and we all leave they will be stuck in the new section 8 ghetto not being able to sell there homes for what they paid
And don't forget the joy of the education system here! Why is it that houses are selling for $300-400K in my neighborhood, and yet the school I am supposed to send my kids to has over 60% of their students classified as "low income?" And if we decide to send our kids to the Cahtolic school nearby it's going to cost us almost $6,000 a year, for kindergarten!! And I will say that I am the spouse of a cop, so I stay home with our young children. And yes, I knew we'd have to live here when we got married, but I still hate it and can't see the logic beind it anymore. Instead my husband has to bust his ass, work overtime where he can, or a second job, and that may not cover our children's school. All because we're so limited on our options here in the city! The residency requirement needs to go!!
then get off your ass and get a job
All because we're so limited on our options here in the city! The residency requirement needs to go!!
2/15/2006 09:31:38 PM
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F-ing AMEN!!!!
Both my parents were city workers when they met in the early 70's. (not CPD/CFD) They bought a tiny house on the NW side for $35,000.
They are so out of touch with my reality. My parents asked my wife, if she was going to quit when we have kids (like she did back in '73). I asked her, "Quit what?" She replied: Quit working.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Me and my wife both just made 5 years on. We would be LUCKY to find a tiny house to move into and live in (ie not dump alot of cash into) on the NW side for $350,000. *That is adding a zero to my parents house!*
What will happen to my kids? Will they have to add a zero to mine? Will they have to finance $3.5 million to get a freakin Georgain in the year 2036????
I went to a Catholic grade school (which didn't teach me shit about algebra). It cost my parents little over $300 a year. Now I hear that school wants $3,000. Will it cost my grand kids $30,000 just for First grade??????
I'm going to have to save for my kids high school, forget college.
The Catholic HS I went to wants just shy of $9,000 a year! NINE GRAND!!! FOR WHAT?! I sure as hell did not go to Harvard afterwards.
Please some one write back and tell me how I'm supposed to S-T-R-E-C-H for that $400,000 bungalow again.......
Most people don't it but Navy Pier was started under Jane Byrne and her administration. Richie (like everything good) just took credit for it.
King Richard and Co passed an ordinance requiring businesses to "protect" their property by adding wrought iron fencing surrounding any open areas. If I buy a tig welder do you think I can get a piece of the contracts or are they only reserved for Richies family?
I feel your pain. Half a block away they have broken ground for new townhomes starting at 450,000. How is a young couple gonna afford to start out?
Just wait 20 years from now you will be wondering how your gonna pay for you prescriptions? Was told when i got hired free health care when you retire. HAHAHAHAHA
My son goes to public school after 4 years of fine catholic schooling. When we put him in public school it took 4 months of catch-up around the kitchen table to get him up to the public schools ciriculum.
So are Catholic schools better than public? In my case I have to say no. Why do they get bashed so bad? My 6th grader is helps the 6th grade catholic school boy nextdoor.
FOP Hall should be named for Mayor Byrne. She gave the police alot of the rights they enjoy today.
they want us in the city....PAY us to live in the city starting should be $80,000 then we can get by sort of...we should get $80,000 grand alone for what we do anyways and if we didnt love what we do no it would be a war zone cause no one would do it for 50,000 60,000. how come a damn suburban copper who sits on his ass and pulls me over for doing 35 in a 30,,,starts at 56,000? and gets to live anywhere he damn pleases? isnt that backwards shouldnt the real police get the damn benefits? no offense to our brothers from another mother but oak lawn is no englewood or anywhere else in this city
The show is over.
Housing Slow Down?
Where is the market going? Look like down.
The City Clerk and City Treasurer are both elected positions, whereas all the others are appointed. You can check this on David Orr's website.
As for Jane Byrne, she originally got her job with the city after her husband passed away. She went to poppa Daley and asked for a job. I believe her husband was military, and killed on duty.
Word has it corruption laughed at Byrne because she allowed the dirtbags to hang around and control things.
So why is everything so damn expensive here? Why are miniature apartments and condos so high in cost and little on everything else?
Why are our mom and pop businesses socked by a zillion taxes,
permits, licenses, inspections, etc.?
Where is the money going?
"then get off your ass and get a job"
2/15/2006 09:32:16 PM
I did have one... I spent several years as a suburban cop! And while my husband has mostly been able to keep a steady schedule, I was on a rotating shift! Ask any cop, who's married to another one, how difficult it is to raise children like that. So yes, we chose for me to stay home. But we shouldn't have to sacrifice our children's educational options simply because of that! And what should I do now?? Get a job so I can hand my entire paycheck over to some overpriced daycare center!? Yeah, that makes sense! Either way, whatever you think about these choices, we shouldn't have to be forced to live here!!
only major department in the f-ing country with a residency law people !!! time to fight it,,,, richie just wants our money for trees and flowers and nice 450,000 section 8 condos for the animals who got kicked outta robert taylor and the other cages
if u noticed no city hall big timer is living in a raised ranch...ever drive through 009 or beverly why do these worthless fools get to live nicely? why do we have to live day by day paying city bill after city bill....just not right i tell ya..someone is gonna say stop bitching go somewhere else,,,true people could but why? the job and the people on the job are why we do this there is none better, but why not make things better for us and our families? and stop getting bent over
go chicago police enforcers their minicamp is saturday 18th and sunday 19th of febuary if anyone wants to go... i hear they are playing NYPD at soilders field next year before southside irish parade sweet sweet football and lota beer
Here you go: In 1971 my parents bought their house for $35,000. Today for the same money I can buy an empty lot in Englewood!!!!
6051 S Winchester
Chicago, IL 60636
MLS# 05366854
list price $34,900
est prop tax $260
Every copper knows someone who was just promoted to Sgt. on this past list who was not qualified or was made just because they were "in the know'.
Every copper knows someone who desreved to make it. But they did not make it.
They were qualifed. They were obvious. They were ignored.
It happens every time a list is posted.
This is life on the Chicago Police Department. This is our fate. This is what the haves have over the have nots. This is politics.
I say, The have nots unite and show this city what a great place this city could be.
In regards to residency rule..
State statute has to be rescinded or repealed. Though it would be easier to amended it. Change the 1 million population to a higher number say 4 million. Either way, petitions need to be filed, state legislators contacted and the law request to be changed/amended. Once the law is gone, then we can bring it to the bargaining table for the next contract. Arbitrator will mediate it and decide in our favor since there are not too many departments in this country where there is a residency rule for a large city.
Anyone disagree on how this works?
Lets start the ball rolling.
Remember, the suburbanites are moving back into the city like crazy. This won't be another Detroit.
Maybe you folks have got to stop living beyond your means. I've been on nearly 30 years and worked for everything I got and worked dammed hard. You guys are making great money - 22 yrs old and making $45,000 to start - where can you make that in private industry. Stop spending money like its water and buying $30-40,000 cars, mink coats, and expensive vacations. Save your money, get a down payment, buy a building, go back to school, - do something but stop whinning. Get 2 or 3 of your buddies and buy rehabs in lawndale or englewood or anyplace where it is cheap. Learn to be urban pioneers, send your kids to public schools and then help them with their homework instead of working extra jobs to send them to catholic school. You're putting yourself on a treadmill that you can't get off and you end of hating yourself and each other. Trust me it can be done.
You have a good point. Look at all the immigrants who move here. They don't even speak English very well, or at all, and buy buildings within six months.
Public school? Are you nuts? People who go to private school rule the world? where do the kids of the rich and powerfull go? Not Taft or Lane.
I agree with the posters above....the residency rule has to be lifted, first by either amending or eliminating the state law that prohibits consideration of residency in arbitration for employees of Illinois cities with a population over 1 million (i.e., Chicago). If and when that restriction is lifted, then residency can be bargained for, along with all of the other issues, i.e., salary, health care, etc., etc. The ultimate result of the potential elimination of a city residential employee rule? Not sure, but let the market and the employees rule....
Read the SCC archives and the FOP website; The FOP has begun the process for revoking the state law about three months ago. If you would stop listening to the rabblerousers and actually participted and went to a few union meetings, you'd realize that they are the ones behind the curve.
not so Harej made motion at a general meeting years ago to attack the residency arb statue Donahue resisted that motion and allowed members present who were not members of the bargaining group to vote motion narrowly defeated. just like th health care lawsuit read the Suntimes Krislov states; "The FOP didn't need to do this. We were already working on it." Where was FOP when CAREPAC started the lawsuit back in 1999. nowhere at the fop bar enjoying free beer.
So yes, we chose for me to stay home. But we shouldn't have to sacrifice our children's educational options simply because of that!
UM yes you should. I too am married to a cop,and I am a cop we work opposite shifts. Someone is always home with the kids and we only need the occasional babysitter. You think you are making a sacrifice? Nope, you are staying home and not working. Your choice. Guess you should send your kid to public school, it's free.
Okay folks, listen up! I've been the real police all my life, I currently work in 17. Quit complaining about having to send your kids to Catholic schools. Either cough up the money or risk your daughters giving rainbow parties when they are in eighth grade. And if anybody has a problem with that then come and find me! IT'S NOT HARD, I'M CURRENTLY THE ONLY swedish guy working plain clothes and I wear really tight blue jeans that show off my bean bag!
do something but stop whinning. Get 2 or 3 of your buddies and buy rehabs in lawndale or englewood or anyplace where it is cheap. Learn to be urban pioneers, send your kids to public schools and then help them with their homework instead of working extra jobs to send them to catholic school. You're putting yourself on a treadmill that you can't get off and you end of hating yourself and each other. Trust me it can be done.
2/15/2006 11:49:12 PM
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Ok pal. I'm suppossed to be Amish now too? Look, If I was good enough at construction to build a house, I would not have taken THIS job. Too bad I don't have 3 house building buddies that are just sitting around doing nothing waiting for me to call them to build a house for me FOR FREE.
Not everyone is laden with debt. My credit is great and I have no cc debit or car payments. A $400,000 mortage is STILL too much.
I'm sure you won't be hard to find, what with all your talk about rainbow's, the north side, tight jeans, O MY.
6:33 am
Ditt javla rovhal! Kuksugare!
30 years in and you already have Alzheimers? If these kids are making $45,000 what kind of mortgage do they qualify for?$150K? You can't buy a vacant lot and put up a tent for that. Oh yeah, they should have to get a second carreer as a rehabber, so prices stay over-inflated in this city and you can sell your piece of shit Georgian to them for 10x what you paid for it.
Let them rent for a couple of years and save their money, just like the rest of us did. They can drive older or cheaper cars and save money on car payments and fuel. They can go on vacation to Wisconsin or Michigan rather than Florida, Calif, or Hawaii. They can have $10,000 weddings rather than $30,000 affairs.
No buddy is saying that you have to be a contractor but anybody can hold a paint brush and put down peel and stick tiles. Its not brain surgery. Anyway the 22 y-o P.O. probably isn't looking to buy a house anyway and shouldn't have any sizeable debt. In less than 2 years, he sould have a decent downpayment to buy his house. Remember, not everyone needs to live at Riversedge or Saganash or in Lincoln Park. I'd like to too but then I could do all the other things I want to do.
This blog is soooooooooooo sad. What a bunch of whinnnnyyyyyy twats I can't have this, I can't have that, what am I gonna do?
What did I do when I got drafted? What did I do when I got badly hurt? Ya know what I did? I grabbed my balls and got going. I opened a business I became a cop, I drove old cars, I worked like a dog, and the further along I got the better I felt, the stronger I became, and now I am a diety! A god! A leader of men! I run it!, oh, I gotta go my wife wants me.
those were a few funny connected posts.....swedish guy with bean bag...amish builders...
Mike Segal the famous insurance mogal saw to it that Daley and Burke kickbacks from contractors who did work at Navy pier.
Mike Segal the famous insurance mogal saw to it that Daley and Burke kickbacks from contractors who did work at Navy pier.
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