Sneed: ‘Chuy’ could be next in line for county clerk

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An Orr nugget …

Sneed hears rumbles former mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who recently re-entered the political spotlight, has his eye on a future job.

• The buzz: Word is a long-term plan may be afoot for Garcia to replace Cook County Clerk David Orr — when and if Orr, 70, who has been in politics for 36 years, decides to finally pull the plug on his job and resign.

• Backshot: Rumor is Orr may choose to resign before he’s up for re-election in 2018, thus opening the door for Garcia to be appointed to the job by his good friend Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, pending full approval by the Cook County Board.

• Backstory: Garcia, who is a Cook County board commissioner, was endorsed by Orr when he ran for mayor — a risky move if Garcia lost.

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“There has been a lot of speculation and I’m open to future possibilities,” Garcia told Sneed. “The functions of the clerk are important and I have been asked frequently to run again in 2019. Let’s just say that’s a long way off and I am still resuming my duties as Cook County commissioner.”

• Photo shot: Garcia re-entered the political fray recently when he spoke ahead of a Chicago Teachers Union rally downtown; kicked off Latino Heritage Month in Elgin — and called for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to negotiate with the group of activists who are hunger striking over the future of Dyett High School.

Stay tuned.

Papal patter . . .

Flotsam and jetsam from the papal trail.

• Did you know Pope Francis hasn’t watched television in 25 years?

• Did you know Pope Francis, who is visiting the United States for the first time as pope, will be transported in a somewhat gas guzzling car: the Jeep Wrangler.

Now you do.

Lee’s way . . .

March on!

Watch for filmmaker Spike “Chi-raq” Lee and NBA legend Isiah Thomas to join activist peace priest Fr. Michael Pfleger in a neighborhood march against violence Friday night.

“It’s our final Friday night march this season and we will gather at 7 p.m. at St. Sabina’s church, 1210 W. 78th Place,” Pfleger told Sneed.

Lee also plans to attend the 4th Annual Peace Basketball Tournament hosted by St. Sabina on Saturday.

“That’s when brothers from the block join with NBA players for a one-day basketball tournament,” said Pfleger.

NBA hoopsters Isiah Thomas, Joakim Noah, Tony Snell, Sonny Parker, Wayne Ellington, Charles Smith, Mark Davis and referees Danny Crawford and Jim Capers will be on hand at noon Saturday at 7800 S. Racine Ave. to play ball.

“Gov. Pat Quinn, who has supported the tournament since its inception, will join us as well,” said Pfleger.

“The event was a way to bring together different gang factions and provide them with mentors, education support, and to build peace and unity in the community,” added Pfleger.

• Snap shot: Lee, who chose St. Sabina as his hub while filming his new movie “Chi-raq,” will also hand out $500 to five winners of a neighborhood peace photo competition, which he personally judged, during the tournament.

• Click shot: In July, Pfleger and Lee gave out 300 disposable cameras to Chicago kids asking them to take photos depicting what peace is to them.

• Backshot: “When I first met Spike years ago, he told me about the time he was a kid and didn’t have a summer job,” said Pfleger.

“He said this lady then gave him a camera and told him to go around and take pictures. He claims it changed his life. He believes it was the seed that planted him in the film business.”

I spy . . .

Rocker Rick Springfield stopped by David Burke’s Primehouse Thursday ahead of his concert at Northerly Island. . . . Emmy nominee and “Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus dropped by the new C Chicago Saturday; Bulls star Derrick Rose stopped by Chicago Cut for lunch Saturday; Green Bay Packers linebacker Carl Bradford had dinner at Chicago Cut the night before his team vanquished the Bears, and Bears cornerback Tracy Porter dined there after the loss.

Sneedlings . . .

Wednesday’s birthdays: Amy Poehler, 44; Nick Jonas, 23, and Molly Shannon, 51.

Follow Sneed on Twitter: @Sneedlings

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