Chicago Sun-Times: All posts by slawson2014-08-29T04:44:22-05:00https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/slawson/rss2014-08-29T04:44:22-05:002019-05-11T10:29:59-05:00Weekly politics quiz: Blago's letter, minimum wage and more - Chicago
<p>How closely have you been paying attention this week? Take our two-minute quiz to see if you’re an ace in the world of politics.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center><div class="Enhancement-item">
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https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2014/8/29/18602001/weekly-politics-quiz-blago-s-letter-minimum-wage-and-moreslawson2014-08-25T03:24:41-05:002019-05-11T09:56:31-05:00Who said it: Karen Lewis or Rahm Emanuel? - Chicago
<p>Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis have <a class="Link" href="http://youtu.be/2kg4Y7C78vI?t=5m21s" target="_blank" >butted heads several times over the years and even exchanged f-bombs</a>.</p><p>Now, Lewis is taking steps toward a mayoral campaign.</p><p>The two couldn’t be any more different — but can you tell who made the following statements?</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center><div class="Enhancement-item">
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https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2014/8/25/18595704/who-said-it-karen-lewis-or-rahm-emanuelslawson2014-08-21T10:11:23-05:002019-05-09T11:01:46-05:006 things to know about Chicago's red-light cameras - Chicago
<p>Depending on who you ask, red-light cameras are supposed to make Chicago’s streets safer. Or they’re simply a cash cow for the city, with some saying the cameras are excessive and give unfair violations. </p><p>On top of that, the company behind the red-light cameras is under the microscope from the feds for alleged violations of their own.</p><p>Here are six things you should know about the city’s cameras:</p><p>1. <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/chicagos-red-light-cameras-expand-views-give-aclu-pause/tue-05062014-623pm" target="_blank" >They have a close eye on you.</a> Did you know the cameras have 360-degree panning technology?</p><hr><p>2. Smile, you’re on camera — <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/ex-city-hall-boss-took-bribes-red-light-program-feds/wed-05142014-231pm" target="_blank" >Chicago has more red-light cameras</a> than anywhere else in the United States. </p><hr><p>3. <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/emanuel-offers-appeal-9000-mysterious-red-light-tickets/wed-07232014-148pm" target="_blank" >Some of the tickets issued</a> from being caught on camera are being questioned — 9,000 of them.</p><hr><p>4. Even Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s police <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/emanuel-orders-police-bodyguards-slow-down/wed-05072014-250pm" target="_blank" >bodyguards have been nailed by the cameras</a>.</p><hr><p>5. Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. brought the cameras to the streets, but the company, along with former city worker John Bills (pictured), has been under <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/ex-ceo-company-red-light-camera-bribery-scandal-indicted/wed-08132014-251pm" target="_blank" >federal investigation for a bribery scandal</a>.</p><hr><p>6. <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/key-player-red-light-scandal-cooperating-feds-report/thu-08212014-758am" target="_blank" >One of the key players in the scandal is now cooperating with the feds. </a><br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2014/8/21/18553803/6-things-to-know-about-chicago-s-red-light-camerasslawson2014-08-10T06:53:07-05:002019-05-11T07:28:48-05:006 things that make the Illinois State Fair stand out - Chicago
<p>On Thursday, the 11-day Illinois State Fair kicked off in Springfield. State fairs nationwide all have games, rides and just about any kind of deep fried food you can imagine, but the Illinois State Fair definitely has some unique attractions the others don’t.</p><p>For example:</p><h2><strong>1. The Butter Cow</strong></h2><p>The State Fair of Texas may have deep fried butter, but in Illinois we have a whole cow of butter, which has been the “unofficial icon” of the fair since the 1920s.</p><p>Housed inside the fair’s Dairy Building, the sculpture is handmade with 500 pounds of unsalted butter. What do they do with all of that butter after the fair? Use it for another sculpture of course! Each year the butter gets frozen for next year’s cow.</p><p>True, we’re not the only ones with a butter cow. The Iowa State Fair also has one, but they use 600 pounds of butter for one cow, while Illinois does more with less.</p><h2><strong>2. Husband Calling Contest</strong></h2><p>The fair hosts more than 8,700 contests including horticulture, horse racing and – husband calling? </p><p>Only by watching videos from previous husband calling contests will you understand this one.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
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</div><p></p><h2><strong>3. Illinois Fire Museum</strong></h2><p>The fair boasts the <a class="Link" href="http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/illinois-fire-museum-services-tent/" target="_blank" >“largest interactive fire safety and antique exhibit”</a> in the country. </p><p>You can even practice your fire fighting with real working fire extinguishers. </p><h2><strong>4. Ethnic Village</strong></h2><p>State fairs nationwide are known for frying anything from alligator to Twinkies. Illinois follows this trend but the fair also has an Ethnic Village. It’s an interesting name choice, but the village features thirteen countries including Brazil and Greece and two international beer booths.</p><h2><strong>5. Wine</strong></h2><p>Fair goers of legal age can taste wine at the <a class="Link" href="http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/illinois-wine-experience/" target="_blank" >Illinois Wine Experience</a>. </p><p>We may not be California but you can taste wine from nearly 20 wineries in the state.</p><h2><strong>6. Beer Scandal</strong></h2><p>We are talking about Illinois, which has so much corruption, a <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/study-corruption-illinois-costs-1308-person/mon-07142014-805pm" target="_blank" >study shows it costs $1,308 per person</a> in Illinois.</p><p>And the state fair isn’t except from it either, with a probe finding <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/ethics-panel-raps-state-fair-directors-beer-ticket-freebies/mon-07282014-528pm" target="_blank" >State Fair Director Amy Bliefnick sought and accepted at least $540 in free beer tickets</a> during the 2012 State Fair from the vendor in charge of selling beer to fairgoers<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2014/8/10/18567709/6-things-that-make-the-illinois-state-fair-stand-outslawson2014-08-04T14:59:23-05:002019-05-09T10:35:28-05:00Gene Callahan dies — pols' 'trusted friend' and 'true statesman' - Chicago
<p>For a man who had the ear — and trust — of some of the most powerful politicians in Illinois, it was a pretty simple rule:</p><p>Always return telephone calls.</p><p>But it was a credo that Gene Callahan embraced for more than half a century — from his days as a must-read political columnist to his decades as trusted aide to Sen. Paul Simon and Sen. Alan J. Dixon to his years as a lobbyist for Major League Baseball.</p><p>“His hard and fast rules in life were basic: always be honest and always return phone calls,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “People who lied to him were banished, shunned and rarely redeemed. Those who did not return his phone calls could expect a series of phone calls that would not end until they finally relented.”</p><p>He had an unbelievable way of finding people even before cell phones, said Thom Serafin, a political analyst and former reporter who said Callahan was like an uncle to him.</p><p>Serafin and Callahan met in Springfield in the 1970s when he was a reporter and Callahan was Dixon’s chief of staff.</p><p>“He was an ingenious inspiration for everyone in office,” Serafin said. “He was a walking, talking encyclopedia for Illinois politics.”</p><p>Mr. Callahan, father of U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos and a trusted adviser to a Who’s Who of other Democratic politicians, died Monday.</p><p>He was 80.</p><p>“Gene Callahan was one of those rare fixtures in the political world – a true gentleman who could work with anybody, any time, to get things done,” said Gov. Pat Quinn.</p><p>“It is hard to believe the 40-plus-year ‘Callahan era’ has come to a close. Few of us can remember a time when Gene was not involved in public service. Thankfully, he has instilled those same values in his daughter Cheri Bustos, who has taken his ethic of hard work and honesty to the U.S. Congress.”</p><p>Political Consultant Tim McAnarney said he talked to Callahan on the phone nearly three times a day almost every day for 40 years.</p><p> “People of all walks of life would call Gene Callahan,” McAnarney said. “He took a great pleasure in helping people.”</p><p>Durbin said: “Gene Callahan was my trusted friend. I never made an important decision in my political life without calling Gene. He was totally honest, painfully candid, and completely loyal. You knew that if the world turned on you, Gene would be the last person standing by your side.”</p><p>“The Illinois political scene will never be the same without the Pride of Milford, Illinois, Gene Callahan.”</p><p>Bustos told Early & Often that her father died around 3:30 a.m. Monday at his Springfield home. The coroner believes cause of death was a heart. </p><p>Mr. Callahan remained active until the end. He spent Sunday at a political event for his daughter at Norb Andy’s, a Springfield tavern popular with politicians and reporters. </p><p>Bustos said her father “soaked it in on his last day,” spending it with his family and supporting her as a congresswoman. </p><p>She said the importance of returning telephone calls was one of the many life lessons her father imparted to her.</p><p>“Have the decency to get back to people. Be responsive,” she said.</p><p>“He didn’t look at things in terms of politics, more in terms of public service,” Bustos said.</p><p>Mr. Callahan was a political columnist for the Illinois State Register, which later became the State Journal-Register, from 1957 to 1967. </p><p>In 1967, he made the jump from writing about politics to practicing it. He served as a deputy press secretary to Gov. Sam Shapiro and later press secretary and chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Paul Simon.</p><p>Starting in 1974, he began working for Dixon, who was then state treasurer. Mr. Callahan stayed with Dixon as Dixon moved up to become Illinois secretary of state and a U.S. senator in 1981.</p><p>McAnarney and Callahan met in 1973 when they worked for the state treasurer’s office. McAnarney said Callahan, who was one of his best friends, read six to seven newspapers a day and had an “encyclopedic knowledge of Illinois politics. A constant source of information.”</p><p>Mr. Callahan was Dixon’s chief of staff, until Dixon — who died just last month — lost his Senate seat in 1992. Mr. Callahan then spent a number of years as the chief lobbyist for Major League Baseball.</p><p>His daughter was elected to represent the Downstate 17th Congressional District in 2012. </p><p>“I lost my top spot in his political hierarchy when his daughter, Cheri Bustos, was elected to Congress,” Durbin said. “His pride in her election was the capstone of his career in politics as a trusted adviser to Paul Simon and Alan Dixon.</p><p>“Illinois will miss Gene Callahan,” said Simon’s daughter, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon. “And the Simon family in particular has lost a dear friend.</p><p>“Gene served as chief of staff for my dad, a mentor for my brother, and a trusted advisor for me. He was always focused on what was best for the people of our state, not short-term political advantage. His ethical standards were the highest – standards I try to live up to daily.”</p><p>Quinn said: “Illinois has suffered two huge losses recently – first former Sen. Alan Dixon, and now the senator’s long-time friend and advisor, Gene Callahan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the thousands of people whose lives Gene touched during his long and storied life.”</p><p>A lifelong Democrat, Mr. Callahan was respected on both sides of the aisle.</p><p>“Illinois lost a true statesman this morning with the passing of Gene Callahan,” said Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. “Gene was passionate about public service. Although he worked in government and politics for decades he was able to rise above partisanship and work with anyone for the good of the order. He was truly one of the good ones. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”</p><p>Bustos said her father never lost his love of making telephone calls. The East Moline Democrat said she believed his last phone call was with her sister-in-law and brother’s widow, Stacy Callahan. </p><p> Survivors include his wife, Ann; two daughters, Lynn Callahan Riddley and Cheri Callahan Bustos; a sister, Neta Erdman, and seven grandchildren.</p><p>A party to celebrate his life will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Norb Andy’s, 518 East Capitol Ave., Springfield.</p><p>“Gene wanted his family and friends to celebrate his life, not mourn it,” according to a family statement. “In lieu of flowers, be sure to vote on Nov. 4.”</p><p> <br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2014/8/4/18549630/gene-callahan-dies-pols-trusted-friend-and-true-statesmanslawson2014-08-01T04:48:18-05:002019-05-09T10:03:31-05:00Obama Presidential Library roundup: A look at 7 major bidders - Chicago
<p>The Obama Presidential Library and Museum is a future gem supporters say will drive economic growth and help communities in need. The question is where will the 14th federal presidential library be located? </p><p>The Chicago-based <a class="Link" href="http://www.obamapresidentialfoundation.org/" target="_blank" >Barack Obama Foundation</a> is expected to have a short list of bidders by mid-September. A location is expected to be announced by the foundation in early 2015.</p><p>Here’s a look at seven of the major bidders hoping to land an Obama museum, with most of them being universities. </p><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/exclusive-details-bid-obama-library-lake-michigan-shore/thu-07032014-706pm" target="_blank" ><b>Former U.S. Steel South Works site</b></a></p><p>On the Southeast Side off the shore of Lake Michigan with a view of the Chicago skyline, developer and bidder Dan McCaffery said this would be the most beautiful site in the city for the library. Obama once worked as a community organizer near this location.</p><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/washington/u-c-reaches-out-partners-obama-library-bid/wed-03052014-604pm" target="_blank" ><b>University of Chicago</b></a></p><p>Located in Hyde Park on the South Side, potential sites include parcels near 55<sup>th</sup> and King Drive and the South Shore Cultural Center, at 7059 S. South Shore Drive. Obama taught at the university’s law school for more than a decade and their daughters also attended U of C’s Laboratory Schools.</p><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/uic-adds-third-site-pitch-obama-presidential-library/mon-06162014-921am" target="_blank" ><b>University of Illinois at Chicago</b></a></p><p>This university proposed three sites: Harrison Field in Little Italy, an area in the Illinois Medical District and the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. Supporters say North Lawndale is part of Obama’s history as a community organizer.</p><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/csu-bid-obama-library-says-it-would-boost-community%E2%80%99s-economy/fri-06132014-156am" target="_blank" ><b>Chicago State University</b></a></p><p>On the far South Side, Chicago State University is another educational institution hoping to score the presidential library. Chicago State staff members say the library would be a great addition to the expansion they are already planning for the university. The site also has close ties to the Obamas. “95th Street corridor marks the place where Barack Obama began his neighborhood organizing, which strongly influenced the tenor of his presidency,” the bid says. It’s also close to the South Shore neighborhood home of Michelle Obama.</p><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/washington/12-sites-offered-bids-obama-presidential-library/tue-06172014-1238am" target="_blank" ><b>Former Michael Reese Hospital site</b></a></p><p>Demolished in 2009, the former location of the Michael Reese Hospital is located in the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville. Chicago Architecture firm HOK has pitched this site, which would sit on land that was previously purchased to house an <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/emanuel-goes-bit-too-far-wisecrack-about-lincoln/tue-01282014-214pm" target="_blank" >Olympic Village</a> for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. </p><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/washington/new-york-mayor-de-blasio-says-will-work-hard-obama-library/thu-06052014-753pm" target="_blank" ><b>New York City’s Columbia University</b></a></p><p>New York Mayor Bill de Blasio fully supports having the library at Columbia University, where Obama earned his undergraduate degree in 1983. The library would be put in Harlem, which has other presidential ties besides Obama. Former President Ulysses S. Grant is buried there, and Alexander Hamiltion once owned a home in Harlem.</p><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/washington/ny-leaders-make-tepid-push-obama-library/thu-06052014-1205am" target="_blank" ><b>University of Hawaii</b></a></p><p>Located in Honolulu, the university says presidential libraries and museums are usually located in a president’s home state. The university is leading a state and local government consortium in an effort to create the Obama Presidential Center.<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2014/8/1/18544900/obama-presidential-library-roundup-a-look-at-7-major-biddersslawson2014-07-25T07:02:37-05:002019-05-11T08:49:53-05:004 reasons you should care about pension reform in Illinois - Chicago
<p>The <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/pension-reform-victory-people/tue-12032013-645pm" target="_blank" >Illinois pension crisis</a> is by no means a small one, and it has a direct impact on you, the taxpayer.</p><p>In December, the Illinois House and Senate passed a controversial 327-page reform bill strongly opposed by some state labor organizations, but in July, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/state-cant-make-retirees-pay-health-care-premiums-court-rules/thu-07032014" target="_blank" >health insurance premiums</a> are a protected retirement benefit.</p><p>Haven’t been paying attention to the issue? Here’s why you should:</p><p>1. The nonpartisan Truth in Accounting’s State Data Lab reports the state has a total of <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/its-time-real-pension-fix-illinois/tue-07082014-923am" target="_blank" >$175.7 billion in unpaid pension and state debts</a> it can’t pay. If that had to be paid today, every Illinois taxpayer would have to fork over $43.400.</p><p>2. We have the worst-funded <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/illinois-gop-candidates-juggle-pension-hot-potato/mon-12022013-225pm" target="_blank" >pension system</a> in the nation, and as a result, bad credit. In fact, <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/bond-rating-agency-shifts-state-financial-outlook-negative/wed-07232014-957pm" target="_blank" >Standard & Poor’s recenty lowered its outlook</a> on the state’s general obligation bonds to negative. The continual downgrade has been an <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/bond-rating-firm-hits-state-pension-inaction/fri-01112013-1238pm" target="_blank" >ongoing issue.</a></p><p>3. <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/mayors-say-municipalities-need-pension-reform/mon-04212014-216pm" target="_blank" >Several mayors in the state</a> say there is a severe imbalance between employee and town/taxpayer contributions. </p><p>4. Even if you are <a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/sponsored/article/chicago/why-pensions-matter-even-those-who-arent-collecting-them/tue-03182014" target="_blank" >not collecting a pension</a>, your paycheck may still feel the pain.<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2014/7/25/18583065/4-reasons-you-should-care-about-pension-reform-in-illinoisslawson2014-07-23T13:10:20-05:002019-05-09T11:31:05-05:00Topinka has more cash; Simon spends more in Comptroller race - Chicago
<p>Even though Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka has more cash in her campaign warchest than opponent Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, Simon is a bigger spender according to the most recent campaign finance reports.</p><p>Topinka, a Republican, currently has around $1.2 million cash on hand and Simon, a Democrat, has more than $500,000 in her account.</p><p>Neither has expended big bucks so far, but Simon’s been spending at a greater rate. In the last three months, Simon spent more than $70,000 while Topinka was at about $26,000.</p><p>Topinka, who has garnered union support, spent $6,000 on consulting services while Simon spent nearly $26,000 on them.</p><p>Simon spent around $18,000 to pay her staff while Topinka’s expenditures show no employee payrolls.</p><p> <br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2014/7/23/18558781/topinka-has-more-cash-simon-spends-more-in-comptroller-raceslawson2014-07-17T02:03:07-05:002019-05-09T10:18:46-05:00Five things to know about the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative - Chicago
<p>One of the major talking points of the gubernatorial election is the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, a $54.5 million failed anti-violence program Gov. Quinn launched in 2010 and is now under federal investigation. The Justice Department has <a class="Link" href="http://The state's GOP leadership http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/barickman-panel-probing-nri-take-doj-request-next-week/thu-07102014-439pm" target="_blank" >asked state lawmakers to wait 90 days</a> before calling several former members of Gov. Pat Quinn’s inner circle to testify.</p><p>Here are five things to know about NRI:</p><p><a class="Link" href="http://bit.ly/1jJzsjU" target="_blank" ><b>1. RUSH JOB</b></a></p><p>The NRI was launched 30 days before the 2010 general election. Illinois Auditor General William Holland said the program was rushed into creation and did not cover some of the highest crime areas of Chicago.</p><hr><p><a class="Link" href="http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/dorothy-brown%E2%80%99s-husband-got-7-anti-violence-grant-cash/mon-03102014-1224am" target="_blank" ><b>2. BIG PAYDAY</b></a></p><p>More than $145,000 of NRI money went into the pocket of Benton Cook, the husband of Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown.</p><hr><p><a class="Link" href="http://bit.ly/1wngEXE" target="_blank" ><b>3. RAUNER’S CONNECTION</b></a></p><p>The finger is mainly pointed at Quinn and the Rauner campaign often uses NRI in attacks against him. But a church led by a Rauner ally received some of the state anti-violence cash.</p><hr><p><a class="Link" href="http://bit.ly/1qn5MJw" target="_blank" ><b>4. NON-EXISTENT PROGRAM</b></a></p><p>Some of the funds went to a prison re-entry program operating out of a day care center. In fact, there was no re-entry program at all — nor any proof that the organization, Project Hope, Inc., did anything for the $15,770 it received.</p><hr><p><a class="Link" href="http://bit.ly/TkLnYV" target="_blank" ><b>5. PAYING FOR A FREE STUDY</b></a></p><p>The state paid almost half a million dollars on a study by the University of Illinois at Chicago to see if the NRI helped reduce violence. The study was flawed and the University of Chicago Crime Lab offered to do the study for free.<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2014/7/17/18547109/five-things-to-know-about-the-neighborhood-recovery-initiativeslawson2014-07-14T15:43:50-05:002019-05-09T11:57:21-05:00Gov. Quinn running mate Vallas unleashed as campaign attack dog - Chicago
<p>Gov. Pat Quinn’s running mate and candidate for lieutenant governor, Paul Vallas, was unleashed as a campaign attack dog on Monday.</p><p>Vallas brought attention to a weekend <a class="Link" href="http://thesouthern.com/news/local/state-and-regional/rauner-owned-company-linked-to-deaths-assaults-legal-action/article_afc06c0e-77bd-5fa0-a007-2f5d1fdfce6a.html" target="_blank" >report by Lee Enterprises</a> about the death and mistreatment of residents at rehabilitation homes owned by Republican gubernatorial opponent Bruce Rauner. </p><p>Rauner’s private equity firm launched American Habilitation services, a group of homes, that now face lawsuits.</p><p> </p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center><div class="Enhancement-item">
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</div></div><p> </p><p>“Mr. Rauner is in the business of creating profit by squeezing companies by cutting expenses so he can sell those companies at a higher cost,” Vallas said. “Now that might be okay if you’re talking about shopping malls or maybe construction companies…but is it okay when you’re talking about nursing homes?”</p><p>A statement released by the Illinois Republican Party said it was Quinn who was guilty of neglecting state-run facilities including nursing homes and youth prisons.<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2014/7/14/18562838/gov-quinn-running-mate-vallas-unleashed-as-campaign-attack-dogslawson