Sneed exclusive: Ex-Gov. Quinn backing Foxx for state’s attorney

Follow @Sneedlings

// <![CDATA[

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+’://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js’;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, ‘script’, ‘twitter-wjs’);

// ]]>

Sneed exclusive . . .

It’s a Foxxy move.

Sneed has learned former Gov. Pat Quinn has tossed his endorsement to Kim Foxx for Cook County state’s attorney; despite his considerable endorsements of incumbent Anita Alvarez in the past.

He plans to announce his endorsement Sunday.

“Kim and the governor have been meeting at Quinn’s favorite restaurant, Meli’s, in River North and when the gist of Foxx’s campaign was digested, he signed on,” a top Quinn source said.

“He just feels Kim is the right person to restore trust in the State’s Attorney’s Office.”

• Poker shot: Quinn also has his eye focused on continuing his career in public service, and Foxx is the protégé of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, a vice chairman of the Cook County Democratic party.

Ring! Wrong!

Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to put a brick on stolen cellphones.

• Translation: Sneed is told Emanuel has ordered his staff to dust off an old plan requiring cell phone companies to create a kill switch on cell phones, a major target for robberies — similar to an ordinance introduced by Ald. Ed Burke (14) in 2014.

• To wit: In today’s digital age, a kill switch would allow stolen phones to be turned off remotely and kept from being turned on again, thereby killing its secondary market value to thieves.

• Upshot: The movement on a kill switch plan comes as cell phones have sparked a heated, albeit very different, debate across the country. Apple is embroiled in a scintillating legal case with the FBI over the federal government’s desire to hack into iPhones when it’s needed for their investigations.

• A history note: During his first term in office, Emanuel’s son had his cell phone stolen by a thief who placed him in a chokehold outside the family home.

Follow @Sneedlings

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+’://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js’;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, ‘script’, ‘twitter-wjs’);

The canine time . . .

The Rev. Michael Pfleger, the activist peace priest from St. Sabina Catholic Church, is not alone.

He has a cocker spaniel named “Justice.”

“I love her. The kids love her. She’s five years old and gives me a reason ten times a day to call out loud the word “Justice!”

Father Pfleger, who is indomitable when it comes to calling out gun dealers and gang bangers, treasures his canine time.

• Help! “I have two main reasons to have a dog: they are great companions who give unconditional love — and they are great to watch the news with when I have free time,” he tells Sneed.

• Yelp! “I grew up with a mutt named Tassy and had a cocker spaniel named “Imani” which is Swahili for ‘faith,” during my time as a pastor at St. Sabina’s,” he said.

• Yup! “I get them as pups and they are the best stress breakers.”

Trumping Trump!

Hmmm. Sneed hears New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who suddenly and dramatically tossed his endorsement Friday to fellow bully boy Donald Trump, has his eye on the vice presidency.

• Backshot: Late last week, Trump stated his vice presidential choice would be a partner with solid credentials; a seasoned political mover who knew his way around the corridors of power; not just a show piece.

It didn’t take Christie long to pounce.

• They’re old friends: Christie, who can get as good as he gives in the tough guy department, not only attended Trump’s wedding to his third and present wife, Melania — but has been a frequent dinner guest with Trump’s family as well as a friend of Trump’s legal eagle sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry.

The Sanders touch . . .

Mugs & hugs! If the amount of hugs, pats, and cheek pecks are deserving of a gentle push award for a candidate’s wife, Jane Sanders — wife of Dem presidential contender Bernie Sanders — would win.

Lee’s way . . .

Film director Spike “Chi-Raq” Lee, who has publicly endorsed “My brother Bernie Sanders” because “he not on the take” — is expected to hit the Sanders stump next Wednesday to attend “An Evening with Spike Lee” at Northwestern University. His film will be shown. Natch.

Hmmm . . .

Is a mini-uprising percolating at the Chicago Teacher’s Union?

Is it due to the involvement of Jackson Potter, — who founded CORE, the radical wing of the CTU which dominated the so-called Big Bargaining Committee that rejected a four-year contract offer blessed by CTU President Karen Lewis and her veep, Jesse Sharkey?

Is going far left about to go in the wrong direction?

Stay tuned.

A Daley dunk!

Now comes word Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, who hails from the Daley’s dynastic 11th ward, is going to jump in the drink.

• Translation: Ald. Thompson and Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) have formed a team called the “AlderBears” and challenged 48 aldermen to jump in the freezing waters of Lake Michigan in the Chicago Polar Plunge benefitting Special Olympics Chicago on March 6 at North Avenue Beach.

• Thus far: Aldermen Howard Brookins (21), Michael Scott Jr. (24), Jason Ervin (28), George Cardenas (12), Anthony Napolitano (41), Derrick Curtis (18), and Harry Osterman (48th) have signed as as part of the brrrr brigade.

Sneed is keeping a list.

Sneedlings . . .

Saturday’s birthdays: Josh Groban, 35; Chelsea Clinton, 36; and Kate Mara, 33. . . . Sunday’s birthdays: Kelly Bishop, 72; Bernadette Peters, 68; and Mario Andretti, 76.

Tweets by @Sneedlings

// <![CDATA[

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+”://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

// ]]>