![RayHanania Ray Hanania](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RayHanania.jpg)
Ray Hanania
Gorman is the centrist we need
By Ray Hanania
Most people in Cook County laugh when they hear the words “local Republicans.” That’s because the Republican organization in Cook County and in Illinois is a mess.
Many Democrats I know shrug their shoulders and ask, “Who cares?” It’s more of a statement of fact than a question. The few Republicans who do exist have given up on Cook County, as violence rages through its heart in Chicago and spreads to the suburbs.
Republicans in the collar counties are fleeing, writing off the county because it’s easier to do that. They blame all of the county problems on one person–Mike Madigan–but fail to recognize it is shared.
We need someone to fill that void. Cook County needs a voice to challenge the growing power of the new Machine.
![Gorman is the centrist we need 1 RayHanania](https://www.southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RayHanania.jpg)
Ray Hanania
I’m not talking about the Machine that the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley founded; which, despite controversies and privileges, provided services and safety to residents.
Today, the county Democrats are influenced by some worthless players, like Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who can’t suppress crime.
There was one bright spot when veteran Cook County Judge James Linn sentenced hoaxster and liar Jussie Smollett to 150 days in the Cook County Jail, even as Foxx and others defended their friend and tried to claim he was the victim of racism.
In most cases, however, criminals are released and given slaps on their gun-toting hands or slip through the system because people like Lightfoot have no idea how to stop crime.
Something must be done to change this crime-driven, corrupt dynamic. One answer is to elect some Republicans who can add a sane counter voice to the failed policies.
As I have written before, Cook County is on the verge of losing its Republican presence on the County Board. It’s not like the Cook County Board can, by itself, change anything. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle works hard to do what’s right. But the weight of the system makes it impossible to do anything. And the deep divide, the polarization that exists in this country, makes it even more difficult.
What the country needs is a new party. Not a third party, but a centrist party. Both Republicans and Democrats are being held hostage by small groups of extremists silencing the majority. A centrist party might free them.
Revitalizing the Cook County GOP is easier than revitalizing the national GOP.
Most Cook County voters are Democrats. But more than half are conservative Democrats, whom some might call Reagan Democrats. They support a mix of ideas from both sides because they put their interests above the interests of either party.
Republicans need to re-elect Liz Gorman, a centrist, to the 17th Cook County District, which cuts through the largest segment of the suburbs. She was a strong voice for taxpayers when she was on the board, and more importantly, she knew how to get Democrats to embrace many of her ideas.
It sounds like nothing, but when Todd Stroger introduced it and the Democratic controlled board passed the one-cent sales tax increase, Gorman (a Republican) convinced most of those Democrats to join her effort to repeal it. It was repealed. Her efforts also led to the blocking of the soda pop tax.
We can’t save America from the mess we are in. We don’t have a good choice in either party. President Donald Trump was unable to achieve anything because he couldn’t get past his pettiness. He would unleash nuclear rage on his critics, rather than fight for what was needed.
In contrast, his successor, President Joe Biden, isn’t tough enough. He ignores the pettiness, but he just doesn’t have it.
Neither can bring the country together. Both fuel the partisan divide which makes this country weak in the face of growing Russian aggression.
Somewhere in the middle, we must build a new political movement of centrists. These would be liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats who put their needs about the selfish ideology of the political parties.
Electing Gorman to the Cook County Board before the GOP vanishes is a good start. She knows how to bring everyone together, something we need to overcome, especially because of rising taxes, costs and crime.
As taxpayers, we must put our interests first, above the interests of those political leaders who put themselves above the rest of us.
I know most voters see this, but can’t get out of the extreme polarization on the national or local level.
Gorman can put the focus back on stopping rising taxation and rising crime. She will take the focus off of partisan politics.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
![dvn township meeting 2-17-22 Ava (left) and Kendall Shine, daughters of Township of Lyons attorney Elizabeth Shine, led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance. (Photo by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dvn-township-meeting-2-17-22-964x1024.jpg)
Lyons Township to co-sponsor St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Countryside
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The annual Countryside St. Patrick’s Day Parade is getting a boost from the Township of Lyons. The township board unanimously approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the city’s popular event. “We have traditionally sponsored this event,” Township Supervisor Christopher Getty said at the board’s Feb. 8 meeting. “Although we have not…
![dvn mountain climber3 Stephan Alheim pauses during his 19,431-foot climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. (Supplied photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dvn-mountain-climber3-1024x768.jpg)
Lyons man ‘accomplished something’ with Kilimanjaro climb
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Stephan Alheim of Lyons learned a lot about himself while making the 19,341-foot climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He learned preparation is important, especially when it comes to breathing properly. He also learned to have faith in the climbing guides. And he learned to always bring…
![dvn dan hilker lyons 2-17-22 Lyons Trustee Dan Hilker said the high standards of the public works department will continue as the village seeks a new director. (Photo by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dvn-dan-hilker-lyons-2-17-22-1024x961.jpg)
Lyons to raise water rate as Chicago charges more
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch With its hand forced by Chicago, the Lyons Village Board has unanimously approved an increase in the water rate. The new rates will take effect March 1. Lyons has no choice but to raise the rate since Chicago raised the rate it charges water suppliers that sell water to the…
![rpfpd 1 Firefighters arrive at a Justice house fire on February 10. (Photo courtesy of Roberts Park Fire Protection District)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rpfpd-1.jpg)
2 hurt in Justice house fire
Spread the love By Carol McGowan Two adults were taken to the hospital in good condition, with possible smoke inhalation, after a house fire at 8217 S. 85th Court in Justice last Thursday. The Roberts Park Fire Protection District was called to the fire just before 12:30 in the afternoon on February 10. Firefighters arrived…
![3d render of a bowling strike with skittles and a ball.Digital image illustration. 3d render of a bowling strike with skittles and a ball.Digital image illustration.](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/GettyImages-1298695903.jpg)
Girls Bowling: Shepard, Stagg both heading to first state finals
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent The Stagg and Shepard girls bowling teams had coming into sectional weekend never advanced to the IHSA state finals. But with an opportunity to do that last week, both squads stepped up with great performances down the stretch and punched their tickets to the state finals. The Chargers and…
![SRP-IMAGE-Logo SRP-IMAGE-Logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRP-IMAGE-Logo-1024x560.png)
Mt. Carmel tops Rice in big Blue battle
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent On a night when Mount Carmel honored one of its all-time best point guards — retiring the jersey of former Caravan and Illinois star Tracy Abrams at halftime — two of the Chicago Catholic League’s current top point guards staged an epic duel. Brother Rice junior Ahmed Henderson scored…
![Freestyle wrestling icon vector. Female. Pictogram women sport. Logo. Match girls. Symbolic image is one of a series. Greco-Roman. Isolated. Freestyle wrestling icon vector. Female. Pictogram women sport. Logo. Match girls. Symbolic image is one of a series. Greco-Roman. Isolated.](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/GettyImages-1214066349-e1644874046927.jpg)
Girl wrestlers make history as first IHSA state qualifiers
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent For Morton senior Karla Topete, Feb. 12 was a special day for a greater reason than just her winning a sectional wrestling championship. Topete and her teammates competed at the Andrew Sectional, one of four sectionals that marked the start of the IHSA’s first individual girls wrestling state series.…
![SRP-IMAGE-Logo SRP-IMAGE-Logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRP-IMAGE-Logo-1024x560.png)
High School Hockey: St. Rita drops two of three to Carmel, bows out of Kennedy Cup
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent St. Rita came out angry for Game 2 of its Kennedy Cup playoff quarterfinal series with Carmel. Two days earlier, the fifth-seeded Mustangs were run off the ice by the fourth-seeded Corsairs in a 5-0 loss in which they gave up three first-period goals and were never really in…
![TOMK Stagg graduate Tom Kazanecki, right, is guarded by St. Xavier University’s Joshua Evans during a recent game. Kazanecki changed his mind on playing an extra season for St. Ambrose after he was injured in a practice. Photo by Jeff Vorva](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TOMK-1024x681.jpg)
College Report: Former Stagg standout Kazanecki gives hoops one more year
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer The idea was for Tom Kazanecki to finish his basketball career at St. Ambrose in 2021. The former Stagg hoops standout was even toying with the idea of starting a military career, even though he had an extra year of athletics eligibility remaining, thanks to seasons getting snipped…
Neighbors
![greater chicago food depository greater chicago food depository](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/greater-chicago-food-depository.jpg)
Township of Lyons donates $10,000 to help food pantries
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The Township of Lyons board was in a giving mood at its most recent meeting. The board approved sponsorships and donations totaling $12,250. The largest donation was $10,000. It went to the Greater Chicago Food Depository which runs 12 monthly mobile food pantries in the township each year. Supervisor Christopher…
![dvn 6-24-24 countryside commish honored for 20 years Tina Grotzke chats with Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott after he presented her a certificate of appreciation for her 20 years on the zoning board. (Photo by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-24-24-countryside-commish-honored-for-20-years.jpg)
Countryside zoning commissioner honored for 20 years on board
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch For the past 20 years, Tina Grotzke has had a say-so in every development that’s come to Countryside. Grotzke was appointed to another term on the city’s the plan commission zoning board of appeals during the city council’s meeting on June 12. Mayor Sean McDermott noted Grotzke’s two decades of…
![Dr. Blair Nuccio Dr. Blair Nuccio](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Dr.-Blair-Nuccio-1-627x1024.png)
Nuccio bids farewell to Indian Springs SD 109
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan After 25 years of serving the area, 22 of those at Indian Springs School District 109, Dr. Blair Nuccio is set to retire. Dr. Nuccio was the assistant superintendent at District 109 before becoming superintendent in July of 2017. Prior to that, he spent three years as the superintendent at…
![dvn 6-24-24 lyons boxer2 Dario Lemus, Jr., of Lyons, demonstrates the moves that helped him become an Illinois Junior Olympic boxing champ. (Photos by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-24-24-lyons-boxer2-669x1024.jpg)
A real knockout
Spread the loveLyons boy, 10, heads to boxing nationals By Steve Metsch Dario Lemus Jr., has yet to knock out an opponent in the boxing ring. Give him time. After all, the 10-year-old Lyons boy has only been boxing for 18 months. “I’ve dropped two kids, but not like a knockout,” Dario said with a…
![reporter biz 6-24-24 The Qahwa Coffee House (Bridgeview) The Qahwa coffee house is now open in Bridgeview. (Photo by Nuha Abdessalam)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-biz-6-24-24-The-Qahwa-Coffee-House-Bridgeview-1024x768.jpg)
New Middle Eastern coffee shop opens next to Bridgeview courthouse
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Coffee connoisseurs take heart, Bridgeview Court Plaza’s newest addition, The Qahwa, is now open. Prepare to be captivated by a truly unique Middle Eastern coffee experience, nestled in the heart of Bridgeview’s “Little Palestine.” The Qahwa, with its one-of-a-kind Middle Eastern coffee blends and inviting atmosphere, is a haven for…
![kathyheadley2021 Kathy Headley](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/kathyheadley2021-869x1024.jpg)
Temps were hot, but golfers were cool
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . The weekend of June 22/23 started with temps in the 90s, a high humidity both days and the threat of rain loomed throughout the weekend as well. This is not unusual for the third week…
![reporter 6-27-24 ol parade shriners Shriners entertain the crowd at last year's Oak Lawn Independence Day Parade. (File photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-27-24-ol-parade-shriners-1024x698.jpg)
Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities
Spread the loveCelebrate Independence Day at the Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29! This cherished community event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to honor the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Parade will step off at 95th Street and Lacrosse and head west on 95th…
![regional 6-24-24 sd230 safety director Mary Pat Carr](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/regional-6-24-24-sd230-safety-director-659x1024.jpg)
District 230 names Director of Safety and Security
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education approved Dr. Mary Pat Carr as the district’s first Director of Security. She will move from her current position as Assistant Principal of Activities at Stagg High School to the Administrative Center on July 1. Her duties as Director of Safety…
![3 The Worth Public Library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/3-1024x771.jpg)
Worth Public Library kicks off summer reading program
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Patrons at the Worth Public Library welcomed in the summer season earlier this month. The library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. “We love any excuse to celebrate reading with…
![regional 6-24-24 UFC Gym Orland Mall fire3 Fire hoses line the parking lot outside of the UFC Gym last Thursday. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/regional-6-24-24-UFC-Gym-Orland-Mall-fire3-1024x739.jpg)
Fire knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A fire last Thursday afternoon practically destroyed an Orland Park gym and knocked out neighboring businesses, as well. Orland Park firefighters received a call at 2:31 p.m. June 20 for a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive Unit C. Multiple 911 calls were received for a…