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.
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
Orland Park Library collecting candy wrappers
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Candy has taken on a whole new life at one local library. The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, is happy to announce the launch of its very first Trash or Treasure candy wrapper recycling campaign. The Trash or Treasure program helps reduce the waste that…
Hickory Hills adds new police officer
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Hickory Hills Police Chief Jason Bray welcomed Andre Showers as the city’s newest police officer during last week’s city council meeting. Aldermen and the community at the April 11 meeting helped celebrate the induction of the Showers, 21. He’s an Army veteran and a 2023 Cook County Correctional Camp graduate…
Marist celebrates cultural diversity
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Marist High School appreciates the wide array of culture that walks its campus hallways on a daily basis. In order to celebrate, the high school, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted its second annual Celebration of Culture on March 14. During the free event, students, faculty and staff represented their…
Palos Heights Knights of Columbus donate to GiGi’s Playhouse
Spread the loveGrand Knight John Laskey and Past Grand Knight Brian Mellenthin of St. Theodore Guerin Knights of Columbus Council 14057 presented a check for $1,500 to GiGi’s Playhouse of Tinley Park, one of several donations to local groups resulting from the Knights of Columbus’ Fall Tootsie Roll Drive. One of the most recognizable activities…
Worth police join task force to combat auto thefts
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An agreement has been reached between the villages of Worth and Thornton regarding participation in the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force. Worth Police Chief Tim Denton said the approval of the memorandum to participate in the task force is necessary. “It’s no secret that there has been an increase…
A simple idea for Earth Day
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Moving right along through April, as the days get longer and nicer, time will start to go by faster. We have Earth Day on April 22 and the start of Passover at sunset.…
Bingo at St. Clare was something to yell about
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Recently I mentioned a bingo fundraiser the Augustinian Young Adults of St. Rita of Cascia Parish were holding. This was their first attempt at a bingo and they put on a really nice event. Held…
One thing is certain: life goes on
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I get a lot of calls from residents who are discouraged about our neighborhood. There are so many car accidents, shootings and violent crimes being committed in West Lawn and surrounding areas. It certainly is challenging to stay hopeful and positive. Here is a paragraph…
Biz groups battle over names, logos
Spread the love. UBAM, MCC trade barbs . By Dermot Connolly and Tim Hadac The leader of one Midway-area business association is accusing the other of bad faith, and the leader of the other is scratching her head over the dustup. United Business Association of Midway Executive Director Anita Cummings recently claimed that a rival…
Neighbors
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…