Ray Hanania
GOP has no chance with Morrison
By Ray Hanania
The headlines were encouraging for Republicans back in July. The Cook County GOP organized one of its largest candidate slates to challenge Democrats in November.
It all sounded good on paper, and came at the right time, as the Republican Party was coming apart not just in Cook County in recent years but in Will and DuPage, too.
There was a time when Republicans had a strong voice on the Cook County Board.
Today, only two Republicans remain on the 17-member board: Sean Morrison, who is also the Cook County Republican chairman; and Pete Silvestri, who saw the writing on the wall and retired.
Rebuilding the Republican Party in Cook County would restore a two-party system that forces accountability and prevents people like Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, with her pro-criminal and anti-law-abiding citizen platforms, from winning office.
It would also help Darren Bailey in his fight to undermine Democrat Gov. JB Pritzker, or “Daddy Warbucks,” who doesn’t really run in elections. He buys elections.
Illinois is ranked as among the worst states on almost every criteria. Dumping Pritzker for Bailey could bring change.
Morrison bragged in July about slating the “highest number of candidates in more than a generation.”
But Morrison doesn’t really have the skills to save the Republican Party. He didn’t slate Republicans in the primary because he was too busy dealing with his own scandals. So, he waited until after the primary to fill November ballot vacancies.
Morrison began with what the Chicago Tribune called two “party switchers” to fill gaps in the November GOP ballot. Bob Fioretti, a Democrat and former alderman of Chicago’s 2nd Ward who served two terms from 2007 until 2015, was chosen to revive his career as Republican in a suicide challenge against Democrat County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Morrison tapped former Democrat who turned Republican Tony Peraica to challenge incumbent Democrat Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, who like Preckwinkle, is very popular.
Peraica is known more for his headline grabbing than winning elections. He ran as a Democrat in 1994, then as a Republican in 1998 for treasurer against the Democrat’s most popular County official, Maria Pappas. Peraica lost in 2002 for the County Board in 2002, and lost for board president in 2006. He lost for County State’s Attorney in 2008. He lost a board return in 2010.
But Morrison’s real problem isn’t slating weak has-been candidates. It’s his ineptness as a party chairman. He can’t even get the candidate paperwork right.
Seven candidates Morrison slated for various races with no Republicans in the June 28 primary all had problems that could have been avoided.
Two withdrew while five others were tossed from the Nov. 8 ballot for an assortment of avoidable issues, like improperly filed petitions and failure to submit enough signatures. One was disqualified for becoming a Republican after voting Democrat in the June 28 election, a legal no-no.
These were all stupid mistakes a skilled leader could avoid. But Morrison isn’t very skilled at politics. He defeated Gorman, one of the Republican Party’s best and most qualified elected officials, by using lies and distortions to deflect from his own scandals.
In November, Morrison is being challenged by Democrat Dan Calandriello, who has a strong chance of winning.
Four years ago, Morrison barely clung to his seat against unknown Democrat Abdelnasser Rashid, who lost by only 1,377 out of 121,767 votes cast. Rashid has moved to the center and easily defeated incumbent Mike Zalewski to become the candidate in the 21st Illinois House seat.
There are only two incumbents remaining on the Cook County Board’s 17 seats. Morrison has an uphill fight to hold the seat and Silvestri’s is a toss-up brawl between Democrat Maggie Trevor, who ran for the seat before and is known to voters, and Republican Matt Podgorski, a newcomer.
Morrison’s leadership is bad news for Republicans. But there is still time for Bailey to reverse Morrison’s downward spiraling trajectory.
Bailey should force Morrison to resign, replacing him with someone with better GOP credentials, someone like the late Maureen Murphy, the first woman to head the party (2002-2004). It was Morrison’s pal, Peraica, who led the campaign to unseat Murphy.
Murphy died in 2008. Murphy’s ally, Liz Gorman, who helped ensure Rauner’s 2014 victory over Pat Quinn, chaired the county GOP (2007-2008).
Morrison’s GOP fiasco would never have happened under Murphy or Gorman or even Lee Roupas, who was Morrison’s predecessor as Palos Township GOP chair.
Morrison’s backing of Peraica is a double shame for the GOP.
Republicans have no chance of rebuilding the party or restoring accountability in Cook County with Morrison or Peraica at the helm.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Here’s a sure sign of spring
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. How have you been surviving January? This is one month I always hope flies by. If the sun is out, the temperatures are, or feel like they are in the subzero range. If it’s cloudy, which is most…
Justice swears in new police officer
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Justice Village Board approved the recommendation of the Justice Fire and Police Commission to hire Police Officer Kady Sassenger at its January 10 meeting. Her move from the Coal City Police Department to Justice is considered a lateral move, which means the officer transfers from one department to another…
Medeisis promoted to fire battalion chief in Bridgeview
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Fire Department has a new battalion chief. Michael Medeisis, 55, was promoted from the rank of lieutenant at the Jan. 5 meeting of the Bridgeview Village Board. “Hey, hot diggity dog, we’ve got a great guy (promoted),” village Trustee Michael Pticek said. Trustee James Cecott said the promotion…
Retired village employee appointed to Lyons ZBA
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The Karasek family has a long history of working for the village of Lyons dating back decades. And that history is getting a new chapter. Steven Karasek, 60, who two years ago retired after 36 years in the public works department, has been appointed by Mayor Christopher Getty to serve…
Walker teacher Eva Manzke honored by farm bureau
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan School District 104 teacher Eva Manzke was recently honored by the Cook County Farm Bureau for her work with teaching students about agriculture. Students at Walker Elementary in Bedford Park, and Manzke herself were surprised when Principal Amanda Venegonia said they were gathered to honor Manzke, as she had been…
Moraine Valley’s Tom Diaz earns All-Conference honors
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Tom Diaz is a freshman at Moraine Valley Community College, and is making big strides with their cross country team. Diaz is also a 2021 graduate of Argo Community High School, and is the first Argonaut to earn All Region honors while pursuing his cross country career. MVCC’s Men’s an&…
Summit native marks decade with the Harlem Globetrotters
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Saul White Jr., better known as Flip White to basketball fans, has been with the famed Harlem Globetrotters for just over 10 years, and has no intention of stopping the entertainment he provides for his fans. White, who grew up in Summit, attended Wharton School and Graves Junior High (now…
A heavenly sound
Spread the love In what is arguably the most ornate and beautiful house of worship on the Southwest Side—St. Joseph Church in Back of the Yards–the Polonijna Orkiestra Chicago played liturgical music selections last Sunday. Founded in 2011, the orchestra is designed to teach young musicians Polish music and culture. St. Joseph parishioner Konrad Pawelek…
Crime images spark outrage in Gage Park
Spread the loveRobbed at gunpoint in his own garage By Tim Hadac Home-security camera images of a 48-year-old Gage Park man being robbed at gunpoint in his own garage outraged a number of Southwest Siders this week. Images showed the man driving his car down the alley in the 5500 block of South Richmond at…
Here’s the skinny: Trimmed-down Lawrence helps Oak Lawn top Evergreen
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Oak Lawn senior basketball player Davion Lawrence is 45 pounds lighter than he was last season, but insists his eating habits are the same. He has, however, changed up his training habits. Heading into football last fall, Lawrence and a few fellow seniors wanted to get in the…
Neighbors
Lions Club District 1A Helen Keller race draws big field
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The damp weather from overnight rain did not deter more than 100 people on Sunday morning from getting some exercise. The 14th annual District 1A Helen Keller 5k Fun Run/Walk proudly took place along at Harold L. Richard’s High School, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn. “This is a really great…
EPCHS students collect shoes for Christmas Without Cancer Sneaker Drive
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Students in Evergreen Park Community High School’s junior physical education leadership class teamed up with the non-profit organization Christmas Without Cancer to help local families battling the devastation of cancer. The class – taught by EPCHS physical education teacher Ree McDonald – helped gather donations for Christmas Without Cancer’s second…
Swallow Cliff Chapter, NSDAR, honors JROTC cadets
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Swallow Cliff Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, participated in recent JROTC awards ceremonies held at Shepard High School in Palos Heights and Richards High School in Oak Lawn. The DAR JROTC award, consisting of a medal and certificate, was presented to Navy Cadet Emily Schrode at Richards…
Man charged with child abduction in Stickney Township
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Chicago man was charged last week with child abduction and luring of a minor after Cook County Sheriff’s Police detectives found he attempted to lure a minor into his vehicle, said Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. According to police, about 4:43 p.m. on Monday, April 22, officers responded…
Worth Library celebrates 60th anniversary
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The Worth Public Library has been around for decades. Resting in the heart of the village at 6917 W. 111th St., the library held an event focusing on its rich background story on April 23 with a historical photo exhibit. “It’s amazing because this library is still so important to…
Rose Zubik, Woman’s Club veteran, installed as 3rd District president
Spread the love Rose Zubik, of Palos Heights, the new president of the 3rd District General Federation of Women’s Clubs-Illinois, lights a candle during the installation ceremony held April 27 at Fox’s Restaurant in Orland Park. Heather Linehan, the outgoing president, is beside her.By Dermot Connolly A longtime member of the Palos Heights Woman’s Club…
Shots fired in Chicago Ridge Commons parking lot
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Shots were fired Wednesday night in the parking lot at Chicago Ridge Commons mall. Police said they received reports of the shooting about 9:45 p.m. No injuries were reported. Multiple witnesses told police four men were walking through the parking lot from the XSport Fitness area. They approached two vehicles…
Hair salon with a ‘flair’ marks first year in Chicago Ridge
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Melissa Kowalski wanted to do something meaningful to mark the first-year anniversary of her Flair With Hair Salon in Chicago Ridge. “We did not have a grand opening last year so I wanted to do something really special,” Kowalski said. “We wanted to say thank you to our clients.” Kowalski,…
Palos East fifth-grader wins Scholastic Storyworks writing contest
Spread the loveGabriel Chowaniec, a fifth-grader at Palos East Elementary School, has been named a winner of the Scholastic Storyworks Magazine writing contest. Gabriel, who is a student in Cathy Casey’s fifth-grade classroom, was named one of only five winners nationally for the December 2023/January 2024 competition. Garbriel’s submission for the nonfiction story “The Shattered Land,” “showed a strong understanding of the text along with the ability to author a well-organized…
Shepard celebrates Autism Week
Spread the loveBy Kelly White World Autism Acceptance Week is organized by the National Autistic Society in the first week of April and aims to raise awareness about the challenges autistic people face across all areas of society. Not missing out the opportunity to celebrate all-inclusion was Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos…