Moore Signals Interest in Congress

Moore Transparency at Lowest Ebb ... Since Last Election!

Moore's return to his rose-garden strategy for development issues clearly signals his intense interest in a possible appointment to the US Congress.

Brief History of the Ebb & Flow of Accountability in the 49th Ward

In 2006, under persistent constituent pressure in the wake of major ward development issues including:

• the Adelphi demolition disaster
  
  
• a highly permissive re-zoning of Paulina Ave north of Howard
  
  
• the Reza Toulabi-Connie Abels "legacy" project east of Sheridan Rd in the Lakefront Protection Ordinance district
  

...and others, Moore briefly flirted with the use of the "internets" in communicating with his constituents (see comment "Moore Discovers Internet," January, 2006).

But in late 2006 and early 2007, as Moore realized he would actually be called on to defend his record before the voters, Moore hired a team of professional campaign consultants. Moore's paid advisers strongly urged him to lose the online record of his services rendered to developers, and quickly. Being a Chicago alderman is a dirty, rotten, filthy business, nothing a person interested in higher office would want to get involved in, and Joe Moore has been in the thick of the pay-to-play game for 17 years. Following the money from Moore's campaign disclosures to his legislative agenda was like shooting fish in a barrel for Moore's challengers. Every tear-down, zoning change, and luxury condo project raises personal integrity issues even the pros cannot spin their way out of. In late 2006, Moore quietly stopped posting on his website documents related to development, and quietly deleted existing documents.

In the months following his 2007 hair-breadth reelection to his historic 5th term, Moore again briefly dabbled with a show of accountability.

49th Ward Transparency Today

Now, as the music swells in the latest round of musical chairs, the pros are back, desperately attempting to groom a miserable failure of a career ward politician for service on the national scene. Barely recovered from their April, 2007 near-death experience, Moore's political brain trust views an appointment as Moore's last, best hope for career advancement at this point given his record. Moore's retrenchment to his characteristic autocratic style represents the lowest ebb in transparency for the Moore administration since immediately prior to the 2007 aldermanic elections, and that's no coincidence.

• Moore disbanding his so-called "community" zoning committee coincides with the rising of the star of an Illinois Senator in the race for the Democratic nomination for President.
  
  
• Moore's deletion from his website of the archive of documents related to "community" process in development issues on Monday follows the day after Sunday's announcement by US Rep. Jan Schakowsky of her own keen interest in political career advancement via appointment.

Background

City Desk: Rep. Jan Schakowski (Part 1 of 2)
Could Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowski be the state's next senator?
Carol Marin, WMAQ NBC5, original air date Sunday, April 6, 2008

Schakowsky makes play for Obama's seat
If he wins presidency, she 'would be interested'
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH, Chicago Sun-Times Political Reporter, April 6, 2008

Schakking Up With Jan and Joe
commentary from The Bench