http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/polit...-84736672.html Cook County a "Dark Pool of Political Corruption" New study provides insight into 141+ years of political hijinks Updated 8:28 AM CST, Fri, Feb 19, 2010 Cook County has been a "dark pool of political corruption" for more than a century, a new study by the University of Illinois at Chicago says. Nearly 150 employees, politicians and contractors in the nation's second-largest county have been convicted on corruption charges since 1957, according to a report released Thursday by the university and the Better Government Association (.pdf) The 33-page study gives a history of corruption, starting from 1869 when county commissioners were jailed for rigging a bid to paint City Hall. It also details hiring scandals, including some under Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Stroger hasn't been charged with any crime. In the last 36 years, 31 sitting or former Chicago alderman have been convicted of corruption or other crimes. The last was Ike Carothers (29th), who earlier this month plead guilty to charges he accepted gifts in exchange for his votes on zoning issues. The study says reforms could turn things around, including stricter campaign finance laws and amending a county ethics ordinance.
Yeah, I agree. Having grown up in Cook County I am amazed that people continue to put up with that shit. But there is almost no way to vote all of the sobs out at the same time without creating anarchy and chaos. And I'd also be a little surprised if you could find 100 people who wouldn't bend the law at least a little bit to serve. The only people like that are the ones who want to pass ordinances making the county a "nuclear free zone", hike the minimum wage up to $15 dollars, and ban dodgeball from schools. I'm not sure that'd be an improvement.
You mean more anarchy and chaos than the average state of affairs there? There's a pretty decent case to be made for anarchy if the alternative is the status quo.
