Chicago's Politicians Often Play Family Hand-Me-Downs
U.S. Representative Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's decision to handpick a successor in Chicago politics is not an isolated incident. The city has seen this phenomenon unfold numerous times over the years, with many politicians opting for the familiar path of grooming a family member or loyal ally.
In recent weeks, Garcia's move was mirrored by other Chicago pols, who are using the same tactics to install chosen successors. This practice raises questions about the democratic process and the influence of powerful politicians on their parties' nominees.
Chicago's history is replete with examples of machine politics, where incumbents step down before an election or opt out, allowing the mayor to appoint a pick without voter input. These instances often follow a family pattern, where father passes the torch to son or daughter.
In 2014, the Sun-Times noted that Chicago politicians frequently "jimmy rig" the election process to install chosen candidates, resulting in a system of royal succession from parent to child. This practice can leave the installed politician forever beholden to the one who installed them.
This week, state representative Marty Moylan's chief of staff, Justin Cochrane, filed petitions for the 55th District seat, which Moylan has endorsed. Similarly, Javier Loera Cervantes, Muñoz's son-in-law and former campaign manager, filed petitions in the final hours to run for Muñoz's 1st District seat.
These examples are not unique to Chicago politics; similar hand-me-downs can be found across Illinois state government. State Sen. Steve Landek's chief of staff, Mike Porfirio, filed petitions on the last day to run for Landek's seat in 2022, before withdrawing his name and retiring.
The Lipinski family has also played a significant role in this pattern, with Democratic Rep. William Lipinski engineering the elevation of his son, Dan, as his successor in the Southwest Side and suburban 3rd Congressional District in 2004. Similarly, State Sen. Emil Jones III was appointed to his father's seat in 2008.
Other notable examples include Aldermen Richard Mell's appointment of her daughter Deb Mell, Mayor Daley's selection of Margaret Laurino to replace her father Anthony C. Laurino, and the appointment of Todd Stroger as Cook County Board president after his father's stroke.
This pattern of family hand-me-downs highlights the entrenched nature of Chicago politics, where power is often transferred through familial ties rather than a democratic process.
U.S. Representative Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's decision to handpick a successor in Chicago politics is not an isolated incident. The city has seen this phenomenon unfold numerous times over the years, with many politicians opting for the familiar path of grooming a family member or loyal ally.
In recent weeks, Garcia's move was mirrored by other Chicago pols, who are using the same tactics to install chosen successors. This practice raises questions about the democratic process and the influence of powerful politicians on their parties' nominees.
Chicago's history is replete with examples of machine politics, where incumbents step down before an election or opt out, allowing the mayor to appoint a pick without voter input. These instances often follow a family pattern, where father passes the torch to son or daughter.
In 2014, the Sun-Times noted that Chicago politicians frequently "jimmy rig" the election process to install chosen candidates, resulting in a system of royal succession from parent to child. This practice can leave the installed politician forever beholden to the one who installed them.
This week, state representative Marty Moylan's chief of staff, Justin Cochrane, filed petitions for the 55th District seat, which Moylan has endorsed. Similarly, Javier Loera Cervantes, Muñoz's son-in-law and former campaign manager, filed petitions in the final hours to run for Muñoz's 1st District seat.
These examples are not unique to Chicago politics; similar hand-me-downs can be found across Illinois state government. State Sen. Steve Landek's chief of staff, Mike Porfirio, filed petitions on the last day to run for Landek's seat in 2022, before withdrawing his name and retiring.
The Lipinski family has also played a significant role in this pattern, with Democratic Rep. William Lipinski engineering the elevation of his son, Dan, as his successor in the Southwest Side and suburban 3rd Congressional District in 2004. Similarly, State Sen. Emil Jones III was appointed to his father's seat in 2008.
Other notable examples include Aldermen Richard Mell's appointment of her daughter Deb Mell, Mayor Daley's selection of Margaret Laurino to replace her father Anthony C. Laurino, and the appointment of Todd Stroger as Cook County Board president after his father's stroke.
This pattern of family hand-me-downs highlights the entrenched nature of Chicago politics, where power is often transferred through familial ties rather than a democratic process.
. The combination of spicy Gochujang sauce and crunchy kimchi slaw is a total game changer. My friends are all obsessed now too... anyway, back to politics... it's just so weird that these politicians keep passing the torch to their family members like they're in some sort of twisted dynasty. I mean, can't they just pick someone based on qualifications or something? 
, especially in cities like Chicago. It's like, politicians are choosing their own successors instead of letting the people decide 
. I think it's a big problem because it limits competition and opportunities for others to get involved.
. But when it becomes a systemic thing, where only family members or loyal allies are chosen... that's just not right 
. It's like they're rigging the system to keep power in their own hands 
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. But can't we find a way to make it more transparent and inclusive? Maybe have some sort of term limits or rules about who can run for office? 
. It's like they're playing this huge game of musical chairs, but instead of seats, it's power and influence 
. And what really gets me is how often these family hand-me-downs happen without anyone even questioning it or wanting to rock the boat 
. I mean, shouldn't we want politicians who are chosen based on their own merit and qualifications, not just because they're related to someone already in power 
. and it's not just chicago, it seems like this is happening all over the state government too 
? shouldn't politicians be more concerned with doing what's best for their constituents and not just their own families' interests 
?
It's like they think voters are idiots and won't even notice that their rep is just a puppet for the next gen. Meanwhile, we're left with a system that's basically rigged against the people 
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. It's like they're prioritizing family over doing what's best for the people 
. I mean, isn't that what democracy is all about? Having a say in who represents us? It feels like some of these politicians are more interested in keeping their own families in power than in serving the community 
. They'd be like, "Why do you have to make a choice between your family and doing what's right?" And I'd tell them, "That's exactly why we need politicians who are willing to put the needs of others first 
." But it seems like that's not always the case here 
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It's like they're playing this game of "pass the torch" without even bothering to pretend it's fair 
. Like, can't they just do their jobs without relying on their blood or partner-in-crime connections? It's like, they're more worried about keeping the family name going than actually representing the people who voted for them in the first place 
. I mean, what's next? Their kids taking over the family business or something? It's just so...corrupting 
. Can't we have a system that's actually about serving the public instead of serving up family ties? 
. They're more worried about maintaining the status quo and keeping their family names in the game than actually doing what's best for the people they represent. It's like, when do we get to see a politician who doesn't have a personal connection to someone else? 
. Until then, it's just gonna be the same old wheel turning and the power staying in the hands of a select few 
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. It's got all these crazy flavors like matcha-banana or strawberry-balsamic. I'm thinking of trying the strawberry one this weekend, but I need to get my hands on those fancy reusable straws first... do you guys know where I can find those? Anyway, back to Chicago politics... yeah, it seems like family is a pretty big deal in the party machine over there 
