Bob Fioretti will win big – he possesses that rare combination of justice, common sense, compassion, integrity, strength and good will.

Fioretti and Developer Money

• Bob Fioretti has repeatedly said throughout his campaign that he is “the only candidate” not taking money from developers in the 2nd Ward race.

• He has even said that he has “been criticized by other candidates in this race for not taking money from developers”.

• But the truth is that Bob Fioretti HAS taken money from developers.

• Bob Fioretti has said that he will also stop Pay to Play in Chicago Politics.

Case In Point

• Bob Fioretti tried on several occasions to get real estate developer Robert Krilich, Sr. out of jail after he had been convicted in Federal Court on racketeering, fraud, and bribery charges.

• In short, the first time Fioretti represented Krilich, it was because he violated a U.S EPA decree to repair environmental damage cause by one of his developments. He was eventually fined just over 1.2 million dollars by the U.S. EPA.

• The second time, Fioretti tried to get Krilich out of jail after he had bribed a government official on various occasions to help divert public funds to one of Krilich’s real estate developments.

• Despite convictions based on Krilcih’s written admission of guilt and “significant evidence of (his) guilt”, including eyewitness testimony and documentary evidence of false invoices and claims, Bob Fioretti willingly championed Krilich’s attempt to escape his punishment.

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Fioretti and Krilich were wrong and Krilich remained in Federal prison.
Original Case No. 92 C 55354
Appellate Case No. 96-3730
Appearance Filed By Robert Fioretti Representing Krilich, et al. – July, 22, 2003.

Original Case No. 94 CR 419
Appellate Case No. 00 CV 06078
Appearance Filed By Robert Fioretti Representing Krilich – January 27, 2005.

• So what Bob Fioretti should really start saying is that he doesn’t take money from developers as political contributions. But he DOES take money from crooked developers for personal profit.

Closing Point

• This was one of the first “Pay to Play” cases in the State of Illinois. Bob Fiorettti had no problem taking money from a crooked developer in this instance. He also had no moral issue with representing someone involved in a “Pay to Play” case.

• He has used this money from representing crooked developers to fund his race for alderman, which in politics is called SOFT MONEY.

• Bob Fioretti has spent thousands of SOFT DOLLARS of DEVELOPER MONEY on his campaign for alderman up to this point. Just look at money transferred from his law firm to his campaign fund. This is evident in his campaign disclosures. More “soft dollars” should be evident in the upcoming weeks as more campaign contribution reporting is required by law.

Fioretti and Excessive Legal Billing with the City

• Bob Fioretti keeps saying that excessive legal billing is one of the reasons the City has money problems.

• But Bob Fioretti is one of the people who is responsible for excessively billing the City.

Case In Point

• Bob Fioretti represented a City of Chicago employee who, during random drug testing, tested positive for morphine. The employee requested a drug test a month later and tested positive for morphine a second time.

• The City employee had no prescription for morphine and could not offer any excuse or explanation for morphine in his system TWICE and was subsequently fired.

• Bob Fioretti represented the employee against the City of Chicago. He filed a lawsuit saying that the level of morphine wasn’t high enough for the employee to be fired and that the employee had his urine “searched” unconstitutionally and unreasonably.

• Fioretti demanded that the City rehire the employee and that YOU, the taxpayers of the City of Chicago, reimburse the employee for the employee’s back pay, and that the drug testing service and the doctor who retested the sample pay punitive damages.

• Fioretti also demanded that the legal fees for representing the employee, who had twice tested positive for morphine, be paid by YOU, the taxpayers of the City of Chicago.

• City of Chicago attorneys argued that the City fired the employee to maintain the public safety of the citizens.

• A Federal Judge dismissed the case completely.

Closing Point

• Bob Fioretti is one of the reasons the City has problems with excessive legal billing.

• By representing someone like this, Bob Fioretti is saying it’s okay if City workers are on drugs at work while being paid by YOU, the taxpayer!

• I understand it is Bob Fioretti’s right as an attorney to represent whoever he wants, but it is a double standard to represent a City employee who tested positive twice for morphine and say that it is okay for this to occur. Then a few years later he decides to run for alderman. I’m absolutely sure he would say that it is not right for a City employee to be under the influence of drugs on the job now that he is a candidate for alderman.

• Enough double talk Bob. Take a stance on an issue and stick to it.

Case No. 02 C 7267
Appearance Filed By Robert Fioretti
October 9, 2002

“Fioretti is a righteous defender of the underdog.”??

Bob Fioretti is a trial lawyer and lobbyist. He claims to be a good-hearted civil rights attorney and “Great White Hope” for the 2nd Ward. He is on pace to spend the most money ever in an aldermanic race. His campaign contribution reports are fabricated. He hasn’t reported nearly half of what he has spent. Paying people $50 dollars for the day to collect signatures on election day in November at polling places throughout the ward, at least 5 mailers by the first of the year, etc.

The truth is that he’s just another rich white guy with an ego trying to buy a public office. Voters have seen this before. We didn’t fall for it then and we won’t fall for it now!

Here’s more. Bob is a registered lobbyist representing Alanco Technologies.

ROBERT W. FIORETTI
Midwest Public Affairs Group
39 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1400
CHICAGO, IL 60603
(312) 315-0848
ALANCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
This company is one of the largest manufactureres of electronic home monitoring devices in the United States. Bob profits from the pain of people who wear these devices.

Bob has done some noble work, with cases such as the Baby Tamia case. But should someone who calls themself a “civil rights attorney” also be lobbying for government business on behalf of a company like this?

However, I don’t have much riding on this race because it’s not too profitable, except when campaigners drive prices to unreasonable levels. If I bought up shares to $90, it is too easy for Doody-nuts and Wallace people to short sell those positions. That makes it tough to make any money.

I either wait for fools to buy up Doody and Wallace so I can sell them short for easy profit, or I buy the races where there someone is running uncontested.

I think the commercial is directed towards the entire city – that he will be an independent voice on the City Council. He is probably trying to build some name recognition citywide – with his momentum, he probably has his sights on higher offices.

Chicago Tribune Endorsed David Askew for 2nd Ward Alderman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0702120003feb12,0,2898270.story?coll=chi-newsopinion-hed

Id also like to thank whoever runs this site, as Im so glad that this site exists as it provides somewhere to talk about these races. I will be back soon. Later.

It will probably be a run-off, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Fioretti gets the 50+1. He will be close, at least – in the mid-to-high 40s.

I am still undecided about the race, but I definitely am not voting for Fioretti. He stretches the truth on his mailers, makes ridiculous claims (he was the first one to talk about “smart growth” and controlling development? Please. Community leaders in the South Loop have been talking about that for YEARS.) I think he would say or do anything to get elected.

David Askew is coming on strong. He did great at the South Loop School candidates forum and is making lots of inroads in the Dearborn Park/Printer’s Row area.

Q and A on Bob Fioretti.

But Bob doesn’t want you to know this! He is a registered lobbyist for Alanco Technologies, one of the biggest manufacturers of electronic monitoring devices (ankle bracelets) in the country. Again, Bob profits from the pain of others. See for yourself.

www.alanco.com

Bob has been doing this for several months, with the most recent round of calls taking place last week. Whenever someone tells the push poll caller they are not voting for Bob, the caller them makes up ridiculous lies about other candidates. The push poll caller says something negative about every candidate except for Bob. Coincidence? I think not!

Bob Fioretti wants to be like George Bush, who did the exact same thing to spread lies about John McCain. South Carolina voters were asked “Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain for president if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?”

Push polling has been condemned by the American Association of Political Consultants.

But Bob doesn’t seem to mind. Again, there is no limit to how low Bob Fioretti will sink to lie and mislead voters!

He is using this money to fund his race for alderman.

He is trying to hide this because that is who Bob Fioretti is. He’s a rich white guy who is a trial layer and lobbyist. He is only telling one side of the story. He lies to people for a living.

His money comes from representing crooked developers involved in Pay to Play cases and City of Chicago employees who were fired for testing positive for drugs. (See previous posting with case numbers. These aren’t accusations. These are facts!)

This is why Bob Fioretti is hiding where his money is coming from. He’s hoping he can pull one over on the voters. By the time they realize they’ve been swindled, he’s hoping it will be too late to do anything about it!
Bob is making Haithcock look like a saint! Keep it up Bob!

This misleading (and a little bit racist) post was by c8sEL8zd – someone high up in the Askew campaign. Maybe even Askew himself.

The evidence of this individual’s identity is in a recent post by this same individual on Feb, 16 2007 @ 05:34 PM. See my reply.

“David doesn’t try to mislead the residents of the ward, which makes him a far more formidable candidate than Fioretti. The voters are sure to see this.”

I might believe that, and vote for Askew if he fired this sloppy mudslinger.

Why are Askew’s people spending time with this? Aren’t we all trying to get Haithcock out? Is this the leadership we want in the second ward – Someone who would post such unresearched juvenile nonsense to trick people? And then the audacity to pretend it’s from the Wallace Davis campaign….

Shame. Shame. Shame.

Do the voters a favor and play fair. Go out there and get your honest message accross to voters. Some campaigns have money and charisma, some campaigns have great endorsements. I know you all have good stuff to say. Please, do your best to convince people of YOUR positions, and win with some dignity. (something we know the incumbent lacks)

Im an Askew supporter, as I wrote here earlier. Obviously, I think hes the best choice, and now the Tribune does as well. As I have spoken to voters, almost all are undecided. Many want Haithcock out, but have no idea about the others running. They are getting tons of mailings, see the tv ads and all the billboards, and are getting telephone calls. They really want to know who would be the best alderman, not just who can do the most advertising and make the most promises. Who will be honest with them and actually be about serving them when they are in office? Can we talk about that here? Something deeper than my candidate is great and they are so gonna get over 50%+1 in the primary, or your candidate sucks. I little less aggressive and a little more reasoned argument?

Of course, Im willing to start that discussion if we are up for it…

I hope we get some intelligent discussion here.

It’s easier for some of these people to just talk a bunch of junk. (my research tells me they are from the Doody and Davis camp)

Anyway, you want to talk about how the candidates will be honest and serve the people when in office. Good topic – You start it off. I have to run.

Second, all of the other candidates have serious shortcomings:
-Askew might endorse Haithcock if he loses the primary. Why would he be in the race now if he thinks she should continue to be Alderman. This is the lowest type of political backscratching – people are sick of types like Askew always playing angles for personal gain. And what about his claim that he quit the AG’s office? Has that been verified, or is that just another angle he’s playing now.
-Doody. His sister was just named Republican Cook County Chair. The Doody-Vrdolyak connection is long and solid. And the Doody-Vrydolyak machines is connected to Haithcock through business and politics too. This guy is just a plant in this campaign for Haithcock.
-Davis. Convicted of public corruption – enough said.
-Johnson. At least he, along with Fioretti, said they would never support Haithcock, no matter what result in the primary. Both Johnson and Fioretti know the 2nd Ward needs a change. Plus, he’ll be independent, like Fioretti, which seems good – except he’ll answer to the Jackson Machine instead of to the Daley Machine. And except for some expensive billboards, he’s never been seen around the 2nd Ward.
-Haithcock. Universally despised, incompetent, inaccessible, for sale to the highest bidder. She HAS to go – and anybody who would consider supporting her does not deserve a vote on February 27.

Bob Fioretti is the real deal, people. He is genuine, a long-time supporter of civil rights for all, a leader, inclusive, a visionary.
Please support Bob Fioretti on February 27 – for ALL of the 2nd Ward.

my first request is that folks think about giving their names, cause its just too easy to be negative and not constructive when youre anonymous.

my second request is that people pick up the Sun-Times today. somehow, Askew got that endorsement too. Ive been supportive of David since the beginning, looking at his life and his thoughts on what we can do to make the whole ward a better place. But to get both big paper’s endorsements in such a crowded race, I am kinda shocked.

Chicago Sun-Times Endorsed David Askew for 2nd Ward Alderman
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/258136,CST-EDT-EDITS15.article

David doesnt have as much money as the other candidates in this race. He doesnt have the political connections of them either. But he has a great plan for improving all parts of the ward, and his life story is that of a man committed to public service and serving others instead of himself. Its because of those life choices that he doesnt have the money or connections, but its also the reason to believe he will serve us when elected.

Ok, gotta run.

I have dedicated what little free time I have to his campaign and if I could do it over again I would have given even more. David is a Gentleman and would be a great asset for the 2nd ward. I have spent all may shares on David and I hope you will do the same.

"The candidates were also asked whether they would support one of their competitors in the event of a runoff between a challenger and Haithcock if no one receives a majority of the votes in the Feb. 27 elections. Fioretti and Johnson both made firm pledges to do so, while Askew said he would sit down with both candidates and Doody promised to study the issue.

“Madeline Haithcock has to go,” Fioretti said. Johnson agreed."

So, unless Askew promises NEVER to endorse Haithcock, he is not worthy of any vote for Alderman. Why on earth would Askew be running if he would consider Haithcock worthy of remaining as Alderman?! He just sounds like another slick, cover all the bases Chicago style politician. Don’t we already have too many of those?

All your comment says to me is you can only try to show some supposed slickness in David’s response to a legitimate question. He answers by saying he will talk to whomever is there, just talk, that is a far stretch from endorsement. how can you make that connection?

I am embarassed for Fioretti if in fact you are an employee of his because you have no clue what you are talking about. If you are just a concerned citizen like me, again I encourage you to sit down and talk to David and I am confident that he would never say anything to you that was not true.

I do not wish to engage with you any further it is clear you have made your opinion about David already. But please refrain for making false accusations about him. Otherwise I will respond.

Best of Luck to you!

again, if we all gave our names, some of this vitriol might stop.

Based on what he brings to the table and his knowledge of the entire ward, not just the South Loop, my vote goes to Askew. And no, I’m not a volunteer for his campaign, an employee or anything else. I’m just another concerned Chicago voter.

By the way, I encourage everyone in this forum to vote early. Why wait until the 27th if you don’t have to. I voted yesterday and it took less than 10 minutes.

Please explain.

When Did the other candidates aside from Haithcock decide to run? The answer to that should be the answer to your vote. Mine is for Askew.

During a forum, I believe at Columbia College, the candidates were asked if they would support the incumbant in a run-off.

Fioretti and Johnson said they absolutely would not. Askew and Doody said they would weigh the options. There are only 2 options – support Haithcock or support the opponent! Askew did not commit to opposing Haithcock.

So, I ask you again:

How will you “ASSURE” me of that when Askew himself did not assure us that he wouldn’t support Haithcock that night at the candidate forum? He had the opportunity to make a statement, but let us down.

Mr. Askew has been running for a long time, but that doesn’t mean he has done anything for the 2nd ward – it merely means he’s a candidate for office. Length of time in service to your fellow human being is what counts, not how long you’re running for office. I’m certain several candidates have some background in community service, although quite honestly I have no idea what Mr. Askew has done for the 2nd Ward.

Listen, I’m certain Askew supporters are sincere. Just respect that others have their sincere beliefs as well. This campaign isn’t about money or race or gender or assurances or endorsements or how long you’ve been running. It’s about who the people believe should lead the very complex, exciting, vibrant and challenging 2nd Ward. I sincerely believe that person is Bob Fioretti.

Here is the fact, that two of our major newspapers consider David Askew as the candidate to do the best job as Alderman of the 2nd Ward.
That’s all I have to say.

and what about Davis? if it was a runoff between Haithcock and Davis, I hope David would support Haithcock. but thats just me.

and just about this whole exchange, you dont sound like you want a reasonable exchange or a reasonable alderman. i want honesty and thought, not reflex and soundbite. i understand thats the way politics works these days, but excuse me for liking a candidate who refuses that mold. political consultants will tell you to flood the voters with advertising full of promises, empty or not. thats what everybody does, so the candidate with the most money or connections wins. in general, i refuse to support those candidates. and its convenient, cause they are so top-down that i wouldnt be useful anyway.

i think this is part of the problem with our politics, and it turns me off. my guess is thats the effect it has on most voters. in addition, its gotta be about more than just that candidate but also part of a movement.

call me a sucker for the David and Goliath story.

Maggos says Askew would sit down with Haithcock and her oponent to decide who to support.

Yet, Stieferman (who knows David personally) “ASSURES” us that Askew would never support Haithcock.

I can understand that supporters often hear different sides of the story from their candidate, and often get the wrong impression. It happens. But, which is it? Has Askew been saying one thing at forums, but something different to his friends?

Am I missing something? Please clarify. I’d like to know where he really stands.

Stick to what really matters not who is going to back who in a run-off

But what each candidate proposes to do?
Education:
Fioretti: I want to reduce class sizes
(typical response, means nothing to me, and how the heck is he going to do that? he has no authority over it)
Askew: I want to work with programs like After School Matters, and Education to Careers to help the children of the 2nd Ward have the chance to meet the challenges of the future. I want to encourage Professionals and private industry to be more involved at the community level by offering mentoring programs.
(This is real, not some sound bite)

Just on that alone I can see that David is a far better candidate for this job.

You may not think it matters, but I want to know. It’s a matter of integrity.

And of course endorsements are always nice when you get them. I certainly would be crowing if my candidate received them. But let’s have a bit of perspective. The Sun Times endorsed Todd Stroger, and the Tribune endorsed George W. Bush (twice). And the fact is that both papers referred to the challengers as strong candidates. So, I guess we’ll all have to wait and see what happens on February 27. May the best man win.

Please, let us know if you find any evidence of that.

- It was David who organized our community to clean up our neighborhood.

- It was David that became a CAPS facilitator and organized our community to get rid of the drug dealers in our neighborhood.

- It was David the asked the police commanders of two districts and the alderman for resolutions to the crime problem that existed in our neighborhood after an innocent teen was murdered while waiting for a bus at Madison and Western.

- Its because of David, no-cruising signs were erected so that the Police can curtail prostitution in the area.

- It was David who helped us to send petitions to the alderman regarding a builder who was constructing a complex that did not have sufficient parking.

- It was David who spoke with CPS officials and helped us to get a Montessori public school in my area.

I’m voting for David Askew.
Proverbs 29:2 – When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…

Original Case No. 94 CR 419

Appellate Case No. 00 CV 06078

Appearance Filed By Robert Fioretti Representing Krilich – January 27, 2005.

Oakbrook Terrace residential proposal falls apart

By Thomas A. Corfman
May 23, 2006
A little-noticed development proposal by AvalonBay Communities Inc. that would have added nearly 1,700 units to Oakbrook Terrace has fallen apart after the Virginia-based real estate investment trust (REIT) failed to win zoning approval for the massive project.

The 82-acre parcel, known as Royce Renaissance, is controlled by developer Robert R. Krilich, who is scheduled to be released from federal custody in October after a 1995 federal conviction for bribing Oakbrook Terrace officials to win approval for his own huge plan for the site, located along Butterfield Road in the western suburb.

AvalonBay terminated the deal earlier this year when it determined that city officials were unlikely to approve the plan for the site, currently zoned for just 364 residential units, according to a lawsuit filed by the REIT earlier this month in federal court in Chicago.

The lawsuit, which seeks the return of a $1 million deposit and other damages, also alleges that Mr. Krilich failed to fix multiple problems with the property’s title.

Mr. Krilich is serving a 14-year sentence after he was convicted of repeatedly bribing Oakbrook Terrace officials, including then-Mayor Richard Sarallo, to gain a public subsidy for his proposed development. In one instance, Mr. Krilich admitted to rigging a hole-in-one golf tournament for Mr. Sarallo’s son.

An attorney for Mr. Krilich did not return phone calls.

GUESS WHO THE ATTORNEY WAS!!!!

Feb. 09, 2003
Largest vacant tract is sold
A Cleveland-based real estate developer has agreed to pay about $70 million for the largest remaining vacant tract in Oakbrook Terrace. Forest City Enterprises Inc., one of the developers of the Central Station project in the South Loop, is paying about $1 million an acre for the 90-acre parcel, not including roads, which account for about 20 acres, said selling broker Robert R. Krilich of Royce Realty & Management Corp.

Mr. Krilich’s family owns the land through a trust. Forest City’s preliminary plans call for a mix of residential and commercial — mostly retail — development, and possibly a golf course on the site, which abuts Butterfield Road.

Real Estate Review

By H. LEE MURPHY
Jan. 17, 2000

In a bid to preserve open space and control flooding, the DuPage County Forest Preserve District is attempting to prevent development on two county golf courses. The district is close to a deal on a conservation easement that would bar development at Itasca Country Club. Under a proposed deal, the membership-owned club would retain title but receive a premium for relinquishing development rights. The next target is proving more elusive. After informal talks went nowhere with the owner of Country Lakes Golf Club on Naperville’s west side, forest district commissioners voted in late December to condemn the 203-acre parcel. Officials still hope to reach a deal outside court. “This site is important for storm water management in the area. A lot of homes experience flooding problems around the course,” says Commissioner William Maio, who heads the county’s Finance and Land Acquisition Committee. “By condemning the land, we limit the opportunities the owners might have in changing the zoning and increasing the price of the property.” The county would continue to operate the property as a golf course. The majority owner of the course, as well as 240 vacant acres to the west, is Royce Realty Co. of Oakbrook Terrace, which is controlled by Robert R. Krilich. Mr. Krilich was found guilty in 1995 of bribing Oakbrook Terrace officials in return for approval of a $135-million high-rise apartment complex, which was never built. Mr. Krilich is in federal prison in Virginia while appealing his sentence; calls to his son Robert Krilich Jr., who is running Royce, were not returned last week. But general manager Kenneth Kaulen says he spoke by phone recently with the senior Mr. Krilich and “he was not interested in the county’s offer. The money wasn’t enough. (The county) thought they would be able to get the property for a bargain-basement price.” Since 1985, the DuPage Forest Preserve has purchased three golf courses and negotiated a conservation easement at a course in West Chicago.

REALTY DEAL WOULD BE SLAM DUNK

By JULIE JOHNSSON
Oct. 06, 1997

A deal struck by the U.S. attorney’s office clears the way for real estate developer Robert Krilich to peddle his holdings — including an 80-acre tract that amounts to about one-eighth of Oakbrook Terrace — from behind bars.

The agreement, slated to be reviewed by a federal judge Oct. 14, enables Mr. Krilich to post a $14.4-million federal bond secured by the west suburban real estate that he’d then be allowed to develop and sell.

The bond would act as collateral for the nearly $10 million in fines and forfeitures facing Mr. Krilich, 66, while he appeals a 1995 conviction for fraud and racketeering.

Thawing the two-year freeze on Mr. Krilich’s assets — in place since his conviction — could also heat up economic development in cash-strapped Oakbrook Terrace, where Mr. Krilich owns the city’s last stretch of prime vacant land and a mostly empty office building.

‘Close to reality’

The town of 2,400 stands to reap a windfall as the feds pressure Mr. Krilich to finally close deals on land that’s stood empty for a quarter-century, says Mayor William Kallas.

Mr. Krilich’s business plan for the site calls for apartments, golf course condominiums, a large discount store and a hotel — growth that would net the 1.8-square-mile community as much as $1.2 million annually in new taxes — 60% more than the $1.96 million it currently collects.

The first contracts could be inked this fall, says Mayor Kallas. “I think we’re close to reality on that site. The court matter is probably the impetus to having it happen. He’ll have to come up with some money.” Mr. Krilich didn’t return calls.

But the embattled developer likely will have to close any transactions from behind bars. He’s slated to begin serving a 64-month sentence Oct. 31, and has been denied bail while appealing his conviction for racketeering, conspiracy and 14 counts of bank fraud.

Mr. Krilich was convicted of repeatedly bribing former Mayor Richard Sarello and the city’s zoning administrator to gain city-backed funding for a proposed 2,000-unit high-rise apartment complex on Mr. Krilich’s Butterfield Road site. In the most famous of these payoffs, Mr. Krilich later admitted rigging a hole-in-one golf tournament for Mr. Sarello’s son.

In addition to the prison sentence handed down in June, Mr. Krilich was ordered to pay a $1-million fine and forfeit $8.6 million in land and assets gained from his crimes, including a $2-million ownership stake in a Naperville golf club.

If Mr. Krilich isn’t able to pay the $7.6 million he still owes, the federal government has the right to seize other properties — including his Oakbrook Terrace tract.

The developer is also using that 80-acre parcel to secure the financial bond, amounting to 150% of his penalties, that will keep the feds from confiscating his properties during the appeals process. Mr. Krilich reportedly owns other substantial tracts in South Barrington and Palatine.

The bond agreement, to be reviewed next week by U.S. District Judge John Grady, would also lift a 1995 restraining order barring Mr. Krilich from transferring any assets. “He may well, once the bond is on record, be able to sell other properties,” says a spokesman for the U.S. attorney. “It’s up to the court.”

Mr. Krilich, known as a tough real estate negotiator, has been locked in tense talks with federal prosecutors. His incarceration date was pushed back from Oct. 1 to 31 to allow the two sides to hammer out forfeiture and bond terms. Federal officials would not comment on these discussions.

“He hasn’t paid so far, but he’s rushing to settle,” says Mayor Kallas, who has an understandable interest in the outcome. “The feds are motivated to allow him to convert real estate assets into cash, or be assigned properties that have the value they can be guaranteed will produce those cash dollars.”

The business plan for the vacant site informally vetted by Mr. Krilich with the mayor and two other city officials could provide the hard cash the government seeks.

Under that plan, Mr. Krilich would give a hotel chain free rein to convert a three-story, 72,000-square-foot office building and adjacent banquet hall, both of which have stood largely empty for the past seven years. He would sell 30 acres to develop about 600 apartments, another 30 acres for a nine-hole golf course and about 400 condominiums and the remaining 20 acres to a discount retailer.

Mr. Krilich reportedly is in discussions with Michigan-based Meijer Inc. to build a discount store along Butterfield Road. Meijer is already planning its first Chicago-area store in southwest suburban Bolingbrook, and is considering other regional sites, a spokesman says. At this point, an Oakbrook Terrace deal is still speculation, he adds.

Plan draws hostility, skepticism

But Mr. Krilich’s development plan has elicited hostility from some Oakbrook Terrace residents — and open skepticism from real estate brokers.

Alderman Joe Flanagan blasts Mayor Kallas for meeting secretly with Mr. Krilich to review development proposals and for promoting more construction in an already overbuilt area.

“It’s the last piece of operable land for our city,” he says. “It should be done right. I’d like to see a lot of open space devoted to it.”

But a commercial broker, who asked not to be identified, is skeptical that Mr. Krilich has any serious takers as he prepares for jail.

“Nobody wants to touch (the property),” he says. “People are scared of him. Most corporations don’t want to get into bed with people like that.”

High-risers rebel
Redeveloped areas around the Loop could elect a truly independent alderman
Three decades after rapid change and rampant development in Lincoln Park helped spawn political heartburn for Mayor Richard J. Daley, an oddly similar dynamic may be setting up on the South Side lakefront for Mayor Daley II.
Chicago’s most interesting aldermanic race this election year is in the 2nd Ward, where incumbent Alderman Madeline Haithcock — a Daley ally also backed by Chicago real estate developers — is trying to hold off a charge by attorney Bob Fioretti and a pack of other candidates hoping to replicate Bill Singer’s feat in beating the Machine in the 1969 race for alderman of the 43rd Ward.
Though history never exactly repeats itself, the core issue is the same: Does an alderman mostly answer to constituents, or to someone else?
Ms. Haithcock, 63, was appointed by the mayor 14 years ago to succeed then-alderman, now-Congressman Bobby Rush, D-Chicago. Her difficult challenge has been to preside over an absolute explosion of development in the ward while protecting the interests of the ward’s black population, which has consistently elected black aldermen since 1915. The 2nd Ward is a skinny dogleg that runs from Sacramento Avenue on the West Side through the Loop and then south along the lake to 35th Street.
Even though development has changed the ward’s racial composition markedly in the past four years, Ms. Haithcock insists she has done “a remarkable job” for everyone. “I’ve taken blighted areas and turned them into new condos and retail and restaurants,” she says, claiming credit for everything from development of the Museum Campus and Dearborn Park to creation of the Roosevelt Road retail strip and Chicago Housing Authority rehabs.
But Mr. Fioretti, 53, a wealthy lawyer best known for his work in the Baby Tamia adoption case, says he almost always gets the same answer when he asks residents about their alderman: “I’ve never seen him.” Much of the development the incumbent brags about is too large for the area, he argues, with too little attention to the retail and pedestrian features that would make the ward work as a neighborhood.
Mr. Fioretti also raps Ms. Haithcock’s vote with Mayor Daley against the proposed big-box minimum wage bill. “If we’re to be competitive in a global economy, we need good wages and health insurance,” he says.
Similar comments come from the other candidates. They include businessman Kenny Johnson, who has plastered the ward with billboards picturing him and his biggest political ally, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Chicago; David Askew, former deputy chief of the civil rights division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office; businessman Larry Doody, the brother of Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman, and former Alderman Wallace Davis Jr., who was convicted of federal corruption charges in 1997.
Mayor Daley is pulling out lots of stops to help Ms. Haithcock, with longtime top mayoral operative Rich Monnochio running her campaign and other mayoral hands nearby.
But it’s hard for Ms. Haithcock to run away from what should be the major issue in the race: the stunning amount of campaign cash she’s accepted from developers whose projects an all-powerful alderman such as herself can block or bless. In the first half of last year, for instance, better than 60% of the $98,000 raised by Ms. Haithcock came from developers, architects and other interested parties. The figure hit 70% of the $55,000 in gifts she detailed in the last half of 2006.
In 25 years of political reporting, I’ve never seen that kind of special-interest percentage for a candidate.
“I get my money from anybody who wants to give it to us,” Ms. Haithcock replies. “I don’t discriminate.”
Right. Your City Hall at work.
The city’s potent labor unions haven’t yet officially weighed in on the race. They’re waiting for a runoff election, not wanting to choose among Mr. Fioretti and the others. But you can expect big involvement if there is a runoff, and insiders who are following this race say it’s possible Mr. Fioretti may get the 50% he needs in the first round.
Keep watching. This one has legs.
©2007 by Crain Communications Inc.

GO BOB!!!

"As a resident and community activist. I must say that I have seen Mr. Fioretti all over the neighborhood.
He’s working hard and he’s not event the Alderman. I’m very pleased to see we finally have a candidate
that cares about the community and is versed on the issues that matter. "

“I am very pleased to see WE finally have a candidate that cares about the community”????

What neighborhood is that? You are registered to vote in the 13th Ward. As Bob Fioretti’s
campaign manager you’d think you would be smart enough not to use your real name. All you
have to do is click on the user name and it shows you who the name is registered. No need to
mention your name. I’ll save you the embarrassment.

South Loop is anywhere near the 13th Ward. The rest of the Fioretti campaign followed suit and
has been claiming to be 2nd Ward residents as well. You’d think with all the money Bob has
dumped into this race that he’d at least hire a professional staff.

Do us all a favor and tell your campaign staff to stop posing as “concerned residents” in support of
Bob Fioretti. It’s insulting to the actual voters of this ward. David doesn’t try to mislead the residents
of the ward, which makes him a far more formidable candidate than Fioretti. The voters are sure to see this.

c8sEL8zd, You are trying to pretend to be some regular voter….

So, how do you know where she is registered to vote? You must have been in Askew’s campaign office when you wrote that. (or maybe you ARE Askew)

How else would you have voter info so readily available?

And you’d have to be extremely involved in the campaign to recognize her name – do you really think the average voter would?

Who is the one “insulting voters” and “misleading residents”?

YOU ARE A FRAUD!

Hi Im Bob Fioretti and I am going to work for you! (cliche)
Hi Im Bob Fioretti and I am going to make the streets safer for you (cliche)
Hi Im Bob Fioretti and I am going to help education by reducing class size (if that is not the biggest cliche of them all) What does that even do for better education?
Give me a Break!

I don’t know what all the hoopla is over him. So he has great press advisors who have been able to shop favorable stories to people like Greg Hinz. So what? That won’t get you any votes in the 2nd Ward.

His new nickname for me is Fooleretti. Lots of mailers, lots of advertising, but in the end, not much substance. When you dig down deep, like Laura Washington did, people are not fooled anymore.

One of Fioretti’s staffers is on here accusing Askew and other candidates campaigns of skewing the market making it worthless when it is FIORETTI’s people who have been doing this very thing.

Bob Fooleretti: fooling some of the people some of the time, but not for long. No endorsements from newspapers, no real support, only that which can be bought and paid for.

As for the NOW endorsement, please. Madeline Haithcock is the only woman in this race. She is solidly pro-choice. Yet, NOW endoreses Fioretti? Something tells me that the next time NOW releases its donor lists Bob will be listed as a big contributor.

Askew has the big momentum now!

I dont understand how the trading of candidate shares makes any sense. perhaps its fun to participate in it as a game if you actually care about your values in the long run, but supporters of different candidates will obviously mess with it if at all possible because they have little invested in the longterm outcome but understandably want to make their candidate appear in the most positive light to undecided voters who visit to get some information on the race and the candidates. the system is basically flawed, and weve obviously seen almost every candidates supporters attempt to raise their candidate’s profile. no reason for this to stop, but its best if we all understand the situation and stop claiming otherwise. in addition, its best for every supporter of a candidate if undecided voters understand this when they visit. otherwise, were all gonna waste a lot of time. perhaps we could try to make all candidate shares equal here. yes, im a crazy idealist.

next, im gonna repeat my request that folks on here give their name and who they support. and stop creating multiple names to appear as though your candidate is so well represented here or that they are truly winning over the undecided voter. im sensing a lot of disingenuous comments on here.

and lets refrain from overt attacks on candidates, whether its name-calling or has some basis in facts. the internet is built on links, so if you want to say something negative (or positive), you should be able to link to it, right?

how can we make this site provide more value for the undecided voter?

In addition to David’s exciting endorsement by the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, on February 19th David will be formally endorsed by Democracy for America (DFA), a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government. WLS-TV Channel 7 News covered the DFA press conference.

UPCOMING CANDIDATES FORUM – FEBRUARY 22ND

The Homeowners of West Town is hosting a Candidates’ Forum on Thursday, February 22 at St. Malachy’s School, 2252 W. Washington, 7:00 p.m.

To date, Bob Fioretti has received the following endorsements:

National Organization of Women (NOW)

Chicago Fire Fighters Local 2

Independent Voters of Illinois – Independent Precinct Organization (IVI-IPO)

Illinois Committee for Honest Government

Advocates Society

Italian American Fraternal Order of Police

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois

Jewish Political Alliance of Chicago

Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century (DL21-C)

And for the final time, I am not on Fioretti’s or any campaign. I just happen to think Bob is a great guy and is exactly what the ward needs in every way.

;)

Is this the same progressive, “democrat” Bob Fioretti now running for Alderman’s law firm, or another Fioretti?

Why don’t you tell us who David has defended? Thank goodness the Tribune endorsed David Askew and George Bush. What a flattering compliment to a man that can’t keep his story straight. You decide which one.

As far as living in the ward again you have no idea what you are talking about. David’s Church is on California and Washington which is just a block out of the 2nd ward and he has been going there since a child. He went to Whitney Young which is in the 2nd ward, he has lived in the ward for about 7 years but has spent most of his life very close to the ward. Especially the part that gets neglected the most.

SO how dare you compare Fioretti to Askew on that, Fioretti is a transplant if I have every seen one! He doesnt even know the boundaries of the ward without looking at a map!

If you knoweverything tell us some things about Bob? rather than making ignorant statments about a candidate you have no clue about.

And, Great One, I am afraid your explaination just does not wash. Fioretti was a name partner in this firm, and he simply allowed Mr. Dejardins to donate the firm’s money to Republicans?! I don’t think so. Either Bob approved of the donations or he had no clue what was occuring in his own firm. If what you say is true, then Bob should have made Mr. Desjardins make the contributions individually. Either way, this looks bad for Bob. Especially since he has been campaigning since day one as “Democrat for 2nd Ward Alderman”. Usually, Aldermanic candidates do not mention party label because it is, in fact, a non-partisan election. Candidates only put party label out in Aldermanic elections when they have something to hide.

Bob and his campaign brought this upon himself. Had he not constantly tried to prove he was a “progressive Democrat”, the point about his law firm’s contributions to Jim Ryan would be irrelevant. Especially a contribution to Jim Ryan, of all people. Jim Ryan, the very antithesis of what it means to be a progressive.

The Fioretti campaign must be scared. They failed to get a single newspaper endorsement despite all the money they have spent so far. So, they bring up the completely irrelevant fact of the Tribune’s having endorsed Bush as a way to descredit the Trib and David Askew.

Who is calling names? The Fioretti campaign, not anybody else. They think they are entitled to the Alderman’s office. Sorry, folks. It doesn’t work like that.

Feels so good to know three very important papers can be so wrong about a person and his character.

What is odd are the hateful comments by Askew supporters on this blog? Is that the caliber of people Askew surrounds himself with? And why do they spend all of their time attacking Fioretti, and NEVER ONCE go after the incumbent alderman? Makes one wonder aabout more backroom dealings between Askew and Haithcock.

Fioretti has the experience and integrity to give every citizen of the 2nd Ward hope to have a voice at City Hall. He is well versed in all areas of municipal government. He is a defender of civil rights as an attorney, and has an impressive track record of victories against heavy odds. Bob has a long proud history as a champion of progressive causes, which is how I first met him. He doesn’t give slick answers like some candidates – he just tells it like it is. Fioretti is going to send the incumbent packing. Bob Fioretti will make the 2nd Ward a place where we’ll all be proud to call home.

The other candidates are good guys, but I just don’t get the impression they have the background or experience to tackle the issues that are causing us so much angst in the Ward (taxes, development unchecked, crime, and my personal interest education).

Matters not a bit – Fioretti will prevail on Tuesday.

and it isnt wrong of you to have an opinion, but when you call someone racist without even giving any reason, im gonna call it hateful.

in addition, your comments here seem much more directed against Askew than against Haithcock. perhaps as youve written, you see some kind of conspiracy that links both candidates. when its all about 50%+1, i dont understand how it would even make sense.

but i agree, we should all spend more time explaining why Haithcock must be replaced. the problem is that i think there are no Haithcock supporters here to argue with, and most of us just assume that anybody who comes here would understand that she needs to go. but in addition, ive heard on multiple occasions that the only reason some people have been supporting Fioretti over Askew is that Fioretti has the money to win. so if all you really want is get rid of Haithcock, the idea was to find the person with the best chance, and that meant money and that meant Fioretti. as a veteran of these electability arguments before, i actually believe you should support the best candidate and not just any alternative. i believe thats Askew, and i think the endorsements help to even out the money and connections advantages of the other candidates. so excuse Askew supporters for not just complaining about Haithcock, but instead making the case that Askew is better than all the alternatives.

i cannot make the case to you about his plan or his ability to do the job better than anyone else. there have been many forums, and many opportunities for candidates to steal each other’s good ideas. i believe that David has been running longest of the challengers and many of his ideas have been picked up by others, but i cant prove this. additionally, if youve made it to the forums, the feedback i get from most people is that David and Bob seem most capable, Larry reads off his notes too much but is getting better, and Johnson just doesnt have much substance. (perhaps this is all just due to David and Bob being the two lawyers) and then you can look at all the endorsements, and make up your own mind about how to value them. of course I think that getting both big papers in this city in this crowded race is significant, but im biased.

the other part to note about David is that his whole life has been about public service. he chose to join the Navy after law school, and then after that, he left the better salary of a big law firm to work as a civil rights lawyer in the Office of Attorney General Lisa Madigan. he is also on many different charitable boards, but most importantly i feel is that he chose to live in a struggling part of the ward and to join CAPS in order to make it safer. this attests to his character, imho.

so to me, David is the complete package. independent outside sources say he is the best candidate and his plan is the best. his life attests to a person always willing to make the personal sacrifices to serve others, which is something i think this city sorely needs when too many get into office just to help themselves or their friends. this is the core of why i strongly support him.

Out of all of the candidates, David is the one who has faithfully done things to improve the quality of life for people in the 2nd ward. He helped some South Loop condo people with a rat problem near the River City area, provided information to a South Loop resident who wanted a speed bump on his street because he is near an elementary school, hosted clean and green activities with youth on the West Side, and worked with CAPS to help the community residents manage crime and quality of life issues. These are a few of many things David has done to help our Second Ward community. There are many more.

David is a servant leader and he has my support.

Your question/allegation – gives me to the opportunity to clarify that the Navy did not pay for his education. It was a voluntary decision. This makes an even more compelling case for others to consider his service as genuine. There was no “little time requirement to be met.”

I understand that he worked at a prive law firm…AND????…that does not negate his commitment to public service. In fact, he left the private firm to work for the Attorney General because he missed that public service connection, at a significant salary reduction, and without a “little time requirement.”

You should change your name from IKnowEverything to ISpeculateMuch…

Love,

Sparky

I have no question in my mind that Bob wants to be Alderman and you may think he would be good at it (who knows) My issue with Bob is that he has come off to me the many times I met him as aloof, someone who thinks he can throw money around to win this election and use phrases like I am going to reduce class size to help education. I am sorry but that does not cut it for me. This is not an attack on Bob this is stating what he has told me and what we see in his lovely commercial. That is my opinion, which I hope you can respect.

More interesting everytime I have posted a great endorsement that David has recieved all you do is say how crappy or biased the papers are. That is a very strong statement to make. It leaves me wondering then what do you read or believe in, what paper is left for you to read?

I can assure you that had they endorsed Fioretti I would have not said one word like you did, becaue I am able to accept things like that however, I would quickly question myself and see what am I missing that everyone else seems to get.

David has created a very positive movement. He has never attacked any candidate because it is not about that. It is about giving the ward back to the people and that is what he is running for. Tuesday is near and it will be a nail bitter for sure. I have to be out of town so I am sad I can not share in David’s happiness this 27th but believe me I will be a very happy man!

As for Haithcock, she is not even worth wasting time to talk about, she left the building a long time ago.

It comes down to David and Bob and my vote went to David and I am sure I will not be the only one, the people will speak!

and dont assume all Askew supporters know each other on here, or that this is an effort by the campaign. people usually hate most what is in their own hearts. if you object to an individual’s posts on here, call them out directly. dont try to smear all Askew supporters with the comments of a few. and address the individual issue, cause then a real dialogue can be had instead of this mass condemnation. we can then debate the individual issue, and get to the root of it.

and are you saying we shouldnt argue for our candidate here? i think we should, we just shouldnt do it with lies or slander or attempts to mislead the casual reader. if we all gave our names (William Maggos), we might be more civil.

Looks like the Fioretti ship is sinking fast…….

IKnowEverything, you sure have thin skin. Relax.

Fioretti’s law firm gave money to Republicans George and Jim Ryan. What about that can you not handle, Blackbeard?

National Organization of Women (NOW) retracts their endorsement of Bob Fioretti!!!! Why would they do this you may ask?

Rumor has it that Bob Fioretti has a restraining order filed against him!!!

See for yourself. www.chicagonow.org

David Askew better be very careful of his accusations. As well as you mr/mrs x6…The law firm that David worked for will not make him look to “perfect.” Additionally, I wonder why Mr. Askew was terminated from that firm and the Illinois Attorney General?

I would suggest you be very careful on this issue you speak of. I have no PROBLEM posting Mr. Askew’s termination letters. Lastly, I will provide all the documentation that I need to “native son” to show what a charlatan David Askew is.

Again, perhaps you should do more than slap untrue accusations and bs messages on a “BLOG.”

Native Son…I received the same document you did. I guess Mr. Askew can’t run around and keep bs’ing everyone he speaks to.

I wonder why David Askew and Madeline Haithcock decided to ‘release’ these accusations three days before the election? Sounds like a last minute desparation ploy by two people trying to manipulate an election.

David Askew and Madeline Haithcock. Two people who want the same. To line their pockets at our expense!

You are a racist, extremist, divisive LIAR.

ps…However, we do enjoy your manifistations. Comical.

If you only knew the truth. Actually, once you see these court filings and the admonitions from the accuser…well, I don’t expect to see you “blogging.”

Keep lying about court cases you know nothing about or statements you can’t even comprehend..

Have a nice night Enrique

Have a nice night douglas.

Hope you enjoy reading the “Sun” in the grocery line. Guess what… aliens abducted Anna Nicole Smith’s body. You want to keep talking about misiformation?

I know…I know…It is hard for you to understand the truth…keep it up. You are only helping with you’re ignorant rantings. Get yourself an education or at the very least the ability to read. Dumbass.

I know a guy named Douglas…Hey Loddy…Loddy Low…

He is only helping the best candidate that he don’t know…

Hey loddy…loddy low…

Once again, wait until you see how well the TRUTH sets you apart and helps Bob win.

Sleep tight Enrique

We want to know

“Snap?” Isn’t that the term the girl utilizes in “My Name is Earl?” You really are pathetic.

Have anything positive to say about anyone? Didn’t think so…

In a series of mailings, Fioretti misrepresented several of David’s answers given at a November Candidates’ Forum, including distorting David’s position on Big Box, and blatantly lying when stating that David considered this a “part-time job” and that he would “still take on outside work if elected.”

To clarify his position, Askew notes:
He has always stated that people who work full-time should be able to adequately support themselves and their families, and has publicly and repeatedly affirmed that he would support a living wage.
He has always asserted that residents and business owners must guide and drive how the Second Ward develops and how it is managed, and that they should never have to pressure their alderman to do what is in their best interest. As such, he would solicit direct input through the creation of Community Advisory Councils that would enable stakeholders to clearly articulate their needs and wants.
He has always maintained that unlike others who consider this a part-time position, the alderman’s job is a full-time job, and as such, he is prepared to work as many hours as necessary to fulfill his obligations to the people of the Second Ward.

Could you please scan them and post it?

Oh, and please compare Askew’s note above to the following videos:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=askew+alderman

I asked Bob about it, and he denied any knowledge of it. Until this weekend and the mailings attacking David, I believed him.

Fioretti Tries to Confuse Voters About Newspaper Endorsements
side 1
side 2

Fioretti Attacks Askew
side 1
side 2

“somebody” Attacks Askew
(cant see who it is paid for on this one)
side 1
side 2

No, the truth about Mr. Askew’s inconsistencies should come out. If they are stated on the record and he is not sharp enough to realize the video camera’s are rolling that is his problem. I seem to recall the Doody camp having a couple cameras at these things. Makes sense now. As a stooge for Vrdoliak and Madeline it only makes sense that he would try and knock everyone else down to keep her in a run off.

Bob will win on Tuesday. Because he is the most qualified and experienced.

David Askew lives in a part of the ward that is predominantly poor and African-American. As an African-American who isnt poor living there, he is constantly being asked “you got a job?” and “can you get me a job?” So naturally, what he heard from his community the loudest and most often were people desperate for work. As much as he deeply believes in people being paid well and fairly for what they do, he was struggling with the idea that his vote could deprive these folks that he sees everyday of a job possibility, even at a lower wage. that is why it meant so much for him to see his nearby precincts vote so strongly for the ordinance. he could now be assured that the majority understood that it wasnt just about any job, but that the job needed to be a good paying job with some benefits.

but of course, we all could have seen David say exactly this if the video hadnt been edited, and it would have only taken another minute or two since response times were limited. and if you still thought that was a bad answer, you are welcome to your opinion of course. but whoever posted the video to youtube seemed to think his/her edited version would put David in a more negative light. they werent concerned about showing his complete answer, as anyone interested in an educated voter base would.

David Askew admits he was against Big Box, but Fioretti sent out a piece that accused David of holding that position because he doesnt care about poor people. its actually because David made the personal decision to live in a poor area and try to improve it by joining CAPS and being a local mentor and other programs that David was hesitant to support the ordinance. and in yet another example of his honesty and integrity, before the referendum and while he was still opposing the ordinance, he told the Loop DFA who supported the ordinance that he was against it before he was asked. he faced some opposition for that, but he explained his position just as he did at the forum and people understood that he coming from that same place that all progressives do but simply had a different understanding of how to achieve the most for all.

Fioretti sent out two mailings attacking David. it seems that his supporters were not doing enough on this forum and elsewhere. Fioretti supporters on here are claiming that what is in these pieces are not inaccurate or distortions but instead are simply the exposing of David’s previous statements. to those who dont know what to think, please think on the following…

1. why is it so hard to find the ‘Paid for by Fioretti for Alderman’ text on the mailings? (below the curtain on one, and near the postage mark on the other one) if its just the facts, why isnt he proud to be the one correcting the record on issues so important to voters?

2. why now? Everything quoted from David (without quotations) is from the same GSLA Forum on 11/18/06. why not correct the public record before now, especially now that early voting has already ended? it seems an utter shame that many folks voted without seeing these pieces and their pertinent information.

here is the official response from the Askew campaign

lastly, I hate that our politics has devolved to soundbites. it is exactly because of the type of campaign that Fioretti has resorted to that we rarely get to hear a complex and deeply felt explanation by a politician about where they stand on the issues. if they do that, some opponent will take just one sentence and distort it. I dont believe that the average voter is unable to handle complexity or wouldnt be more interested in politics and government if our leaders were not so afraid of sounding human. but like so many things, it takes one bad apple to ruin the whole bunch.

I was at the forum as well. My name is William Maggos, and I was in the back where you could hang up your coat, having come in right at the end after handing out literature for David outside. I definitely dont recall a couple of Doody cameras that day, as there couldnt have been more than four total and I think two were for David and two for Fioretti. but youve got that whole anonymous thing going for ya, and have been so unwilling to change that no matter how many times I ask. you can say you were there and so was Bono from U2, and I guess we should believe you and everything else that any anonymous person on here writes as well. or not.

in addition, if Fioretti does do well, it will be due at least in part to his willingness to engage in the kind of politics we all disdain. congratulations.

Click here for all three, front and back, in different sizes.

my complaints are numerous, but they include:

on the only positive one about him, he lists his endorsements and then right next to them are displayed the mastheads of all the papers that endorsed David. it looks to me like he is trying to confuse voters into thinking that these paper endorsed him.

both other mailings attack David Askew, and the mandatory printing that reads “Paid for by Fioretti for Alderman” is almost impossible to read. on one piece, it is placed below the curtain in one of the darkest areas of the image. and on the other, it is near the postage area but in smaller print than it appears on the mailing that is positive about Fioretti. he doesnt appear to be very proud about what his supporters call ‘setting the record straight’. ive explained below why I feel these pieces of literature are unfair attacks and also linked to the Askew campaign’s clarifications of Fioretti’s distortions.

and as to all those comments below about the NOW endorsement being pulled and the lack of any good reason for that, Ive got a copy of the Order of Protection that was filed against Bob Fioretti in 2003. ask Chicago NOW about it, I hear theyve just started making phone calls to clear up any confusion.

The sad, pathetic truth is that Mr. Askew said these comments and instead of addressing them he is denying that he did. Again, if he is not sharp enough to realize people are taping his comments should he really be in charge of our neighborhoods?

Additionally, there is nothing on the Fioretti pieces that are untrue. Nothing on the Askew pieces are untrue nor are they “attacking” David Askew as a person. Again, David Askew is on the record sating these comments and his D2’s show that everything on those pieces is true.

But, in a disgusting and shameful abuse of the truth David
Askew joined Madeline Haithcock and sent out a taped recording to the voters in this ward with a vile and incorrect message about Bob and the NOW endorsement. We have known since day one Mr. Askew is incapable of telling the truth. Now we now he can’t even research the facts of the legal system. Some lawyer. Even the president of NOW is on the record saying, and I quote…

“we’re in now way indicting Fioretti,”

SHAME ON YOU DAVID ASKEW FOR ALLOWING YOUR DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO WIN AN ELECTION TO DEMEAN WOMEN AND THE PROGRESS THAT THE WOMENS MOVEMENT HAS ACHEIVED OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES.

Now we see you for who you are. A carbon copy of Madeline Haithcock. We don’t need another alderman like that.

Mr. Maggos…shame on you for continuing this horrible and dispicable political mudslinging.

Mr. Askew has chosen a path of deceit and lies to get elected. Tomorrow, the electorate will show he and his pack of political hacks what they think of this kind of dispicable behavior.

But then you go ahead and make the accusation that the Askew campaign was making the phone calls. With this and almost everything else, it seems you dont mind making any and all accusations without proof, anonymously. Instead, I wait for some kind of proof or evidence and just present it and put my name on it. And then I apologize if Im wrong. I think that is an important difference.

It is Fioretti’s campaign that should be ashamed – from trying to make it look like he was endorsed by the Trib, Sun Times and Journal, who have unanimously endorsed David, to printing half-truths and outright lies about David’s position on the issues. Never fear – the voters will see through these shameful tactics on election day.

You can’t be trusted with the truth Mr. Stiefermann. You are on David’s mail pieces and are an active supporter/paid employee of David’s. Perhaps you should have thought out your baseless attacks before you conducted that phone call.

Again, Mr. Askew is ON THE RECORD stating each and every fact on those pieces.

if anyone thinks those negative pieces about David are full of facts, ask anyone who was there personally. Im guessing even the Fioretti bloggers here wouldnt be willing to say that directly to your face. Visit the campaign office and ask them. If you look at the piece, why is Fioretti trying to hide that his campaign paid for it? Why did they send it out after early voting when they all make accusations about a forum in November?

until the Fioretti supporters here at least engage in some dialogue about these important concerns, they are just trolls and not interested in informing the public. too bad.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0702260043feb26,1,5412953.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

CAMPAIGN 2007

Sunday a day of rest for no one but Daley
By Dan Mihalopoulos and Robert Becker, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune staff reporter Gary Washburn contributed to this report
Published February 26, 2007

Mayor Richard Daley took the day off from the campaign trail on the final Sunday before voters decide whether to elect him to a sixth term.

While challenger Dorothy Brown led a South Side rally of her supporters, the mayor’s re-election campaign announced that Daley would make no public appearances.

Many of the mayor’s allies on the City Council remained busy throughout the weekend, as they sought to stave off spirited challengers in the Tuesday election.

Facing several aggressive foes in the 2nd Ward, Ald. Madeline Haitchcock’s campaign informed the media that a woman filed for an order of protection against Haithcock challenger Robert Fioretti in 2003. She called on Fioretti to explain the issue or withdraw from the race.

Fioretti’s camp immediately sent out documents showing that a judge vacated the order of protection a week later. Fioretti provided a Chicago police letter to buttress his response that he had filed a criminal complaint against the woman for harassment a year earlier.

In a statement, Fioretti said Haithcock “stooped to desperate, last-minute political mudslinging” to try to avert defeat Tuesday.

The Chicago chapter of the National Organization for Women withdrew its endorsement of Fioretti after Haithcock’s campaign called the group’s officials and told them about the order of protection.

In the 25th Ward, two challengers to Daley ally Danny Solis merged forces Sunday.

Former Ald. Ambrosio Medrano, who was convicted of corruption in office in 1996, announced that he was supporting Cuahutemoc Morfin.

Medrano had filed to run in Tuesday’s election, but the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Friday that he cannot be a candidate because of his conviction for bribery.

Morfin said he was grateful for the support of Medrano, who won 37 percent of the vote against Solis in 2003.

“We share the same principles and values,” Morfin said of Medrano. “I’ve known Medrano for a long time. He has worked for the community. Unfortunately, he made one mistake that will haunt him for the rest of his life.”

“It’s kind of ironic that Morfin is now seeing Ambrosio as an honorable man,” said Solis, the council’s president pro tempore.

Brown was the star of a boisterous rally in the Bright Star Church of God in Christ at 735 E. 44th St. She was greeted by a gospel choir, and later a quartet sang “Dorothy Brown we love you” as the crowd swayed to the music.

Yelling at times to be heard, she said Daley has been inattentive to education, jobs, crime and housing issues.

“We have the greatest opportunity in the world,” Brown said. “On Tuesday we’re going to give back the city to the people.”

Rev. Paul Jakes, who lost to Daley in 2003 when the mayor received 79 percent of the vote, took the podium after Brown to encourage everyone to make a campaign donation to her.

“I had a nickel to his five million,” Jakes said of his run against Daley. “And I did real good.”

David Askew is on tape. Video tape. It is on the public record. Heck it is even on YouTube. Are trying to say those comments didn’t come out of his mouth? Do you realize how silly and pathetic you sound?

Haithcock issued the initial press release and Askew followed it up with a distasteful phone call to the voters. Two peas in a pod. We don’t need another Haithcock. Askew has got to go.

And, Askew’s D2 filings show he is taking thousands of dollars from West Side developers.

You can run, but you can’t hide from your statements, actions and campaign filings.

Once again, YouTube has Mr. Askew talking about his stance on minimum wages and the part time job reference. His own website discusses his previous employment with a firm that represents large developers. His campaign filings shows he is taking thousands of dollars from developers on the west side. Oh, and if you look at public records you will find the cases that David filed to evict his tenants (you know, the ones he doesn’t want to help earn a living wage).

Did I miss anything Bill? Quit whining. I’m not going to keep giving you the information if you are unwilling to look at it.

Then I get this ridiculous email from Bob a little while ago. Talk about a lame attempt at damage control!! “I’m in the lead” and “my opponents know this”. What a bunch of crap. You guys need to make sure Bob stays on his meds. Seems like there might be a little chemical imbalance thing going on there.

Maybe that’s what led to the restraining order and Bob stalking someone to begin with……

You can’t take money from an attorney and then call him a developer because it serves your interests. How is it that the contibutor in question has donated thousands of dollars over the years to numerous candidates and has NEVER been called a developer.

Keep up the comments though. I need a laugh from an obviously whacked out follower.

PS. Have a nice day

Iknoweverything out!

Like I said, we will all see tomorrow if the voters accepted David Askews actions in the final days of this campaign. Me thinks not.

Have a nice night!

On another note, knoweverything, I find it amusing how your conspiracy theory grows as Fioretti lies more and more. First it was the Askew-Haithcock cabal; now you say it is the Askew-Doody-Haithcock cabal with Vyrdolyak thrown in for good measure. Why don’t you mention the UFO’s appearances and the black helicopters while your at it?

Gotta go run my pluses. Goodbye.

Yet another Fioretti lie.

I’m sure we will not be blessed with a note of apology from “native son.” ‘native son’ only knows how to be hateful. Time for us to unite behind Bob. He is the best candidate to hold this position.

Either he steps up to the plate and endorses the candidate who can dump Haithcock, or Askew will lose any credibility he might have had leading up to the election. And to my fellow 2nd Ward citizens, you know what to do come April 17. Vote Fioretti – for all of the people of the 2nd Ward.

Fioretti, Bob 2,927 28.07
Haithcock, Madeline (i) 2,130 20.43
Askew, David 1,648 15.81
Johnson, Kenny 1,482 14.21
Doody, Larry 1,168 11.20
Davis, Wallace 1,072 10.28