Felsenthal Files

01/15/13

Robin Kelly, Running for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Seat, Has Some Good Connections—and Good Luck

Between her fundraising prowess and her connections to power via Toni Preckwinkle and her friend-of-the-Obamas campaign manager, Matteson's Robin Kelly—most recently Preckwinkle's chief administrative officer—has the inside track in the 2nd District. Being on top of the ballot won't hurt in the packed race.

Posted at 11:39 AM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (1)

01/10/13

Peoria's Ray LaHood: Is He Staying in Obama's Cabinet or Going... and Who Decides?

Barack Obama has been criticized for the lack of diversity in his cabinet: too white and too male. With two women departing and a third likely to—and Republican Chuck Hagel expected to become Secretary of Defense—could that leave white male Republican Ray LaHood, his well-regarded transportation secretary, without a seat?

Posted at 01:12 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (2)

01/08/13

Bloomberg Quarterbacks Search for His Successor

On the New York mayor's list of "dream choices": Hillary Clinton, Charles Schumer, and Ed Rendell. Why not Rahm?

Posted at 05:11 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (2)

01/07/13

Richard Mell Stands Up (for Nepotism): A View of Chicago's Most Infamous Father-in-Law

The Sun-Times reports that 33rd Ward Alderman Richard Mell—who is also Rod Blagojevich's father-in-law—is looking to retire in the next few months, and has cut a deal with Mayor Emanuel that replaces his City Council seat with his daughter, Deb Mell.

Posted at 02:17 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (1)

01/02/13

The Fiscal Cliff: What You Need to Know about how Illinois Reps Voted

Peter Roskam votes no, along with Tea Partiers Joe Walsh and Bobby Schilling. Plus: another, more serious, fiscal cliff coming in March.

Posted at 04:49 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics News & Politics: Featured story | Permalink | Comments (0)

12/21/12

Will Bill Daley Finally Find the Guts to Run—for Governor This Time?

This is not the first time the youngest Daley brother has tentatively lobbed his hat in the ring for elective office. His first flirtation goes back some 20 years, but he has always grabbed the hat back.

Posted at 04:10 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (1)

12/18/12

Axelrod, Jarrett in New Politico Book, 'The End of the Line: Romney vs. Obama'

Glen Thrush and Jonathan Martin's latest book is full of insider intelligence, including Jarrett's second-guessing of the staff, Axelrod's lucky tie, and Michelle Obama's reaction to the first presidential debate...

Posted at 02:01 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (0)

12/14/12

Yvonne Davila, Close Friend of Michelle Obama, Could Be in Trouble

The First Lady's friend—and top aide to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown—reportedly failed her six-figure, taxpayer-funded salary in her bankruptcy case. A look at Davila and her friendship with Michelle Obama...

Posted at 04:26 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (1)

12/12/12

Will the Illinois House Expel LaShawn Ford?

In August, West Side state rep Derrick Smith was expelled after being indicted by the feds on a bribery charge. Will LaShawn Ford, indicted two weeks ago, be next?

Posted at 02:52 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (3)

12/11/12

Who is Arthur Hill Jr., and Should He Step Aside as Judge in Vanecko Trial?

The judge who was assigned to the manslaughter trial of Richard J. Vanecko, former Mayor Rich Daley's nephew, says he could be "fair and impartial." But some are urging him to step aside, citing Hill's ties to Daley and others at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

Posted at 08:47 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (5)