THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008
Brookman Breathing Life Into Term Limit Reversal
Off The Record, By TODD WESSELL
Thoughts, squawks and other interesting insights into issues and people in our little corner of the world...
The lid Monday was blown off what for months has been the quiet discussion of eliminating term limits of Des Plaines' elected officials.
At Monday night's City Council meeting, License & Judiciary Committee chairman Ald. Carla Brookman (5th), said she is bowing to the will of some people by moving to schedule a public discussion on the possibility of ending term limits. That discussion will take place at a soon to be held committee forum. Des Plaines is one of a handful of suburbs that limit the number of four-year terms elected officials can serve to two. Affected are the city's eight aldermen, Mayor and City Clerk. If aldermen decide to place the question of repealing term limits on the Nov. 4 ballot, they have a limited amount of time to pass the necessary legislation to give residents the chance to vote on the subject.
Many months ago, this column reported that such a move was being considered by some aldermen. No one, however, wanted to be the one to push for a referendum because of negative appearances. That made the most logical choice Mrs. Brookman's committee which would be responsible for reviewing such matters.
If aldermen go ahead with placing the matter on the fall ballot, they'll have to brace for a barrage of criticism that will be hurled their way from local residents who feel that term limits empowers them to get rid of the rascal. They won't like that perceived power being taken away.
Meanwhile, local activist Brian Burkross said yesterday (Tuesday) that members of his Citizens for Political Reform (CPR) group will meet this week to discuss launching a random community telephone survey to gauge local residents' feelings about a referendum to eliminate term limits. Last year, Burkross successfully fought off a bid by local resident Beverly Becker to place on the ballot a term limit elimination question. Becker said she wants to get rid of term limits chiefly because she thinks Mayor Tony Arredia has done a good job and losing him would hurt the city. With Brookman's move to launch a public discussion on the hot topic, Burkross is moving into an aggressive mode.
As he was leaving Monday night's City Council meeting in City Hall, Burkross told this reporter that maybe now's the time to run for 5th ward alderman. Depending on whether term limits remain or not, if Burkross does run he could face either Mrs. Brookman or her husband, Jim, a retired firefighter who has said he is very interested in seeking election to City Council...
Discussion about building a new Des Plaines Police headquarters remains active despite the city's recent elimination of the Littelfuse property on Northwest Highway. Aldermen gathered behind closed doors Monday night to discuss that very subject kicking around potential downtown sites to replace the 20,000 sq. ft. facility next to City Hall on Miner Street and Graceland Avenue. Nothing was decided and by all appearances the issue will continue to be discussed privately for some time.
And, why downtown? Because the city could use some of the millions it has socked away in the central business district's Tax Increment Financing Dist. (TIF) fund to buy property.
Among the locations under consideration are the old Masonic Temple property at Miner and Lee streets and property immediately east of City Hall. Other parcels in the neighborhood of Graceland and Prairie and Prairie and Lee have also been kicked around...
Don Ho would be proud of Des Plaines if he were still with us.
What's billed as the largest ukulele fest in the Midwest will be held in Des Plaines at Tiki Terrace, 1591 Lee St. Aug. 1-3. Popular artists, instructors, vendors and ukulele fanatics from Hawaii, the mainland, Canada, etc. will participate.
Watch in the next few issues of the Journal & Topics for details...
Watch for political firecrackers to snap, crackle and pop in the coming weeks in local races pitting Republicans and Democrats. Races targeted by one or both parties are in the 65th Illinois Legislative Dist. pitting incumbent Rosemary Mulligan against Democrat Aurora Austriaco and 33d Senate Dist. spot featuring incumbent Dem Dan Kotowski and Elk Grove Township Clerk and GOP Committeeman Mike Sweeney. Democrats are salivating at the chance to dump the moderate Mulligan. Kotowski, first elected four years ago, wants to retain his spot.
Also, tight, targeted contests of national prominence are shaping up in the 6th and 10th congressional districts where Republicans appear vulnerable in what many consider a Democratic year. One term incumbent Peter Roskam has a battle on his hands against Des Plaines resident and retired Army colonel Jill Morgenthaler. In the 10th Dist., Republican Mark Kirk who serves portions of Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Arlington Hts., Prospect Hts. and North Shore communities, is not having it easy with Democrat Dan Seals.
These and others are races that the Journal & Topics plans to watch very closely. Keep your eyes peeled and on the pages of the Journal & Topics for the best coverage...
Finally, we had a nice chat with former Des Plaines alderman Jim Curley Monday afternoon. Years ago, Curley served Des Plaines' south side 6th ward. Afterwards, he ran unsuccessfully in the then 55th Dist. GOP primary against incumbent State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan. Several years ago, Curley and his wife moved to Elmhurst to be closer to their daughter. He remains active in area political matters and stays in touch with the fellas here in Des Plaines.