Patronage Tangles Across States Draw Scrutiny
An Illinois graft case prompts questions about patronage under reform, while Kentucky and Maryland face indictments and committee probes. Ex-Gov Fletcher defends himself amid a broad drive to curb political hiring, with Lt. Gov. Pence urging strength to resist rewards for friends. Supreme Court rulings and prosecutors note patronage persists, though civil service posts dominate. Former Gov. George Ryan’s racketeering conviction amid insider deals underscores ongoing concerns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maryland
Kentucky
Steve Pence
Pence
Ernie Fletcher
Fletcher
Court ruling clears path for release of Chicago torture report
Illinois Supreme Court rejected a bid to block parts of a four year probe into torture claims by Chicago police. The report by two special prosecutors investigated allegations that 192 black men were tortured in the 1970s and 1980s under Lt. Jon Burge. Publication could occur within two weeks as activists push for disclosure with support from MacArthur Justice Center counsel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Illinois Supreme Court
Locke Bowman
MacArthur Justice Center
Ralph Meczyk
Meczyk
High Court
John Doe
Cook County
Area 2
Jon Burge
Kentucky tops nation in school vending policy report
The Center for Science in the Public Interest gave Kentucky an A- for restricting vending machine offerings to water, milk, juices, and low sugar beverages. Forty states earned C or lower. 23 states failed with F and eight earned D. Kentucky credits stricter limits on sodas and snacks in schools and notes ongoing industry pressure toward healthier options.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Louisville
Center For Science In the Public Interest
Washington, D.C
Kentucky
Margo Wootan
District of Columbia
Nevada
Arkansas
New
Mexico
Alabama
California
New Jersey
Arizona
Tennessee
Louisiana
West Virginia
Connecticut
Florida
Lisa Gross
Kentucky Education Department
Gross
Alliance For A
William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation
American Heart Association
Judge dismisses one count in Chicago patronage trial
A federal judge dropped a mail fraud charge against Richard Daley’s former patronage chief Robert Sorich and three aides, ruling prosecutors lacked evidence. The group still faces other charges over using clout to hire for payroll jobs. Sullivan remains charged with lying to the FBI.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Richard Daley
David H. Coar
Robert Sorich
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
Thomas Durkin
Sorich
Timothy McCarthy
Patrick Slattery
McCarthy
Patrick E Deady
John Sullivan
Streets and Sanitation
FBI
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Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court
University of Virginia Center On Politics
Larry J. Sabato
Sabato
George Ryan
ARS
Verizon Wireless Communications
Carbondale
East Main St
West de Youn
Verizon Wireless
Verizonwireless
Waeel
Etyern
JCS/Tel Link
Benton Ram Telecom
Carbondale Bening Communication
Homestead Electronics
CHESTER SCS/Tel Link
Harrisburg
Homestead
RAM Telecom Sie Peecret
Murphysboro
Bening Communications
Sparta Bening Communic
Verizonwireless.com
Clearwave
N. Carbon St
Metropolis Homestead Electronic
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