Felsenthal Files

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)

12/06/12

Conrad Black on Prison, Patrick Fitzgerald, Obama, and More

Carol Felsenthal catches up with the former newspaper publisher and historian, who spent more than three years in prison on fraud charges.

Posted at 11:31 AM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics News & Politics: Featured story | Permalink | Comments (2)

11/30/12

Mel Reynolds Got Out of Jail In 2001, Compliments of Bill Clinton. Why?

Was it arranged by God, as Reynolds claimed at the time? Not quite, though a Reverend was involved: Jesse Jackson urged Clinton to do it, with the support of Richard Durbin, Bobby Rush, and Danny Davis.

Posted at 03:21 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (1)

11/28/12

A Talk with Ald. Will Burns: Looks Like He's Running for JJJ's Seat

"I personally think that in terms of hands-on work, dealing with everyday people, nothing beats being an alderman. It’s close up and personal. But the Congress lets you shape the national discourse, have a say in where we’re headed as a country. John Stuart Mill called legislatures, 'national talking houses.' The Congress is a forum for moving the country forward."

Posted at 10:27 AM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (1)

11/15/12

His Father Moved Up from Chicago Alderman to Mayor; Does Rod Sawyer Want to Follow in His Footsteps?

Freshman alderman Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward, won his city council seat only by 104 votes in a runoff against incumbent Freddrenna Lyle...

Posted at 04:30 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (2)

11/12/12

Rahm Emanuel and David Petraeus

The man that the White House—then Chief-of-Staff Rahm in particular—feared most as a 2012 opponent on the Republican ticket was the brilliant, disciplined general.

Posted at 01:29 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (2)

11/06/12

Election Roundup: Read While Waiting—Rahm the Teen Bully, Axelrod on Obama's Loins, and More

As both candidates battle down to the wire, and as Americans wait for the results to come in, Carol Felsenthal rounds up the most interesting—and amusing—Chicago-related political stories...

Posted at 11:20 AM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (0)

11/05/12

Susan Crown on Why She's Sticking with Romney Despite 'Crazy Talk' from Some GOP Candidates

The head of her famous family's philanthropy arm says that abortion and lifestyle choices are not "priority issues" for Romney, and she discusses Mitt, the person—not the candidate...

Posted at 11:52 AM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (6)