ILL-inois nepotism: Mell's daughter wants dad's old aldermanic seat

City of Nepotism

Despite my headline, the office of  alderman of Chicago's 33rd Ward belongs to the people, not Rod Blagojevich's estranged father-in-law, Dick Mell. Last week Mell, who has been an alderman since the 1970s, announced that he is retiring.

And an awful Chicago Democrat tradition is re-emerging. Appointing a relative to a vacant office or place on the ballot.

Examples?

In 1994. 34th Alderman Lemuel Austin died. Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed his widow to the post, and to this day she holds that City Council seat.

US Rep. Bill Lipinski of Chicago's Southwest Side took the trouble to win renomination of his seat in Congress in 2004. But after his primary win, he pulled out of the race. His son got the Dem ballot spot. He's still a member of the House.

In 2006, one week before he prevailed in the Democratic Primary, Cook County Board president John Stroger suffered a massive stroke and was never seen in public again. He resigned his office and his spot on the ballot went to his son Todd, who won in November.

That same year Ald. William Beavers (7th) quit his seat--Daley appointed his daughter as his successor. On a side note, she was defeated in her bid to win a full term by Jesse Jackson Jr.'s wife Sandi, who is likely headed to federal prison.

As is Beavers.

Which brings us back to Mell. His daughter Deb, a member of the state General Assembly, has made it clear that she wants Mayor Rahm Emanuel to appoint her to dad's seat the City Council.

Rahm: Please stop this cycle of nepotism. Now.

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