Blago's state rep sister-in-law might be kicked off ballot

In Chicago, the sure-fire way to a successful political career is to be related to another politician. Such is the case with Deborah Mell, who is the daughter of powerful Alderman Dick Mell. She's also the sister-in-law of disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich.

But Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business reports that Mell, a freshman legislator, may discover that connections can carry her only so far:

Northwest Side State Rep. Deb Mell may have screwed up her nominating petitions, with a real risk that she'll be knocked off the February Democratic primary ballot.

A challenge filed Monday afternoon by an attorney for Joseph Laiacona, the only other remaining candidate in the 40th District race, contends that Ms. Mell is not registered to vote at her apparently new address. By law, all candidates are supposed to be registered at the address they use for their nominating petitions

Shortly after she was sworn in as a member of the General Assembly, Mell voted against impeaching her brother-in-law.

Removing opponents from the ballot, along with nepotism, is a Chicago tradition. Just ask Barack Obama.

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