In honor of this special issue dedicated to what’s lost and gained over the last year, allow me to say a few words about Chicago’s legendary Democratic machine.
In the last year there have been two highly praised movies lambasting the wretched behavior of Chicago’s political bosses.
Madigan, Burke, Alderwoman Carrie Austin, the late state senator Martin Sandoval, the Acevedos of the near southwest side—all have been bounced from office or caught in scandals.
Kodatt served for all of three days before stepping down due to unrevealed “alleged questionable conduct.”
Nothing symbolizes the end of the machine as the comings and goings of Democratic officeholders on the southwest side.
Muñoz is still a state senator. But García has long since recovered from that loss.
