Scavo convicted; where's it gonna lead?

Vito Scavo, the former Melrose Park chief of police, was convicted of 22 of 22 counts of corruption today. Also convicted were Gary Montino, Scavo's deputy chief, and Michael Wynn. Scavo faces up to 20 years in prison. See Proviso Herald (Jolie Lee), Chicago Tribune (Mike Robinson, AP), ABC7 (Chuck Goudie) or CBS2 (STNG).

What can I add?

Some people involved in Proviso politics like Jesse Martinez and Mike Manzo (both of whom have run against Ron Serpico for village president of Melrose Park) see Ron Serpico as being the central figure in bad (if not corrupt) government in in Proviso Township.

In the indictment against Scavo some of the malfeasance goes back to 1996. August Taddeo was village president until at least 1998.

So, it seems possible that Scavo was "the big fish" and Serpico was Scavo's guy. The Melrose Park police force provided the base of power in the Village of Melrose Park. Scavo picked Serpico to be his candidate for village president because he knew Serpico wouldn't interfere with the criminal schemes Scavo was running in the police department.

Serpico didn't have an intention of reforming things, but the corruption was there before he arrived.

What are the pieces of the puzzle?

Scavo was convicted and will now be looking to cut a deal. With whom did Scavo have interactions with?

Serpico
District 209 (Scavo's security company was paid to guard the PMSA building)
Who else?

Anthony Bruno has been charged with tax evasion. With whom did Bruno have interactions?

Ric Cervone, a former board member at District 89 (Maywood and Melrose Park elementary schools), was charged in the same indictment that convicted Scavo. With whom did Cervone interact?

Who else is in the mix?

Sun-Times pulling plug on Proviso Herald

Chicago Public Radio (Ammad Omar) reports that the Proviso Herald will cease to exist as of January 15. The Sun-Times Media Group is cutting costs.

h/t Capitol Fax Blog (Mike Murray)

My opinion is that Forest Park Review does a better job with the stories it does cover, but the Proviso Herald is more comprehensive. It aspires to be the paper of record for the local communities. Forest Park Review focuses on Forest Park.

Riverside/Brookfield Landmark (like Forest Park Review, owned by Wedneday Journal, Inc.) is also good, but while Brookfield is half in Proviso Township, the Landmark doesn't cover Proviso issues normally.

The other print outlets (Suburban Life, West Suburban Journal, Neighbors and the various village propaganda outlets) sometimes write a good story, but they have shown no ability or inclination to fill the void that will be created by the demise of the Proviso Herald.

Democracy needs effective journalism to work. And losing Proviso Herald is a big blow. (Remember, Proviso also lost "Viewpoints From the Other Side" when Arnie Bryant died.)

Ideas for what comes next in Proviso journalism?

Is the pastor the bad guy in the closing of McNelty School?

McNelty School, 2100 Main St., Melrose Park, will close after summer school. Chicago Tribune (Jo Napolitano) played up the conflict side of the story.

The abrupt closing of a Melrose Park private school last week, allegedly for financial reasons, has left parents fuming, accusing the pastor of its sponsoring church of putting his ambitions ahead of the students.

[The pastor] said it is true that the church is looking to expand and that he is now searching for a larger building. "The congregation has outgrown the facility," he said.

McNelty School is affiliated with First Baptist Church in Melrose Park. Rev. John Belser is the pastor.

Proviso Herald (John Huston) also covered the story.

Joe Burdi alleged to have violated contracting rules in District 88

Someone sent a letter alleging that District 88 Transportation Director Joe Burdi and perhaps others engaged in malfeasance. See Proviso Herald (David Pollard). (Burdi is also a village trustee in Stone Park.)

The letter alleges that Burdi on numerous occasions last year had work done in the district costing more than $10,000 without obtaining quotes for the work or board approval. It also alleges the bills were paid without board approval, which violates school code and school board policy. He was interim director of building and grounds for the school district in 2006 and 2007, when the alleged violations took place.

Proviso Herald (David Pollard) had a second article giving Burdi's defense.

Joe Burdi said a letter sent to county and federal attorney offices alleging he steered School District 88 business to friends and political associates and authorized work without board approval is all political.

Hillside taxpayers asked to help Archdiocese of Chicago

Hillside Village Manager Russ Wajda said the village anticipates annexing three properties at a July 28 meeting. See Proviso Herald (David Pollard). The properties are two cemetaries and a golf course.

The properties, including the golf course, are owned by Archdiocese of Chicago and are in unincorporated Cook County. Combined, the golf course and cemeteries make up 300 acres.

The village will provide services previously not provided and/or they were the responsibility of Cook County government. In exchange the village will get some tax revenue from the golf course.

three injured in Proviso West fight

Jeremy of Forest Park asked for this Proviso Herald (Cathryn Gran) story to be covered.

Hillside police are reviewing videos posted on the Internet for leads in a fight Friday at Proviso West High School that left three students injured.

The fight broke out just before students evacuated the building at 4701 Harrison St. because of a bomb threat call. On Monday police were still investigating the source of the false threat.

girls knife fighting in Maywood

Jeremy of Forest Park, a Proviso East grad, asked me to post the following Proviso Herald (David Pollard) story:

A 15 year-old female Proviso East High School student is at Loyola University Medical recovering from stab wounds that resulted from a fight last week, according to Maywood police.

Elizabeth Nellums, 17, of 1003 S. 17th Ave., Maywood, was charged Jan. 16 with attempted murder, aggravated battery great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon and aggravated battery on a public way. She allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old Proviso East classmate with a knife during a fight in the area of Ninth Avenue and Madison Street.

Wheeler investigated and protested

Chicago Tribune:

Maywood and Illinois State Police officials are investigating how an undercover drug operation turned deadly last week.

Police officials said Sgt. Dwayne Wheeler was conducting a drug investigation at 17th Avenue and Harrison Street about 3 p.m. Thursday when the alleged dealer fled the scene in his Lexus, striking several cars before trying to run down the officer. Wheeler fired one shot at the vehicle, killing Fred Henderson, 35, of Bellwood, authorities said.

Proviso Herald:

Around 100 people gathered in front of Maywood Police Department Sept. 25 to protest the Sept. 20 shooting death of Fred Henderson, 35, of Bellwood by a Maywood Police Sgt. Dwayne Wheeler.

What are the protesters alleging was done wrong by Wheeler or the Maywood Police Department?

D87: "No cell phone for you!"

District 87 (Berkeley elementary schools) has restricted mobile phones in school. See Proviso Herald (Chuck Fieldman).

Maywood cop shoots and kills Bellwood man

On Thursday Maywood Police officer Dwayne Wheeler shot and killed Fred Henderson of Bellwood. According to Maywood Police Department Henderson was driving his vehicle at Wheeler in a threatening manner. After shouting a warning Wheeler fired a single shot that killed Henderson. See Proviso Herald (David Pollard) and Chicago Tribune.

shooting in Melrose Park Monday

Monday, there was a gang related shooting in Melrose Park. Eric Torres, 19, of Northlake allegedly shot a Hillside resident. According to police Torres is a member of the Imperial gang and the victim a member of the Latin Kings. See Proviso Herald.

Lopez denies rigging union election; factions explained

Maywood trustee Richard Lopez, who recently ascended to the presidency of Teamsters Local 743, was indicted for disenfranchising the members of his union to keep his ticket in control of the local.

Proviso Herald (David Pollard) interviewed Lopez.

"I got a lawyer looking over it," he said about the indictment. "I don't understand what's going on here. I think it's politics. It's just (George) Bush politics. I've never done anything wrong and I don't admit to doing anything wrong."

Lopez characterized the losing slate as making sour grapes allegations of election fraud as an excuse for losing. The opposition, 743 New Leadership Slate, has a web site that allows comments.

Lopez is right that election losers often complain of fraud. But it's rare that law enforcement authorities bring charges. And U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has an exceptional conviction rate. As far as I know in every political case where Fitzgerald has brought an indictment the defendant has been convicted of at least some of the charges.

Normally union elections are skewed in favor of the incumbents. It's difficult to organize an insurgency from within the ranks.

Richard Berg, ran as one of the opposition candidates, explained that there are two factions vying for control of Local 743. The incumbents are aligned with International Brotherhood of Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, son of iconic union boss Jimmy Hoffa, Jr.

The opposition slate was aligned with Tom Leedham. Leedham was supported by Teamsters for a Democratic Union.

Richard Berg ran on Leedham's slate as Central Region Vice President. Berg received 41% of the vote.

Berg says that the anti-Hoffa faction does not want the union put into trusteeship as a result of the charges against Lopez and his slate. Berg explained that if the local was put into trusteeship Hoffa would appoint the leadership who would then work to marginalize the opposition. Berg expressed confidence that he and his allies can win a free and fair election at this point.

Berg says that Lopez was not slated to be one of the candidates in the upcoming election.

Dunkin Donuts insists Muslim franchise owner serve pork

Proviso Herald (David Weese) has the story of a Muslim who bought a Dunkin Donuts franchise before the company had breakfast sandwiches on the menu. From 1984 to 2002 the arrangement worked. The owner didn't include the pork products on the menu, and the company gave his franchise favorable ratings.

But then Dunkin Donuts changed its mind. The owner is represented by Robert Habib. Habib represented Paul Esparza in his defamation case against Eugene Moore, Askia Abdullah and David Sharp. I thought Habib did a good job presenting the case to a judge and jury. The first trial resulted in a mistrial, but the jury members clearly said they were inclined to find for the plaintiff (Esparza represented by Habib).

Maywood Public Works director placed on administrative leave

Interim Village Manager Jason Ervin placed Larry Gates on administrative leave. See Proviso Herald (David Pollard). The article does not give the reason.

Ervin is a political ally of Ald. Ed Smith and Henderson & Karen Yarbrough. Henderson Yarbrough is Maywood's village president. Ervin was twice promoted in the wake of the Yarbrough-led board firing people. Ervin became finance director when the board fired his predecessor. Recently the board fired Rob Nellis and appointed Ervin on an interim basis.

I think it's fair to assume that Ervin will be applying to be the permanent village manager.

I don't know why Gates was fired, but I doubt it will hurt Ervin's chances of dropping "interim" from his title.

Cynthia Broughton statement in Proviso Herald

Former District 89 (Maywood and Melrose Park elementary schools) superintendent Cynthia Broughton had a full page statement printed in last Wednesday's Proviso Herald. At the bottom of the statement there's an email address. Could someone post it or email it to me, RadioNyberg circled "a" Yahoo spot c0m?

Fields gets paid undisclosed amount to resign and take blame

At the Monday, August 27, special meeting of the board the Proviso Township High Schools (District 209) board of education approved the resignation of stan fields as superintendent. The resignation is part of an agreement with the board of education. The district will pay Fields an undisclosed amount. Fields took responsibility for losing the confidence of the board of education by not communicating with board members.

Bill Kirchner and Barbara Cole spoke in favor of keeping Fields.

I,Carl Nyberg, spoke against paying Fields money for resigning.

The board deliberated in closed session for slightly over an hour.

According to board member Theresa Kelly, board member Dan Adams voted by phone during the closed session. As I understand the Open Meetings Act it is contrary to Illinois law to take votes in closed session.

In open session five board members voted to accept the resignation package negotiated with Fields. Kelly voted “present” and Adams was not present.

Kelly spoke against paying Fields because of the ongoing investigations of the district and allegations from the Stark King report. In closed session interim superintendent Robert Libka assured Kelly that he and the lawyers from Giglio & Del Galdo would investigate the allegations. Kelly said she was sending the Stark King report to the Regional Superintendent of Education, Charles Flowers, and the Cook County State's Attorney. This triggered an angry reaction by Welch and Michael A. DeBartolo. Libka also expressed unhappiness with Kelly's decision.

See Proviso Herald (Chuck Fieldman) (who was present at the meeting) and Forest Park Review (Josh Adams) (who was covering a Village of Forest Park meeting) for other coverage, including details of Fields statement.

severe weather coverage

Riverside/Brookfield Landmark has a slide show. There's also a Bob Uphues article "Severe storms swamp area" and a slide show of the 1987 flood.

Suburban Life also has a slide show.

Proviso Herald (Jolie Lee, Cathryn Gran and David Weese) have the effects for the following communities: Bellwood, Berkeley, Hillside, Westchester, Stone Park and Broadview.

Forest Park Review (Bob Skolnik) has the Forest Park perspective.

Hillside activities

Suburban Life (Tanya Pantone) included an article on the Civil War re-enactment.

Proviso Herald (David Weese) looks ahead to Taste of Hillside, Sunday, August 26, 12:30 to 9 pm.

District 89 holds closed-door meeting on Cynthia Broughton

Proviso Herald (David Pollard):

Lawyers for School District 89 and the district's superintendent, Cynthia Broughton, met behind closed doors last week to iron out the process of the hearing that will determine Broughton's fate as a district employee.

Broughton has been on administrative leave with pay since June. Her paychecks ended Aug. 15, less than a week after the School Board voted to stop her pay and start the hearing. As part of Broughton's contract with the district, a hearing is required if the board wants to terminate her employment prior to the contract's expiration.

Rosenthal and Murphey (it's misspelled in the article) is the same firm that represented Proviso Township High Schools (District 209) in litigation connected to firing Greg Jackson as superintendent.

District 209 aggregator

I'm behind on writing about Proviso Township High Schools (District 209), including giving more detail about Monday's board meeting.

But here's what others are writing.

Proviso Herald (Chuck Fieldman) has an article on Robert Libka saying he wants to be superintendent. The article doesn't include any quotes from people critical of Libka or the fact that Libka used district funds without board approval to attend classes at Western Illinois University last time he was in charge of the district. Libka's course work at WIU caused him to be absent from District 209 during the work week, something he did not clear with the board of education in advance.

Forest Park Review (Josh Adams) emphasized the budget almost being balanced and mentioned the increase in attendance driven by the board placing Fields on administrative leave.

Forest Park Review (Josh Adams) digs into the story of District 209 parting ways with the designers of the district's web sites.

Forest Park Review also has an editorial on school budgets, both District 209 and Forest Park elementary schools (District 91).

Proviso Insider also wrote about the board meeting.