Tribune’s John Kass Takes Unfair Whack at Jimmy DeLeo

(Chicago, IL) –In a game of editorial dirty pool, Tribune columnist John Kass in his Dec. 12 column dinged State Senator Jimmy DeLeo (D-Chicago) and dragged him into the mess that is Governor Rod Blagojevich’s U.S. Senate seat sell-off derby, implying that DeLeo must be hip-deep in the Blagojevich sludge because DeLeo is DeLeo.

Kass’ evidence? None. Except his own innuendo.

In the column, Kass wrote:

DeLeo is also considered by some to be the real governor of Illinois. Blagojevich is the nutty guy who makes the speeches and gets the federal slap. They’re so close that if Jimmy suddenly stopped walking, Rod would

State Senator Jimmy DeLeo (D-Chicago)

chip his teeth on the back of Jimmy’s head.

It’s reasonable to assume that if there’s one fellow Rod would talk to about the Senate seat, it’s Jimmy. And given their relationship, Jimmy could talk to Rahm. I’m not suggesting money was offered. There is nothing illegal about politicians horse-trading to fill seats. Only when such deals are monetized—as the governor is alleged to have done—is it illegal.

I’m just talking about putting political pieces on the board the Chicago Way. A vacant Senate seat and a soon-to-be vacant House seat in Illinois would be a package deal. Consider this mathematical equation: Jimmy/Rod + Jimmy/Rahm = Happy Rod, Jimmy and Rahm. Get it?

No, Your Two Cents Less doesn’t get it. But maybe we’re a little dim.

Where do the F.B.I. transcripts refer to State Senator “A”? Nowhere. And that’s the problem with Kass’ pet theory, which is really a smear in disguise. In fact, the transcipts reveal no Blagojevich conversations with any state lawmakers–because Blagojevich rarely talked to state lawmakers. Get it?

In Springfield, Jimmy DeLeo is considered a smart politician who could talk to all sides and who liked to get things done that matter. DeLeo could talk to Blagojevich. But DeLeo’s good advice zoomed through one Blagojevich ear and out the other.

Had Blagojevich listened to a smart guy like Jimmy DeLeo, had DeLeo been “Governor” like Kass asserts, Blagojevich would not be staring at prison time today. Blagojevich listened princially to Blagojevich. Period. That’s why the fed’s tapes captured no state legislators on tape.

Kass has been a loud–and often loney journalist–braying against the corrosive and corrupting effect of political power in Illinois and Chicago from his own powerful perch. Most of the time he is on target. In this instance, he’s not. He would be wise to recognize the corrupting influence of power is not limited to politicians.

By the way, the autism insurance bill–desperately sought by parents of more than 9,000 austic children in Illinois–that Blagojevich signed after his arrest–it was sponsored by Jimmy DeLeo. He’s a guy who gets things done that matter to people.

Would Kass mention that? Nope.