Two observations: First, the phrase "Noisy squawks till money talks" will continue to dominate national and state politics. Why? Americans should look in the mirror.

Four decades ago, electoral politics meant party organizations, rallies and substantive issue differences between opposing political parties. And yes, it also meant patronage, machines and political leaders often labeled "bosses."

Reformers in the 1960s outraged by so-called back-room politics waged war against parties and politicians - and they won!

The result? We have emasculated political parties, denigrated party workers and loyalists, and have elevated anti-politician "politicians" to near hero status.

And what has filled the resultant political void? Big bucks!

Wealthy individuals can start at the top of the political food chain by hiring high-price political consultants and speech writers; by using expensive television ads to reach diminishing number of actual voters; and by crafting a message or platform based on targeted focus groups and poll data.

Today, individuals who never rang a doorbell, passed out a piece of literature or served on a political committee can bash traditional precinct committeemen and party workers as hacks and flunkies. Money, not compromise, has become the "mother's milk of politics."

Boosting this new millennium style politics are the computer, the Web sites and the Internet. Technology covers nicely the twin sins of diminishing political participation and political debate. In the future, candidates will push for more use of the Internet to continue de-politicizing politics -which in reality will make it even easier for fewer people to actually vote.

Second observation: Local politics will be much healthier than our national and state politics. Grass-roots candidates will be unable to use the decoys of "unpolitics" and "technology" to avoid the holy trinity of issues most important to communities and their voters: education, employment and safety. Be you an urbanite, suburbanite, collar countyite or ruralite, these three issues, singularly and in combination, will continue to guide your voting choices.

Obviously, critical issues like transportation/congestion, quality of life/environment and taxes/ spending will also remain in the political mix, but the "big three" will dominate.

Illinois is evolving more and more into a suburban-style, suburban-run state. The 21st century will see this trend accelerate, and Illinois politics will reflect the growth in the state's ongoing suburban population expansion and economic power. Only at this local level will there be old-fashioned retail politics, though even here things like direct mail expenses might push campaign costs to unforeseen heights.

What does all of the above mean for the future? Unless there is meaningful campaign finance reform, American national politics will resemble a Sotheby's auction - people will simply bid for the office they wish to hold.

At the state level, all successful Illinois senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns will be in the $10 million-plus range, while lesser statewide offices might see more candidates elected who actually worked their way up through the ranks.

Lastly, one thing is for certain: shifting demographics, especially in the North and Western suburbs, will see more competition between political parties. New voters and puny political organizations will open up election and opportunities for individual candidates regardless of their party affiliation.

Paul Green is a professor of policy studies at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

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