When will Chicago be open to reform?

Fifty years ago, one of our famous or infamous salon keeper aldermen, Matthias "Paddy" Bauer of the 43rd Ward, commented "Chicago ain't ready for reform."

Just looking at revelations from the last few weeks, it is evident that in the intervening years he was right.

It seems that "friends and family" relationships dominate our political structures.

We were upset when the mayor bulldozed Meigs Field to make it into a public wild flower garden and it turned into a music venue represented by a relative.

The promotion of the Children's Museum is orchestrated by a relative; another deals in zoning matters and has remarkable luck in zoning issues.

If you can't trust your friends and family with pension fund business, who can you trust?

Just as in the days of Paddy Bauer; if you wanted a liquor license, you bought your dram shop insurance from the alderman. Now if you have a zoning or development issue, usually the alderman's wife or daughter who happens to be a real estate agent can resolve issues with the city quickly.

Paddy is snickering in his grave saying, "I told you so."

John Culloton

Chicago