Who's on your team? Suburban leaders take sides
Rootin' for the Cubbies
Algonquin Village President John Schmitt
"The city of Chicago deserves to see the Cubs win it."
He's considering writing a proclaimation in honor of the Cubs clinching. "That's easy. That doesn't cost me any money."
Barrington Village President Karen Darch
"I am not from this area, but I have always been a National League fan. So, I lean toward the Cubs. The rest of my family are big Cubs fans. At village hall, we have some really big Sox fans. In terms of village hall, I think we are split 50-50."
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson
"I am a Cubs fan true and blue. A true Cub fan hates the Sox just as a true Sox fan hates the Cubs. I hate the Sox so much that I watch Sox games just to see them lose. Any team that is playing against the Sox is my favorite team that day. A perfect day in my life is when the Cubs win and the Sox lose. You can't root for them both. You're either a Cubs fan or a Sox fan.
"I have been a Cubs fan all my life. I was born singing 'Hey, Hey Holy Mackerel' - the old Cubs song. When I was in school, in grade school and junior high, I'd get my mom to call in sick on opening day so I could watch it on TV.
"I've got tickets for every game. I'm going to the playoffs tonight. I already have tickets to the World Series.
"In my mind, I believe that 100 percent of Elk Grove is a Cubs town, but in the real world there might be 1 percent misguided poeple. Everyone knows I'm a Cubs fan. How much do I live for the Cubs? In the 2003 playoffs, I didn't go when I had a board meeting, but I brought a TV to watch, hiding it under the dais during the meeting.
"It has never cost me votes. A true Sox fan respects how much a Cubs fan hates the Sox. What I don't like is people who go back and forth whenever the team is winning. There is no such thing as a Chicago fan. I respect a true Sox fan. I don't like the wishy-washy ones.
"You will never find a mayor as strong as me on this issue. I live and die with the Cubs. I bleed blue. There is no question I'd like to see the Cubs win a championship over anything else, even winning the lottery. I'd rather see them win once in my lifetime. But I don't know how I'd react. For 49 years, I've done nothing but root for the Cubs. I don't know how I'd react if they'd win. I could go to heaven with a smile on my face.
"I feel good about this year and it's scaring me. Every year, they barely make it and this is the most dominating that Cubs have been. This is the first time I never worried about making the playoffs. If the Cubs and the Sox play each other (in the World Series), and the Sox win, I will seriously have to contemplate moving to a mountain top in Montana and living like a hermit. And don't think I'm kidding. I'd rather the Cubs not make it to the playoffs than have to play the Sox. But if the Cubs beat the Sox, that would be heaven on Earth. I don't think heaven could be better. That would rival the birth of my children."
Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass
"I'm 100-percent Cubs. I've always been a Cub fan. I got a lot of money on the Cubs. If they don't get to the World Series, I'm in trouble."
"I'm happy for (the Sox), though. I just never could get into them. They were so boring."
Itasca Mayor Gigi Gruber
"I've been a Cubs fan forever. I didn't have a choice. I was raised a Cubs fan from the time I was little.
One morning I got up for school. My dad said I looked sick. I said, no, I feel fine. My dad said, no, you look sick. My dad told my mom to call my school and tell them I wouldn't be coming because I was sick. Then he told me to get dressed for the Cubs game. As a child, my dad had the game on wherever we were - the car, the back yard, the house... He would take us to Arizona for spring training. It was all the way. It was part of our family life. Go Cubs!"
Lake in the Hills Village President Ed Plaza
To Ed Plaza, there's only one team in town and that's the Chicago Cubs.
The lifelong fan was born and raised on the city's north side, so his unwavering devotion to the Cubs is "an inherited trait."
The facts, he says, dictate that his team will do better than that other team on the South Side.
But he's not confident enough to bet on the Cubs.
"I've been around a long time. There's a lot of superstitions that follow that team," Plaza said. "I've been a true follower since the mid-'60s, so I was in high school in '69 and lived and died with that team, the '84, '89, the '03 teams, '07 and now '08."
Lindenhurst Mayor Susan Lahr
"Definitely CUBBIES - it's all about the atmosphere and experience, not necessarily winning (although that's a nice benefit once in a while.) I'm a big enough fan to not go to any Sox games (or even watch them when they are in the playoffs!)"
Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins
"I bleed Cubbie blue. I've been a die-hard fan ever since moving to Chicago in 1958. We'd go to Wrigley Field a lot, even to watch the Bears games. On the back of my car is a sign that says "Believe" and a picture of Harry Caray, who I knew for years. Dutchie, too. I met Harry on Rush Street around 1983 at a club called Faces. I was city clerk then and lost a shoe in the snow. He helped me retrieve it and we were friends ever since. My relatives would always know whenever I was at a Cubs game because Harry would announce on WGN that I was there. In 1989, I was in San Francisco with my aunt and ran into him at Moose's restaurant in the North Beach area. He gave us tickets to the game that night and would you believe what game that was? The big earthquake at Candlestick Park. We had to leave and never saw the game. Wayne Messmer is also a personal friend and came to one of my fundraisers at Marlowe's a few years ago and sang the national anthem. Now, don't get me wrong. I was thrilled when (Jim Thome) got that home run because I root for Chicago teams. But my heart will always be with the Cubs. St. Rita is a patron saint of lost causes. I believe in a lot of things people don't think are possible. This just may be our year."
St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte
"I'm a diehard Cubs fan. I'm sure I get it from my dad.
"I'm going to the game tonight. I saw the final game in the Houston series. Two weeks ago we drove up to Milwaukee and saw Zambrano's no-hitter. I'd say we've been to about half a dozen games this year, if that qualifies me as a diehard then I accept that label.
"It's been 100 years since they've both made the playoffs together. If the two of them were to meet in the World Series, I think the Chicago metropolitan area would shut down. In true political fashion, I'm a supporter of all Chicago teams."
Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson
"In 1969, for a full week we were on a trip to Wisconsin and WGN faded away. On the way back we picked up the radio signal and I realized the Cubs were losing it. It broke my heart and I swore they would never break my heart again. And I'm so glad that the Mets have been eliminated from the playoffs."
When the White Sox' Scott Podsednik's appeared on "Saturday Night Live" in 2005, "they mentioned that you don't just represent Chicago, that you represent Chicagoland. They mentioned Naperville and Elmhurst. And then they mention Schaumburg, and then he said, 'No, not Schaumburg.' I thought it was great."
South Elgin Village President Jim Hansen
"It's Cubs all the way. In '69, I was 9 years old. I don't know when they could (win the World Series) if they don't do it this year. I've been a Cubs fan all my life. There's been plenty of disappointing times. It's going to be interesting. They're playing good ball."
Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk
"My father took me to my first game in 1958. I was 8. I've had season tickets with a group since 1980.
I took my year-old son to a game back in 1979 in a back pack.
"I try to be even-handed about this. I am not one of these rabid anti-Sox fans. I took a great amount of joy in the Sox win last night. I want the Sox to get in the World series and then I want the Cubs to beat them."
Wood Dale Mayor Ken Johnson
"I'm going Cubs all the way. Like all the other fans I'm looking for a World Series win and it looks within our grasp."
"I guess I've always been a Northsider at heart. My parents must have passed it down to me. I remember going to watch Ernie Banks and that was always special. Those were a lot of fun."
Johnson recently gave a state of the city address and displayed his allegiance during the closing remarks. "I just started singing 'Go Cubs Go.' Most folks sang along and that was neat but (moderator and President of Itasca State Bank) Jack Mensching threatened to pull the microphone out of my hands, but it was all in good fun."
About eight years ago, Johnson said the city took an informal poll of children in town and he said the margin was about 8 to 1 Cubs fans. They polled another group after the 2005 World Series and he said the results were evenly split. "That says it," he said. "I guess we are a Cubs town."
Backing the Sox
Elgin Mayor Ed Schock
"I'm a Sox fan. I'm not rooting against the Cubs until they play the Sox. If they play in the World Series, I'm sure there's going to be some friendly wagers going on. The more fun we can make out of this, the better it is for everybody because it takes our minds off all the negative things going on (like the banking crisis)."
Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod
"From about when I was 5 to 13 we lived on the Southwest side near Midway. It's not a big secret that I'm a Sox fan. My wife is a die-hard Cubs fan and had to ensure the 2005 World Series. It looks like the Cubs will certainly make the World Series, if not win it."
Lake Barrington Mayor Kevin Richardson
"My loyalties lie at 35th and Shields." He said his grandpa, a barber in Florida, used to cut the White Sox players' hair during spring training. He did admit to marrying a Cubs fan, however.
Lake Villa Mayor Frank Loffredo
"Even though I grew up in Waukgan, I've been a Sox fan all my life. I've always been drawn to the American League. The people in my office are pretty split between Cubs and Sox fans. There's always a little rivalry around here. Yesterday I wore my black Sox jersey and today I'm wearing my 1983 retro Sox jersey."
Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski
"I'm a die-hard Sox fan and have been since we moved here in 1976 from Cleveland. We've been fans of the Indians and the Sox are in the same league, so we adopted them as our home team.
"I couldn't tell you if the village staff leans more toward the Sox or the Cubs because we really don't talk about it, although if I had to guess I'd say we lean a little more toward the Cubs. I will tell you, though, there was lots of excitement when the Sox won the World Series and the trophy came here. As soon as I found out about the traveling exhibit, I got on the phone to bring it here. It was great."
"If the Sox are not going to take the World Series this year, I do hope the Cubs win. I'm not so rabid that I'm against the other team. I can enjoy going to games in both parks, although I think the food - especially the Polish with grilled onions - is much better at the Sox park."
Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne
"Ask me where I was the last two days," says Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne. That would be U.S. Cellular Field.
"I was getting the needle pretty good when we were on life support the last week of the season," but with the Sox' 2005 win, "nobody can give me too hard of a time."
"I remember going with my dad and seeing the Yankees - (Mickey) Mantle and Whitey Ford. I'm a die hard Sox fan but in all honesty I hope the Cubs get to the World Series, play the Sox and the Sox win. I don't know what the odds of both of them getting to the World Series are but I think it's got to be pretty long."
"Hopefully, everybody keeps it in perspective. It's just a game. You can get obviously very engrossed and be very passionate but it's a diversion at best."
West Chicago Mayor Michael Kwasman
"Good guys wear black. Besides, blue is not my color. I didn't go to a Cubs game until I was in my 30s and it was a wasted afternoon.
"I will always be a Sox fan and if they want to vote against me because I'm a Sox fan, well so be it. I would like to see a Sox and Cubs World Series just for the bragging rights."