What’s telling is that after Katrina with many emergency management issues being discussed, Burke wasn’t front and center, Michael Chamness was the key contact. Aaron Chambers interviewed him for an article on evacuations.
Who was Chamness? A Ryan loyalist who has testified in the license for bribes scandal. Before that, he was a newspaper reporter–sorry guys, I love a lot of you, but I don’t want you in charge of my evacuation (just as you shouldn’t want me in charge of yours).
I’ll give a pass to Ryan on this simply because many didn’t take it so seriously before 9-11. Now there is no excuse.
How can you discuss political cronyism and leave out Carl Hawkinson? Have we all forgotten how the former GOP State Senator, State’s Attorney, and Candidate for Supreme Court and Lt. Governor was put in charge of Illinois’ Homeland Security? What possibly qualified him and where has he been the last three years?
Thanks for the link.
I’m very, very disappointed that so few are paying attention to the incompetent career hacks (from both parties) who are filling key positions at IEMA other key local and state emergency agencies.
Corruption has a cost, and that cost is that when we do need our government to protect us, in many cases we’ll be relying on a Precinct Committeeman or the cousin of a Ward Boss to step up. That’s disconcerting.