Chicago Mayor Emanuel Not Obeying Illinois Law
By Rev. Harold E. Bailey
Former Chairman of the Cook County Board of Corrections
As the public read with understand … wisdom will triumph!
As former chairman of the Cook County Board of Corrections, I encountered a similar experience as the Chicago Police Board (CPD). I note the two Departments, County Corrections and ‘CPD’ laws are similar and are set-forth without any documented exceptions which would allow for outside influence from the mayor.
The Illinois State Statue clearly gives directives as to what the CPD Board should do to assist Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the selection of a Chicago Police Superintendent! As the result of the Chicago Police Board’s National search, the board was able to submit three (3) candidates to the mayor’s. The law says that the mayor is to select from the list one (1) person of his choosing. Was this done becomes the question… I believe in my heart-of-hearts that the boards intentions were honorable, however the hidden hand of disruption and destruction has lift its ugly head only to once again rob, steal and kill! The Mayor Emanuel refused to select a name from the list simply means he has been ill-advised!
With first-hand experience in a similar matter with the Cook County Board (CCBC) of Corrections in selecting the director, the enemy of justice sought to do with the CCBC that which Mayor Rahm is presently seeking to do with the CPD Board. I was chairman of the board, thusly I sought legal assistance and sued the then Sheriff Michael Sheehan in his endeavor to interfere and I won on several fronts.The Cook County Board of Corrections devoted time and energy to the National research, but Sheehan said he wanted to have things his way. I rebutted his insulting manner to interfere with the flow of justice and countered with the law-suit.
I hasten to point out the fact that the mayor, nor any other public official can legally rewrite the Illinois law which gives authority to the CPB Board to execute the search and its finding. There is no legal authority!
Why Mayor Emanuel is walking a slippery slope poses critical issues! Alexander, who was one of three finalists the Chicago Police Board recommended for the post, told AP the plan was for him to fly to Chicago on Monday and that the announcement would come Wednesday, but then Emanuel called Saturday night to call it off. How can the mayor in good conscious take such measures in hand, unless he believes he can have it his way without any debate!
It is reported that an aide to Emanuel on Sunday denied that Cedric Alexander was ever offered the job as Chicago’s police superintendent. Keep in mind that Alexander is documented to be on the list of three (3) candidates chosen…by the CPD Board.
Alexander, the public safety director in Georgia’s DeKalb County, told The Associated Press that the mayor offered him the job Thursday during a meeting in Washington, D.C., and that the mayor said he intended to make Chicago Police Department Chief of Patrol Eddie Johnson his first deputy.
“He (Mayor Emanuel) did offer me the position in D.C. on Thursday, and last night he called and said he’s going in a different direction,” Alexander said.
I hasten to say, there is nothing wrong (quality wise) with Police Officer Eddie Johnson. The mayor should have not put this gentleman in such an awkward position in disobeying the law. This issue is merely about adhering to the Illinois State Law which the mayor just ought to scribe to.
Rev. Dr. Harold E. Bailey, president, Probation Challenge
WWW.ProbationChallenge.org – The Truth Network
Contact: 773.978.3706
