In Chicago: Apparent Corruption in IVI IPO endorsement Process
By Michael Volpe
Phil Bernstein was meticulously going through the questionnaires of a series of civic groups, block clubs, and public interest groups seeking their endorsements. One such group is the Independent Voters of Illinois and Independent Precinct Organization. “It took me more than two hours to fill out the questionnaire,” which Bernstein says had several essay questions and included questions like, “do you favor maintaining the current number of city council committees?”
Bernstein then went to the interview portion of the endorsement process. That’s when Bernstein says that the process turned corrupt. The committee to decide the endorsement of the 48th ward alderman was made up of four individuals: Harry Osterman , Carol Ronen , Heather Steans and Osterman’s wife. Osterman is Bernstein’s opponent in the 48th. Furthermore, both Steans and Ronen are long time allies of Osterman’s. Smart money says he’s the front runner for this endorsement.