The Gloves Come Off

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Pols from West, South sides set to battle over right to succeed Stroger

Daily Southtown-Steele, a West Sider, appeared alongside longtime political ally state Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-5th), who challenged the authority of South Side Chicago Ald. Bill Beavers (7th). Beavers stepped into the fray last week by announcing that he was taking over as Stroger family spokesman, replacing the president's son, Ald. Todd Stroger (8th).

"I spoke with Todd Stroger, who remains, in my opinion, the only official spokesman for his father and the family," Hendon said.

Beavers criticized Steele last week when news accounts said she and Commissioner Larry Suffredin might try to rush through a measure that would force Stroger from power. Hendon said Beavers risks fracturing the city's black politicians.

"If the African-American community ends up divided because the most qualified person ... happens to live on the West Side, it's personally appalling to me," said Hendon, who works for the county board of review. "We must be united." More...
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