The Independent Precinct Organization (IPO) called its annual fund-raising event in 1974 “The First Ward Ball,” copying the name of an annual event held in 1896 by a corrupt Machine ward organization.

The “Grand Parade,” which included an assortment of unsavory attendees, was held at the conclusion of the original Ball.

Instead of being led by the Ward Committeem...

When Independent Voters of Illinois – Independent Precinct Organization (IVI-IPO) members debated an endorsement in the 1980 race for Cook County State’s Attorney, several respected Independent-backed elected officials spoke on behalf of then-State Senator Rich Daley, the Democratic candidate.

The rank and file just laughed at them and voted overwhelming to support the...

It was a couple of days after the Democratic Mayoral Primary. Six of us were loitering in the almost vacant office of the Bill Singer for Mayor campaign - the rent had been paid through the end of the month - wondering what to do on our first free Thursday night in seven months.

“What do you want to do?” one person asked.

“I don’t know,” she answered. “What do yo...

It would be some time before I learned that it was common in political campaigns to recruit groups of young people to carry out tasks that needed to be done but that older people didn’t want to do. The social element was the hook to attract them.

And it worked.

In 1969, I was one of five high school kids sent on a mission to deliver campaign brochures for Elmer ...