- Brian Jackson/Sun-Times Media
- Alderman Will Burns convinced Mayor Rahm Emanuel to back a strangely logical plan to ease overcrowding at Kenwood Academy.
I used to hear west-side politicians tell stories about how the winos on skid row would take booze from precinct captains in exchange for a promise to vote the Democratic line. Then, once safely in the polling booth, they voted for whomever they wanted.
In this case, I’ll admit that I actually like what the mayor’s doing.
Oh yeah—that little issue.
On the other hand, jaded old me has come to the conclusion that Mayor Rahm’s every waking decision—including where and with whom to have lunch—has been politically calibrated.
“I don’t think it will work,” said Shaw. “Anybody can see through it.”
By the way, Kenwood Academy is one of the great high schools of Chicago. Its many illustrious students through the years include Mandy Patinkin, singer Chaka Khan, opera critic Andrew Patner, and Nazr Mohammed, backup center for the Bulls.
