Hendon Proposes Riverboat Casinos, Reopening Meigs air field

State Sen. Rickey Hendon, in a press conference at city hall Monday, proposed riverboat casinos and the reopening of Meigs Field airport as a short-term remedy for Chicago's financial crisis. Since he's on the Gaming committee in the Senate, he knows what it would take to move such a deal forward.

Sen. Hendon acknowledges that some people do not like the idea of relying on gambling to support government, but he points out that Indiana and Michigan have, or will soon have casinos that people from Illinois will be going to, and it's better to keep these revenues in the state. He also favors riverboats, not land-based casinos which would displace residents; and he favors casinos which are limited to gaming so that others may invest in  restaurants and other  nearby supporting businesses.  His proposal provides for local, female and minority ownership of the casinos.

He points out that raising taxes is not politically feasible right now. He says other forms of municipal revenue-grabbing, such as red-light cameras (he passed a bill in the legislature to curb some of their abuses) and outrageous parking fees and tickets, are just plain unacceptable: "Put a boot on your car after only two unpaid tickets? Come on now!"

Rickey a Hit at PUSH

Sen. Rickey Hendon reportedly wowed folks at a meeting held by Jesse Jackson at PUSH with some leading black ministers and politicians who are trying to use the open mayor's race as a way to advance the community, whoever ends up on the ballot. Stay tuned to see how they work it out. 

Hendon's Heroes believe in the trickle-up theory: the economic and spiritual betterment of the poorest folks is like yeast that makes the whole loaf of bread rise! Like Rickey often tells his neighbors in meetings Monday evenings: "If the government gives poor people money, y'all won't sit on it like the banks. You'll spend it, and that will stimulate the economy!" Tackle some of this street violence, unemployment and drugs, and let Chicago grow.

Rickey Announces for Mayor

Illinois State Sen.Rickey Hendon has announced he'll run for Mayor of Chicago.  He told his West Side weekly community meeting Monday that whoever he ends up to be the candidate, he is seeking some bargaining power on behalf of the West Side, especially within the Black caucus.  Hendon carried all but one of the city's black-dominated wards in his third-place race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, and a good deal of non-black voters as well.  Lots of candidates are elbowing for position now that Mayor Daley II has announced he won't run again. The election is Feb. 22. Sign a petition and give Rickey  a chance!

Rickey's Election Manual: Backstabbers

Sen. Rickey Hendon has come out with a new book exposing a lot of tricks he's faced in Chicago politics. It might be useful for many people considering running for mayor and alderman positions now that Mayor Daley has announced he won't run for another term. 

Not only does he outline the games politicians play, from challenging each other's petition signatures to mixing up the locations of ballot boxes. He also gives some positive grassroots campaigning tips, like standing on an overpass with a huge banner, like a mobile billboard.


The New York Times issued a rather snide review of "Backstabbers." They say Rickey should not have criticized politicians who promised to support him and then campaigned for his opponents.  But shouldn't the people know the names of politicians who are trustworthy and those who aren't?  I wonder if the reviewer has ever been to the West Side to see what things are really like for any politician who tries to educate citizens and get money for projects in a poor community.

Publisher Eric L. Miller has posted the New York Times article.