God Bless Chicago

From today's Sun-Times, two articles that say nothing at all about the political culture of Chicago and Illinois. Nothing at all. First:

Gov's family feud takes new twist

A top Illinois environmental official has told investigators he "may have" warned a landfill owner that his state permit problems would not clear up until his relative, Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), patched up a feud with Gov. Blagojevich, sources told the Sun-Times.

"[M]ay have...." What a brilliant hack this man must be; what a comfort it must be to the governor to know that he has such uniquely talented people working in his administration.

Next:

Daley cousins on list of Sorich witnesses

Prosecutors may call as witnesses three of Mayor Daley's cousins who had high-ranking city jobs and the mayor's former campaign manager at the trial of Daley's former patronage chief, a court filing shows.

It is truly remarkable that the Daley family should have so many talented people in it, that they should find places at so many levels of government.

My own position is that if a crony can do the job, it isn't a job worth doing. The day that notion gains traction in Chicago is the day that hell freezes over.