Chicago scandal takes its toll

The probe, still referred to as the "Hired Truck" investigation because of corruption in the way the city awarded trucking contracts, has focused recently on charges that numerous city jobs were filled using lists of people in political favor. The hirings often involved falsified test scores and sham interviews to justify the decisions. Hires included "goofballs," "a drunk," and even a dead man, according to charges brought by US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Since May, seven members of Daley's cabinet have been fired or have resigned.

So far, however, no allegations have been made against the mayor himself. But critics increasingly dismiss his claims that he could not have known what went on.

"It's not all systemic - a lot of it is leadership," says Dan Sprehe, chief investigator for the Better Government Association, a nonpartisan watchdog group begun in the 1920s to counter Capone's influence. A culture of reform, embraced from the top down, has been lacking, says Mr. Sprehe. "There are so many great things in this city that the mayor can take credit for. This is some of the stuff he has to take credit for as well. It happened on his watch."

Many Chicagoans seem to agree. A Chicago Tribune/WGN poll in May showed mayoral approval ratings of just 53 percent - a remarkable low point for a mayor reelected in 2003 with nearly 80 percent of the vote. In a hypothetical contest against US Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. - the person most often cited as a mayoral challenger - the poll had Mr. Jackson winning, 40 percent to 37 percent (with 23 percent undecided). Blacks, in particular, seemed to have turned on Daley, with 70 percent saying they would favor Jackson.

"He does some things well for the city, but I think it'd be good to get someone else in there," says Keeley Sorokti, a religious-education director at a Lakeview church who laughs at the idea that the scandal is surprising. "It feels like it's a monopoly of government."

As a man who lives and breathes Chicago, and went from son of its most famous mayor to king in his own right, Daley has always thought in terms of his legacy. His hallmark has been big-city projects and big plans for the future: the 24-acre Millennium Park, now the jewel of the downtown lakefront; a total overhaul of the public schools and public housing; a possible bid for the 2016 Olympics.

On his watch, say Daley admirers, Chicago has become a better city - cleaner, greener, and more livable. While some privately wonder if he will even want to run in 2007, others say the election will still be his for the taking, if the economy doesn't turn. And, in his old Bridgeport stomping ground, Daley's name is still gold.

"He's made the city look so good. In this neighborhood - it'll cost you $225,000 now just to get a piece of dirt," says Tom, a lifelong Bridgeport resident who works for the city and asked that his last name not be used. Nearby, at Morrie O'Malley's hot dog stand, others echo that sentiment.

"He's a great man," says Bob O'Malley, as he slings hot dogs. "The best mayor we ever had - along with his father of course."

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