Cook County Dems could pick first Hispanic party chief

This is news so it's worth putting it out on the blog. I should note that the chairmanship of the Cook County Democratic Party is the same position that the legendary Mayor Richard J. Daley held back during his days as mayor and he was known as the last of the big city bosses...

Veteran Democratic ward boss Joseph Berrios was maneuvering Wednesday to become the first Hispanic chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party after party elders took a pass on what they called a no-win job.

"I have no desire to be the captain of the Titanic," said Ald. Richard Mell (33rd).

"No pay. Only headaches. It's the last thing in the world I would do," said Ald. Bernard Stone (50th).

Referring to the Shakman decree that banned political hiring and firing, and the heat generated by the hiring scandal, he said, "It's chaos now."
...
Berrios said he has lined up commitments from such heavy hitters as House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th) and Ald. William Banks (36th) after receiving assurances that neither they, nor Mell, were interested in replacing retiring Democratic chairman Tom Lyons. West Side committeeman Isaac Carothers (29th) said he has also pledged his support to Berrios.

"It'll show the Democratic Party has extended its hand to the Hispanic community and given the city's fastest-growing group a leadership chance," said Berrios, 54.

This article didn't fail to mention Mayor Daley's son Mayor Daley...

Richard M. Daley wasn't interested in becoming Son of Boss. He wanted the party to remain weak so he could build his own organizations outside the party structure and funnel jobs and promotions through those groups.