Bernard Stone
Bernard Stone | |
---|---|
Chicago Alderman | |
In office 1973–2011 | |
Preceded by | Jack I. Sperling |
Succeeded by | Debra Silverstein |
Constituency | 50th Ward |
Personal details | |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | November 24, 1927
Died | December 22, 2014 Skokie, Illinois, U.S. | (aged 87)
Political party | Democratic (1956–1987; 1990–2014) |
Other political affiliations | Republican (1987–1990) |
Spouse |
Lois Stone
(m. 1949; died 1995) |
Children | 4 |
John Marshall Law School (J.D.) | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Bernard "Berny" L. Stone (November 24, 1927 – December 22, 2014) was alderman of the 50th Ward of the City of Chicago, Illinois from 1973 to 2011. The 50th Ward encompasses part of Chicago's far North Side and includes the West Ridge and Peterson Park neighborhoods. First elected to the Council in 1973, Stone was the second longest-serving alderman (after Edward M. Burke). His tenure spanned the terms of seven Mayors, from Richard J. Daley to Richard M. Daley.[1] Stone was also Vice Mayor of the City of Chicago from 1998 to 2011.[2]
Stone was a part of the "
Early life and education
Stone was born on November 24, 1927
Early political career
Early attempts at elected office
In 1956, Stone ran in the Democratic primary for the Illinois House of Representatives,[8][9] but was defeated by Esther Saperstein,[10] who went on to serve in the Illinois House for ten years and became Illinois' first female state senator.[11]
In 1963, Stone was one of a record 233 candidates filing to run for Chicago alderman, and one of ten challengers to the incumbent in the 50th Ward, Republican Alderman Jack I. Sperling, who sought a third four-year term. Stone filed without the endorsement of a political party.[12] By February 1963, Stone was not on the ballot for the February 26, 1963, election.[13]
1973 campaign for alderman
On January 29, 1973, the
Chicago City Council (1973–2011)
The Republican years (1987–1990)
Former Alderman and former
On November 25, 1987, Chicago Mayor Harold Washington died.[27] Stone announced his candidacy for mayor to fellow aldermen on November 29 and to the public on December 1. Many saw Stone's mayoral candidacy as an attempt to publicize his Recorder race. Two days later the City Council elected Alderman Eugene Sawyer as mayor.[27]
In 1989, Stone unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Mayor of Chicago, to unseat Mayor Sawyer.[30] Richard M. Daley defeated Sawyer in the Democratic primary and Republican nominee Edward Vrdolyak in the general election to become mayor. In 1990, Stone returned to the Democratic Party.[31]
"Berny's Wall"
Although resident and corporate relations between Chicago and neighboring suburb
On May 28, 1993, Evanston Mayor Lorraine H. Morton, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Stone, and city officials met at Chicago City Hall, and hours later, Morton announced that Evanston would drop legal action against Chicago.[38] The next day, after consultation with Evanston's corporation counsel and others, Evanston announced they would continue legal recourse in conjunction with negotiations.[39] Stone demanded that Evanston pick up the cost of the installation and removal of the guardrail. On June 1, 1993, the Evanston City Council voted to refuse to contribute funds, to continue their lawsuit, and to defer modifications to the site plan until the barrier was dismantled.[40]
Testimony began July 25, 1994. Chicago Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boyle Jr. and Planning Commissioner Valerie Jarrett testified that the guardrail had been installed at Stone's request without the benefit of traffic or planning studies. A partner of the shopping center's construction firm testified that Stone had discussed with him in 1992 the idea of siting the project on vacant land near the Lincoln Village Shopping Center, a site that was scheduled to be redistricted into the 50th Ward in 1995.[41] Evanston officials said Stone was jealous of the project going to Evanston.[42] On September 21, 1994, the judge ruled that the March 25, 1993, resolution which Stone ushered through the Chicago City Council authorized Chicago's Department of Transportation commissioner to consider a barrier, declared that the Department had no authority to install the guardrail, ordered Chicago to remove it and pay all costs including Evanston's legal fees, and dismissed Chicago's countersuit to block the shopping center.[32] Chicago's request for a stay pending appeal was denied,[42] Bell and Howell agreed to pay the estimated $35,000 to remove the barrier, and removal began on October 4, 1994. "The party isn't over until the fat man sings, and I'm the fat man", said Stone.[43] The Chicago Tribune editorialized calling the barrier "a petty, indulgent waste of money at the people's expense".[44]
Stone passed legislation through the Chicago City Council to change to one-way, northbound only, portions of Kedzie and Sacramento Avenues, two Chicago streets south of the shopping center. After the changes were implemented November 10, 1994, Stone's office received numerous complaints, and by November 16 Kedzie was again a two-way street.[45]
On November 3, 1999, the City of Chicago established the Lincoln Avenue TIF district, including the Lincoln Village Shopping Center area.[46]
Sleeping in Council Chambers
A photograph of Stone asleep in Council Chambers, during a hearing on an ordinance restricting the use of a cell phone while operating an automobile, ran on the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times in January 2004.[47] "Some aldermen have a tendency while they're thinking to close their eyes and that may register with their constituency as not paying attention or, perhaps, even sleeping during the session", Stone later explained.[48] Stone fell asleep at his desk in Council Chambers in City Hall during the City Council's Finance Committee debate on the controversial parking meter lease in December 2008 and was photographed by the press.[49] Stone was videotaped sleeping during a Finance Committee hearing on the transparency of the City's tax increment financing program in March 2009.[50][51]
Campaign employees convicted of vote fraud
On September 4, 2007, speaking from the floor of Council Chambers during a meeting of the Buildings Committee, Stone warned fellow aldermen of an ongoing investigation into absentee balloting.[52] On January 28, 2008, two employees of Stone's 2007 re-election campaign were arrested and charged with improperly influencing voters, primarily from the ward's Indian and Pakistani communities, to vote absentee for Stone. Anish Eapen, a precinct captain and a ward superintendent with the city's Streets and Sanitation Department, was charged with "official misconduct, absentee ballot fraud, and mutilation of election materials".[53][54] Eapen allegedly partnered with Armando Ramos, an unemployed student, who was also charged with absentee ballot fraud and mutilation of election materials. Stone accused the state attorney's office of acting at the behest of the area's U.S. Representative, Jan Schakowsky. "We know where this all started. We know it's politically based. ... Her [Schakowsky's] aide was soliciting the state's attorney to investigate. It's absolutely a devious political trick", he said. Schakowsky denied involvement.[54][55] Bond was set at $50,000 and $40,000 for Eapen and Ramos, respectively.[56][57]
City Inspector General David H. Hoffman called for Eapen to be fired. For nearly two years, Eapen was on paid administrative leave from his $83,940-a-year job with the city. On October 8, 2009, Streets and Sanitation Department Commissioner Tom Byrne found Eapen a job tracking equipment. Stone blamed Byrne's predecessor for Eapen's paid leave, saying "Mike Picardi has no cojones".[58]
On October 24, 2008, during the annual budget hearing process, Inspector General Hoffman testified before the Committee on the Budget of the Chicago City Council. "It is my intent, Mr. Inspector General, to wipe your entire office out of the budget", Stone told Hoffman. "It is my intent to submit a budget amendment which will destroy your department".[53] "He's come after me, so I'm going after him. That's the way the game is played", Stone said.[59] Stone's amendment came before the Budget Committee on November 17, 2008, and was tabled 14-2.[60]
Eapen and Ramos waived their right to trial by jury. In a bench trial, four members of a family who lived in the ward testified that Eapen came to their homes, watched as they completed the absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, collected their ballots, and mailed them. One family member, who was not registered to vote, testified that Eapen filled out her ballot and she signed it.[61][62] Another witness testified that when she told Stone in his office that Ramos filled out her ballot, Stone was dismissive, saying, "This meeting is over". Stone commented on the testimony, "I have no recollection of what she is talking about".[63]
On June 24, 2010, Cook County Judge Marcus Salone found Eapen and Ramos each guilty on one count of attempted mutilation of voting materials and additional counts of attempted absentee ballot violations.[64] On August 4, 2010, Salone sentenced Eapen and Ramos to prison terms of 364 days and 270 days, respectively.[65] Salone said "I think the evidence is overwhelming. The reality is that Mr. Eapen and Mr. Ramos attempted to steal democracy and they did it in a vicious way". Stone called the case "a witch hunt", said that Ramos and Eapen were "political prisoners", and compared their crimes to "spitting on the sidewalk". Stone said Inspector General Hoffman targeted his staff while failing to investigate other aldermen's staffs. "They are not the ones who attempted to steal democracy. The one who attempted to steal democracy was David Hoffman", Stone said. "This is a miscarriage of justice".[66][67][68][69]
Committees
Stone was the Chairman of the City Council Committee on Buildings, and also served on the following City Council committees: Budget and Government Operations, Finance, Historical Landmark Preservation, Housing and Landmark Preservation, Traffic Control and Safety, and the Committee on Committees.[6][70]
Loss in 2011 run-off
In 2008, Illinois State Senator
Political philosophy
Stone stated his political philosophy as "You take care of the people who take care of you – you know, the people who voted for you. That's not Chicago politics, that's Politics 101".[79]
Legacy
In 2017 a 1.8 acre greenspace along the
Personal life
Stone married his wife, Lois (d. 1995), in 1949.[1] They had three daughters and a son.[82][83]
Stone worshipped at Congregation Ezras Israel and served on their Board of Directors. Stone also served on the Board of Directors for the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center, the Associated Talmud Torahs, and the Jewish National Fund.[7]
In 2003, Stone's son, Jay, unsuccessfully challenged incumbent 32nd Ward Alderman Theodore Matlak. Stone supported Matlak, calling his son "an embarrassment" who "doesn't know what he's doing". Father and son remained on good terms.[84]
Stone died on December 22, 2014, at age 87 from complications from a fall. Stone was remembered by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times as "outspoken"; by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel as "fiercely loyal to his constituents"; and in a City Council resolution as "a vigorous advocate for the people of the 50th Ward".[1][6][4][70]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Seidel, Jon (December 23, 2014). "Chicago's old guard remembers Stone in Skokie". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ "Chicago's Vice Mayor". Chicago Tonight. WTTW. April 10, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ Crawford, Bob (September 28, 1983). "Bob Crawford Audio Archive". University of Illinois at Chicago. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ a b c Geiger, Kim; Washburn, Gary (December 22, 2014). "Former Chicago Alderman Bernie Stone dead at 87". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ Newbart, Dave (November 20, 2007). "Friends, family and city aldermen turn out to help mark 80th birthday". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g Esposito, Stefano (December 22, 2014). "Bernard Stone, former Chicago alderman, dies at age 87". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Sher, Cindy (December 23, 2014). "Former Chicago Alderman Bernard Stone dies at 87". Jewish United Fund. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
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- ^ "State appoints 6 to fill vacancies on county bench". Chicago Tribune. January 30, 1973. p. 2. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
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- ^ Neal, Steve (October 30, 1987). "Ald. Stone joins GOP, plans to run for recorder". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 19. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. HighBeam
- ^ Dold, R. Bruce; Crawford, Jan (October 30, 1987). "Ald. Stone to Run for Recorder as Republican". Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
- ^ Herrmann, Andrew (November 1, 1987). "Vrdolyak, Stone slated by GOP". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 7. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
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- ^ Spielman, Fran (November 10, 1988). "Ex-Dems are blamed for GOP county losses". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 12. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Dold, R. Bruce; Seigel, Jessica (December 6, 1988). "Daley? Mayoral Field Tries to Look Away". Chicago Tribune. p. 4.
- ^ "The return of the prodigal Stone". Chicago Tribune. December 10, 1990. p. 14.
- ^ a b Fegelman, Andrew; Stein, Anne (September 22, 1994). "City-Evanston Wall to Come Down". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
- ^ "City of Evanston TIF Summaries" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ Hilkevitch, Jon (May 27, 1993). "Stonewalled; Alderman fences off his ward from Evanston mall". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
- ^ Hilkevitch, Jon (May 28, 1993). "Aldermen talk; wall still stands". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Carr, Rebecca (May 28, 1993). "Evanston Alderman's Plea Hits Stone Wall". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Bernie Stone's $150,000 Folly". Chicago Tribune. May 29, 1993. p. 18.
- ^ Hilkevitch, Jon; Kass, John (May 29, 1993). "Evanston drops lawsuit on Howard Street 'wall'". Chicago Tribune. p. 5.
- ^ Hilkevitch, Jon (May 30, 1993). "Evanston plots demise of barrier". Chicago Tribune. p. 3.
- ^ Hilkevitch, Jon; Cox, Brian (June 2, 1993). "Evanston isn't backing down in its wall fight with Chicago". Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
- ^ Fegelman, Andrew (July 26, 1994). "Howard St. Barricade Trial Begins". Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
- ^ a b Fegelman, Andrew (September 28, 1994). "Judge Holds the Line, Tells City to Tear Down Howard St. Wall". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
- ^ Hilkevitch, Jon; Backover, Andrew (October 5, 1994). "Disputed 'Stone Wall' begins to come down". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "It's Time to Tear Down Bernie's Folly". Chicago Tribune. September 23, 1994. p. 20.
- ^ Hartstein, Larry (November 25, 1994). "Alderman Goes with the Flow on Kedzie Traffic; Stone, Council Reverse 1-Way Order". Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
- ^ "Authorization for Approval of Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan for Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment Project Area" (PDF). Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ Black, Bob (January 14, 2004). "Do you blame him?". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (January 14, 2004). "See Council in action – or at rest – on the Net". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 14. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Arnold, Tony (December 3, 2008). "Your Leaders at Work". WBEZ Chicago Public Radio. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
- ^ "Berny Stone: Your Tax Dollars At Rest". Progress Illinois. March 17, 2009. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
- ^ "Ald. Berny Stone "rests his eyes"". YouTube. March 16, 2009. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
- ^ Washburn, Gary; Ciokajlo, Mickey (September 6, 2007). "City's absentee ballots probed; Constituents being questioned about election, Stone says". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
- ^ a b Dardick, Hal (October 24, 2008). "Ald. Stone vows to 'destroy' city watchdog agency". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ a b Washburn, Gary (January 29, 2008). "Precinct captain for Chicago Ald. Bernard Stone is charged with vote fraud in 2007 aldermanic election; 50th Ward Streets and Sanitation Department superintendent accused of absentee ballot fraud and mutilation of election materials". Chicago Tribune. p. 3.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (January 29, 2008). "Stone aide tied to ballot fraud". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2010. HighBeam
- ^ Spak, Kara (January 30, 2008). "Ward official manipulated absentee votes: prosecutor". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Owen, Mary (January 30, 2008). "Official's vote fraud charges are detailed". Chicago Tribune. p. 4. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (November 1, 2009). "No work, full pay for alderman 's pal – Stone 's handpicked precinct captain keeps $84,000 salary for almost 2 years while awaiting trial for ballot fraud". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Spielman, Fran (November 18, 2008). "Ald. Stone targets inspector general: 'I'm going after him'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. HighBeam
- ^ Dardick, Hal (November 17, 2008). "Alderman fails in bid to eliminate inspector general". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Hussain, Rummana (November 10, 2009). "Ward chief filled out my ballot: voter". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Walberg, Matthew (October 10, 2009). "Prosecutor alleges pair tainted vote in 50th Ward; Precinct captain, volunteer said to have manipulated absentee ballots, cast absentee votes for Ald. Bernard Stone". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
- ^ "Stone knew of attempt to sway vote, witness says". Chicago Sun-Times. November 18, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Swanson, Lorraine (June 24, 2010). "Two Former Aides for Ald. Berny Stone Found Guilty". Lake Effect News. ChicagoTalks. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ "Former City of Chicago Employee Sentenced in Vote Fraud" (PDF) (Press release). City of Chicago Office of Inspector General. August 4, 2010.
- ^ Hussain, Rummana (August 5, 2009). "Jail time for 2 who tried to steer votes to Ald. Stone". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2010. HighBeam
- ^ Walberg, Matthew (August 4, 2010). "Former political workers sentenced for vote fraud". Chicago Tribune. p. 8. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
- ^ Swanson, Lorraine (August 4, 2010). "Jail Time for Former Aides to Ald. Berny Stone". Lake Effect News. ChicagoTalks. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ Sun-Times Media Wire (August 8, 2009). "Two Bernie Stone Operatives Sentenced To Jail for Vote-Getting Efforts, 'Attempting to steal democracy'". WFLD. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ a b Emanuel, Rahm (April 15, 2015). "Tribute to the Late Bernard Stone, Former Alderman of the 50th Ward [R2015-312]" (PDF). Journal of the Proceedings of the Chicago City Council. Office of the City Clerk of the City of Chicago. p. 105506. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ^ Bradley, Ben (February 22, 2011). "Stone, Silverstein face runoff for 50th Ward alderman". WLS-TV. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ Dardick, Hal (March 24, 2011). "Bitter runoff in 50th Ward". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Vying for the 50th Ward. Chicago Tonight. March 22, 2011.
- ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan; Dumke, Mick (February 24, 2011). "Runoffs for Aldermen Pose First Test for Emanuel in Dealings With Council". The New York Times. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan; Clauss, Hunter (April 5, 2011). "Runoffs Complete City Council's Overhaul". Chicago News Cooperative.
- ^ Dellimore, Craig (April 6, 2011). "Silverstein's Victory Ends Stone's Long Run". CBS Chicago.
- ^ Dardick, Hal; Byrne, John (April 5, 2011). "Stone, Lyle lose as Chicago City Council gets makeover". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
Stone scored just 38 percent in losing his first council election since 1973.
- ^ Esposito, Stefano; Korecki, Natasha; Rozek, Dan (April 6, 2011). "End of the road for Ald. Stone in 50th". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 18, 2015 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Zekman, Pam (October 29, 2009). "How Do Aldermen Spend Their 'Piggy Bank' Money? Munoz Accused Of Hoarding Funds For Park While Some Residents Demand Improvements". WBBM-TV. Better Government Association. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Janssen, Kim (October 5, 2017). "Peace breaks out in 50th Ward". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
- ^ Greenfield, John. "The turbulent history of the bike bridge that will finally complete the North Shore Channel Trail". Chicago Reader. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
- ^ "Chicago Jewish Funerals: Bernard Stone". Legacy.com. 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ "Lois D. Stone, Wife of Alderman". Chicago Sun-Times. December 7, 1995. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015. HighBeam
- ^ Joravsky, Ben (May 20, 2004). "Stone Rocks the Boat; Somebody's Gonna Be Mad; A Daley stalwart rebels. Could it be the influence of his son the talk-show host?". Chicago Reader.
External links
- "Committee of One: Berny Stone don’t need no stinking quorum" Mick Dumke, Chicago Reader, December 15, 2006
- "The $75,000 Parking Spot" Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader, April 28, 2006