State Law OKing Przybylo Smacks of Politics

The following letter to the editor reflects the views of the author. Patch merely serves as a forum for writers to express their opinions. 

The 4th of July isn’t here yet, but the fireworks have already begun. Last week, a local Niles newspaper printed an interview with Trustee Andrew Przybylo to get his reaction to the passage of a bill in Springfield which would permit liquor license holders like him to occupy the office of mayor. The interview clearly states that he’ll run probably for mayor but not for trustee. Decisions, decisions. Oh, yes, he doesn’t want you to ask him who else in the state faces such a problem because he doesn’t want to tell their names. Shhhh…Whatever.

Three politicians handled the bill. It was introduced by Democrat St. Rep. Louis Lang of Skokie (St. stands for State, not Saint) who took precious time from his eternal efforts to make life easier for gambling businesses just to push a bill which favors the ever eager Mr. Przybylo. And it’s not the first time.

Lang was joined by Democrat John D’Amico, nephew of 39th Ward Alderman Marge Laurino-- the daughter of former Alderman Anthony Laurino, the sister of former St. Rep. William Laurino, and wife of 39th Ward Democratic Committeeman Randy Barnette (what a public spirited family).

The last member of the troika is the Democrat’s favorite Republican, St. Rep. Michael McAuliffe, son of a deceased state rep, who is Republican chairman of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee in Mike Madigan’s Democratic “House.”

What a holy trinity of public servants! Praise the Lord! Aren’t we all lucky? To claim there is no politics in their action is to believe that Santa Claus will visit us this July. No laws pass in Springfield without Madigan’s personal approval. Apparently he now approves of helping Andy get his wish and follow the paths of Blase and Callero.

Andrew runs a restaurant and catering hall, but he is really a waiter. He waited for Blase to make him a village trustee. He waited for Blase to make him Democratic Committeeman of Maine Township and he waited for whomever to bless and approve his run for mayor. 

In the last two decades we have heard practically nothing of critical importance from our Handy Andy. Recently he voted to increase shoppers’ taxes at Golf Mill. That’s our Andy, always ready to up the tax ante. While trustees have differences with the current mayor, Andy cries “It’s frustrating and I don’t like it.” Does this mean he would not want opposing views if he sits in the Big Chair? My family left Europe to get away from dictators, not to hurry to America to serve others.

We know that Andy is waiting for Quinn to sign a pardon for a possible future trustee running mate. Then this dynamic duo will add two others to their team in trying to make Niles just like the good old days of the last half century. Fun for all and all for fun!

Caterer Andrew and wife also have jobs in county government and he certainly caters the needs of his county bosses as he has to his mayoral bosses. He has a cushy job as Secretary of the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals, replete with pension and all kinds of bennies. Too bad he didn’t have time to work on fixing the pensions of Niles employees over the last few decades.

Andrew hasn’t decided what to do yet. A lot of people hope that if he runs, he will do so on his “record,” known and yet to be known. It might well be a campaign that will be flatter than an uninspiring pancake. Let the games begin!

By Chris Hanusiak, Niles trustee

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