Reform in Illinois? Former Sun-Times political editor shares his thoughts
Kayleigh Zyskowski/Activities Editor
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
Corruption is a word all too familiar to many in Illinois and more specifically the Chicago area when used in reference to politics and government.
James Merriner, a former political editor for the Chicago Sun-Times and the author of five books about Illinois politics, will speak about this topic at 7 p.m. today in the Robertson Auditorium in Lumpkin Hall.
Merriner's lecture "Will reform ever come to Illinois?" will address many of the issues he encountered in his 15 years of service with the Chicago Sun-Times.
Needless to say, Merriner has seen and covered his fair share of crooked politicians.
Shortly before Merriner left the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1980 to start at the Chicago Sun-Times, an alderman was indicted for minor infractions of election laws in Georgia.
"That story was big front-page news (in Georgia), but when I came to Chicago, people were getting indicted left and right," Merriner said. "It was just ordinary news and that got me wondering, why Chicago and why Illinois."
The focus of the lecture will be the campaign for national disclosure that was passed in the veto session and if that represents actual reform and if not, why not, Merriner said.
The lecture will offer insight to everyone, not just political science or journalism majors.
"Everybody in Illinois pays a corruption tax and the cost has increased because there is so much corruption involved in (the Illinois) government and if we want to see an attrition in the corruption of the government, we need to be informed," Merriner said. "Not that I am the last word on the subject, but I have something to say about it."
Politics and government are a deeper concept than simple black and white and nothing can be changed over night, Merriner said.
"I hope that people will think of corruption and reform in not of just a matter of heroes and villains, not just good guys and bad guys, but something that you breed as a culture," Merriner said. "It will take a lot of effort to root out."
In 1995, Merriner left the Chicago Sun-Times to become a freelance writer.
A reception will follow the lecture.
Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or at kzyskowski@eiu.edu.
James Merriner, a former political editor for the Chicago Sun-Times and the author of five books about Illinois politics, will speak about this topic at 7 p.m. today in the Robertson Auditorium in Lumpkin Hall.
Merriner's lecture "Will reform ever come to Illinois?" will address many of the issues he encountered in his 15 years of service with the Chicago Sun-Times.
Needless to say, Merriner has seen and covered his fair share of crooked politicians.
Shortly before Merriner left the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1980 to start at the Chicago Sun-Times, an alderman was indicted for minor infractions of election laws in Georgia.
"That story was big front-page news (in Georgia), but when I came to Chicago, people were getting indicted left and right," Merriner said. "It was just ordinary news and that got me wondering, why Chicago and why Illinois."
The focus of the lecture will be the campaign for national disclosure that was passed in the veto session and if that represents actual reform and if not, why not, Merriner said.
The lecture will offer insight to everyone, not just political science or journalism majors.
"Everybody in Illinois pays a corruption tax and the cost has increased because there is so much corruption involved in (the Illinois) government and if we want to see an attrition in the corruption of the government, we need to be informed," Merriner said. "Not that I am the last word on the subject, but I have something to say about it."
Politics and government are a deeper concept than simple black and white and nothing can be changed over night, Merriner said.
"I hope that people will think of corruption and reform in not of just a matter of heroes and villains, not just good guys and bad guys, but something that you breed as a culture," Merriner said. "It will take a lot of effort to root out."
In 1995, Merriner left the Chicago Sun-Times to become a freelance writer.
A reception will follow the lecture.
Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or at kzyskowski@eiu.edu.
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