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THE TAX BASH . . .
Chicago Tribune - Sunday, July 5, 1987
Author: Kathy O`Malley & Hanke Gratteau.
EXCERPT
HOW CLUBBY . . .
Newly appointed U.S. District Judge James Zagel got a nice going-away
present from the Illinois Department of State Police, courtesy of state
taxpayers. To tide Zagel over before he could start collecting his $81,000-a- year judicial salary, Jeremy Margolis, the new state police top gun, gave
Zagel a contract for up to $8,839 to cover ``transition`` duties. Margolis
told INC. that Zagel hasn`t yet billed the state for the work he did between
May 15, when he stepped down as director, and June 17, when he went on the
federal payroll. Apparently there was no time to tend to transitional details while Zagel was still on the state payroll: between February, when President
Reagan nominated Zagel to the bench, and April, when his appointment was
confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Who's who in Big Jim ‘s inner circle - Series: - THE THOMPSON LEGACY (STANDARD)
Chicago Sun-Times - Thursday, October 11, 1990
Author: M. W. Newman
EXCERPT
Samuel K. Skinner, 52, “Sam the Hammer,” crime-busting deputy who succeeded Thompson as U.S. attorney in 1975. A powerful Chicago lawyer, he took charge of the RTA in 1984. Co-manager of George Bush's 1988 Illinois campaign, now U.S. secretary of transportation.
Dan K. Webb, 44, special prosecutor who nailed John M. Poindexter, former White House national security adviser, in the Iran-contra scandal. As U.S. attorney here, 1981-85, he initiated the Operation Greylord cleanup of corrupt judges. A prestigious Chicago defense lawyer.
Anton Valukas, 47, U.S. attorney, 1985-89. Nemesis of crooked judges, law
yers, cops and former Gov. Dan Walker in bank fraud case. Brought indictments in commodities traders sting. Now in private practice.
Daniel H. Weil, 49, veteran prosecutor, former overseer of Cook County Jail. In 1989, he gave up a six-figure law practice to take over Chicago's scandal-stained Inspectional Services Department.
John B. Simon, 48, former assistant federal prosecutor, Thompson ‘s personal attorney. Simon, Valukas, Webb, Weil and Skinner are among Thompson friends whose law firms have collected lucrative fees from the state Insurance Department.
Joel Flaum, 53, right-hand man to Thompson in U.S. attorney's office, now on U.S. Court of Appeals here.
Ilana Rovner, 51, deputy governor 1977-84, now a U.S. District judge in Chicago.
James B. Zagel , 49, former boss of the state police and Revenue Department. A federal judge here since 1987.
James Fletcher, 47. Ran Thompson ‘s first campaign, later chief of staff and deputy governor. A lawyer, he is a top lobbyist in Illinois.
James Reilly, 45, ex-chief of staff. Reilly is paid $168,000 a year to run the board that operates McCormick Place and Navy Pier and is planning $1.5 billion in new facilities.
Gregory W. Baise, 38, onetime Thompson go-fer who escalated to patronage boss, campaign manager, Illinois secretary of transportation. Now GOP candidate for state treasurer. A private consultant.
John D. Kramer, 42, a Democratic holdover who was Thompson ‘s first transportation secretary. Later ran the ill-fated 1992 World's Fair Authority. A real-estate developer.
Dave O’Neal, 53, Thompson ‘s first lieutenant governor. He resigned, complaining there wasn't much to do. Now U.S. undersecretary of the interior.
Gayle M. Franzen, 44, investment banker, a longtime Thompson troubleshooter. He ran the state's toll highways and Corrections Department, spearheaded the deal to keep the White Sox in town. In 1989 he succeeded Skinner as RTA chairman, a part-time assignment.