Posted on 10/09/2003 5:57:23 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
The rumors persisted last week. And then on Tuesday, it became official.
Mel Reynolds is running for Congress — again.
Mel Reynolds, a real blast from the past if there ever was one.
With the garbage haulers' strike still on, I thought perhaps the phrase should be "trash from the past."
Mel Reynolds, running for Congress.
Why?
A bit of background for those new to our suburbs, those who are forgetful, or those who are overly forgiving:
It was Mel Reynolds who, after redistricting in 1990, knocked off longtime congressman Gus Savage in the 2nd District Democratic primary of 1992.
At the time we celebrated the victory because Gus Savage was not the man we wanted representing the South Suburbs, much of which was now in the newly drawn district.
In the view of many, Gus Savage was a mean-spirited, race-baiting anti-Semite who had no knowledge of, nor interest in, the new territories he was to represent.
Our political writer of the time, Myra Eder, remembers a day when Savage personally barred her from a meeting of his supporters at South Suburban College.
Our editorials and columns bringing into question some of his shenanigans earned us the ultimate snub: He refused to talk to The Star.
For these reasons and others, we supported Rhodes scholar Mel Reynolds, who struck us as educated, progressive and forward-looking, an ideal alternative to Savage.
Reynolds went on to win in the November general election and took his seat in Congress.
He apparently impressed his elders, earning a choice spot on the House Ways and Means Committee. He attracted the interest and admiration of the national press. Well-spoken and politically astute, he was viewed as a rising star in the party and in the Congress.
But there were rumors, and some history.
Rumors that he owed a lot of people a lot of money and that many of his checks were rubber.
Rumors that he had not made a single payment on the grand house and property he bought in Dolton.
History that Harvard University was garnishing his congressional wages because he owed thousands in tuition to the institution.
And a growing belief that while he could talk with the best of them, what he said was not always necessarily true.
Nonetheless, Reynolds was re-elected in 1994, largely with suburban support.
But very soon, the young emperor's clothes began to unravel.
Sensationally, there were allegations, and then criminal charges, of sex with an underage girl. A one-time campaign aide admitted, and then tried to take back, that she and Reynolds had shared an affair when she was 16.
A sexually laced phone conversation, played for the jury at the trial, made it very clear much more than a friendship had been going on.
Child pornography and obstruction of justice charges were included in the indictment. Despite Reynolds' contention he had been framed, the jury believed the prosecution.
The girl being underage at the time of the affair, Reynolds was convicted of statutory rape and charges he had paid her to keep quiet. The judge sentenced him to five years in prison.
Prosecutors were also building a case of official misuse of funds against him. While in jail, he was convicted of misusing tens of thousands of dollars of campaign funds and defrauding banks. The judge sentenced him to 6½ more years in prison.
With Reynolds in jail, young Jesse Jackson Jr. was chosen in a special election to take his place in Congress. Jackson was re-elected in 1996 and has represented the 2nd District since.
The popular, dedicated and animated son of Rainbow-PUSH leader Jesse Jackson has pointedly built a record of service of his own, moving out from under the shadow of his famous father.
Not everyone agrees with every stand Jackson Jr. has taken — those in the Peotone airport footprint are furious about his continued full court press for building the facility — but he has been re-elected by increasing majorities in each of his elections.
The Jackson family once was in Mel Reynolds' corner and was reportedly instrumental in getting Reynolds sprung from prison by President Bill Clinton in January 2001.
One of Clinton's controversial 11th hour commutations went to Reynolds sparking heated objections from many in his old district.
Out of jail, Reynolds was given a job by the Rev. James Meeks in his Roseland church. We're not sure what happened there; we do know that he doesn't have that job anymore.
His current job, if you can call it that, is as an "executive director" of a community development commission operating out of a church in Harvey.
And now, Mel Reynolds wants his old job back — the job Jesse Jackson Jr. now has.
Why?
Possibly because he needs the money.
Probably because he has, as one pundit puts it, "an ego the size of Pennsylvania."
Perhaps because he was urged to muddy the 2nd District waters on behalf of city hall in Chicago, where Jackson Jr. is no prince.
Jackson's push for Peotone is not popular where O'Hare expansion is viewed as the clear priority for Illinois aviation.
Is it possible to see the hand of former state Sen. Bill Shaw in this? Shaw, who was beaten by Meeks and opposed by Jackson Jr. in the last election?
While the Shaw brothers were once political enemies of Reynolds, can it be Mel is being used now for political payback purposes?
Or can someone be conniving to split the African-American vote in this largely African-American district, to usher in some third candidate?
Whatever his motivation, Mel Reynolds wants back in.
Where he is absolutely not welcome.
Dennis Wheeler may be reached at (708) 802-8092. Or you may send e-mail to dwheeler@starnewspapers.com.
On Hannity and Colmes some moron was saying he had "payed his debt" while adding a meek "he's not my favorite canditate" and Colmes agreed he "has a right to run" although he "doesn't support him".
Moron also said when challenged that "he'd have to face those accusations again". Accusations?!?!? He's on tape!!!! He was convicted by a jury!!!
Reynolds is a CHILD MOLESTER. I can't believe Jackson Jr. is the good choice here. Reynolds should still be locked up.
Even though he has zero chance too win he should be thrown back in jail if just for his gall.
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