Privilege Has Its Memberships, Ctd.

Postpartum Edition.

From the indispensable Chicago Reader:

Daley joining law firm he previously hired for city's meter deal and other privatization work

Posted by Mick Dumke on Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 8:42 AM

Katten Muchin Rosenman, a law firm that the city has paid more than $1.2 million for work on privatization deals and other matters since 2005, announced this morning that it's adding a new attorney: former Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The move, first reported by Crain's, was announced in a statement on the firm's website. "Mayor Daley, who joined Katten after 22 years as mayor and more than 40 years in government, will be Of Counsel to the firm and, in that role, will draw on his vast knowledge, experience and relationships globally to contribute to the continued growth of the firm," the statement says. "Daley will not participate in any work at Katten involving the City of Chicago or any of its affiliate city agencies."

But when he was mayor Daley steered key work Katten's way, most of it on the city's big privatization efforts. Best known is the $662,760 the firm received for researching and writing the parking meter lease agreement, but the city also paid Katten $100,000 for its work on the Skyway privatization, $60,000 to help lease out the downtown parking garages, at least $75,000 for the aborted privatization of Midway airport, and more than $217,000 for the attempted privatization of the city's three garbage and recycling sorting centers, according to city records.

The city does not have a bidding process or other formal rules for selecting outside counsel. They're chosen by top law department officials, who are picked by and answer to the mayor.
...

Ain't nobody see nuthin'.
Ain't nobody say nuthin'.
Ain't nobody do nuthin'.

And anybody didn't see dis comin' -- from space, straight down Michigan Avenue -- needs ta meet me at da bar for a friendly game'a pool.

An' bring cash.

Why?

For the benefit of the new arrivals, everyone who has been to services at this church before, please rise and join us as we sing hymn number 22,

the Clout Club Anthem.

Rule #1: There is a club.
Rule #2: You are not in it.

If you need a quick history lesson in Midern Clout, this one is as good as any.

Ushers will be passing among you with the

Love Offering Baskets.

You did bring cash, didn't you?