Better than Obama w/ Russert: Milan w/ Berkowitz on Cable and Streaming on YouTube and PA

This week's Chicago Metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features Cook County, IL State's Attorney Candidate Bob Milan (D-Glenview). Milan is Dick Devine's (the current State's Attorney) First Assistant, meaning Milan has oversight responsibilities for almost 900 attorneys and about six hundred support staff. Bob Milan is running in a tough six candidate Democratic Primary.

The show with Milan airs tonight in 35 suburbs: in 25 suburbs, it airs in its regular, weekly, Tuesday night slot at 8:30 pm on either Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35. In 10 suburbs, the show airs tonight in a special airing at 9:30 pm and tomorrow night in its regular Wednesday slot at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19. [In these 10 suburbs, the show usually airs three times a week, but due to the Holiday, it aired last night in its regular Monday night slot and will air tonight and tomorrow night as indicated (no airing on Friday due to the Holiday). See, below, for further details as to the specific airing schedule and channel for "Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz," for your Chicago suburban location.
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First Ass't and State's Attorney candidate Bob Milan debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of State's Attorney public policy issues (listed, below).
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The show with First Ass't Bob Milan also airs through-out the City of Chicago this coming Monday Night [Nov. 26] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and at 7:30 pm this coming Monday evening [Nov. 26] on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. That is, the Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also watch the show with State's Attorney Democratic Primary candidate Milan, along with other recently posted shows, including State's Attorney Candidates Ald. Allen, Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins; next week's suburban edition of Public Affairs show with 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Jim Oberweis; Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston), 14th CD Republican Primary candidates Sen. Lauzen and Mayor Burns and 14th CD Democratic Primary Candidates Jotham Stein and John Laesch on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com. [For all of the shows on the Public Affairs podcast page, other than Oberweis and Milan, please click the Archives icon to bring up those shows].

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006, Congresswoman Bean in January, 2006 and Congresswoman Schakowsky in October, 2005 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
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Having trouble watching the 14th CD Democratic and Republican Primary candidates listed above and the Milan, Brookins, Suffredin and Allen quartet on the Public Affairs podcast page or at Itunes.com? Not to worry, you can now go here to watch them all on YouTube.com as well other Public Affairs shows, e.g., our extended interview with Presidential candidate Gov. Bill Richardson. This TV show host has been told that almost anybody who has a computer should be able to access Youtube, so no longer will you have a technical excuse for not watching Public Affairs, as all of our shows, going forward, and many prior ones, will be posted on YouTube.com.

Next week's Chicago suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features 14th CD Republican Primary Candidate Jim Oberweis, and that show is likely to be placed on YouTube in the next day or two, along with other Public Affairs shows. go here to watch them all on YouTube.com You can now watch the Public Affairs show with Oberweis at PublicAffairs.com
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Cook County, IL State’s Attorney election contest:

State’s Attorney First Ass't Bob Milan is one of six candidates in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County. He is joined in the race by Chicago Ald. Allen, Chicago Ald. Brookins, Comm. Suffredin, State’s Attorney Chief Deputy Alvarez and attorney Tommie Brewer.

The victor in the Democratic Primary will face the winner of the Republican Primary between Cook County Comm. and private sector attorney Tony Peraica and attorney Ed Barron.

Meet Bob Milan:

Milan has been associated with the State's Attorney of Cook County office for the last 21 years (19 as an attorney, his entire legal career) and has been the First Assistant to State's Attorney Dick Devine for the last 4 1/2 years. As the First Ass't, Milan supervises almost 900 attorneys, 100 investigators and about 500 staff personnel. Milan supervised the prosecution and investigation that led to the charging of the Brown's Chicken defendants nine years after the grisly murders of seven individuals. Over the years, Milan has tried more than seventy-five criminal jury matters to verdict. For the moment, Milan is continuing to hold the position of First Assistant, in addition to campaigning for the State's Attorney position.

Milan, who grew up in Beverly and the 19th Ward on the NW side of Chicago, still known as the Tom Hynes Ward and the point of political origin for many Chicago pols, now resides in Glenview with his wife and three children. His educational background includes St. Ignatius High School, Loyola University of Chicago and Chicago Kent Law School.

For more about First Ass't Milan, please go to www.milan08.com

Topics discussed in the show with candidate Bob Milan:

Cook County State's Attorney candidate and First Ass't Robert Milan debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of public policy issues relating to leadership and administration of the State's Attorney office, including what should be the largest political organization in Cook County, whether State's Attorney Devine did what he should have done to investigate allegations of confessions resulting from torture, whether the State’s Attorney office should have done more to investigate public corruption in the City of Chicago government during the last decade, whether the moratorium on capital punishment in Illinois should be lifted, whether the Mayor's office should release the names of police officers who are the subject of ten or more complaints from individuals, how well is the State's Attorney office performing in terms of diversity hires, how much patronage exists in the State's Attorney office, should the State's Attorney office be allowed to unionize and should we have more or less gun control and much, much more.
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A partial transcript of this week's show with candidate Bob Milan will be placed ont this blog during the next few days.
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The show with Bob Milan was recorded on Nov. 11, 2007
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included, directly, below.
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In twenty-five North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the "Public Affairs," show airs every Tuesday night in the regular weekly Public Affairs slot, 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In ten North Shore suburbs, the Public Affairs show airs three times each week in its regular slots at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below. Due to the Holiday, the regular Friday night airing is pre-empted and the Milan show will air in a special slot tonight at 9:30 pm
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The suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest State's Attorney candidate Bob Milan(D-Glenview) airs:

tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and this week on Monday and Wednesday at 8:30 pm, and Tuesday at 9:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than Monday night Football: 14th CD candidate Lauzen on cable and streaming

Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora editions of Public Affairs features State Senator and 14th Cong. District Republican Primary Candidate Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora).

Senator Lauzen debates and discusses, tonight, with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of domestic, foreign and cultural public policy issues (For a list of topics discussed, a partial transcript and some commentary about tonight's show, go here.
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The show with Senator Lauzen airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight [Nov. 19] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and at 7:30 pm tonight [Nov. 19] on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. That is, the Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also watch the show with 14th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary candidate Lauzen, along with other recently posted shows, including State's Attorney Candidates Ald. Allen, Comm. Suffredin, Ald. Brookins and First Ass't Bob Milan, Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and 14th CD Democratic Primary Candidates Jotham Stein and John Laesch on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com. [For all of the shows on the Public Affairs podcast page, other than Sen. Lauzen and Bob Milan, please click the Archives icon to bring up those shows].

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006, Congresswoman Bean in January, 2006 and Congresswoman Schakowsky in October, 2005 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
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Having trouble watching the 14th CD Democratic and Republican Primary candidates listed above and the Brookins, Suffredin, Milan and Allen Quartet on the Public Affairs podcast page or at Itunes.com? Not to worry, you can now go here to watch them all on YouTube.com as well other Public Affairs shows, e.g., our extended interview with Presidential candidate Gov. Bill Richardson. This TV show host has been told that almost anybody who has a computer should be able to access Youtube, so no longer will you have an excuse for not watching Public Affairs, as all of our shows, going forward, and many prior ones, will be posted on YouTube.com.
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The 14th Cong. District Republican and Democratic Primary Candidates, covered intensively by "Public Affairs":

State Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) is one of two strong conservative candidates running in the 14th Cong. Dist. Primary. He is joined in the race by Conservative businessman Jim Oberweis (who taped Public Affairs on Nov. 18) and moderate Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns (previously a guest on Public Affairs) You can watch Burns and Lauzen on both www.publicaffairstv.com and www.youtube.com

The victor in the Republican Primary will face the winner of a hotly contested Democratic Primary between John Laesch (who lost to then Speaker and twenty year Cong. Hastert in 2006), St. Charles attorney Jotham Stein and scientist Bill Foster. Both Laesch and Stein have been prior guests on Public Affairs (go to www.publicaffairstv.com and www.youtube.com ). Foster has not yet accepted repeated invitations to appear on "Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz."
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A partial transcript of tonight's show with Senator and 14th CD candidate Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) is included, directly, below.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Aggressive interrogations at Gitmo of detainees, so called enemy combatants…do you think we should do more of those aggressive interrogations, or fewer?

Sen. Lauzen: Aggressive interrogation, not torture…

Jeff Berkowitz: …Is Waterboarding something we should be doing more of, or less?

Sen. Lauzen: I don’t think so.

Jeff Berkowitz: We should do less of it?

Sen. Lauzen: Yes, that’s my first reaction.

Jeff Berkowitz: Should we ever do it?

Sen. Lauzen: In a case where you are going to save millions of people, yes…
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Jeff Berkowitz: Data mining, more or less of data mining – and that’s where they look at calls, patterns. But they don’t listen to calls, I suppose they might look at patterns among emails, but not read them…should we be doing more of that or less of that in the War on Terrorism.

Sen. Lauzen: I believe more of it…
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Jeff Berkowitz: Fewer Gitmos, keep the current Gitmo? Guantanomo Bay, what do you say?

Sen. Lauzen: I think it is unfortunately necessary. We have people who are going to strap bombs onto their children and blow us up? I think that we need to defend ourselves…

Jeff Berkowitz: Earmarks, should we have more or fewer Earmarks?

Sen. Lauzen: No. None.

Jeff Berkowitz: No earmarks?

Sen. Lauzen: Wrong. Those are dead wrong. They ought to go through the process of appropriations. I’ve served for fifteen years in the state senate on appropriations committee. That’s one of the things I want to do when I get to Washington, with my constituents’ permission….I think … earmarks are bad.

Jeff Berkowitz: Knock them out completely.

Sen. Lauzen: Absolutely. There should be none of the backroom deals. I know that’s it practical.

Jeff Berkowitz: Wasn’t Prairie Parkway out in your neck of the woods… wasn’t that an earmark?
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Chris Lauzen, State Senator and 14th CD candidate in the Republican Primary, as he is airing tonight in the city at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and tonight (Nov.19) at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. That is, the Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.

The show with Senator Lauzen was recorded on Nov. 4, 2007.[You may also go here to watch Senator Lauzen and one of his competitors in the Republican Primary, Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns (and soon another competitor, Jim Oberweis) ; as well as 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris, 8th CD Cong. Bean [January, 2006], Presidential Candidates Obama and Giuliani and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com], and those shows are or soon will be posted on YouTube.com
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Oberweis on Immigration and more; Hastert to resign; Watch 14th CD candidates on YouTube.

Jeff Berkowitz: How important is immigration to the race, to the primary nomination?
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Jim Oberweis: Jeff... I can honestly tell you that I get more questions about illegal immigration than all other issues combined and that has been a surprise. I expected...
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Jim Oberweis: To me, it is crazy to say you can only vote if you are an American citizen [and] to become an American citizen, you must be fluent in English but if you are not fluent in English and going to vote, we’ll provide a translator for you at taxpayer expense. Crazy.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Does that suggest in some respects you are basically a libertarian?

Jim Oberweis: Again, you are the political handicapper. I’ll let you describe that, as you like. I like the description of “strong, American values Republican.”
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Jim Oberweis, 14th CD Republican Primary Candidate, held a telephone press conference this afternoon to discuss his plan to “Secure America,” which is basically an eight-step plan: Secure the Borders, No Amnesty, Create a National Database, Create a Tamper-Proof Biometric Identity Card, Identify Those Who Have Left, Toughen Employer Sanctions, Strengthen Employment Verification and Make English the Official Language

Although the 30 minute press conference focused mostly on explanations and nuances of Oberweis’ proposal to control illegal immigration, the dairy magnate and wealth management/financial asset entrepreneur was asked about a few other items, as well. [See here for much more detail about Jim Oberweis’ plan to Secure America].

Perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not, former Speaker and the 21 year incumbent congressman in that District, J. Dennis Hastert, announced today (Speaker Pelosi presiding, at Speaker Hastert’s request) he will resign before his term is up (some of his aides are reported to have said Speaker Hastert will leave by the end of this month; Fox News’ Brit Hume said on Special Report late this afternoon the resignation would occur by the end of this year), thus creating the need for a special election to replace Cong. Hastert, which could affect the tactics, or even strategic campaign plans, in the Republican and Democratic Primaries, scheduled for February 5, 2007, to choose Fall, 2008, 14th CD General Election candidates.

Further, some Republicans have been concerned that the timing of the long anticipated Hastert resignation, if done too early, could result in a Special General Election to fill the 14th CD seat on Illinois’ Presidential Super Tuesday Primary day, giving the Democrats an advantage due to Obama and Clinton being on the ballot, which should “drive-up,” Democratic turn-out. (Gov. Blagojevich, within the constraints of the statute, has some discretion regarding setting the primary and general election dates for the Special Election).

Of course, if the Democrats were to win the Special Election, that would make their nominee the incumbent in the Fall, 2008, helping them perhaps “take back,” the District for the long term. See generally, here.

And, then there are conservatives who are concerned about a conspiracy afoot from other conservatives, in terms of the timing of the Coach Hastert resignation, and the decision not to announce today when exactly the Speaker will finally hang up his spikes, or more appropriately, take off his wrestling shoes, and leave them on the mat, as he told Speaker Pelosi and us today, is the custom for wrestlers completing their last match.
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A partial transcript of today’s Oberweis presser is included, below:
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Likely endorsement by Speaker Hastert?

Jim Oberweis [14th CD Republican Primary candidate]: …I am running for this office to maintain our Midwestern values in Washington: Less government interference in our life and more freedom; lower taxes and a stronger economy.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you expect Hastert to endorse you?

Jim Oberweis: I would be delighted to win Denny Hastert’s endorsement, as would any of the candidates. But, at this time I am focused on winning the support of the people in the 14th Cong. District.

Jeff Berkowitz: Does that mean you are not taking a position on whether you expect him to endorse you, or not.

Jim Oberweis: I think that is a question you should ask Denny.

Jeff Berkowitz: What impact would it be if he did endorse you? Would you say that would—would that give you the primary nomination?

Jim Oberweis: I believe that Denny is extremely well liked through-out the 14th District-- for that reason any candidate would love to have his endorsement.

Importance of illegal immigration issue:

Jeff Berkowitz: How important is immigration to the race, to the primary nomination?

Jim Oberweis: It sounds like Jeff, is it Jeff?

Jeff Berkowitz: That’s it, Jeff Berkowitz.

Jim Oberweis: Jeff, I have been out almost every day knocking on doors in every one of the eight counties throughout this district. Most people don’t want to talk about any issues, but of those that do, I can honestly tell you that I get more questions about illegal immigration than all other issues combined and that has been a surprise. I expected Iraq to be the No. 1 issue. Instead, it has been illegal immigration and I hear it consistently.
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Oberweis/Lauzen comparison?

Jeff Berkowitz: On the specific issue of immigration, how do you think [one of your primary opponents,] Senator Lauzen (R-Aurora) and you differ on that issue?

Jim Oberweis: I can tell you what my position is—you should confer with him to determine his position.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you must have some sense. You have interacted with him a bit. Do you have any sense in which you would differ significantly from Senator Lauzen on immigration? [Go to YouTube to watch Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, featuring shows with 14th CD Republican candidates Sen. Lauzen and Mayor Burns, 14th CD Democrat candidates Laesch and Stein, but not Democrat Bill Foster, who so far has declined to appear on Public Affairs. Republican Oberweis is scheduled to tape Public Affairs this Sunday] [Go here for more about the show with Lauzen, including a partial transcript of the show. ] You may also watch other "Public Affairs," shows on YouTube, including our show with Presidential candidate Bill Richardson.

Jim Oberweis: I am outlining as clearly as I can my position on the issues. You are the political analyst and you can analyze the differences in positions.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you are going to make us do the heavy lifting. Huh?
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Impact of English as the nation’s official language:

Jeff Berkowitz: Jim, what does that mean-- English as the official language? How will life differ markedly, if that is the law, from the current situation?

Jim Oberweis: Well, first of all, I think it makes an important statement, and secondly at the same time, I believe that the real difference is it would mean that government documents would be printed only in English. It would mean that when people go to vote, it would mean that the voting information would be in English and, if in fact, someone voting wanted some interpretation or translation, they would have to bring a translator along for that instead of government having to provide translators under those circumstances. To me, it is crazy to say you can only vote if you are an American citizen [and] to become an American citizen, you must be fluent in English but if you are not fluent in English and going to vote, we’ll provide a translator for you at taxpayer expense. Crazy.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, would one [relevant] example be where somebody was born in the U. S., that person is then a legal citizen under the U. S. Constitution, but that citizen grew up in a home where, say, Spanish, was spoken-- so that citizen never mastered the English language well enough to transact in it. Is that a possibility and is that something that would concern you?

Jim Oberweis: Well, that is exactly the situation where making English our official language would make a statement that if you are an American citizen, it would behoove you to learn English. And, by the way, it is not just Spanish. Realize that there were sections of Chicago where fifty years ago people might have grown up speaking Polish. There were sections where they might have grown up speaking Italian. There were other sections of the country where they might have grown up speaking German, but the point is English is and should be our official—English should be our official language and everyone in this country in order to become a part of this melting pot, to assimilate into our country, our society, should be able to speak English.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would it [making English the official language] affect private companies? Currently, as you know, some companies, when you dial their number, you get—

Jim Oberweis: No.

Jeff Berkowitz: You get an offer to have the discussion in either Spanish or English. That could continue?

Jim Oberweis: Every company should be free to make the decision whether they want to offer that or not. And, certainly some companies who are appealing to folks who are more comfortable in Spanish—companies have the right to do that!

Jeff Berkowitz: Does that suggest in some respects you are basically a libertarian?

Jim Oberweis: Again, you are the political handicapper. I’ll let you describe that, as you like. I like the description of “strong, American values Republican.”

Bill Pascoe [Oberweis General Consultant and media guru]: And, I think that is a great place to end this unless we have any more “pressing,” questions, guys.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than Obama with Russert: Milan with Berkowitz on Cable, Streaming and YouTube

This week's Chicago Metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features Cook County, IL State's Attorney Candidate Bob Milan (D-Glenview). Milan is Dick Devine's (the current State's Attorney) First Assistant, meaning Milan has oversight responsibilities for almost 900 attorneys and about six hundred support staff. Bob Milan is running in a tough six candidate Democratic Primary.

The show with Milan airs tonight in 35 suburbs: in 25 suburbs, it airs in its regular, weekly, Tuesday night slot Comcast Cable at 8:30 pm on either Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35. In 10 suburbs, the show airs tonight in a special airing at 9:30 pm and tomorrow night in its regular Wednesday slot at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19. [In these 10 suburbs, the show usually airs three times a week, but due to the Holiday, it aired last night in its regular Monday night slot and will air tonight and tomorrow night as indicated (no airing on Friday due to the Holiday). See, below, for further details as to the specific airing schedule and channel for "Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz," for your Chicago suburban location.
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First Ass't and State's Attorney candidate Bob Milan debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of State's Attorney public policy issues (listed, below).
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The show with First Ass't Bob Milan also airs through-out the City of Chicago this coming Monday Night [Nov. 26] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and at 7:30 pm this coming Monday evening [Nov. 19] on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. That is, the Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also watch the show with State's Attorney Democratic Primary candidate Milan, along with other recently posted shows, including State's Attorney Candidates Ald. Allen, Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins; Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston), 14th CD Republican Primary candidates Sen. Lauzen and Mayor Burns and 14th CD Democratic Primary Candidates Jotham Stein and John Laesch on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com. [For all of the shows on the Public Affairs podcast page, other than Milan and Sen. Lauzen, please click the Archives icon to bring up those shows].

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006, Congresswoman Bean in January, 2006 and Congresswoman Schakowsky in October, 2005 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
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Having trouble watching the 14th CD Democratic and Republican Primary candidates listed above and the Milan, Brookins, Suffredin and Allen quartet on the Public Affairs podcast page or at Itunes.com? Not to worry, you can now go here to watch them all on YouTube.com as well other Public Affairs shows, e.g., our extended interview with Presidential candidate Gov. Bill Richardson. This TV show host has been told that almost anybody who has a computer should be able to access Youtube, so no longer will you have a technical excuse for not watching Public Affairs, as all of our shows, going forward, and many prior ones, will be posted on YouTube.com.

Next week's Chicago suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features 14th CD Republican Primary Candidate Jim Oberweis, and that show is likely to be placed on YouTube in the next day or two, along with other Public Affairs shows. go here to watch them all on YouTube.com
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Cook County, IL State’s Attorney election contest:

State’s Attorney First Ass't Bob Milan is one of six candidates in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County. He is joined in the race by Chicago Ald. Allen, Chicago Ald. Brookins, Comm. Suffredin, State’s Attorney Chief Deputy Alvarez and attorney Tommie Brewer.

The victor in the Democratic Primary will face the winner of the Republican Primary between Cook County Comm. and private sector attorney Tony Peraica and attorney Ed Barron.

Meet Bob Milan:

Milan has been associated with the State's Attorney of Cook County office for the last 21 years (19 as an attorney, his entire legal career) and has been the First Assistant to State's Attorney Dick Devine for the last 4 1/2 years. As the First Ass't, Milan supervises almost 900 attorneys, 100 investigators and about 500 staff personnel. Milan supervised the prosecution and investigation that led to the charging of the Brown's Chicken defendants nine years after the grisly murders of seven individuals. Over the years, Milan has tried more than seventy-five criminal jury matters to verdict. For the moment, Milan is continuing to hold the position of First Assistant, in addition to campaigning for the State's Attorney position.

Milan, who grew up in Beverly and the 19th Ward on the NW side of Chicago, still known as the Tom Hynes Ward and the point of political origin for many Chicago pols, now resides in Glenview with his wife and three children. His educational background includes St. Ignatius High School, Loyola University of Chicago and Chicago Kent Law School.

For more about First Ass't Milan, please go to www.milan08.com

Topics discussed in the show with candidate Bob Milan:

Cook County State's Attorney candidate and First Ass't Robert Milan debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of public policy issues relating to leadership and administration of the State's Attorney office, including what should be the largest political organization in Cook County, whether State's Attorney Devine did what he should have done to investigate allegations of confessions resulting from torture, whether the State’s Attorney office should have done more to investigate public corruption in the City of Chicago government during the last decade, whether the moratorium on capital punishment in Illinois should be lifted, whether the Mayor's office should release the names of police officers who are the subject of ten or more complaints from individuals, how well is the State's Attorney office performing in terms of diversity hires, how much patronage exists in the State's Attorney office, should the State's Attorney office be allowed to unionize and should we have more or less gun control and much, much more.
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A partial transcript of this week's show with candidate Bob Milan will be placed ont this blog during the next few days.
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The show with Bob Milan was recorded on Nov. 11, 2007
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included, directly, below.
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In twenty-five North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the "Public Affairs," show airs every Tuesday night in the regular weekly Public Affairs slot, 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In ten North Shore suburbs, the Public Affairs show airs three times each week in its regular slots at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below. Due to the Holiday, the regular Friday night airing is pre-empted and the Milan show will air in a special slot tonight at 9:30 pm
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The suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest State's Attorney candidate Bob Milan(D-Glenview) airs:

tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and this week on Monday and Wednesday at 8:30 pm, and Tuesday at 9:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better Than Monday Night Football: Ald. Allen on Cable, Streaming and You Tube

Jeff Berkowitz: So, wouldn’t Daley have to say to Devine: "Let’s find out what’s going on here and let’s do the right thing."

Ald. Allen: Well, that’s what would happen in my office-- if I were the prosecutor
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Ald. Allen: Well, I’d call it-- torture is the word everyone is using now-- I’d call it beating a confession out of somebody. Okay, I don’t use fancy words. When you put a plastic bag over someone’s head and try to get him to talk, you put a telephone book on someone’s head and hit it with a baseball bat--
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Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora editions of Public Affairs features Chicago Alderman Tom Allen, who is running in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County

Ald. Allen debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of State's Attorney public policy issues.
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The show with Allen airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight [Nov. 12] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
***********************
You may also watch the show with State's Attorney candidate Allen, along with other recently posted shows, including State's Attorney Candidates Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins, Senator Cullerton, Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006, Congresswoman Bean in January, 2006 and Congresswoman Schakowsky in October, 2005 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
*****************************************************************
Having trouble watching the Suffredin, Brookins and Allen trilogy on the Public Affairs podcast page or at Itunes.com? Not to worry, you can now go here to watch them all on YouTube.com as well other Public Affairs shows, e.g., our extended interview with Presidential candidate Gov. Bill Richardson. I am told that almost anybody who has a computer should be able to access Youtube, so no longer will you have an excuse for not watching Public Affairs, as all of our shows, going forward, and many prior ones, will posted on YouTube.com.
**********************************
For more on tonight's show, including a partial transcript topics and the guest, go here.
**********************************
For a compare and contrast of State's Attorney Candidates Suffredin, Brookins and Allen, go here.
******************************
A partial transcript of tonight's show is included, directly, below.
***********************************************
1.5 million dollars for the Dem. State’s Attorney nomination

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you have a million and a half dollars to get elected?

Ald. Allen: I will. I will.

Jeff Berkowitz: That’s what you need to get elected in the Democratic Primary [for State’s Attorney]?

Ald. Allen: I will.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’ve got $500,000 that’s committed to you already?

Ald. Allen: I have and it’s very gratifying that people are enthusiastically supporting my candidacy and it’s humbling, so I’m ready to go.
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What did Daley and Devine know and when did they know it?

Ald. Allen: …they were arrested and there were physical signs of abuse and it was hard to refute but yet it was public and people heard it for the first time. It was a bad time in Chicago—

Jeff Berkowitz: They heard if for the first time.

Ald. Allen: Well, they heard and saw, pretty good solid evidence of police abuse of a prisoner in custody.

Jeff Berkowitz: Torture? Torture to get a confession?

Ald. Allen: Well, you can call it what you want.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’d call it abuse?

Ald. Allen: Yeah, well, when you put a plastic—

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, you were the public defender, how would you refer to it”?

Ald. Allen: Well, I’d call it-- torture is the word everyone is using now-- I’d call it beating a confession out of somebody. Okay, I don’t use fancy words. When you put a plastic bag over someone’s head and try to get him to talk, you put a telephone book on someone’s head and hit it with a baseball bat--

Jeff Berkowitz: That will get him talking; that may get him confessing to things he didn’t do.

Ald. Allen: The point is its wrong. The point is it shouldn’t happen…
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Ald. Allen …all I know is there were rumblings among defense lawyers. The system at 26 th and California was talking about it and it was always area 2 and it was Lt. Birge.

Jeff Berkowitz: Mayor Daley’s First Ass’t then was now state’s attorney Dick Devine.Ald. Allen: That’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: He has been the State’s Attorney for the last 11 years.

Ald. Allen: Yeah, right.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, wouldn’t Daley have to say to Devine: "Let’s find out what’s going on here and let’s do the right thing."

Ald. Allen: Well, that’s what would happen in my office-- if I were the prosecutor.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, did Daley ever tell people, has he said publicly, “that’s what I was doing, I was talking to Devine, we were trying to find out, but we couldn’t. Is that what Daley said?

Ald. Allen: Oh, I don’t know what Daley said.
**********************************************
Chicago Ald. Tom Allen, candidate in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County, IL, as he is airing tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The show was recorded on October 21, 2007.[You may also go here to watch Ald. Allen and some of his competitors in the Democratic Primary, i.e., Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins; as well as 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris, Cong. Bean [January, 2006], Presidential Candidates Obama and Giuliani and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com].
*************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than anything you can do with your clothes on: Ald. Allen on Cable, YouTube and Streaming

This Week's Suburban Edition of "Public Affairs," features Chicago Alderman Tom Allen (D-Chicago, 38th Ward), who is running in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County

Chicago 38th Ward Alderman Tom Allen (D-Chicago) has practiced law, full time or part time, for three decades. His background includes a decade as an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County, a general private practice with a good dose of litigation and criminal defense, and being an alderman from the Northwest side of Chicago for the last 14 years (appointed by Mayor Daley in 1993, and then re-elected four times by the voters).

Ald. Allen received his undergraduate degree from Illinois Benedictine College (Cum Laude) and his law degree from Chicago Kent (with Honors). He currently is a partner with Chapekis, Marcus, Allen and Chapekis. For more about Ald. Allen, please go to www.alleninourcorner.com.

State's Attorney candidate Tom Allen debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of State's Attorney of Cook County issues from what did then State's Attorney Richard M. Daley and other high level Cook County State's Attorney officials know about torture by Chicago police to obtain confessions from the accused and when did they know it, to should there be more diversity in the State's Attorney office, to was there a lack of prosecution by the State's Attorney of Cook County of Chicago public corruption, to whether the moratorium on capital punishment should be lifted, to whether more gun control laws should be sought, to whether it makes sense to discuss which candidates are "independent," to whether the Chicago cops are out of control, to whether the identities of Chicago Police with above average number of complaints of abuse should be disclosed to the City Council, to whether the State's Attorney office should be unionized to whether Race is likely to be a factor in the State's Attorney election and much, much more.
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The show with Ald. Allen airs through-out the City of Chicago this coming Monday night [Nov. 12] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and this coming Monday night at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
***********************
You may also watch the show with State's Attorney candidate Allen, along with other recently posted shows, including State's Attorney Candidates Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins, Senator Cullerton, Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006, Congresswoman Bean in January, 2006 and Congresswoman Schakowsky in October, 2005 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
*****************************************************************
Having trouble watching the Suffredin, Brookins and Allen trilogy on the Public Affairs podcast page or at Itunes.com? Not to worry, you can now go here to watch them all on YouTube.com , as well other Public Affairs shows, e.g., our extended interview with Presidential candidate Gov. Bill Richardson. This reporter is told that almost anybody who has a computer should be able to access Youtube, so no longer will you have a technical barrier to watching Public Affairs, as all of our shows, going forward, and many prior ones, will posted on YouTube.com.
**********************************
This week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is the third in a trilogy of State’s Attorney candidate shows. The three guests featured are the top tier candidates for State’s Attorney of Cook County in the Democratic Party, to be held on February 5, 2007. Next week’s show in the City features Chicago Ald. Tom Allen (38th Ward), who follows Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins.
***********************************************
For a compare and contrast of State's Attorney Candidates Suffredin, Brookins and Allen, go here.
******************************
A partial transcript of tonight's show is included, directly, below.
***********************************************
State’s Attorney’s Office asleep on Public Corruption?

Jeff Berkowitz: …Has the State’s Attorney’s office been asleep on public corruption and would you do it differently if you were there?

Ald. Tom Allen: I would definitely investigate—first of all, the word corruption again is another word—

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, hired truck, hired tow, the Duffs—

Ald. Tom Allen: Let me tell you how I define corruption, okay? When someone is stealing money from the taxpayers, I call it thievery, okay, theft or robbery. The fancy word corruption to me is just—

Jeff Berkowitz: Was Sorich involved in [government] corruption?

Ald. Tom Allen: Only when we use—

Jeff Berkowitz: Was that a yes or no?

Ald. Tom Allen: Was Sorich? Yes, yes. What I am saying is that I think to tell people what it really is—they are stealing, they are robbing, they are embezzling and they are extorting from the taxpayers and if they are, they should be prosecuted in an aggressive way and the State’s Attorney’s Office of Cook County should be involved—

Jeff Berkowitz: Have they [The State’s Attorney office] been aggressive on that kind of corruption?

Ald. Tom Allen: It doesn’t seem that- It doesn’t seem that way. They should be and under my leadership, they would be involved.
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Who is independent? Label records, not people?

Ald. Tom Allen: …As the State’s Attorney, you don’t need any OPS to tell you who is doing something bad. Once that is identified, you, as the prosecutor, have the independent arm of the grand jury and your investigative powers to go after crime and Mayor Daley’s not going to tell me not to do it, or Dick Devine wouldn’t tell me not to do it, that’s ridiculous.

Jeff Berkowitz: Or, if they did try, you’re saying you’re not going to listen to them.

Ald. Tom Allen: It’s ridiculous.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, are you independent? I mean, you’ve been in the City Council for 14 years—

Ald. Tom Allen: Oh, that is a comical word.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is it? You don’t put any meaning to it at all?

Ald. Tom Allen: You know what, I am who—

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re saying—

Ald. Tom Allen: You know what, I am who I am. Go look at my record and see who I am. I mean, I am not—I mean, that independent thing is just—

Jeff Berkowitz: You think it is a crock.

Ald. Tom Allen: Well, I think it is, it’s—labels don’t mean anything to me. And, someone’s labeling themself something means nothing to me. What I think is you judge a person based on what they’ve done with their life, their career, whether it is in public service, law or any other aspect. So, then you—

Jeff Berkowitz: You join with Melissa Etheridge who said you should label records, not people? [This goes back a few years but singer Etheridge was making the point, I think, that there are more appropriate ways to describe people than by their sexual orientation; Coming full circle, Etheridge was one of three people to question the Democratic Presidential candidates on “gay rights,” or Human Rights issues at the recent Logo debate].

Ald. Tom Allen: Pardon me. [Laughter] Label records? Yeah. I’m not a big fan of labels.
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Lift the Capital Punishment Moratorium?

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you think capital punishment is effective?

Ald. Tom Allen: I’m not saying it—whether or not it is effective—

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you support it as a law?

Ald. Tom Allen: Yes, Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you advise the State Legislators to have capital punishment?

Ald. Tom Allen: Yes., Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes, you would. Now, would you advise—

Ald. Tom Allen: For the most brutal and heinous crimes, it is the Law of the Land. For the most brutal and heinous crimes—

Jeff Berkowitz: I am the Governor. You’re the State’s Attorney. I am asking you for advice. Would you like to see the Moratorium lifted—on capital punishment?

Ald. Tom Allen: When they get their house in order, yes. As it relates to the issues—

Jeff Berkowitz: Is it in order now?

Ald. Tom Allen: I’m not sure that it is.
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Importance of trying capital murder cases:

Ald. Tom Allen: …I am probably the only one in this group [of State’s Attorney candidates] that from a Defense perspective-- has ever tried a capital murder case on the defense side and I’ve tried dozens of them. One of my clients was wrongfully convicted—spent seventeen—

Jeff Berkowitz: Is that important? In order to guide the folks in the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Assistant State’s Attorneys, you’ve got to be a trial lawyer. Somebody who has actually done it.

Ald. Tom Allen: Well, I think its—

Jeff Berkowitz: But, have you done it recently? Have you tried a case recently? Is that important?

Ald. Tom Allen: Recently? Not a capital murder case. Have I done—

Jeff Berkowitz: Could you go back and do it, tomorrow, if you had to?

Ald. Tom Allen: It’s like riding a bike.

Jeff Berkowitz: You never forget.

Ald. Tom Allen: You’d better believe it.
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Unionize the Assistant State’s Attorneys?

Jeff Berkowitz: Would it be better if the State’s Attorneys were unionized?

Ald. Tom Allen: Let me tell you—

Jeff Berkowitz: The Assistant State’s Attorney [of Cook County].

Ald. Tom Allen: I would say probably yes, here’s why, in the mid 80s, I was
**********************************************
Chicago Ald. Tom Allen, candidate in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County, IL, as he is airing this week in the Chicago Metro suburbs. The show was recorded on October 28, 2007.[You may also go here to watch Ald. Allen and some of his competitors in the Democratic Primary, i.e., Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins; as well as 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris, Cong. Bean [January, 2006], Presidential Candidates Obama and Giuliani and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com].
*************************************************
The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included directly, below.
****************************************************
In twenty-five North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the "Public Affairs," show airs every Tuesday night in the regular weekly Public Affairs slot, 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In ten North Shore suburbs, the Public Affairs show airs three times each week in its regular slots at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below. ********************************************************
The suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Chicago Alderman and State's Attorney of Cook County Democratic Primary candidate Tom Allen airs:

tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm, airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better Than Monday Night Football: The second in the State's Attorney TV Trilogy-Brookins on Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: So, why isn’t Devine doing that? Is that because he is a good bud with Mayor Daley?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Well, you tell me.

Jeff Berkowitz: No, you tell me, you’re the candidate.
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Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I won’t go that far. I won’t go that far.

Jeff Berkowitz: Are you open to it? A few months ago you said [on Tom Roeser’s Political Shoot-out] you were open to it [Concealed Carry]
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Jeff Berkowitz: All right, let’s go over to capital punishment. We have capital punishment in this state—there is a moratorium [on executions] …by George Ryan. A lot of people say that capital punishment deters—some people have done studies and they say, for every capital punishment, you deter [on average] four or five murders.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. I don’t believe it.
***************************
Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora editions of Public Affairs features Chicago Alderman Howard Brookins, Jr. (D-Chicago), who is running in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County

Brookins debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of State's Attorney public policy issues.
************************************************************************
The show with Brookins airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight [Oct. 29] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
***********************
You may also watch the show with State's Attorney candidate Brookins, along with other recently posted shows, including State's Attorney Candidates Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Allen, Senator Cullerton, Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006, Congresswoman Bean in January, 2006 and Congresswoman Schakowsky in October, 2005 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
*****************************************************************
Having trouble watching the Suffredin, Brookins and Allen trilogy on the Public Affairs podcast page or at Itunes.com? Not to worry, you can now go here to watch them all on YouTube.com , as well other Public Affairs shows, e.g., our extended interview with Presidential candidate Gov. Bill Richardson. I am told that almost anybody who has a computer should be able to access Youtube, so no longer will you have an excuse for not watching Public Affairs, as all of our shows, going forward, and many prior ones, will posted on YouTube.com.
**********************************
Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," is the second in a trilogy of State’s Attorney candidate shows. The three guests featured are the top tier candidates for State’s Attorney of Cook County in the Democratic Party, to be held on February 5, 2007. Next week’s show in the City features Chicago Ald. Tom Allen (38th Ward), who follows Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Brookins. In the Chicago Metro suburbs, 14th year Chicago Alderman, Tom Allen, is airing this week on Public Affairs.
***********************************************
For more on tonight's show, topics and the guest, go here.
**********************************
For a compare and contrast of State's Attorney Candidates Suffredin, Brookins and Allen, go here.
******************************
A partial transcript of tonight's show is included, directly, below.
***********************************************
Absence of public corruption prosecutions under State’s Attorney Dick Devine

Jeff Berkowitz: Should that office, the State’s Attorney office, be doing a lot more about public corruption? It’s basically been doing nothing—

Ald. and Cook County State’s Attorney Candidate in Democratic Primary, Howard Brookins, Jr.: It has absolutely been doing nothing—

Jeff Berkowitz: For the last two decades, right? You had Don Tomczak, that [was handled by] the U. S. Attorney. You had Sorich, that [was handled by] the U. S. Attorney…Hired Truck, Hired Tow, Hired Thief, whatever, that’s all being pursued by the U. S. Attorney, right? Devine ain’t done squat.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: (D-Chicago, 21st Ward). Nothing.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would that be accurate? Would you agree? Has he done squat?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I don’t believe he has done enough.

Jeff Berkowitz: Nada, zero. Why is that?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I have no idea…

Jeff Berkowitz: Are you critical of Devine for that?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I am highly critical of Devine because of the main thing—

Jeff Berkowitz: For that? For not doing more on public corruption?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. Because of the main thing—It affects African-American communities. When there are people—the Duff family—who are robbing the hope of a [African-American] community to get a mere, meager possibly of 25%--

Jeff Berkowitz: So, why isn’t Devine doing that? Is that because he is a good bud with Mayor Daley?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Well, you tell me.

Jeff Berkowitz: No, you tell me, you’re the candidate.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I can’t get into his head. But, it appears that anything where it comes to ruffling feathers, that office hasn’t done it. That office—

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’re highly critical of State’s attorney Dick Devine and his office?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I am highly critical of the office for not doing anything on public—

Jeff Berkowitz: But, he heads the office, so you can’t be critical of the office without being critical of him [Devine], can you?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Well, absolutely. Of him and the office. But, he doesn’t make 100% of the decisions. We also have two opponents [from the office] who are running. They are in the [State’s Attorney’s] office and they are in a decision making role.

Jeff Berkowitz: Milan and Alvarez? They have to take a hit for anything that has gone wrong?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Absolutely. Absolutely, my chief of Staff would take a hit for anything that I have done.
********************************************
Time to bring back Capital Punishment?

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, let’s go over to capital punishment. We have capital punishment in this state—there is a moratorium [on executions] …by George Ryan. A lot of people say that capital punishment deters—some people have done studies and they say, for every capital punishment, you deter [on average] four or five murders.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I don’t believe it.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t believe it. You don’t think it deters?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I don’t.

Jeff Berkowitz: You oppose capital punishment?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I am for the moratorium and I oppose capital punishment.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you don’t want to see it brought back, ever, right?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I don’t want to see it brought back.

Jeff Berkowitz: You would like to see it legislated out of existence.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I would like to see it legislated out of existence.

Jeff Berkowitz: How are you going to deter people from multiple murders?
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More guns, less crime?

Jeff Berkowitz: More guns, less crime. You’ve heard that saying?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I’ve heard that saying.

Jeff Berkowitz: You think it is wrong?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I think that with respect to gun control, I will be tough with respect to the laws that are on the books but I don’t believe that it is more laws that are going to do the trick.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, right now, in the City of Chicago, if you are in a tough area, and you think you would like to have a gun to protect yourself in your home, it is illegal to possess that gun, right?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: It is absolutely illegal to possess—

Jeff Berkowitz: You think that’s right, you think somebody should be able to have a gun in his home to protect himself?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Illegal to possess a handgun, let’s mention—I’ve said it on the floor [of the City Council] that I believe that responsible people, under circumstances, ought to have guns. The problem is—

Jeff Berkowitz: To protect themselves.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: To protect themselves.

Jeff Berkowitz: The law--Concealed carry. Should somebody, if they get a permit—

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I won’t go that far. I won’t go that far.

Jeff Berkowitz: Are you open to it? A few months ago you said [on Tom Roeser’s Political Shoot-out] you were open to it [Concealed Carry]

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: I said I’m open to it.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you haven’t decided.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: At this point, I am not willing to go that far. Absolutely.
*******************************************
Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr., candidate in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County, IL, as he is airing tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The show was recorded on October 21, 2007.[You may also go here to watch Ald. Brookins and some of his competitors in the Democratic Primary, i.e., Comm. Suffredin and Ald. Allen; as well as 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris, Cong. Bean [January, 2006], Presidential Candidates Obama and Giuliani and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com].
*************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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