Side gigs

Democratic precinct captains often had side gigs where their city connections could provide them with business protection. One of those gigs was owning bars. Their liquor license applications would be approved in a timely manner and city inspectors would give their establishments a clean bill of health.

While visiting a tavern with my bar-hopping friends one night when I worked on the staff of 48th Ward Ald. Marion Volini, I noticed two 48th ward precinct captains – my adversaries - staring at me.

I found out they owned the bar and they were watching me to see what I was up to and to make sure I didn’t see anything inappropriate they might be doing. I resolved not to patronize that bar again.

Not long after, I visited a Lincoln Park bar that I later learned was owned by a 43rd Ward precinct captain.

I didn’t go there again, either. I didn’t want to mix work with leisure. And I didn’t want my behavior to be tracked by my political opponents.