It turned out to be a good deal

State Rep. Bernard Wolfe, a Machine politico backed by Reformers, was appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court two weeks before primary election day in 1974. So, the ward and township committeemen, not the voters, chose his successor.

Reformers, who had no input in the decision, favored Skokie resident Alan Greiman. Here’s what happened:

An “open” slating session was held in the office of the 39th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, a place where the word “openness” may not ever have been uttered.

It was chaired by former State Senator Thomas Lyons of the 45th Ward and included Cook County Assessor P.J. Cullerton of the 38th Ward, 39th Ward Ald. Anthony Laurino, who died years later while under indictment for corruption, 40th Ward Ald. Seymour Simon, Cook County Commissioner Jerome Huppert of the 50th Ward, and Calvin Sutker of Niles Township.

A slew of candidates made pitches for support. When Greiman spoke, it became obvious that he was going to be slated.

“I began my career as a Democratic precinct captain in the 46th Ward organization of Joe Gill,” he started. Gill had been a Machine powerhouse and had headed the party while Cook County Clerk Richard J. Daley and Chicago Alderman Clarence Wagner fought for leadership of the organization. Gill was an elder statesman trusted by both combatants.

Each of the Committeemen then asked simple questions. Only Simon posed anything of importance.

“What is your position on the Equal Rights Amendment?” Greiman was asked. That was a proposed constitutional amendment granting equal rights to women.

“Well,” he answered, “I have six daughters…”They all chuckled.

 When the presentations had concluded, Lyons informed everybody that the panel would retire to another room to discuss the candidates.

“Let’s talk about it right here,” Simon suggested. Nobody agreed with him and they left the room for a short time.

When they returned, they announced that Greiman had been selected, a satisfying result for Reformers. But that was a big surprise to 45th Ward precinct captain Ronald Wronski, who thought he was going to get the nod. Lyons assured him he’d get another chance one day.

He did, in 1986, when he was the sacrificial candidate chosen to lose to Republican State Rep. Roger McAuliffe.

Greiman was not chosen because the Machine wanted to appease Reformers. His selection was politically practical. He was ideologically similar to Wolfe and his candidacy in an ethnically and geographically divided district was expected to prevent a challenge from a Jewish/Suburban/Reform coalition, which wasn’t likely to win but would still create a battle where the Machine did not want one.

Greiman was allowed to act independently in Springfield but was told to stay out of Chicago politics.

He embarked on an acclaimed eleven-year tenure in the legislature and then became a highly praised Judge on the Cook County Circuit Court and later the Appellate Court.