Falling In Love Again with “The Paper?” Amazing Found Hidden Talent Makes Me Want to Believe in Journalism Again
by John Kass
May 29, 2025
I think I know what I sound like when writing about the broken state of journalism in Chicago and nationally:
I sound broken.
And cynical, exhausted, depressed, and battered from having seen too much. Like some old Robert Mitchum channeling Raymond Chandler in a private-eye monologue from a cheap hotel room at three o’clock in the morning.
Downtown police sirens blaring in the hours before dawn. Drunks laughing maniacally. A woman shouting in some hallway.
And I’m using a voice sweetened by Camels and whiskey and one broken heart, because I loved journalism so very much and thought it was so important to all of us.
Then came my decision to liken journos to starving hyenas and boss whores.
I was angry.
Now I’m looking up, smiling at blue skies and sunny days.
Because I’ve just found a new talent at “the paper” hidden in a story by reporter Alice Yin that gives me brand new hope for journalism. It was like the first flower of spring pushing up through the last snow.
Yes. You read that right. I’m really excited by a new talent at “the paper.”
The saga begins with the racism always flowing from the mouth of Mayor Panic Attacks, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who used the Memorial Day weekend to herald Africa Day.
Why? He’s a crafty Marxist who I sometimes refer to as Mayor Black Lenin. And he wants the dim witted among his critics to attack his push for Africa Day, so he can generate black support for himself.
And you thought I’m cynical? But where did I learn it? Forty years covering Chicago politics at “the paper.”
Johnson is in deep political trouble because he can’t manage the city, and because of his awkward handling of a series of issues–from Chicago violent crime to his spending precious city resources on Joe Biden’s illegal migrants, to his kneeling before his bosses at the Chicago Teacher’s Union. All this has cratered his public support, which now stands between 6 and 14 percent.
But he’s found an answer.
Everything is black in Johnson’s political world. He brags about using race as criterion for hiring and promoting at City Hall.
Most people who aren’t blind Jacobins or Preckwinkle commies can see this for what it is: pure racism.
And now that he’s panicking with a tiny approval rating, he’s decided to play his blacker than black card by violating the federal Civil Rights Act.
Like a black George Wallace. But now Johnson’s big fat mouth has put him in a federal investigation.
“There are some detractors that will push back on me and say, ‘The only thing that the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people,’” he said. “No. What I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else.”
Now let me get to the point of all this, the reason why I’m rethinking the animosity I once held for ‘the paper.’
It was the gem hidden in this story by Alice Yin:
“Why wouldn’t I speak to Black Chicago? Why wouldn’t I?” the mayor challenged reporters when asked about the DOJ probe last week. “It would be shameful if I were to repeat the sins of those who have been in this position before because they did not speak enough to Black Chicago.”
You might be forgiven for thinking this was just another leftist screed by a demonstrably left-wing paper, slavishly determined to cover for Johnson.
But then I got to the point of Ms. Yin’s story that gave me hope for Chicago journalism.
It was a passage involving the notorious 10th Ward Chicago Ald. Fast Eddie Vrdolyak.
And I thought in a sea of racial politics and left-wing race baiters, this was truth.
In the city of lies comes a truth?
From the Trib story:
Former Ald. Ed Vrdolyak, a ringleader of the white opposition to Mayor Harold Washington in the 1980s, once laid out Chicago’s ethnic political principles in stark terms, as an outsider taking stock of the Daley clan’s decades of iron control of the city’s levers of power.
“You’ve got to understand something about the Irish, the Daley Irish,” Vrdolyak told the Tribune in 1996. “It’s the Irish first, and everybody else is a Polack. Everybody. I’m Croatian, and to them I was a Polack. The Blacks are Polacks. Latinos, everybody … are Polacks. That’s how they are.”
Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, the most veteran sitting member of the City Council, chuckled recently when he heard the quote. “Isn’t that something? This is real talk in Chicago.”
“We keep going through this evolution of who gets the short end of the stick,” said Burnett, who is Black. “And when you have been oppressed and neglected for such a long time, you know you are going to continue to try and get more. It’s just a natural reaction.”
During the 20th century, European immigrants came to Chicago in waves, with each group starting from scratch when it came to amassing economic and political might. Longtime white Chicagoans often didn’t accept the newcomers at first, but eventually the burgeoning populations of Irish, Italians, Polish and others established their own unique enclaves across the city.
That is an amazing quote, isn’t it?
That Vrdolyank quote about the Daley Irish on one side and the Polaks on the other and Ald. Burnett saying, “This is real talk in Chicago.”
That is real talk.
But the story does veer into what the left calls “context” but what the rest of us call “excuses for idiots.”
The idiot is the George Wallace of mayors, Brandon Johnson.
Yes, Chicago has had black mayors. Harold Washingon, Eugene Sawyer, Lori Lightfoot and now, Johnson.
The mayor is black, the president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners is black, the chief judge is black, the police chief and the powerful teacher union president. The CTA boss who wouldn’t use the CTA was black. There are no excuses anymore.
But yes indeed, Ald. Burnett, that quote is real Chicago talking.
Why hide it? It speaks to a truth that all Chicago can feel in its bones.
But who found it?
The reporter who wrote it down has an ear for truth, and when I read it, I just knew that whoever it was must have a bright future in the business. And I would like to support that reporter, come hell or high water.
We need some real truth telling around here.
But who quoted Vrdolyak?
The Tribune didn’t say who developed that quote, who found it gleaming in the ground, like a diamond.
And here I am—stupid me, trying to fall back in love with the paper again—but the paper wouldn’t tell me.
Why so secret?
The mysterious quote was linked to another piece that used the same Vrdolyak quote by a WBEZ reporter, but like the Alice Yin story, the WBEZ reporter wouldn’t tell readers about the original, authentic source.
Why?
And I wanted to get to the original authentic source, the way I was taught to do many years ago at the Tribune. You get to the bottom of things before you begin to make judgements for the reader.
I wanted to get to the bottom of it. I imagined the reporter was wise enough to shut up and listen. And full of curiosity. So many journos don’t want to listen and have lost curiosity and replaced that with the critical newsroom survival skill leftist dogma that lectures their readers and turns them off.
And I imagined that reporter as having wise eyes, but also sensitive enough to convey a sense of curiosity while wondering at the full tapestry of American politics.
And finally, after days of searching, I found the original source. ‘The paper’ had hidden it away. Why? Ask them. They don’t talk to me.
But that killer quote about politics in Chicago–and politics everywhere–comes from a 1996 Tribune magazine piece titled “The Boss.”
It was about the (then) New Mayor Daley about to host the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and redeem the city’s name and his family’s name.
It began with an anecdote about Rich Daley when he was Cook County State’s Attorney, then suffering from the flu and fever. He left work but never came home to his wife Maggie. She panicked.
And finally, Maggie—who had called his office and all friends, and they didn’t know–gave up and ran to her mother-in-law’s bungalow.
“Where’s Rich?” Maggie breathlessly asked Eleanor “Sis” Daley, widow of Mayor Richard J. Daley and mother of then Mayor Richard M. Daley.
In his bedroom, Sis said.
Rich was in his boyhood bedroom, in his pajamas, in bed, with the flu. There was a cup of soup on the nightstand, the mayor smelling slightly of Vicks VapoRub.
“Hi, honey,” said Chicago’s boss.
“Her husband was sick. He was in his father’s house. He was home.”
Reading that magazine piece, and in it the petty cruelties of Chicago politics, and how Rich Daley could love Chicago but was also a clannish and selfish one-way street, I found that Ed Vrdolyak quote about the Bridgeport Irish, that true quote about politics in that city by the lake.
But the original quote wasn’t truncated by Alice Yin or by the WBEZ reporter. Here is the full quote:
“You’ve got to understand something about the Irish, the Daley Irish,” Vrdolyak says, the grandfather in him fading, the Fast Eddie coming out. “It’s the Irish first, and everybody else is a Polack. Everybody.
“I’m Croatian and to them I was a Polack. The blacks are Polaks. Latinos, everybody. Lechowicz and Wojcik are Polaks. That’s how they are.
“The Irish are a minority, but they have all the jobs, the political jobs, the political spots. Why? They play divide-and-conquer. It’s smart politics. But it’s more than that with them. They’re the Daleys, inside and everybody else is outside, all Polacks.”
What happened to that young reporter at “the paper,” the kid so full of curiosity, the young man who wanted to listen, the one who rejected leftist newsroom dogma?
You might have figured it out.
He’d like to thank “the paper” for reminding him of that reporter. And in the hiding the origins of the quote, “the paper” reminded him of something: It reminded him of what he loved about journalism and opened a door revealing the importance of the curiosity that good newspapering demands.
Now that they’re using his quotes–though they’re avoiding using his name–what’s next?
He said once a few years ago that like old Laertes in his garden, he still has some spears to throw. He was in his garden just after Wednesday’s cold spring rain. He was stretching out the arm, sharpening those spears.
He’s ready.
-30-
About the author: John Kass spent decades as a political writer and news columnist in Chicago working at a major metropolitan newspaper. He is co-host of The Chicago Way podcast. And he just loves his “No Chumbolone” hat, because johnkassnews.com is a “No Chumbolone” Zone where you can always get a cup of common sense.
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Comments 57
Great piece! I must admit that I often skip the podcasts as I find them to be too much bloviating.
Author
I talk too damn much, Noel. And here’s a secret–sometimes I get sick of the sound of my own voice. I’d rather listen to Emmylou Harris, Victor Davis Hanson and Dan Proft. Of the three only Emmylou can carry a tune
JK
And there it was, a diamond of truth, shining brightly in the Summer sun, from a dark, dusty newspaper archive. The circle now closed decades later.
Of course, the Journalist was you JSK.
Author
Thank you Don
I had just recently picked up a couple of books I have always wanted to read, “Studs Lonigan”(Trilogy) and “American Pharoah.” Thanks John, I will add “The New Mayor Daley” to my reading list. Ther aforementioned books are good primers in understanding the nature and intricacies of our current local political situation. Bj is just another nitwit hack who will be tossed in the Chicago ashpit of history, many a one have preceded him.
Author
Betty found the magazine story in a box in the closet after I couldn’t find it online. I’m certain the paper won’t make it easy to find.
Skip ” American Pharoah” it tells nothing about Old Man Daley – read Len O’Connor’s much underappreciated “Clout.” The other is apaeon to Progressive grifters.
John Kass – the last authentic Chicago Voice,
https://www.amazon.com/Clout-Mayor-Daley-His-City/dp/0809254247
Sorry – that should be paean.
Pat, not to get into a dispute “American Pharoah” is entirely focused on old man Daley. hence the title of the book. Sometimes you have to read other perspectives even when you cannot stomach their “paeans.” Please weigh in John
Author
i’m letting you guys fight it out. i’ve said too much for today already. But I’m with Pat Hickey. And the best book on Richard Daley was “Clout” by O’Connor.
James and Pat,
I read American Pharaoh when I first moved to Chicago. It is fairly well-written, but flawed. The author seems to think that Elizabeth Wood, Leon DePres and Dick Simpson were serious people who somehow ‘stood up’ to Mayor Daley and spends a lot of time profiling their *courage* and dedication to liberal principles.
On even minimal review, from back when the internet was new, it was pretty easy to determine that the above *courageous* people were big-government grifters and had no intentions of helping out poor people. They just wanted more power for themselves, and loved a good social experiment, despite the consequences.
I have all kinds of problems with the Daleys, but the counterparts in the (pseudo) reform part of the Democrat party were even worse that RJ and RM Daley.
Hey Pat on a lighter side, Eddie V discarded his “Pollack” designation by marrying a local Bridgeport Irish gal.
Eddie V was spot on.
I liked Eddie V.
I bought a 1 year old used BMW 750iL from a dealership on Halsted near Diversey. The sales man told me it was Fast Eddies. After buying it I got call from dealer to bring it back. I questioned why. He said: BRING THE DAMN CAR BACK. Wimp that I am, I did. Eddie left his loaded 357 magnum under driver’s seat.
After it was retrieved I asked the salesman if there anything else. He said yeah your going to get shit mileage. Why I said. ITS BEEN BULLET PROOFED. I wondered why the doors were so heavy to close.
Great story about Fast Eddie Thomas!
I concur.
A v ery wise man told me when I was very young, ” No one screws people like a Mick.”
Eddie V., Irish by injection!
Maybe there’s a glimmer of hope after all. Stay strong John!
So typical of the Chicago Libune to go to the main source of political knowledge for a quote but refuse to acknowledge the source.
BTW the editors remarks are now making it into the print edition. I’ve seen a couple three instances where the made the correction but left in the editor’s remark.
Sad how low the once great paper has fallen.
Yep… It had to be you!
Sounds like a song….
With Tribune circulation down to something like 88,000 (Minneapolis Star/Tribune has a higher circulation), you’d think that they’d have more independent contractors and freelance reporters writing for them.
Why don’t they have you and a few of the old-timers write a few articles/columns occasionally just to try to rebuild interest and advertisers in their paper. Tribune or Sun-Times or even the Daily Herald. Put the freelancers on the front page to attract attention and readers (advertisers too)!
Excellence!
What an outstanding article. So appropriate for explaining the mindset of the political history of Chicago. Even to today.
Thanks for this.
Mayor Panic Attacks just said the obvious – it is the Blacks turn now at the trough. Sooner or later, the Latinos will push the Blacks out and the Blacks will fall back to their everything is racist claim backup. Johnson should have kept his mouth shut, everyone knows what goes on, you just don’t talk about it.
Full circle! It could only be you, John Kass, explaining the way the city works.
Great article but you had me worried that I might have to re-subscribe to “The Paper”
thanks for the history lesson.
This is awesome! And of course great piece on Daley
John,
Reading Vrdolyak’s quote, I remembered reading the original article and I knew who the author of that piece was. As a first generation American of Polish descent, the term “Polack” was fingernails on a chalkboard for me. But Vrdolyak comment was perceptive and accurate.
In his first run for mayor, Richard J. Daley defeated then Cook County State’s Attorney Ben Adamowski in the Democratic mayoral primary in 1955 (and later in the mayoral election in 1963 when Adamowski was his Republican opponent) despite Chicago’s large Polish population. However, deals were made with politicians in the Polish community that undercut Adamowski’s support. See: https://web.archive.org/web/20160610024200/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-17/news/ct-per-flash-kennedy-ohare-0317-20130317_1_bombers-edward-butch-o-hare-daleys
Divide and conquer, a longstanding political tactic.
As for the “Paper,” so petty.
So, if something really happens to “Mayor PA”, does that mean maybe the real villain, Toni P, starts shaking in HER boots ?
Great story. Brings back some legendary Chicago names (Simpson, dePres, Lechowicz). All probably just as short sighted and corrupted then as today, but yet somehow the little guy was taken care of then unlike now.
Great coloum. Having grown up in the 10 th ward we had almost every ethnic background and were mostly ignored by the city. We including Eddie v were the Pollocks. Things haven’t changed much. Have they. I guess Shakey Jake Johnson and prekwink play the race card to get and buy votes.
It’s PRICKWINKLE, like J B PRICKSTER
Influencing younger generations! It would be nive to see someone new and younger pick up your mantle and strip off the layers of combine BS/motivations. Hopefully “the paper” will see some value to that someday. Maybe it’s finally gotten bad enough?
Dat guy might just have some writing talent.
As the kids say, “Awesome!” Took me a bit to catch on as to who that Journalist was (Duh) and it shouldn’t have. Been reading your “Tell it like it is,” (WITH sources) brand of writing for years. Thank you for your integrity and ability to let us all in on the people and events.
20 more years, Mr. Kass – please. For my sons. I couldn’t be more grateful for you, for JK News.
Corrupt governments last as long as 1. there’s something to steal and 2. there are enough victims who regard the theft as ‘the cost of doing business’. When there’s nothing left to steal and/or the victims find a viable greener pasture the government is either reformed or collapses. In the 90’s NYC reformed, it could collapse after this generation. Detroit collapsed in the 70s, St Louis & New Orleans in the 2000s, San Francisco? LA? Philadelphia? Chicago???? One or the other in the next ten years.
Hope that Ms. Yin can help bring real journalism back to mainstream America, as you are.
Γιάννη,
Ahhh, memories of “the city that worked,” as led by a family dynasty. For a brief moment, I knew the temp mayor, Gene Sawyer, my Alderman from our south side ward. He was a gentleman, but didn’t have enough support to become mayor. He cared about the city, and his constituents. Too bad politicians like him are nowhere to be found to rescue Chicago from our present morass!
John, I share your sentiment in finding a glimmer of hope; but, it is not in the legacy media or print forums. No John, it is you! You were at the beginning when you started your newest adventure with Jeff, and still today at johnkassnews.com the Glimmer of Hope we are searching to read and hear.
Thanks John for an enlightening – and funny – column. The bigwigs at Chicago Tribune are pathetic . They’re terrified to print your name, or the names of any of your colleagues who stood up to their woke bullying. They will not give credit where credit is due , because their experiment in leftist publishing failed miserably. Lets hope journalist Alice Yin has the spiritual strength needed to persevere in that toxic environment . I don’t know anything about the people who run Tribune, but I compare them to the motley crew of Kennedy cousins, who are furious at American voters for ignoring their political party/cash cow in the 2024 election. Real Clear Politics posted a story from Town & Country magazine titled “Rumble in Hyannis: The Kennedy Feud Gets Serious” by William Cohan. It documents the petty, mean-spirited hostility of HHS Sec Robert Kennedy’s disgruntled relatives. Shabby second-stringers who are jealous of RFK Juniors’ popularity. They are very similar to Chicago Tribune editors. Spiteful, resentful, immature and obsessed with self-pity. Trib fatcats should be ashamed of themselves LOL . . https://www.realclearbooks.com/2025/05/06/rumble_in_hyannis_the_kennedy_feud_gets_serious_1108390.html
Tom, amen!
…..and I am Len O’Connor. He knew the city as do you. Keep up the great work. Both of you researched before speaking. Trusted voices are so far gone from journo today.
Heard today the Gov spending 100k on a consultant to keep the Bears in Chicago. Heaven forbid move to a more conservative area like AH. Rattling the “taxpayer money saved” by keeping the Bears at home. More like Covering BJ’s behind. The whole point of moving to AH was to do it the way the Bears wanted on their owned property. Geez. Vacant land,Metra 3 track service to the door. Rt 53 is already a limited access roadway. Also NW Tollway and west side ORD connector. Even NW Hiway in pretty good shape. No violation of the Burnham plan keeping the lakefront and environs free. Oops, who owns the property. If it’s in private hands off of Park District someone’s gonna make a bundle. Even if the site is on park property adjacent land will soar. Follow the money.
That is probably Vrodylak’s most well-known quote. Chicago journalism has referenced it many times. But I didn’t know it was the fine work of JK at the paper.
One of the many problems with identity politics. The majority group carves up the minority groups. The only difference between today and the past is the majority group has changed.
This column was great humor but also painful, like watching Mayor CTU try to talk.
I learned to read by kindergarten mainly so I could follow accounts of White Sox struggles in The World’s Greatest Newspaper. Now I struggle to deal with the reality of the Hedge Fund Boys’ Pravda Knockoff. So I’m trying to get my mind right by anticipating future HFBPK headlines:
Republicans pounce on Chicago bankruptcy
CTU announces “relacksed standurds for literacyism”
New promotion for subscribers: We’ll pay YOU
Bravissimo, John Kass! I remember reading your piece, back in the day, and thinking hell yes, he earned the space on Page 2. Keep on, keepin’ on!
John, the love of journalism reminds me of the movie Northside 777, starring Jimmy Stewart. I’m sure you have watched it a few times.
Again, you are spot on.
Regards, Tom
John, I like the way this led you back to a story written by you!
Vrdolyak’s ethnic comments were a bit hard for me to read, myself of Polish heritage and growing up with the horrid Polish jokes of that time, but today’s column and comments ring through. Bravo!
Melody
Dynooooooomite column.
This was awesome, just plain awesome! Yah, John, sounds like “the paper” is acknowledging good reporting without recognizing the good reporter behind it. Keep those spears sharp.
Excellent column John! As a “polack” (Czech too) who grew up in a more Italian area, the “support your tribe” mentality was always there in the background of things in the city and the close in ‘burbs. Mayor BJ’s problem is the trough is almost empty and they aren’t (probably cannot) do anything to help change the trajectory. Only hope in my view is if the Hispanic community get’s their turn by getting BJ, Toni et al out of power. Agree that Chicago may got the way of Detroit in a few years if that doesn’t happen.
It is predictable behavior of progressives like the current Trib leadership to not only deny attribution to you, but intentionally hide it – they cannot stand the truth, unless it is “their” version of “truth”. Reminds one of the rest of the legacy media cabal and the Biden coverup.
Lastly, I vote for Len O’Connor – he, like you, had the pulse of the Chicagoland political scene! Thanks for the great writing!
I experienced the “Polack” treatment first hand as a member of IBEW Local 134. The Irish controlled all the unions & when it came time for layoffs, everyone went down the road except for the Irish. Oh, every once in awhile a few Irish lads who didn’t toe the line were cast out also. I have read some of the history of the Irish, who themselves were once the outcasts & figured out that they must get involved in local politics, law enforcement & the legal profession itself if they wished to have a say so at the table and once gaining that power to never let go. It’s ingrained in all nationalities though some are more skilled than others. I hold no animosity to the Irish. They like anyone else did what they had to do to survive & thrive, no different than anyone else. I still managed to eke out a living & even married an Irish lass. I am a mutt. Puerto Rican, Italian, Polish, German & English descent. My poor daughter is a League of Nations.
Thomas Rudd, great story about Fast Eddie’s car. Those were the days. Great writing as always John Kass. I still have many Trib Mags in a box & always bring the one with Gino Gambarota of Manny’s Delicatessen when I visit the deli. He laughs. I started going there at the same time Gino started & he always sits with us & chats about the old days. He was 74 when I talked to him last October on a visit to Chicago from NC. Salt of the earth guy.
Yesh, that’s how things worked back then. Someone should inform Mr. Shakes, that it’s a federal offence now. They wanted it that way, and now they got it! Lock em up!!!
What a Great story John.
Maybe there is a glimmer of hope for “The Paper”; but Im not holding my breath.
Glad to see you get some credit John, even though you had to find it yourself. In regard to Alice Yin, I hope its tongue in cheek. I believe she is one of the writers who helped destroy Paul Vallas before the last mayoral election. The Paper may not be there yet.
I loved this, John! I am a new subscriber but a long-time reader, now from SC. Keep on keeping on, please!