The Chicago Sun-Times reports:
The phone call that set off the big whodunit of the 2014 Illinois general election might sound innocuous enough.
“This is your Chicago election judge coordinator Jim Parrilli,” began the automated robocall that went out on Halloween. “I’m calling to let you know that tomorrow, Nov. 1, we are having an additional training at our headquarters from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.”
“Beverages will be served. We will have people there to answer any question you might have about your responsibility as election judge on Tuesday, Nov. 4.”
But those words, Chicago election officials contend, were part of a “serious attempt to disrupt the voting process” that has touched off at least one criminal investigation and prompted Mayor Rahm Emanuel to demand answers.
We now have at least a partial answer to the first of Emanuel’s questions: Who did it?
Parrilli, 68, is the 19th Ward Republican committeeman and an unsuccessful candidate for a seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in Tuesday’s election.
Is this guy REALLY a Republican?
In the 19th Ward, he is known to maintain a cozy relationship with the local Democratic organization, even making political donations to them, although sources tell me he is not a wholly-owned subsidiary as is often the case.
In recent years, he garnered media attention just once: when he showed up on the doorstep of Emanuel’s recalcitrant tenant, Rob Halpin, to recruit him to run against Emanuel for mayor.
Was Mike Madigan trying to get rid of Pat Quinn?
