Daley's Follies

By Sean Stillmaker in News on May 8, 2011 4:00PM

When you're Chicago's longest serving mayor, you're going to have your ups and downs. But a mayor is only as good as the people he surrounds himself with. Daley had a cast of criminals around him, but he had some good people too. Fran Spielman of the Sun Times highlights the best and worst of the king's men.

The Lowlights:
Al Sanchez rigged city hiring to the benefit of the Hispanic Democratic Organization in his Streets and Sanitation Department, and was the last convicted associate of the Hired Truck Scandal.

Budget Director Bennett Johnson pushed a $293 million tax package, then installed a $5,400 shower in his City Hall office.

Robert Penn was the Park District superintendent until a sexual harassment complaint against him was settled.

Former Police Supt. Matt Rodriguez had a close friendship with a convicted felon that allegedly had ties to the mob.

Purchasing Agent Alexander Gryzb had connections to a fence contractor who made millions off city contracts.

Robert Belcaster was the head of the CTA until reports surfaced that he purchased stock in a CTA supplier.