Jackson under fire for questionable petition (Jesse, Jr).

ABC 7 Chicago ^ | January 13, 2004 | Charles Thomas

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Congressman Jesse Jackson Junior is under fire again from longtime political rival William Shaw. Shaw wants Jackson left off the March primary ballot because Jackson used homeless people to gather questionable signatures for his petition.

The state board hearing officer said he will recommend Shaw's complaint be dismissed so that Jackson's name will appear on the primary ballot.

Shaw, an attorney argued that because of irregularities in his nominating petitions, Congressman Jesse Jackson Junior should be thrown off the March primary ballot.

" The remedy for noncompliance is in the statute. It's the only remedy that's in the statute," said Evangeline Levison.

Jackson's lawyer conceded the congressman hired residents of a south side homeless shelter to gather questionable signatures. But after eliminating those, Jackson still would have enough to get on the ballot.

" It's ludicrous. It's bad faith, frivolous pleadings," said Burt Odalson.

Two employees of the village of Dolton, where longtime Jackson political enemy William "Bill" Shaw is mayor, filed the challenge.

Fourteen months ago, after Jackson-backed candidate James Meeks defeated Shaw in a state senate race, Shaw showed up at Meeks headquarters election night seemingly to bury the hatchet.

"I don't have any ill will against Congressman Jackson," said William Shaw, Dolton mayor.

But the feud continues.

" That's all this is about is Shaw versus Jackson," said Odalson.

Jackson and Shaw routinely file different slates for south suburban offices. The congressman is backing a candidate running this year against Bill's brother, Robert Shaw, the incumbent board of tax appeals commissioner.

"The Jackson organization just wants to show a disregard toward the thousands upon thousands of supporters that support Commissioner Shaw[and Mayor Shaw," said Shawn Howard, Shaw supporter.

Meanwhile, statewide African American candidates like U.S. Senate contender Barack Obama are unable to depend on black political leaders in the vote-rich south suburbs who spend most of their time fighting each other.

"We have to look at each other as men and not that it's going to be my way or now way at all," said Shaw.

Congressman Jackson's attorney says he'll file yet another lawsuit alleging the nominating petition challenge was frivolous and that the filers should pay Jackson's legal fees. The two sides have spent tens of thousands of dollars in various courtrooms going back and forth and people in the south suburbs still don't know who to vote for.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

There's a video clip on the site, too.

[T Lady]

First the Homeless Shelters, then on to the Cemetaries. Have the 'RATs no shame?!!!

-Regards, T.

[expatpat]

" The remedy for noncompliance is in the statute. It's the only remedy that's in the statute,"

But we know that laws don't apply to Democrap politicians.