The RoundUp

By Megan Wadin

Staff Writer

Controversy has become almost expected when it comes to Chicago politics. With a former governor in jail and one facing trial, Illinois politicians are no strangers to corruption. The latest Chicago scandal has been centered around the democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor.                                                                                  

Democratic Party leaders have been meeting behind closed doors for weeks in hoping to find a nominee for the Illinois lieutenant governor position on the ballot.

Anyone who is interested in the job could submit an application, regardless of experience. With 200 applicants ranging from a brick salesman to a musician, there were no shortage of political hopefuls.                                                                                                

After over a month of deliberations, the Democratic Party has named Sheila Simon, daughter of former Senator Paul Simon, the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. While some are pleased with this decision, many see it as just another inside job.                                                                                                                                      

Illinois politics is all about knowing the right people, not qualifications or past experience” said sophomore Dan Voltz. He wasn’t a fan of former governor Rod Blagojevich and is anxious for Illinois to start moving forward and end its history as a corrupt state.           

The spot now occupied by Sheila Simon became vacant after former nominee Scott Lee Cohen dropped out of the race for the official position. Cohen ended his campaign at the urging of many democratic leaders including current Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
Cohen was arrested in 2005 on domestic battery charges and has been accused by his ex-wife of infidelity and steroid use. He had also failed to pay child support on many occasions. Many leaders pressured Cohen to step down in order to end the controversy, allowing the Illinois government to focus on improving the economically and educationally.                                                                                        

Sophomore Ashlie Zimmerman is anxious for the government to start focusing more on the issues. “Lately the news is all about the political scandals,” she said. “I think that it should be more focused on improving housing projects and unemployment rates.” Many political leaders have also said they wanted to focus on improving the 10% unemployment rate, the tenth highest in the country. 

The lieutenant governor position in Illinois is unique because, unlike many states, the governor runs separately in the primaries, then teams up with the lieutenant governor nominee.
The previous lieutenant governor was current governor, Pat Quinn. He took over the office of governor after Rod Blagojevich was impeached for charges in regards to the Illinois Senate seat.                                                                                                         

Because of Illinois’s reputation as a corrupt state, many have lost faith in it entirely. 21st century issues teacher Alex Strobl has, for the most part, lost confidence in Chicago politicians. “Unfortunately I am jaded and distrustful when it comes to Illinois politics.” said Strobl.

By Sofia Carapia

Spanish Section Editor/ Hart Beat Editor

Junior Maria Patiño was one of the 79,000 patients in the United States waiting for an organ. After waiting on the list, she finally received her kidney. She was hospitalized at Loyola Hospital to recover from her surgery. She died from complications on February 3, 2010.

Ten percent of patients waiting for an organ are under the age of 18. The need for organ donations are high and only a few are donors. Anyone from a newborn baby to a 90 year old can donate. Several organs and tissue can be donated. There is no cost because it is paid by the donor organization. All people have to do to donate is make a check in their driver’s license box to say that they will be donors or during the time of death, families can make the decision.

The need for organs in minorities is higher than in other types. Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders are more likely to suffer from a chronic condition that affects the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver.

Every month 3,000 people get added to the waiting list. At least 16 to 17 people die every day while waiting for their transplant. However, people refuse to donate their organs because of their beliefs. People want all of their body parts together when they die. However, in most religions, there support for organ donations because it is seen as being compassionate and making a great charitable act.

School nurse Diana Abens is an organ donor. She wants to donate her whole body to science. “I’ve had friends who have been saved by organ donations. People should plan ahead for what they want to do.”

Organs are distributed through the program UNOS (United Network For Organ Sharing). The distributions of organs are all based upon genetic matching, medical urgency and the length of time to receive the organ.  There are currently 59 organ organizations across the country that provide service to 261 transplant centers. Donating organs saves as many as fifty lives.

History teacher Paul Pinnow was influenced by his sister, who died nine years ago in a car accident. Her heart, liver and kidneys were donated to patients who were in extreme need of them. The heart was given to a grandfather in Wisconsin. The liver was given to a woman and the kidneys were given to an eight year old girl. “Everyone should donate it doesn’t make sense not to,” said Mr. Pinnow.

Graciela Patiño, mother of Maria Patiño, is also very supportive of organ donating. “Life brings you the unexpected. You might be in a great health now but you never know when you will be struck with bad health.”

NFL Football player Walter Payton died from the condition PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis), that led to the cancer of bile ducts in his liver. He was soon added to the long organ donation list. He recieved no special treatment to get ahead on the donor’s list. The cancer spread and he died November 1, 1999. When he was alive he would speak out on how important it is to be a donor. Since then, Illinois has become the number one state for registered organ donors.

His daughter Brittney Payton started the “Youth For Life” Remembering Walter Payton Program. She speaks out on the importance of being an organ donor. Her program has helped to maintain Illinois the number one status in the last four years. “I think it is so important for people to understand how important it is to be an organ donor. To be an organ donor you are a true hero. It doesn’t get any bigger than giving the gift of life.”