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I’ve known Joe Lyons since the 1980s, if not before. I did public relations work for his alderman, Patrick Levar, who has been serving the people of the 45^th Ward for over 20 years. At that time, Lyons was the best precinct captain in the 45^th (with the possible exception of Levar; I don’t know if Pat was still working as a captain after his election to alderman). 

 

Lyons would carry anyone that his cousin, the late Tommy Lyons, the Democratic committeeman of the 45^th and the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party (a post that Joseph Berrios now holds), urged the captains to carry. Lyons really knew everyone in his precinct. He did his best to help his working class folks with city services as needed. I’m sure he is still approachable by the people from his precinct; that is the kind of man that he is. At the same time, in Springfield he is the chair of the Financial Institutions Committee, vice-chair of the Aging Committee, and serves on several more. He also has a masters’ degree in public administration.

 

On Oct. 1, Lyons held a fundraiser at the Copernicus Center, Chicago’s Polish American community center at 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. It was formerly the Gateway Theater, the first Chicago movie theater built for “talkies.”  In 2008, Lyons’ invitation had suggested that folks wear Hawaiian shirts. So, many of us did, particularly since my wife, Diane, and I had been to Hawaii in 2007. Lyons greeted everyone wearing a Hawaiian shirt from his family’s trip.

 

By the way, a few years ago, Lyons set us an invitation marked “complimentary.” Well, many politicians do that, but I never had anyone return a check. When I opened the mail shortly after the fundraiser, there was my check and a note saying “Bob, the tickets were complimentary.” I’ve been getting complimentary invitations ever since. 

 

This year, Lyons’ invitation stated Hawaiian shirts were urged as appropriate apparel as well as fedoras and sunglasses. Well, I have a fedora, but it was too warm, so I wore my Borsalino straw hat, close enough. When we reached the Copernicus Center, I saw why the fedoras and sunglasses. In the refurbished Gateway Theater are of the center, Lyons was running “The Blues Brothers” (1980) with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, a tribute to the blues and to Chicago. I never enjoyed a political fundraiser so much as the 45 minutes I spent back with Dan and John in 1980. 

 

In the fundraiser proper, Joe Lyons greeted everyone at the door. We shared some food with former State Rep. Ralph Capparelli (D-41st Ward, the “suburb in the city”) and his wife, Concetta, Metropolitan Water Reclamation President Terry O’ Brien appeared to campaign for election to the office of president of the Cook County Board. I imagine either Todd Stoger, campaigning for re-election to the same office, appeared while we were watching the film or appeared after we left. The doors are always open to Lyons’ affairs.

 

And sure enough, another representative of the Cook County College Teachers Union came through the door. Our legislative director, Linda Murphy, came in with a friend, Anita Martinez, to have a word with Joe Lyons. I believe Murphy has moved her residence into Lyons’ district. I figure they should get along. They are both hard workers on the political scene. 

 

If you ever drop by the Illinois House on a Lobby Day, as I have done recently, don’t be surprised if you see Joe Lyons wielding the gavel, instead of Speaker Michael Madigan. Several people have that job to cover for the hard-working speaker, but Madigan doesn’t trust just anyone with the gavel. You have to take care of business without hurting the feelings of people whom you have to count on when the heat is on. Joe Lyons can take care of business. 

                                    ___Bob Blackwood, webmaster