the fuck do u think rockford is?

A city? It's not as urban as say the Loop but it's not exactly a little farming village either. I wouldn't call it "rural" at all.

the fuck do u think rockford is?

Probably 5 -10 guys in Rockford still left? Vending machines, food distribution, gambling, bingo halls etc? Did Marco's group take over gambling there or do I have that wrong?

i would consider rockford a rural town

http://americannewspost.com/frank-coconate/6121/chicago-outfit-alive-and-well-in-illinois-politics/

Agreed Ivy, but this is just one example in Norridge. This doesn't include surrounding areas in Melrose, Elmwood, etc. Spina is active along with DeLeo. Some previous posters are claiming there is no link between the Outfit and politics. I think it is open to debate.

Compared to Chicago it would seem small and rural but it's in the top 5 biggest cities in Illinois

This blog entry is a perfect example of what I and some others are talking about when it comes to Chicago. The heading is "Chicago Outfit Alive and Well in Illinois Politics." And the guy goes on to say that "members of the Outfit are as powerful as almost any Illinois politician." But as you go down that list of people who attended Benigno's fundraiser, most of them are relatives of deceased Outfit guys.

This begs the question, are these people really examples of the Outfit being involved in and influencing Illinois politics? Or is it simply friends, associates, or descendants of dead Outfit members who are involved in politics but not really acting at the direction of the Outfit today, although the Outfit may still benefit in some ways? In other words, are they just assimilating into the larger fabric of Chicago politics, which has always involved cronyism and corruption?

I think we'll continue still see this stuff years from now when the Outfit itself is no more. People involved in Chicago business and politics who had some mob connection way back when. Or are related to some dead guy who was connected way back when.

Yes. Also keep in mind that Fosco, toward the end of the article, insinuates that an Outfit-governement cabal is being elected to "take over" the city of Norridge.

It's not only not plausible; it's farcical.

And what makes you more credible than Joe Fosco? Some of us know grew up with these guys.

[img:center] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/img]

this will be the last time I address the subject.

Ivy League are you Wiseguy from RD?

Here is what you forgot to highlight in your post: The author...Frank Cocanante, is not just "some random businessperson or Outfit fanboy." It's Frank Cocanante. He grew up in Elmwood Park and was close with Calabrese Jr. (see pic) along with plenty of other mobsters. It's not some random guy who has access to Google and makes "connections" himself. This is a guy who grew up around real mobsters and continues to associate with them in their neighborhoods and homes.

Joe Fosco is the same thing--he knows these guys intimately. He knows what's a real connection and what isn't.

It's Nick F and that pic has been on the net for a while now. Last i heard he had a sweet gig with a printing company in schumbug, but that's all heresay. jonnynonos i think you got it right, you're a great poster who realies on facts and fact is Fosco is and has not been in the "Know" for a long time.

You mean when he's not at the track?

ChiTown,

Is the guy on the left running sportsbook these days?

The mob has become boring compared to 20-30 years ago. Very very boring.

Lol, you make it sound like they are here for out personal entertainment, they are not. They are there to make money, period by any means. It's not actually boring either, there's still some quite interesting stuff going on, and the fact that they learn to adapt and carry on as normal intrigues me even further.

To say he's around Marco is a heavy statement for the reasons you listed above not to mention the fact that he can't drive with a busted tailight without getting rolled enforces my statement even more. As PizzaBoy said the track (More so at Hawthorne) is filled with degenerates who don't have money feed their kids but got money for the pony's. I,m not trying to be disrespectful i just wanted to point that tid-bit out, BTW it's good to have another Chicago poster on here but please don't live up to the sterotype of a "Chicago Poster".