Isaac Carothers

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Isaac "Ike" Sims Carothers is alderman of the 29th ward on the far west side of the City of Chicago. He was first elected in 1999.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Early career 3 Aldermanic career 4 Personal life 5 References

[edit] Early life

Carothers grew up in Chicago. Carothers went to public elementary and private high school (De La Salle High School); he earned a degree in Political Science from DePaul University and his Masters in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University.^{[citation needed]}

Both Carothers' father and grandfather were city employees active in local politics. Isaac's grandfather, Isaac "Ike" Sims, was an Department of Sewers employee, Illinois State Representative and 28th ward committeeman. Isaac's father, William Carothers, was a Streets and Sanitation ward superintendent. William Carothers replaced his father-in-law, Isaac "Ike" Sims as committeman in 1976. William Carothers was appointed alderman of the 28th ward upon the death of his predecessor, Jimmy Washington, in 1980.^[1]

While alderman, William Carothers and his assistant Ozzie Hutchins threatened to block a $14.5 million Bethany Hospital expansion unless they received $15,000 worth of remodelling in their ward office. Both were convicted in 1983.^[1] William Carothers was convicted of conspiracy and extortion on August 23, 1983^[2] and sentenced to three years in the federal prison in Terra Haute, Indiana. By the time of his conviction, William Carothers had been defeated in an attempt to be elected alderman of the 28th ward by Ed Smith in a run-off in early 1983.^[1]

In 1985, a federal judge ordered William Carothers, his two sons, and a fourth man to pay $152,000 in damages for a campaign of physical violence and intimidation organized by William Carothers, from prison, against a political opponent. At the time Isaac and his brother were both Cook County deputy sheriffs with access to guns. Former independent Illinois State Representative Arthur Turner of the far west side 17th District and aides filed a civil lawsuit following their defeat in 1982 in a challenge by Ozzie Hitchins, who was supported by Hitchins' former boss, the imprisoned William Carothers. Turner aides were threatened with guns and one Turner aide suffering severe injuries to the side of the head, including broken bones. U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras said Isaac Carothers appeared to be the ringleader and "organized their acts of intimidation" by force while the other son used his deputy's position to verbally threaten the plaintiffs. Isaac Carothers was ordered to pay $25,000 of the damages.^[3][4]

[edit] Early career

Carothers worked for the Cook County Defender’s Office. Carothers was hired as a Superintendent for the Department of Water in 1989. Carothers was hired as Director of Internal Audit for the Chicago Park District in 1993. Carothers was named Deputy Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation in 1997.^[5]

[edit] Aldermanic career

Carothers was elected alderman in 1999 after defeating eight opponents, including the incumbent alderman, Sam Burrell, in a February primary, and an ninth opponent, Floyd Thomas, in an April run-off.^[6]

Carothers highlights a new police station, a senior housing development, a movie theater, and new restaurants as some of his accomplishments.^{[citation needed]}

Carothers serves on four committees: Committees, Rules and Ethics, Finance, Special Events and Cultural Affairs Transportation and the Public Way and is the Chairman of the Committee on Police & Fire. Just two years after being elected alderman, Carothers was appointed chairman of the City Council's powerful Police and Fire Committee.^[5]

In 2007 the office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald subpoenaed Carothers demanding documents including seven years worth of aldermanic expense records; 29th Ward zoning changes; ordinances introduced by Carothers, and correspondence between Carothers and the mayor's office regarding zoning changes. The subpoena further demanded information on comments made and votes taken by Carothers since January 2001 before two City Council committees.^[7]

In 2008 Carothers was found to be one of seven Chicago aldermen who between them got ten of their children good-paying summer jobs with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.^[8]

The US Attorneys office in Chicago indicted Carothers on federal corruption charges on May 28, 2009.^[9] Carothers and a real estate developer, who sought to transform a 50-acre former rail yard and industrial site on the city’s west side into a residential and commercial neighborhood, were indicted on federal fraud and bribery charges. The developer, Calvin Boender, allegedly paid for approximately $40,000 in home improvements to Carothers’ residence and provided him with meals and tickets to professional sporting events, which Carothers allegedly illegally accepted, in exchange for Carothers’ official acts supporting successful zoning changes for Galewood Yards, which was the largest undeveloped tract of land within the city limits.Carothers was charged with four counts of wire or mail fraud and one count each of accepting a bribe and filing a false federal income tax return. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of at least $40,000 from Carothers, representing the financial benefits he received in home improvements.^[10][11] Carothers pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in federal court on Monday, June 8, 2009.^[12][13]

[edit] Personal life

Alderman Carothers is married to wife Sharron, and they have two sons, Sherman and Matthew. Carothers attends the Original Providence Baptist Church.

Carothers' aunt, Anita Rivkin-Carothers, is currently a judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County in the domestic violence court. As an attorney, Anita Rivkin-Carothers represented white supremacist Matthew Hale before the Illinois Supreme Court, defended Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover in federal court when there was little doubt of the outcome, and represented Tina Olison in her custody battle with Alderman Ed Burke and his wife Anne over Olison's child "Baby T".^[14] Anita Rivkin-Carothers ran unsuccessfully for US Congress in 2004 from the 17th Congressional District against US Representative Danny K. Davis.^[15][16]

[edit] References

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