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Edward Robert Vrdolyak (; born December 28, 1937) is a convicted Chicago lawyer and politician. He was a powerful longtime Chicago alderman and also head of the Cook County Democratic Party and ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Chicago on the Illinois Solidarity Party and Republican Party tickets. Vrdolyak, born to Croatian immigrant parents, entered a Catholic seminary at age 13, but decided against joining the priesthood. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, then from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana. He received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1963 and began a legal career in private practice, specializing in personal injury cases. Today, the Vrdolyak Law Group consists of 16 attorneys. Vrdolyak and his three sons are partners in the firm. ==Political career== In 1968, he was elected as Democratic Committeeman from Chicago's 10th Ward in the Hegewisch and South Deering areas; a position he held until 1988. In 1971, he was elected alderman, and, after defeating Republican Melvin Simonovich, he served as President of the City Council from 1977 to 1983. Vrdolyak earned the nickname "Fast Eddie" because of his skill in back-room deal-making. In 1979, he managed the re-election campaign of Mayor Michael Bilandic. In a colossal upset, Bilandic narrowly lost to maverick Jane Byrne. Despite the fact that Byrne then stripped Vrdolyak of all powers except his aldermanic seat, he became Byrne's chief ally against both independent and Regular Democrats, becoming her floor leader in the Council. In 1982, with Byrne's support, he was elected Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Committee, ousting County Board President George Dunne. He is most noted for leading the opposition in the City Council to Mayor Harold Washington from 1983 to 1987. After beating Mayor Byrne and Richard M. Daley in the Democratic Primary, Washington barely won the general election. A solid majority of 29 aldermen (27 Regular Democrats and two independents) opposed Washington (21 aldermen supported the mayor). Vrdolyak and 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke led the opposition group. The Vrdolyak 29 rejected mayoral appointments and appropriations, but could not override the mayor's veto. The resulting political deadlock was labeled "Council Wars". In 1986, a federal lawsuit forced the redrawing of some aldermanic wards, and special elections in some, but not all, of the redrawn wards. Members of the Vrdolyak 29 were incumbents in all seven of the wards going to the polls. Four of them did not seek reelection, including three who sought seats on the county board. Two of the three attempting to retain their seats were reelected in the first round, but a third, Alderman Brady, lost six weeks later in a run-off; the council was split 25-25, creating a tie which the mayor could break. At this point, several of the Vrdolyak 29 began to support Washington, giving him a supportive council. In 1987, he resigned as county Democratic chairman, and ran for mayor as the Solidarity Party nominee (), defeating a candidate backed by Mayor Washington in the primary. He was defeated by Washington, who got 53% of the vote to Vrdolyak's 42%.〔(With Victory in Chicago, Mayor Finally in Control )''New York Times'', April 9, 1987.〕 Washington's second term began more smoothly (he died in November 1987) and Vrdolyak's political clout waned. In light of these factors, as well as his growing unpopularity among Democrats, Vrdolyak joined the Republican Party in September 1987.〔(Ex-Leader of Democrats in Chicago Switches Party )''New York Times'', September 16, 1987.〕 In 1988, Vrdolyak was the Republican candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He received 41% of the vote; Democrat Aurelia Pucinski (daughter of Alderman and former US Representative Roman Pucinski) won with 59%. In 1989, Vrdolyak again ran for mayor, in a special election for the last half of Washington's term; he won the Republican primary as a write-in candidate. The general election was won by Democrat Richard M. Daley. Vrdolyak managed less than 4% of the vote, effectively ending his political career. After his final electoral defeat, Vrdolyak returned to his law practice. He hosted a popular talk radio show from 1993 to 1996 – first on WLS radio (890 AM) and then on WJJD Radio (1160 AM). He also maintained a strong behind-the-scenes presence in Chicago area politics. He became best known for his influence in the appointment and election of Cook County Circuit Court judges. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman confirmed that at least two judges he appointed to the bench were recommended by Vrdolyak.〔(Justice says Vrdolyak helped pick judges )''Chicago Sun-Times'', May 4, 2000.〕 Vrdolyak was also a key adviser to Betty Loren-Maltese, former Town President of the suburb of Cicero. The Vrdolyak Law Group received millions of dollars in legal work from the town of Cicero during the administrations of Loren-Maltese and her successor, Ramiro González. Maltese was convicted of corruption in 2002 and González was defeated in the 2005 election. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Edward Vrdolyak」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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