Trib On “Political Sleaze” Attack

Journalistic objectivity has become subjective these days. At least in Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune announced to its readers on the Sunday newspaper front page it would use its news and editorial pages to launch a "campaign against the Illinois culture of political sleaze."

The move comes as Illinois has one former governor, George Ryan, behind bars on a corruption conviction and another former governor, Rod Blagojevich, newly impeached and facing possible federal charges on accusations he tried to sell a U.S Senate seat.

"We've surrendered too much of government in Illinois -- too much of our responsibility -- to crooks and opportunists," the newspaper wrote in an editorial.

Among the focuses of the campaign, the Tribune said in the editorial, is to attack secrecy in government, entice state and local prosecutors to pursue public corruption and empower law-abiding public servants to help make Illinois more honest and fair.

The Tribune also told readers they need to "demand better" from their public officials.

"From now on, let's judge our elected officials by their effectiveness or impotence at delivering reform," the editorial read. "Enough with 'effort.' Illinois needs results."

"Never in our lifetimes, though, has a scandal left that culture so vulnerable to the threat of real reform," the Sunday editorial read. "Those of us at the Tribune promise our best effort to make that reform happen. Together, let's not squander this unique and emboldening moment."

It looks like the muckrakers are back.