The good cop

Kathy Osterman was an ace recruiter of celebrities, persuading politicians, movie stars, and other notables to mingle with the elderly residents of Lawrence House, an Uptown senior citizen residence, where she worked as Social Director before winning election as 48th Ward Alderman.

In the early days of the Jane Byrne administration, before the city’s chief executive returned to the dark side (from where she had originated), Police Commissioner Joseph DiLeonardi visited with residents and Osterman told him of the problems Alderman Marion Volini was having with the local police commander, who wouldn’t address issues she felt were important. That fellow had also been a helper in Democratic Party headquarters on election night.

The Commissioner was well-liked by rank-and-file cops and was a totally ethical public servant. Upon hearing of Volini’s concerns, he thought for just a moment and said, "Let's go talk to the Alderman."

So, he and Osterman climbed into his limousine and on the way, the top cop called 20th district Commander John Stibich.

"Johnny," the Commissioner said. "It's Joey D. I'm going to Alderman Volini's office. I'll call you later." And he hung up.

Stibich immediately called Volini and told her he would do anything she asked of him.

"Anything you want," he promised. "You call me any time."

Volini shared her concerns about police problems with DiLeonardi and he assured her conditions would improve quickly.

Unfortunately for both of them, Mayor Byrne finally remembered that she was not a Reformer after all. She found an excuse to fire DiLeonardi and put police matters back the way they had been before. Stibich had nothing to worry about.

Exerpted from “An Inside Job: A Frank Recollection of 48th Ward Happenings” at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/992452