As part of the ongoing trial of former patronage czar Robert Sorich, prosecutors yesterday projected names and faces of some of those included on a clout list -- people who had recommended friends or allies for city jobs. The list, which ran to 60 pages, includes 5,000 names and was maintained on a computer in the mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Surprisingly, those contacted by the Chicago Sun-Times said all their applicants were qualified.
"It wasn't for any benefit for me. It was because I thought somebody deserved a position," said Charles Bowen, Mayor Richard Daley's former liaison to black ministers. "Why would I apologize for doing something I think is right? I wouldn't apologize for that. Absolutely not."
