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After 'Drunken Breakdown,' Aldermanic Candidate Quits Job But Stays in Race

By Stephanie Lulay | November 24, 2014 6:02pm | Updated on November 24, 2014 6:58pm
 Gabe Beukinga, candidate for 27th Ward alderman
Gabe Beukinga, candidate for 27th Ward alderman
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DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay

NEAR WEST SIDE — After a "drunken breakdown" earlier this month, a 27th Ward aldermanic candidate announced late Monday that he will now leave his job.

Candidate Gabe Beukinga said that he's has resigned from his position as a lending executive at SomerCor 504 to devote "all of his time and energy to his campaign and to his personal health and well-being."

In the early morning hours Nov. 14, Beukinga sent a series of angst-filled emails to Andy Gloor, managing principal of Sterling Bay, an influential West Loop developer. In the emails, Beukinga threatened to "crush" the developer and accused the firm of engaging in "pay-to-play politics" with current Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr. The emails were provided to DNAinfo Chicago early last week.

Beukinga, 31, then admitted that he was a recovering alcoholic. He said the e-mails were an embarrassment to him and were sent in a "drunken breakdown" in a moment of weakness.

On Monday, Beukinga said he is leaving SomerCor because he has realized he was overtasked.

"I was working 90 hours a week between SomerCor and my campaign and I have come to realize that I was simply spread too thin and that something inevitably had to give," he said in a statement. "Unfortunately, that something was my sobriety."

Reached via phone Monday, Beukinga said he has always planned to be a full-time alderman, and that his departure from SomerCor 504 has been in the works for a few months.

"It only makes sense to separate myself from small business lending to allow me to concentrate full time on my campaign and my physical, mental and emotional health," he said.

He denied he was forced out of his job.

Asked if Beukinga voluntarily resigned or was terminated by the company, SomerCor 504 President David Frank said via e-mail: "We have enjoyed a relationship with Mr. Beukinga for eight years; however, a decision was made to part ways. We wish Gabe well in his future endeavors."

A spokesman for Burnett denied Beukinga's latest charges.

"As someone who has already admitted he needs help, Mr. Beukinga’s comments are baseless and without merit.  Alderman Burnett has always conducted himself with the highest regard for ethics and transparency and will continue to do so," said Tim Nazanin, a spokesman with Burnett's campaign.

Last week, Burnett also brushed aside his challenger's claims, saying, "[Sterling Bay] support[s] me just like most everyone in the ward do. I want to know what he's referring to [by pay to play] — I guess I've got to catch him when he's drunk and ask him."

In this election cycle, Gloor has donated $1,500 to Burnett under the Four Corners Tavern Group, a group of restaurant/bars Gloor owns with Matt Menna, also a Sterling Bay principal, according to state records. Gloor did not return calls Tuesday.

In the last two years, Sterling Bay has acquired more than two-dozen commercial properties in the West Loop, including 1000 W. Fulton Market and Harpo Studios.

'Corrupt, bullying practices'

Beukinga refused to retract the "pay-to-play" claims he made in the drunken e-mails Monday.

“I stand firmly behind the substance of those e-mails, but I regret that the accusatory tone of my remarks may have been misinterpreted in seeming to place the blame of the pay-to-play culture of corruption in the 27th Ward on a single developer, or for that matter all of the ward’s real estate interests," he said in a statement.

Beukinga said that he "cannot imagine that those with 27th Ward interests would voluntarily subject themselves to these corrupt, bullying practices."

"It is Mr. Burnett who demands that his constituents and local businesses pay tribute to win favorable consideration for their plans and proposals from city government," he said.

Beukinga said he is prepared to back up his claims. 

“I look forward to debating Mr. Burnett before a host of reputable community organizations throughout the 27th Ward and to exposing his disrespectable and unethical conduct for all residents to see," he said.

Beukinga is being backed by former 27th Ward aldermen Rickey Hendon, Wallace Davis Jr. and Dexter Watson.

Burnett, 51, is seeking his sixth term in office.

Beukinga and Burnett were the only candidates to file to run for 27th Ward alderman. The election is Feb. 24.

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