Article: Reform Beckons Chicago Heights // New Convictions Raise Hope for Change

Is Chicago Heights ready for reform?

Well, Al Capone died in 1947, which was a nice start. And three of the town's top mob bosses are behind bars, a good second step.

Five city officials pleaded guilty within the last three years to taking payoffs, which certainly cannot hurt. And, perhaps best of all, a federal jury on Monday convicted former Mayor Charles Panici and two city commissioners on charges of pocketing dozens of kickbacks for city contracts.

All the same, is this a town really ready for reform?

"Maybe so," said Cleveland Davis, a Chicago Heights resident for 38 years, who stopped in at a local White Hen to buy lottery tickets. "They can't be any more dishonest."

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