James Laski

James Laski
City Clerk of Chicago, Illinois
In office 1995–2006
Preceded by	Ernest Wish
Succeeded by	Miguel del Valle

James J. "Jim" Laski (born 1954) was the City Clerk of Chicago, Illinois from 1995–2006. The former congressional aid and city alderman resigned from the City Clerk's office following his indictment for obstruction of justice due to his involvement in the city's scandal-plagued Hired Truck Program. After serving a prison sentence, Laski became a controversial talk-radio host for a program that was broadcast on two Chicago-area radio stations. He also wrote a book about his experiences in Chicago politics and federal prison.

Laski grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, a lifelong resident of Chicago's 23rd Ward. He attended St. Laurence High School and graduated with a degree in political science from Lewis University. He graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1978, and quickly volunteered his services to then 23rd Ward Alderman, William O. "Bill" Lipinski.

By 1988 Laski was chief of staff of the joint Democrat Service Office for the city's southwest side, and a personal aid to Lipinksi, by then a United States congressman. In 1991 he was appointed city alderman of the 23rd Ward to fill the vacancy created when his predecessor, Alderman William Krystyniak, was appointed personnel director of the Cook County Highway Department. While a member of the city council he had a falling out with his mentor, Lipinski, over a proposed tax increase. His publicly stated position on the issue, however, helped him in 1995 to be popularly elected as Chicago City Clerk, the second-highest ranking elected position in Chicago after the mayor's office. He had come into the office as a 'reformer' following his several times elected predecessor, Walter Kozubowski's, conviction in a ghost payroll scheme. Laski was re-elected to the post in 1999 and 2003.

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