Personal Aside: Bernie Stone and Cindy Canary Score at Roosevelt.

The contrast was like day and night: a tough-minded alderman who served for 32 years, basically defending the system he understands so well…and a bright young woman who wants to bring more equity to it. Bernie Stone proved why he has been so often returned to office with his frank, un-cynical but realistic appraisal of how things work in the Chicago City Council. At the same time, Cynthia Canary, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform showed the Roosevelt class how idealism is an indispensable commodity for young people and older ones to work with the system. Since the words of the speakers are entirely off-the-record this writer can only list impressions. They are three. First, given Bernie Stone’s wise, witty and thoroughly expert knowledge as alderman, not just his 50th ward but the entire city is fortunate to have him. Second, Canary’s work has provided an invaluable assist by listing on the Internet an award-winning website and campaign finance database at www.ilcampaign.org . Third, there is grounds for some hope that the two forces of seasoned aldermanic service and expert pressure for reform can accomplish much for a city that works and which can work even more effectively in the future.

Both Stone and Canary will be on my WLS-AM “Political Shootout” Sunday at 8 p.m.

Next up at my Roosevelt class: Former Illinois governor Jim Edgar who will appear at 6 p.m. There is little doubt that Jim Edgar retired at the peak of his popularity, that he still ranks high as one of the most respected chief executives of the state…and that had he wished to, he could have won the 2006 gubernatorial nomination without half trying and probably gone on to become the next governor of Illinois without breaking a sweat.

And at 7 the triple-threat man (a) business expert (b) media expert and (c) former regulator Dan Miller…financial editor of the “Sun-Times”…a knowledgeable commentator on the city and state’s economy…and proven authority on city and state media: Dan Miller.