FACT CHECK: Preckwinkle TV Ad Claiming She's 'Very Hip' Is False

CHICAGO, IL — Toni Preckwinkle wants to be mayor so badly she’ll say the most preposterous things to get your vote. That’s the obvious takeaway from the Cook County board president’s latest TV campaign ad that describes Preckwinkle as “tough” and “no nonsense” when everybody knows “abrasive” and “humorless” are closer to the truth.

What’s worse is that Preckwinkle has the audacity to look straight into the camera and call herself, “very hip.”

That’s possibly the most blatant lie the 71-year-old politician has ever told.

And, lately, that’s saying a lot.

The feds recently exposed Preckwinkle’s claim to be “independent” and “progressive” as load of bull.

Criminal charges against Ald. Ed Burke directly linked her to campaign cash — more than $100,000, including the proceeds of an alleged shakedown — rounded up by the Democratic Machine powerbroker.

And the Tribune broke the news that Preckwinkle’s administration hired Burke’s namesake son to a do-nothing job with a six-figure salary. As things turn out, Preckwinkle has been connected by cash to the “Ol’ Boys Club” she claims to stand up against for a long time.

Her claim to be “very hip” is even more troubling than other bogus statements that pepper her recent TV ads.

A Better Government Association fact-checker has already determined that Preckwinkle’s controversial 30-second TV spot taking credit for shedding light on Laquan McDonald’s murder was “half true,” which is the nice way of saying “half false.”

Preckwinkle’s recent TV ad claim that she’s “not from the Machine, but she’s a boss” is obviously a bunch of hooey.

As Cook County Democratic Party chairwoman, Preckwinkle literally is the Democratic Machine boss.

She might not be able to argue that she’s not “from the Machine” but there’s definitely evidence that she followed a trail of cash to become a big part of it.

But there’s no arguing this cold, hard truth: There’s nothing “very hip” about Preckwinkle, according to hip people who know about these things.

“That’s like literally the opposite of an established fact. She’s the antithesis of hip,” according to the most fashionable millennial male nurse I know. “She might not know the definition of hip.”

“Hip,” according to Webster’s, means “having or showing awareness of or involvement in the newest developments or styles; very fashionable, trendy.”

In 2019, I’m pretty sure that it’s not even hip to say “hip.”

But don’t take the word of guy who wears concert T-shirts and flannel like a uniform.

Chicago-based Instagram fashionista and blogger Ceta Walters offered up an impromptu fact-check of Preckwinkle's style self-assessment. After getting a good look at Preckwinkle’s signature look — a bright-colored, boxy, monochromatic, shoulder-padded business suit worn over a scoop-neck blouse and adorned with chunky necklaces — Walters put it this way:

Michelle Obama is hip.

New York fashionista Iris Apfel of the chic sweaters and oversized glasses, she’s hip.

Millie Cruzat, the 90-year-old dancer who rocked Louboutin pumps in Essence Magazine, is hip.

But Preckwinkle.

“Oh, she’s definitely not hip,” Walters said. “Not hip at all. She’s still dressing like Candace Bergen’s Murphy Brown Character thirty years ago.”

It’s time for Preckwinkle to take a long look in the mirror.

Her lies, half-truths and political spin is out of style.

Like a teal blazer with shoulder pads, nobody’s buying it but her.

See Also:

• Rahm's Podcast Isn't Practice For TV Gig; He Stinks On TV (VIDEO)
  
• Are You For 'Cockroaches' Or Reformers In Chicago Mayoral Race?
  
• Cash Connects 'Independent' Preckwinkle To 'Good Ol' Boys Club'
  
• Hmm, Mayor Candidate Bill Daley Doesn't Want To Dis Rahm Anymore?
  

Mark Konkol, recipient of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting and Emmy-nominated producer, was a producer, writer and narrator for the Chicagoland series on CNN.

Photo credit: Associated Press file photo