From The Chicago Sun-Times:

Pate Philip's free class reunion

May 28, 2002

BY TIM NOVAK STAFF REPORTER

Illinois Senate President James "Pate'' Philip had a simple request: Could Navy Pier throw something together--on five days notice--to help him, his brother and their high school classmates celebrate their 50th reunion?

Philip (R-Wood Dale) called Scott Fawell, chief executive of the government agency that runs Navy Pier, who ordered the staff to whip up a cocktail party for 85 people on Sept. 11, 1999. And the staff delivered:

* Seven kinds of gourmet hors d'oeuvres.

* A capella singers.

* A big-band orchestra.

* Corsages, boutonnieres and floral centerpieces.

* An electronic sign welcoming the York High School Class of 1949.

* Table linens in green and white--the school colors.

* Gift bags with coffee mugs, Frango mints and printed cards that said: "Compliments of Senator Pate Philip.''

All of it at government expense.

Fawell decided that the bill for Philip's reunion would be covered by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the agency nicknamed McPier because it runs Navy Pier and McCormick Place.

If Philip had paid for the party, the bill would have been at least $14,670, not including rent for the room at Navy Pier.

The only free parties at Navy Pier are supposed to be those that promote the pier, according to McPier spokeswoman Marilyn Gardner. But people with clout have hosted free or discounted parties at Navy Pier and McCormick Place. McPier Board member James Bolin, for example, has hosted five free parties for his family and friends in the last four years.

McPier Board Chairman Kelly Welsh said he was unaware that Philip got a free party from Fawell until a reporter called.

"Obviously, this raises serious questions about potential violations of our policy and will be addressed by the board at our next meeting,'' said Welsh, who was appointed by Mayor Daley.

It will be up to the 13-member board to decide whether to bill Philip for the party, Welsh said.

It's not clear why Fawell didn't send Philip a bill. Fawell didn't respond to requests for comment. He is on a paid leave of absence from his $195,000-a-year job after being indicted last month on racketeering charges, accused of using state resources to help elect Gov. Ryan in 1998. Following that election, Ryan appointed Fawell to run McPier.

"Pate never asked for a freebie,'' said his spokeswoman, Patty Schuh. "They never gave him a bill. Certainly if they sent him a bill, he would pay for it.''

But it's Philip's understanding that the pier routinely covers the costs of parties thrown by business and community leaders "to showcase the facility and the city,'' Schuh said. "A lot of his classmates are from out of town. Many of them are suburbanites who don't come downtown. Maybe they will after the reunion."

Philip and his classmates, including his brother Art, the chairman of the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, had scheduled a boat tour at Navy Pier as part of their three-day, 50th-reunion celebration. Since they were going to be at the pier, Schuh said Philip called Fawell and asked, "What's the pier got?''

Like Philip, Bolin, the McPier board member, said he thought the five cocktail parties he hosted for his family and friends were a way to promote the pier, giving McPier officials a reason to pick up the tab. Bolin has been on the McPier board for 12 years. A vice president of Merrill Lynch, he is House Republican Leader Lee Daniels' stockbroker.

"It was always my opinion that we were doing a promotional thing, trying to get people to use the pier,'' Bolin said. "What I thought was: I would throw a couple of cocktail parties. I had people there that I thought could bring us business. I've known these people for 30 years. They were people of significant wealth who I thought could bring in business. I never thought this wasn't appropriate.''

Bolin hosted Christmas parties at Navy Pier each of the last four years and a summer barbecue on the pier's roof last July during the lakefront fireworks display. Bolin had 30 guests at his barbecue, including family members. Asked by a reporter to identify the guests who have attended his parties, Bolin declined.

A few minutes later, he called back, saying he decided to pay for the parties, which McPier officials said cost at least $3,864.

At McCormick Place, McPier officials say they have provided free rent to state Rep. Lou Jones and Sen. Margaret Smith, both Chicago Democrats, for parties they hosted. Jones also got a 50 percent discount on the food.