[SUNTIMES] Battling gang violence has been one of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's top priorities.But one of Emanuel's top appointees, CTA Chairman Terry Peterson, appears to have taken a different tack in the mid-1990s: Lobbying for the early release of the imprisoned leader of the Gangster Disciples -- one of the largest and deadliest street gangs in Chicago, the Better Government Association has learned.
In 1993, Peterson was the chief of staff to then-Ald. Allan Streeter (17th), and Gangster Disciples boss Larry Hoover Sr. was in a Downstate Illinois prison, serving a 150- to 200-year sentence for murdering a man suspected of stealing drugs from the gang.
Hoover had already served 20 years of his term and was up for a crucial hearing in front of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, the government agency that has the power to grant or deny parole.
The BGA recently obtained a letter -- on City Council letterhead and bearing the names of Peterson and Streeter -- that asks the chairman of the prisoner review board for Hoover's release on parole and that portrays Hoover in glowing terms.
Peterson, who is in the process of being reappointed to the CTA board by Emanuel, declined an interview request. But in a statement, he denied writing or even signing the letter.
The letter, provided by the review board, states: "I am writing to you as a concerned citizen to support the release of Mr. Larry Hoover who has demonstrated a sincere desire and effort in working for the improvement of the African American Community."
"For example, Mr. Hoover was one of the first to sign the Peace Treaty to stop the killings in the African American Community, which has been very successful. Also Mr. Hoover has been very instrumental in working for the capture of the Chatham Community Rapist and working to assist in the apprehension of a serial killer in the Chatham area."
"I strongly urge you as Chairman of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to use your legal and executive powers to work for the release of this servant of the community."
The review board turned down parole for Hoover.