American Notes CHICAGO

Chicago has never been known for civics-textbook politics, but this year's mayoral race amounts to a demolition derby. After winning February's Democratic primary, black Mayor Harold Washington has been challenged by two white opponents from his own party for the April 7 election, although both are running under minor-party labels. Yet Cook County Tax Assessor Thomas Hynes and Alderman Edward Vrdolyak are spending most of their time attacking each other.

After Vrdolyak accused Hynes of using his office as county tax assessor to gain more business for his law firm, Hynes was quoted in the Chicago Sun Times suggesting that Vrdolyak had met with a Mafia boss. Vrdolyak sued for libel and accused Hynes of being a "liar and a sleaze." Even Washington, who leads Hynes by 35% and Vrdolyak by 39%, could not resist stooping for a shot at his longtime enemy Vrdolyak. Said the mayor: "He's slime."