From left to right: Aldermen Rey Colon, Pat Dowell, James Cappleman, Joe Moore, Will Burns, Michelle Smith, Brendan Reilly, Joe Moreno and Ameya Pawar
  • Brian Jackson/Sun-Times
  • From left to right: Aldermen Rey Colon, Pat Dowell, James Cappleman, Joe Moore, Will Burns, Michele Smith, Brendan Reilly, Joe Moreno, and Ameya Pawar

As you may have heard, ten “independent” aldermen recently banded together to form the Paul Douglas Alliance.

Their mission is to appear to be independent of Mayor Emanuel.

Which is different than your average alderman, who makes no pretense of being independent.

On Monday, the alliance—named for a former Illinois senator—issued a statement regarding the recent school closings.

As a public service, I will now provide a passage-by-passage translation of its statement to help you, the voter, appreciate what’s really going on.

And away we go . . .