Sun-times Columnist Mark Brown's wife Hanke Gratteau is left-wing activist and former reporter herself. She was recently hired by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and just given a big RAI$E

GRATTEAU, HENRIETTE - Director                  8/10/2015 $108,924    Sheriffs Payroll

Sun-times Columnist Mark Brown's wife Hanke Gratteau is left-wing activist and former reporter herself. She was recently hired by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to six figure post... Ironically, her and her husband have written many articles critical of patronage hiring in Cook County.. Director position in the Sheriff's office first step starting pay is $87,000... However, "Hanke" hired in 2015, was immediately bumped to $108,000..

 She will giving a speech on March 13th on "The Impact of Poverty and Racism," then and now..

 Speaking on the topic "Cook County Jail: Then and Now, The Impact of Poverty and Racism," Hanke Gratteau, who is director of the Cook County Sheriff's Justice Institute, will describe today's jail population and the efforts underway to create enlightened policies and practices regarding incarceration and housing evictions. This year's event also includes a dramatic performance by actress and producer Fawzia Mirza of Darrow's famous 1902 address to the prisoners in Cook County Jail.

The day begins with a brief ceremony and wreath-tossing near the Darrow Bridge in Jackson Park at 10 a.m., where Darrow's ashes were scattered after his death and where, as a bet, he once agreed his spirit would return if it turned out communication was possible from the afterworld.

Photo on Brown and his wife/middle.