POLITICAL POWER COUPLE LOSE CUSTODY FIGHT

CHICAGO -- A black former cocaine addict won her battle against a
politically powerful white couple for custody of her 3-year-old son Monday
in a case that raised sensitive questions of race, influence and drugs.

Judge Judith Brawka said child-welfare experts placed too little emphasis
on black culture when they recommended that the black youngster remain with
city Alderman Edward Burke and his wife, Judge Anne Burke.

The Burkes -- one of Chicago's most politically powerful couples -- have
cared for the boy since he was 8 days old and had wanted to adopt him.

Brawka also said the boy, known as Baby T, needs to be with his brother,
who is also being returned to their mother, 37-year-old Tina Olison.

``His relationship with his brother is a sweet note in an otherwise
discordant symphony,'' said Brawka, a suburban Kane County judge brought in
to decide the case because of its heavy political overtones in Chicago.

The judge ordered a 12-month transition period and warned Ms. Olison that
the transfer of custody could be called off if the change doesn't seem to
be working out.

Burke is one of the longest-tenured alderman on the City Council and
chairman of its powerful Finance Committee. His office did not return a
call seeking comment.

Only the state Department of Children and Family Services, which picked the
Burkes as foster parents, can appeal. The agency has 30 days to do so and
has not yet made a decision, said agency spokeswoman Maudlyne Ihejirika.

Ms. Olison is a single mother who lost custody of her boys three years ago
because of her cocaine use. Baby T had the drug in his system when he was
born. She has said she now is drug-free and has found religion.

``When God is for you, he's greater than the weight of the world against
you,'' she told reporters. She blamed the Burkes' influence for delaying
the decision for two years. ``It was pure political clout,'' she said.

The judge was critical of the Children and Family Services Department for
delays in the case, which she said should have been resolved sooner. She
also was critical of a departmental report that gave short shrift to the
boy's racial background in deciding his fate.

``Unless the position of the department is that there is no such thing as
African-American culture, this issue deserves more attention than to check
a box that says not applicable,'' said Brawka, who is white.

The couple, who were not in court, had sought to have Ms. Olison declared
unfit. But last November, the judge found Ms. Olison a fit mother.

The judge told Ms. Olison not to celebrate the decision and instead
concentrate on being a good mother.

``He is not a prize that you have won,'' the judge said. ``He is not the
spoils of war after a battle. He is a human being.''

After the hearing, though, Olison said, ``I do feel joyful -- you can't
tell a person how to feel.'' She added: ``I just thank God for the chance
to have a relationship with my child. This means more to me than
anything.''