Category: Mayor’s Race
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Church Groups Getting Public Money
Here’s something: Faith-based groups that have become the face of community support for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s controversial plans to lengthen the school day and close failing schools also receive millions of dollars in grants from his administration. … One of the key players touting grass-roots support for Emanuel’s agenda is the Rev. Roosevelt Watkins, a…
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The Supreme Court Decision
I realize this is now old news but it is worth mentioning that the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court placing Rahm on the ballot is going to have far reaching consequences. Justices Freeman and Burke appear to be the only members of the court with any vision: Suffice it to say, therefore, that this…
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The Rahm Situation, Part II: The Sword
He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. — Matthew 26:52 Surely it is folly to suggest that Rahm is getting any less than he fully deserves. When you live your life in politics and have so playfully toyed with so many peoples lives as he has, things just have a way a…
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The Rahm Situation, Part I: Enforce the Law
The surest way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly. — Abraham Lincoln While editorial boards, talking heads, and policy wonks from near and far are condemning the recent Appellate Court decision removing Rahm from the ballot based on emotion, there has been little discussion in the media as to what…
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Position on TIFs
Well it took some doing, but I have completed my policy on TIFs. This is critically important to the sustainability of the city moving forward. We cannot survive continuing to go further and further into debt year after year while our schools are failing and the TIF funds are growing bigger and bigger. We need…
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Unions Investment in Chicago (Elections)
Four years ago, SEIU spent almost $2.5 million in Council races, spearheading a union effort that helped depose Daley allies like Madeline Haithcock, Shirley Coleman and Dorothy Tillman. Asked about the budget for this election, Balanoff said SEIU expects to be involved “at the same level as last time.” Total expenditures by SEIU and other…
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Meeks unsure who’s a “Minority”
Mayoral challenger James Meeks scrambled Thursday to put out a political fire touched off by his suggestion that only African Americans should be eligible for city contracts set aside for minorities and women. (Full story here.) Of course the Reverend knows what a minority is. It’s those who will vote for him. No one else…
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Meeks vs. Tax Law
Meeks says he’s long been mindful of the rules laid out by the Internal Revenue Service, but it’s clear he chafes at restrictions that prevent churches and other charitable groups from endorsing and contributing to political campaigns. “I am running for office, and you know that. … I can take all the money I want…
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Media on TIF does not understand TIF
Media tries, fails to explain why TIF is so confusing: [E]ven Mr. Orr and top aides [are] unsure exactly how much money is in Chicago’s TIF coffers. … There are now 158 TIF districts in Chicago, and they generated $519 million last year, Mr. Orr said. In all, there may be a shade over $1…
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Rahm on Education: Not Daley’s Fault
Rahm Emanuel made a campaign promise last week that if elected mayor, he would install a new math and English language curriculum in Chicago’s public schools by the end of his first term. … Mr. Emanuel made clear that he meant no disrespect to Mayor Richard M. Daley, who assumed control of the city’s public…