Daily Daley

Mayor Daley demurs on Emanuel replacement, goes to Turkey and is publicly roasted by Alderman Ocasio (26th ward).

DALEY NEWS

11:00am -- In what was a gigantic press event, Mayor Daley attended the dedication of the O'Hare International Airport Runway and Control Tower this afternoon.  Tomorrow we'll see how the media covered it, if at all.

DALEY CHATTER

• The Sun-Times reports that Mayor Daley will not say who he supports to take over Rahm Emanuel's U.S. Congress seat.  Apparently, there have been quite a few people coming to Daley asking for his blessing.  When pushed to name a favorite, the Mayor said:  

“There’s about 25 candidates. First of all, Rahm Emanuel has not resigned. So there could be more candidates any day. There’s more candidates to come. People have even called me and talked to me about running. How can you say you’re for a candidate and the field is not full yet?”

• In case you haven't heard, it's cold in Chicago and thus a perfect time for our Mayor Daley to get out of town.  An international trip is usually tied to the Olympic bid and this time is no different.  A meeting of the European Olympic Committee is being held in Istanbul, Turkey and Daley will be present.
• Last, but certainly not least is the exciting show put on by the sole dissenting vote on the Daley budget.  There are 50 wards in Chicago and yesterday, 49 Aldermen voted to approve the budget.  One man, Alderman Billy Ocasio, stood opposed.  The video is here.  A brief snippet of the Alderman's public statement is as follows:

"You know, most of the layoffs affect the people who do the work, the people who do the work and get paid the least.  And it doesn't affect the ones who are behind the desk or those that are well-off.  I've been here 15 years -- 15 budgets.  But I feel this budget takes many issues for granted.  It takes many communities for granted.  And it takes me and my community for granted."

Photo by WTTW

Mayor Daley officiates at the City Counci meeting and promises relief for property owners

DALEY NEWS

Mayor Daley presided over the monthly City Council meeting this morning at City Hall.  That's the black & white.  The color will come tomorrow and Friday.

DALEY CHATTER

The topic ruling the day appears to be property taxes.  Everyone pays them in some fashion ladies and gentlemen, even if you rent.  Higher taxes for landlords equal higher rents for renters.  Here are the news and opinions on the issue and where our Mayor fits:

• Fox News has a nice wrap-up here.  Please draw your attention to the Mayor's worried expression and the following pronouncement:

"The property tax system is truly broken"

• Ray Hanania of the Southwest News Herald is in agreement and writes thusly:

"...it's just a drop int he bucket of how you, the naive sheep-like taxpayers, are being screwed. But that's the way you like, it right. Rough. And without warning or consent. Because in this Chicago Machine town, which is a satellite of the bigger Machine in Chicago and Cook County, raising taxes is just a part of the blame-game."

• We admit to total ignorance of a second Mayor Daley.  Word has it he is a cousin of the Mayor Daley you're more familiar with.  And while we only cover the major Daley here, this minor one deserves mention for being on-topic today.  Jim Daley is Mayor of Homer Glen, a new Chicago suburb.  In this southwestern hamlet, taxes are apparently a new and exciting development: 

"At the board of trustees meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, Mayor Jim Daley said the village is estimated to receive more than $400,000 annually in per capita taxes and bond sales.  Daley said the village is already making plans to utilize the added annual revenue."

Photo by Chicago Clout

Mayor Daley saves moonwalks for city kids and negotioates with organized labor

DALEY NEWS

• 10:00 AM -- Mayor Daley held a news conference at City Hall announcing property tax initiatives.  What are those initiatives?  We'll hopefully know in the next few days.
• 11:00 AM -- Mayor Daley delivered remarks at the Chicago Police Department's Military Deployment Recognition ceremony on Navy Pier. 
• 6:00 PM -- Mayor Daley will attend the Arab Heritage Month Reception at the Chicago Cultural Center.  Note the city department running this.

DALEY CHATTER

• The Sun-Times reports that Mayor Daley has given tacit approval to saving a program that provides free inflatable bouncers for use by city children at street festivals.  The expenditure was originally slated to be dropped in light of Chicago's budget woes.  The funds to pay for the program will come from Maxwell Street merchants who will now be charged higher fees.

“This is very reasonable in order for us to be able to save a program that's been in the city of Chicago for many years that gives a lot of young people an opportunity to enjoy their neighborhoods,” [Alderman] Burnett said.

• Another Sun-Times report is sure to cause some discussion among the ranks of organized labor in Chicago.  A new deal assures that city worker layoffs will not be as severe as originally proposed.  City workers are members of unions and now, 145 or more union workers will keep their jobs.  Originally, a total of 929 were to be laid off according to the Mayor's budget plan.  The most interesting aspect of the story is this:

"Over the years, Daley has privatized a parade of government services, infuriating organized labor and its City Council allies.

In 2005, 40 aldermen co-signed an ordinance that would have required an analysis of financial benefits — and Council approval — before the jobs of any more city employees are farmed out to private contractors.

Now the tide has turned.

Instead of continuing the privatization frenzy, Daley has agreed to create 18 new jobs by "in-sourcing" restoration of sidewalks and parkways torn up by water and sewer repairs."

Photo by -----

Mayor Daley doesn't need to fend off allegations of Obama cronyism while he continues to wrestle with the City budget

DALEY NEWS

The media is abuzz with speculation about how the Obama presidency will affect Chicago.  At the center of it all is Mayor Daley who will either be the puppetmaster that pulls Obama's strings or the old-guard politician who will become irrelevant in the Age of Obama.  The two opinions are summed up thusly:

• Chicago Tribune's story is a vote for Daley remaining in charge.  The feelings of Colonel McCormick's paper can be no clearer than when they point out the following:

"The architect of Obama's U.S. Senate campaign and his presidential bid was David Axelrod, the same consultant who has served as Daley's political strategist since 1989. Rahm Emanuel, Obama's choice to be White House chief of staff, began his political life as a fundraiser for Daley."

• On the other side of the coin, the Progressive side, we have Ben Jarovsky of the Chicago Reader.  Ben writes:

"This week Slate ran an article asking 'Can President Obama say no to Mayor Daley?'  To which I say: You’ve got to be kidding."

 

• Meanwhile, Mayor Daley has a full plate in dealing with the gaping hole in the City budget.  Seems there is some disagreement over the Mayor's proposal.  The question being asked is: are the Mayor's revenue projections overly optimistic?  In the current economic climate, can the City really count on the revenue being promised?  A clue is given in the story by Budget Director Bennett Johnson:

"I believe these are conservative revenue estimates," Johnson replied. But he quickly qualified that statement: "There's no way I can say we are not going to be in the same place next year."

DALEY CHATTER 

I leave this part up to you dear readers.  Please comment below regarding what role you feel Mayor Daley's will or will not have once Senator Obama becomes President Obama.

Photo by metroblossom

Mayor Daley is inspiring other Mayors, the Chicago media and even ordinary citizens

DALEY NEWS

• Mayor Daley is a short man, but his reach is wide.  Today we learn that he has inspired the actions of the Mayor of Toledo, Ohio:

"The mayor [of Toledo] wants all nonemergency city departments to shut down in order to save $1 million - $300,000 of which would apply to the general operating fund. He ordered the shutdown after learning Chicago Mayor Richard Daley had the same plan to help plug that city's massive deficit."

• Chicagoist goes Daleyist and includes a recent Daley quote in reference to his purported machinations in the Illinois Senate leadership.  It's destined to become a classic:

"I haven't said that at all. I don't know who you're talking to. Who's Capitol Fax anyway?"

DALEY CHATTER

• A gem from the Twitterverse regarding the CTA fare hike.
• Media bias towards Barack Obama?  CBS/Mayor Daley say it's not a problem and Chicago Daily Observer reports.

Photo by Chicago Clout

The Mayor attends a Chicago Police Department ceremony, talks boats with the City Council and the world gets our bad news

DALEY NEWS

• WHAT: Chicago Police Department recruit graduation ceremony.  Let's all welcome the new cops on the block.
• WHEN: 9:00am
• WHERE: McCormick Place Lakeside Center

DALEY CHATTTER

• The City Council has approved a measure to help the city balance its highly unbalanced budget. The measure calls for six mandatory unpaid days off for city employees through the end of next year.  Mayor Daley has a maritime take on the problem faced by city governments all over the country:

Oh, I think everybody's in the same boat. Everybody's in the same boat in this economy. No one is, no one is outside, no one is outside the boat. Everybody's in the boat.

• CEOs of companies with large workforces in Chicago have given Mayor Daley sobering news.  Massive layoffs will occur in November and December of this year.  The story has now gone viral and national via Drudge Report (center panel).

Photo by Anna Tarkov

Mayor Daley leads the monthly City Council meeting, attends a United Negro College Fund Function and finally a UNO function at the Sheraton.

DAILY JUICE

After taking a breather yesterday, Mayor Daley is back in the swing of things:

• WHEN: 10:00am
• WHERE: City Hall
• WHAT: Daley rules over the City Council meeting.  Aldermen, I'll speak for the Mayor: let's not have any more of that whining, it just slows things down.
• WHY: Um... I can't think of any reasons really.  Have any of you ever attended a City Council meeting?  I haven't had the pleasure yet, but I assume it's similar in concept to this.  Only the City Council meetings aren't trials, but more along the lines of Duma meetings.

Item #2 on Daley's agenda:

• WHEN: 5:30pm
• WHERE: Soldier Field
• WHAT: This is the annual United Negro College Fund reception.  Bet you thought "negro" was tantamount to the REAL n-word.  You would be wrong.
• WHY: Well, you see, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.  I don't think anyone told Mayor Daley.

And last, but certainly not least:

• WHEN: 6:30pm
• WHERE: Sheraton Chicago (WARNING: elevator music audio, albeit briefly)
• WHAT: United Neighborhood Organization presents their 2008 Annual Awards Banquet.  Who knew neighborhoods needed organizations?  Not me.  Apparently inspired by Saul Alinsky, this organization seeks to fulfill his maxim to "Think globally, act locally" on behalf of the Hispanic community.  Three cheers for acting locally!  Oh dear... they also believe in "pragmatic power politics" according to the History section of their website.
• WHY: Pragmatic power politics = clout = Mayor Daley

RANDOM SIGHTINGS

Mayor Daley made an unplanned stop yesterday at the funeral of a fallen police officer.   Richie was in top form as he made the following comment in reference to the police:

"They don't look for headlines. They don't look for accolades."

He went on to say:

"They're lucky if they get a thank you. . . . I'm saying today, on behalf of the people of the city of Chicago, thank you." 

Such sentiments warm the heart.  Let's see if Second City Cop agrees. 

Photo by WTTW

What Mayor Daley says goes.  Anyone got a problem with that?

DAILY JUICE

Today is another day off for Da Mayor.  No doubt he's busy in some way.  Perhaps he's just not that keen on venturing outside the warm confines of City Hall.  As everyone keeps telling us, it's cold out there!

I've also heard accounts that Da Daley enjoys strolling through the city unescorted by any of his staff.  I'm inclined to believe it since I've witnessed it myself (Seen Around Town section).

So please be on the lookout and let me know if you see Richie wandering the streets around your home or workplace.

ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER LAYOFF

By now you may have already heard that Mayor Daley's axe has fallen on a new group of city employees.

The interesting part of this story is this: "While cutting as many as 29 "airport customer services representatives," Daley's proposed 2009 budget calls for keeping -- and giving raises to -- several managers who are above the greeters in the Aviation Department hierarchy." 

I hope no one is scratching their heads over this latest development.  Suffice it to say that in the City of Chicago, there are two kinds of city employees: those who matter and those who don't.

BUDGET BLUES PART DEUX 

As you might recall, our fair city has a bit of a problem.  You can probably relate to this problem.  You can relate if you've ever been unsure if you could pay your rent, your car payment, your gas, your electricity, heck, even your CTA card. 

Mayor Daley is in a similar pickle, but on a MUCH grander scale.

Now it appears that the City Council is none too pleased about it.  The Aldermen i.e. City Council Members expressed their displeasure in no uncertain terms:

“We are supposedly the legislative branch of government — even though 99 percent of our job is out there catching spears for the administration,” said Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), demanding “some respect” from the mayor.

I don't think you'll get any of that respect Alderman Mell, but feel free to keep trying.

“There isn’t just one way to skin this cat,” said downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), determined to “lessen the impact” on small businesses “barely keeping the lights on.” 

Alderman Reilly, what have you done for businesses thus far?  If the answer is "not that much," please keep your kvetching to a minimum. 

It is, however, a small pleasure and a joy to hear from our Aldermen.  Normally they are about as easy to pin down as Batman. 

By the way, if you're at all interested in the history of the Chicago City Council, I recommend this book.

ELECT COOK COUNTY

Yet another solution to cut costs for the City enters the midst. 

To sum up: "The city of Chicago could save money by transferring its election board's responsibilties to Cook County. Mayor Richard Daley says he's open to the idea. But others are skeptical it can be done."

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Mayor on his steadfast support of the electoral process and ensuring that it be conducted in a fair and law-abiding manner.  Comments are welcome dear reader, I can only stifle mine for so long.

Photo by Chicago Reader

Mayor Daley plans to laugh all the way to the bank

DAILY JUICE

If you think Da Mayor only makes public appearances on weekdays, you would be mistaken.  Here's what he was up to over the weekend:

• WHAT: Ringside for Mercy's Sake presented by Jaguar
• WHEN: Saturday, November 8 at 6:00pm
• WHERE: Chicago Marriott Downtown; Grand Ballroom (i.e. HUGE space)
• WHY: According to the press release, Daley served as the event's honorary chairman.  For those unfamiliar with what that title entails, honorary chairman equals convincing everyone you know to come to the event which means donating a large sum to the organization.  Presumably the chairman is someone who is well-connected and thus will ensure the event's success monetarily speaking.  As you may know, our Mayor knows a few folks and they are more than capable of writing a giant check.  In addition, the event involved an Olympic sport.  It's like killing two birds with one stone!
• EVENT HANGOVER: Pictures can be found here. It is uncertain if Daley actually attended.  My guess is no, but I will count on you to tell me otherwise.

Today is Monday, November 10 and there was but one (official) Mayoral appearance:

• WHAT: 121st National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges Annual Meeting (yes, that name is way too long and yes, 121 meetings is A LOT)
• WHEN: 1:00pm
• WHERE: Palmer House Hilton (WARNING: obnoxious elevator music audio)
• WHY: It's all about the kids!  Oh, college kids aren't kids?  Hmmm....

IN THE NEWS

1. I can spend

If you were wondering how Da Mayor feels about losing Rahm Emanuel to the Obama White House, this just about sums it up.  When asked how it would impact Chicago, Daley said:

"It's a gain. It's a real gain, gain, gain."

That's four, count them, FOUR gains!  Let's see now, how much is each gain?  $15 Million? $25 Million?  I'm probably thinking small here.

2. I can tax

As you well know, the City budget has a bit of a shortfall this year.  It is a deep, dark hole to be sure, but Mayor Daley is undeterred and is seeking to fill it by any means necessary. 

Satellite subscribers, I think know what you're thinking, but when the budget gap is to the tune of $469 Million, a Mayor needs to get a little creative.

3. I can provide

Key Obama transition team members appeared on NBC's Meet the Press this weekend. 

A prominent member of that team, Valerie Jarrett, was asked by Tom Brokaw if there will be a "paradigm shift."  Will the Obama Administration shift more money and responsibility to municipal and state governments rather than have the federal government fund programs?

The answer was very telling, but best of all provided a classic Daley quote which Brokaw had apparently extracted from Daley about a year ago:

"Ask any American citizen what the federal government has done for them recently and they don’t have a good answer."

I for one share the Mayor's concern.  If the federal government isn't doing anything for me, then someone else needs to do it ASAP.

Photo by Sun-Times Blogs

Mayor Daley is a reformer once more!  And I'm a Chinese jet pilot.

DAILY JUICE

Today is another day off for King Daley.  Ok., ok., I'm sure he's holed up in his office or poring over reports, right?  I know he's not napping, because only some city workers do that.  Mayor Daley is not a city worker ladies and gentlemen.  He is the king that those serfs toil under.

GOVERNMENT NEEDS A CHANGE

I think perhaps you've heard this phrase somewhere before?  Mayor Daley has also heard it from the 21st Century Commission we covered yesterday.

Apparently, and this may shock you, but your city government doesn't work as perfectly as it could.  I know, I'm still reeling from this news myself.  What changes need to be made?  Let us view the excellent coverage that Fran provides.  If you're too lazy to read (and I know I am), don't worry.  There's video that summarizes the recommendations nicely.

There's even a classic Daley quote: "Garbage is looked at as a liability, not an asset.  It's an asset, not a liability."  Not sure what that means?  Keep reading and you'll understand the meaning of such cryptic Mayoral phrases.

How likely is it that true reform will come to the City of Chicago?  Let me put it to you this way.  When the current Mayor Daley was first elected in 1989, he ran on a platform of change and reform.  Sound familir?  Yes, I think I heard a Senator from Illinois mention the same platform. 

Anywho... almost 20 years later King Daley has convened this 21st Century Commission to advise on what changes will be needed in, presumably, his next 20 years in office.  Already his tenure is unrivaled by any other Mayor in history and it will soon begin to rival that of Joseph Stalin.

MAYOR DALEY KEEPS HIS PROMISES

We go outside the Chicago media for this heartwarming tale of a big-city Mayor made good. 

The only thing that surprises me is that this wasn't put out by the Mayoral press machine.  Ahhh, but that might have lead to a story like this which would have then led to a story like this.  If that's not irony, I don't know what is.  PR folks, please chime in here,

PEEKABOO I SEE YOU

Gaper's Block has now decided to cover Da Mayor.  Welcome to the party fellow citizen journalists.  Just remember who was here first.

Photo by Archidose