CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

that said, if we're talking labor unions, Lightfoot has support from 10 of them. the differences between a hypothetical Lori vs Toni mayorship arent as stark as people are making them out to be which is probably why enthusiasm has died down after the primary. theyre pretty similar on most issues.

^ I agree with this.

I'm not really so much excited about Lori, but excited about preventing somebody as toxic as Preckwinkle from becoming Mayor.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

theyre pretty similar on most issues.

yeah, the over-arching philosophical differences are not that great here.

but lighfoot has gone on record as saying she wants to drive a stake through the heart of aldermanic prerogative. preckwinkle was FAR more wish-washy on that.

anyone interested in real reform in this corrupt-ass town simply has to vote for lightfoot.

[LouisVanDerWright]

One is a former federal prosecutor and has literally never held elected office in Chicago or Cook County the other is president of the cook county Democratic party (which literally is the organization traditionally considered the machine) and implicated as benefiting from which might be the most nortorious corruption indictment in Chicago history: the Burker King scandal.

Yup, they both sound equally "machine"

[LouisVanDerWright]

Lightfoot 76% Preckwinkle 24% with 17% of precints in. At Lightfoot rally, crowd is amped up.


Can you say mandate?

[LouisVanDerWright]

Just called Lightfoot still at 74% with 66% reporting.

For reference Rahm only took 55% last go round.

This is the highest percentage of the vote any non incumbent mayor has gotten since Jayne Byrne.

[Vlajos]

Wow was I wrong in my earlier assessment.

[Vlajos]

If I'm looking at the Tribune map right, Prekwinkle may not win a single ward.

[glowrock]

Wow, what a shellacking. That is all.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Steely Dan]

Holy shit!!!!!!!!

74 - 26!

FU CTU!

[LouisVanDerWright]

The highlight of her acceptance speech we emphasizing that Chicago must grow to thrive, that we have to change the culture of mistrust enabling the violence problem, and, most importantly, that Chicago must become a place that attracts and RETAINS as many residents a possible. She went out of her way to emphasize that we need to stop the bleeding in the AA population and that we need to attract as many immgrants AND migrants as possible

She will be an awesome mayor, honored to watch her accept this challenge. She truly gets the real issues we are facing and seems uniquely positioned to make a run at solving them.

Originally Posted by Vlajos

If I'm looking at the Tribune map right, Prekwinkle may not win a single ward.

She did not win one, not even Hyde Park.

[the urban politician]

^ Yeah let’s see what she does.

I could imagine a Preckwinkle speech mentioning none of those things, and being highlighted by “police are all horrible people, we need to stop putting people in jail, we need rent control, we need pay raises for teachers, we need to stop closing schools, and I’m a hack who is ready to pass any new tax to get my folks more goodies!”

[10023]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Just called Lightfoot still at 74% with 66% reporting.

For reference Rahm only took 55% last go round.

This is the highest percentage of the vote any non incumbent mayor has gotten since Jayne Byrne.

Not exactly a shining example of success as a precedent though. Popularity doesn’t mean anything really. It more highlights just how bad Preckwinkle is.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by 10023

Not exactly a shining example of success as a precedent though. Popularity doesn’t mean anything really. It more highlights just how bad Preckwinkle is.

The reason I think she will be successful is that she is actually an incredible leader. I saw it with my own eyes, she had everyone on the same page in the crowd. Cheering growth for business. Cheering an end to mistrust between the community and the police. Cheering a good education for every single child in the city. Hitting all the points that I mentioned above which are the real issues threatening the solvancy of this town. I mean you hear people on this forum all the time calling for Chicago to do something to attract more immigrants, she actually called for that. Not only that, but she called for more migrants (i.e. rich educated yuppies) as well.

This is the first time a mayor of Chicago has openly run on smashing the long-standing aldermanic privilege system. This is the first time in like 70 years someone not born and raised here has been elected. This is the first time in forever that someone who has never held elected office has won. This is the first time since Harold Washington that a mayor has won every single ethnic group in the city.

Most importantly this is perfect timing. Rahm made a lot of tough choices and did a lot of divisive heavy lifting to open cracks in the facade of clout and corruption in this town. Now we have a former federal prosecutor as mayor who has boldly threatened to basically have anyone and everyone who is corrupt arrested. This may very well be the end of machine politics in Chicago. That alone opens the door to finally leveling the playing field for everyone who wants to live, work, or do business here which is what this city really needs more than anything else.


PS, based on what I saw last night, Lori is headed for national politics at some point. She is almost Obama smooth in her style and message. If she can deliver two terms of real progress in Chicago I can see her becoming senator or someday trying for president.

[jpIllInoIs]

Cheers LL! so glad she won. Breaking down many walls on chi politics and power structure.

Im a big fan of what Rahm accomplished and how he represented Chicago on the international stage. He has indicated he will be involved with Chicago business in some form. A position at World Business Chicago org would be great. I doubt he would dip into state politics or county politics although Board President Rahm sounds good to me, it is undershooting his potential.

He has been a US Congressman, Chief of Staff in WH, Mayor of 3rd largest city. He could take a WBC gig or get on a couple of Corporate boards and work behind the scenes for a Presidential contender.

Assuming he picks the winner..he has a good record.. he could be in line for one of the big Cabinet seats like Secretary of Transportation or Commerce or Finance..any of which would be great for Chicago.

Has their been any indications of his plans?

[moorhosj]

I know there has been some criticism of WBEZ on this board recently, but if you haven't read this investigative report on the city's towing program, you are missing out. These are the types of behind-the-scenes programs that hurt everyday citizens:

According to our analysis, Chicago impounded 93,857 vehicles that year. It sold just under 24,000 of them – or an average of 66 cars a day – each for less than $200.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

The reason I think she will be successful is that she is actually an incredible leader. I saw it with my own eyes, she had everyone on the same page in the crowd. Cheering growth for business. Cheering an end to mistrust between the community and the police. Cheering a good education for every single child in the city. Hitting all the points that I mentioned above which are the real issues threatening the solvancy of this town. I mean you hear people on this forum all the time calling for Chicago to do something to attract more immigrants, she actually called for that. Not only that, but she called for more migrants (i.e. rich educated yuppies) as well.

This is the first time a mayor of Chicago has openly run on smashing the long-standing aldermanic privilege system. This is the first time in like 70 years someone not born and raised here has been elected. This is the first time in forever that someone who has never held elected office has won. This is the first time since Harold Washington that a mayor has won every single ethnic group in the city.

Most importantly this is perfect timing. Rahm made a lot of tough choices and did a lot of divisive heavy lifting to open cracks in the facade of clout and corruption in this town. Now we have a former federal prosecutor as mayor who has boldly threatened to basically have anyone and everyone who is corrupt arrested. This may very well be the end of machine politics in Chicago. That alone opens the door to finally leveling the playing field for everyone who wants to live, work, or do business here which is what this city really needs more than anything else.


PS, based on what I saw last night, Lori is headed for national politics at some point. She is almost Obama smooth in her style and message. If she can deliver two terms of real progress in Chicago I can see her becoming senator or someday trying for president.

I am of course willing to give her a chance, but ultimately there is WAY. THE. HELL. more to governing than just good speeches. If she can negotiate the varying torrents consisting of countless interest groups, egos, unions, agencies, Government bodies, etc etc to get her agenda accomplished, you can count me in as a fan.

For now, I'm just glad the we didn't get Buttwinkle. She would've been an unmitigated, unholy disaster for Chicago. I'm glad Lightfoot won, now lets see what she does.

[aaron38]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

She went out of her way to emphasize that we need to stop the bleeding in the AA population and that we need to attract as many immgrants AND migrants as possible

That’s great if the city grows and people are following jobs, opportunities, affordable housing because supply keeps up with demand. That the people are paying their own way and contributing to the city. A thriving Chicago helps everyone.

But if we get a west coast style socialist nightmare of neighborhood downzoning coupled with handouts, if nothing is done to address debt, then taxpayers will flee the state as spending spirals out of control.

So on that note, how does the aldermanic landscape look this morning? Because last night I heard some female alderman winner crowing that the socialists are taking over.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by jpIllInoIs

Cheers LL! so glad she won. Breaking down many walls on chi politics and power structure.

Im a big fan of what Rahm accomplished and how he represented Chicago on the international stage. He has indicated he will be involved with Chicago business in some form. A position at World Business Chicago org would be great. I doubt he would dip into state politics or county politics although Board President Rahm sounds good to me, it is undershooting his potential.

He has been a US Congressman, Chief of Staff in WH, Mayor of 3rd largest city. He could take a WBC gig or get on a couple of Corporate boards and work behind the scenes for a Presidential contender.

Assuming he picks the winner..he has a good record.. he could be in line for one of the big Cabinet seats like Secretary of Transportation or Commerce or Finance..any of which would be great for Chicago.

Has their been any indications of his plans?

I still think he is going to jump into the presidential race.

[Halsted & Villagio]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

The reason I think she will be successful is that she is actually an incredible leader. I saw it with my own eyes, she had everyone on the same page in the crowd. Cheering growth for business. Cheering an end to mistrust between the community and the police. Cheering a good education for every single child in the city. Hitting all the points that I mentioned above which are the real issues threatening the solvancy of this town. I mean you hear people on this forum all the time calling for Chicago to do something to attract more immigrants, she actually called for that. Not only that, but she called for more migrants (i.e. rich educated yuppies) as well.

This is the first time a mayor of Chicago has openly run on smashing the long-standing aldermanic privilege system. This is the first time in like 70 years someone not born and raised here has been elected. This is the first time in forever that someone who has never held elected office has won. This is the first time since Harold Washington that a mayor has won every single ethnic group in the city.

Most importantly this is perfect timing. Rahm made a lot of tough choices and did a lot of divisive heavy lifting to open cracks in the facade of clout and corruption in this town. Now we have a former federal prosecutor as mayor who has boldly threatened to basically have anyone and everyone who is corrupt arrested. This may very well be the end of machine politics in Chicago. That alone opens the door to finally leveling the playing field for everyone who wants to live, work, or do business here which is what this city really needs more than anything else.


PS, based on what I saw last night, Lori is headed for national politics at some point. She is almost Obama smooth in her style and message. If she can deliver two terms of real progress in Chicago I can see her becoming senator or someday trying for president.

Well said Louis.... well said. Excerpts of this post should be permanently etched into the entryway of her office... a daily reminder of her charge... a reminder to us all of her promise and lets see if she can accomplish it all by the end of her term. I particularly like the part about her holding corrupt politicians accountable/breaking up the machine/leveling the playing field for EVERYONE who wants to do honest business here.

LL is, indeed, a breath of fresh air. I like how calm she is and yet, how steely this little woman can be when she fights for something. I also like how she seemingly treats everyone with a degree of respect, engages all races and gives off the aura of being a much needed unifying force in this city.

I am proud of Chicago... always have been, always will be. But today, I am especially proud of this city. I believe we are definitely on the right track. Rahm took us to a point and now the timing is right for the passing of the ball to this little dynamo to take is over the goal line.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

The highlight of her acceptance speech we emphasizing that Chicago must grow to thrive, that we have to change the culture of mistrust enabling the violence problem, and, most importantly, that Chicago must become a place that attracts and RETAINS as many residents a possible. She went out of her way to emphasize that we need to stop the bleeding in the AA population and that we need to attract as many immgrants AND migrants as possible

She will be an awesome mayor, honored to watch her accept this challenge. She truly gets the real issues we are facing and seems uniquely positioned to make a run at solving them.
...

I'm quite hopeful, too.

I hope she has effective ideas on keeping AA residents. She obviously has their support, which makes sense given her involvement in holding police to task. Should she have gone further in that role? Perhaps, but she went further than anyone else with actual power in the category had in a long time, if ever.

If AA residents stopped moving, we'd probably be growing, and as plenty of places have shown, growth begets growth, all things being equal.