CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events

[BonoboZill4]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Yeah Lightfoot is miles ahead of Preckwinkle as a Mayoral choice.

However, I wouldn’t go so far as to say she would be a pro-business Mayor. I just think she would be less anti-business than Preckwinkle.

And don’t assume she won anything. We don’t want complacency to stop people from voting!

True, still need to do the duty. And yeah, she's no Rahm when it comes to pro-business, but we can't win'em all I guess :/

[DePaul Bunyan]

Originally Posted by BonoboZill4

True, still need to do the duty. And yeah, she's no Rahm when it comes to pro-business, but we can't win'em all I guess :/

Honestly going after aldermanic prerogative and neutering the city council in that regard would be a huge boon for businesses, particularly small (like independent proprietors) businesses. It would remove a bureaucratic stumbling block and a hidden, extra layer of cost (corruption is expensive). And Lightfoot is fairly pragmatic, if there was an honest cost-benefit analysis and/or contractual guarantees (taxpayers recoup their investment with interest for entities that don't follow through) on the part of private entities seeking public funds or assets that the taxpayers come out on top of, she's not going to oppose that on ideological grounds. If a developer offers improvements to public infrastructure or goes above and beyond the legal requirements for affordable housing then there should be reasonable accommodations and set-asides on the part of the city.

[Vlajos]

I've noticed that all the democratic socialist candidates seem to support Prekwinkle. If you want a city income tax, a "LaSalle Street" tax and rent control, by all means vote for Toni, Matt Martin, Rosanna Rodriguez, Andre Vazquez, Marianne Lalonde and Ramirez Rosa. Does anyone really think CTU gives a shit about anything other than its members pay check and benefits? It has endorsed all the candidates above.

If you want to the city to grow and prosper, vote against each and every one of these idiots.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I've noticed that all the democratic socialist candidates seem to support Prekwinkle. If you want a city income tax, a "LaSalle Street" tax and rent control, by all means vote for Toni, Matt Martin, Rosanna Rodriguez, Andre Vazquez, Marianne Lalonde and Ramirez Rosa. Does anyone really think CTU gives a shit about anything other than its members pay check and benefits? It has endorsed all the candidates above.

If you want to the city to grow and prosper, vote against each and every one of these idiots.

Yep, and what I love about Rosa and Guzzardi is that those idiots got EVICTED for not paying rent. What a bunch of losers. I'd love to know what their credit score is.

I'm sure their answer would be that credit scores are EVIL. I should not be judged on my past behavior, that's a violation of my civil rights!

[Vlajos]

The only problem I have with the above is, the City has not made it out of the financial abyss yet. Rahm started the city on the correct path, but we still need someone that will be extremely tough with the public employee unions and attempt to control spending. Obviously Prekwinkle will do none of that, but I don't have a lot of confidence in Lightfoot.

[SIGSEGV]

Vallas endorsed Lightfoot (probably not too surprising).

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by SIGSEGV

Vallas endorsed Lightfoot (probably not too surprising).

Good, he was my first choice, but had no chance to make it to the runoff so I voted for Daley.


Anyway, Carlos Ramirez Rosa is at it again, being a complete douche.

"Plans for a controversial $95 million West Side police academy sailed through the City Council.

The construction contract passed 38-8. The council also passed the necessary zoning change without debate.

Northwest Side Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, said aldermen who backed Emanuel’s push for what he termed “a new shooting gallery for cops” would face the electoral consequences, either in the April 2 runoff or in four years. He pointed specifically to more than two dozen aldermen to whom the mayor contributed campaign money last fall.

“So City Council, sometimes it seems you only understand things that are crude,” Ramirez-Rosa said at a news conference before the meeting. “Vote with the community today, or whether it be in four weeks or four years, we will vote you out. See, Rahm Emanuel’s leaving. He’s not going to cut you those $20,000 checks anymore.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...313-story.html

Funny, because the Alderman Mitts, whose ward it's in, wants it. She represents the community.

Anyone see that Alderman Sposato called Ramirez a pile of shit the other day? So true.

[the urban politician]

What's wrong with the Police Training Academy anyhow?

Sounds like a good idea to me. After all, aren't all these 'criminals are the real victims' types actually arguing that police need better training?

Or is the CTU just pissed that money is being spent here instead of on showering them with more unnecessary raises and costlier benefits?

[moorhosj]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

What's wrong with the Police Training Academy anyhow?

Sounds like a good idea to me. After all, aren't all these 'criminals are the real victims' types actually arguing that police need better training?

Or is the CTU just pissed that money is being spent here instead of on showering them with more unnecessary raises and costlier benefits?

Not everything is the CTU, they aren't that powerful. I support the training facility as it addresses the biggest criticism from the DOJ report on CPD. However, I can understand people in poor communities who would rather see that money spent on economic development in their wards than a facility to train a group they feel has historically been oppressive to them (also a criticism from the DOJ report). It's a complex issue.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by moorhosj

Not everything is the CTU, they aren't that powerful. I support the training facility as it addresses the biggest criticism from the DOJ report on CPD. However, I can understand people in poor communities who would rather see that money spent on economic development in their wards than a facility to train a group they feel has historically been oppressive to them (also a criticism from the DOJ report). It's a complex issue.

But that's the problem. The extremely poor community where this is located wants this. In fact, the Aldermen Mitts ran on it and beat a challenger opposed to it. 38 aldermen voted for it. It was only 8 that voted against it. I'm guessing it was mostly idiot "socialists" like Ramirez that voted against it.

[moorhosj]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

But that's the problem. The extremely poor community where this is located wants this.

And maybe the protests are coming from people in other communities who aren't getting this kind of investment. Garfield Park isn't the only area of the city that wants investment. I think their point is that $90 million could be spent supporting multiple communities. I don't really agree with them, but I also don't think it's as hypocritical or idiotic as people are making it out to be.

To put it another way, if this facility went to Englewood, would it be justifiable for people in Garfield Park to complain about a lack of investment in their community?

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by moorhosj

And maybe the protests are coming from people in other communities who aren't getting this kind of investment. Garfield Park isn't the only area of the city that wants investment. I think their point is that $90 million could be spent supporting multiple communities. I don't really agree with them, but I also don't think it's as hypocritical or idiotic as people are making it out to be.

To put it another way, if this facility went to Englewood, would it be justifiable for people in Garfield Park to complain about a lack of investment in their community?

Personally, no, the new facility can only go in one area obviously.

I think the protestors are morons that are always going to protest something. Best to ignore as the City Council did. And good that Sposato called Ramirez Rosa out as the "pile of shit" he is.

[the urban politician]

That’s because it has become a cool thing to complain. Especially against the establishment. It’s a great way to make friends, meet girls, maybe even score some good weed

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Stockerzzz

^ Communities cry "disinvestment!" for all that woes them. But when public investments are made in underutilized communities they complain harder.

God forbid the investment actually encourages economic development. Then the cries of "Gentrification!" ensue.

But African American Aldermen were all for this. It was the democratic socialist Ramirez Rosa that was the primary complainer it seems. The other funny thing is from the Tribune's photos of the protesters in City Hall, they were all white kids.

[Vlajos]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...314-story.html

Chico has now endorsed Lightfoot.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...314-story.html

Chico has now endorsed Lightfoot.

Has anyone endorsed Preckwinkle? That's now Chico, Wilson, and Vallas. Mendoza and Daley are the only two left and I have a feeling Lightfoot doesn't even want Daley's endorsement so Preckwinkle can't use it against her.

Let's hope this ends up being more like 80-20 landslide against Preckwinkle. I'm hoping for a career ending embarrassment here.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Has anyone endorsed Preckwinkle? That's now Chico, Wilson, and Vallas. Mendoza and Daley are the only two left and I have a feeling Lightfoot doesn't even want Daley's endorsement so Preckwinkle can't use it against her.

Let's hope this ends up being more like 80-20 landslide against Preckwinkle. I'm hoping for a career ending embarrassment here.

Nope, not a single one. I would love to see Prekwinkle below 40%. I have yet to see a single sign for Prekwinkle. They are all over for Lightfoot, including my front yard!

Now if we can crush all the remaining "democratic socialist" Ramirez Rosa wannabes in the run off, I will be very happy. Letting idiots that don't understand basic economic principles like supply and demand into the City Council is dangerous.

[LouisVanDerWright]

^^^ I know, but maybe if we embarrass her enough she will go away?

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Now if we can crush all the remaining "democratic socialist" Ramirez Rosa wannabes in the run off, I will be very happy. Letting idiots that don't understand basic economic principles like supply and demand into the City Council is dangerous.

I've actually decided I'm fine with this as long as they don't get a majority. The pinkos in places like the NW side and SW side are just going to spread it all over the place.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Let's hope this ends up being more like 80-20 landslide against Preckwinkle. I'm hoping for a career ending embarrassment here.

She still gets to be Cook County Board President if she loses

[the urban politician]

Preckwinkle also got the endorsement of a mishmash of south side baptist ministers