Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller

Back in 1975, Mayor Richard J. Daley traveled to Springfield and made an eloquent (no, really) speech to a joint session of the General Assembly on behalf of more funding for schools.

The mayor’s idea passed both chambers, but Governor Dan Walker vetoed it. Daley, fed up, unleashed the dogs and Walker was history.

Is history about to repeat itself?

Mayor Daley chided Gov. Blagojevich on Tuesday for a $53 billion state budget that ignores what the mayor contends should be Illinois’ highest priority: a more equitable way to fund public education. […]

“We should have a discussion on this because, otherwise, it falls upon the local taxpayers and it’s uneven, its unfair,” the mayor said. “If you live in a wealthy area, such as the North Shore, you have all the money you want. But other areas of the state don’t have . . . the financial resources. It’s called unfairness. Until that [tax swap] happens, there’s unevenness in the quality of education in Illinois.”

Governor Blagojevich, you may remember, has vowed to veto any tax swap bill if it makes it to his desk.

If I have time this week, I’m going to dig up that old Daley speech.

6 Comments

- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 23, 05 @ 7:30 am:
Where can I read about Mayor Daley the First unleashing the dogs of war on Govenor Walker? That sounds interesting, I’d like to read more….

- Pat Collins - Wednesday, Feb 23, 05 @ 11:53 am:
Why is it no one ever talks about reducing the various mandates on districts?

Rather than raise taxes, maybe make a higher impact fee for collar counties?

- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 23, 05 @ 12:14 pm:
There are a number of interesting parallels to 1975 and the war between the Walkerites and the Organization. There is one important difference. Mayor Daley was reelected in 1975, before the gubernatorial election. This time the governor’s race comes first. This Mayor Daley is not in as strong a position to take on a Governor.

- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 23, 05 @ 1:36 pm:
Acutally Richard J. came to Springfield to support the overide of Walker education $ veto. History says the override failed. I recall it override passed the Senate, but failed in the House. The speech was more impassioned than eloquent. Daley then beat Walker in the primary w/SOS Mike Howlett. Walker was on track to run for president in ‘76 and could have caught the primary campaign train after the IL primary in time to make NY and CA —but he lost.

- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 23, 05 @ 1:58 pm:
How about a state-wide property tax?

- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Feb 24, 05 @ 10:00 am:
This Mayor Daley is not in as strong a position to take on a Governor. Puh-leaze! Daley has the oompf to take on Roddy B.

Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.