* Tribune…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday called Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy’s claim that the mayor is making Chicago “whiter” and wealthier a “hallucinatory” insult.
Emanuel said he’s “looking forward to ideas, not insults” in his first public comments since Kennedy on Wednesday accused him of leading a “strategic gentrification plan” forcing African-American residents out of the city.
“It is easy to cast blame and point fingers,” the mayor said. “Where are the ideas? Where are the solutions, real solutions to real challenges that make those challenges opportunities?”
Emanuel also quoted a Chicago Tribune editorial that was critical of Kennedy’s comments. “As the Chicago Tribune referred to it today as imaginary, hallucinatory,” he said. “I hope nobody ever describes any of my ideas that way.” […]
On Friday, the mayor appeared before reporters at a factory in the heavily African-American South Austin neighborhood to talk about the city’s move to install new street lights, starting in black neighborhoods on the South and West sides. He was surrounded by several African-American aldermen and employees at the made-for-TV event and talked about offering job opportunities to ex-offenders and other Chicago residents as the kind of idea Kennedy should be pushing.
* Sun-Times…
In his first public appearance after a long family vacation, Emanuel was asked why he believes African-Americans are leaving the city in droves and whether he’s troubled by it.
“Of course it troubles me. Which is why we’re making investments in the neighborhoods across the city,” the mayor said.
“That’s a longer discussion that’s worthy of a serious discussion of the change going on in the city and the population, where a lot more people are moving in. Different people. Some people are moving out. It has to do with a lot of different factors — not one factor…What do you do to change that? That’s different than trying to cast blame as if this is somebody’s plan.” […]
“If we continue to invest in our city and invest in every part of the city and give it a future where everybody feels hopeful about that tomorrow for not only them but their children, we’re gonna continue to be a city of vibrancy,” the mayor said Friday.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Statement from Rebecca Evans, spokeswoman for Chris Kennedy:
Unlike JB Pritzker, who continues to remain silent to protect the political establishment, Chris Kennedy has the political courage to speak truth to power. He will stand up to anyone regardless of party, position or influence if it means standing up for justice, equality and opportunity for everyone in Illinois.
Chris Kennedy isn’t hiding behind $17 million worth of scripted TV ads. He will use his voice to stand up for what is right even if it’s calling out inconvenient truths that are hurting people of color in Chicago.
He has said from the start of this campaign that he wants to dismantle the structural inequities that exist in our government. He has put forward real solutions and plans on how we can do it. We must allow an elected school board, stop closing public schools, put an end to the discriminatory property tax racket, and fully address the civil rights violations described in the Department of Justice’s report on the Chicago Police Department.
- anon2 - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:16 pm:
Good publicity for Kennedy. Just like Trump’s threat to sue is great publicity for Wolfe.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:18 pm:
So is Kennedy positioning himself to run for mayor now should he lose to JB?
- @misterjayem - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:21 pm:
“It is easy to cast blame and point fingers. Where are the ideas? Where are the solutions, real solutions to real challenges that make those challenges opportunities?”
Since becoming Mayor of Chicago, Rahm has never sounded more like Richie.
– MrJM
- 33rd Ward - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:21 pm:
Kennedy seems to have no agenda but Chris Kennedy’s agenda, which is weird in general.
Just because somebody has the Name and The Money, doesn’t mean there’s anything else there.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:24 pm:
===So is Kennedy positioning himself to run for mayor===
The man has lived in Kenilworth for decades. He’s not running for mayor. Where do people get this stuff?
- paddyrollingstone - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 2:51 pm:
I didn’t hear the Mayor’s comments but I thought they read pretty well.
- JoanP - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
@MrJM-
Or more like Richie’s dad. “What trees do they plant?” Remember that one?
- NorthsideNoMore - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:10 pm:
Rich maybe Kennedy has and address at the Mart and this just a ploy ? I see him sitting in a huge office like Mr Burns calling out to Smithers in the dark of the night. (although BR has the Look of Burns)
- DarkDante - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:24 pm:
===Since becoming Mayor of Chicago, Rahm has never sounded more like Richie.===
Well, where are your programs, MrJM?
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:44 pm:
I don’t know if Kennedy actually sleeps at the Merchandise Mart but I think he left a wedding dress there
- wordslinger - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 3:50 pm:
To borrow from Richard J, offered “for the enlightenment and edification and hallucination…” of Cap Fax readers.
–“It is easy to cast blame and point fingers,” the mayor said. “Where are the ideas? Where are the solutions, real solutions to real challenges that make those challenges opportunities?”–
Rahm E, 2018
–”These people who come here from other places and cause trouble - Where are their programs? What trees do they plant?” –
Richard J, 1968
- Ron - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 4:01 pm:
Under Rahm, Chicago has the most jobs in decades and the most ever downtown. Now it’s most highly educated large city in the country. It has the most high rises construction underway of any city not named NYC.
- LilLebowskiUrbanAchiever - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 4:42 pm:
Reaction to Kennedy statement… Damn.
I understand Rahm’s instinct to want to push back. But it seems like a really dumb move politically. This won’t end. He’s going to need a better answer than “It’s complex. We’ll talk about it later.”
- @misterjayem - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 4:53 pm:
Yep.
Rahm is an imperfect copy of an imperfect copy of the old man.
– MrJM
- Sherrie40 - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 5:02 pm:
If Kennedy doesn’t become governor (it’s not looking likely), maybe he’ll consider running for Chicago mayor. It would be nice to see an actual mayoral race of candidates with fighting power like the last one of Chuy vs Rahm. Nobody likes a sure winner in politics.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 5, 18 @ 5:04 pm:
For the love of… Pete.
Kennedy does not live in Chicago.
Capiche?