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Emanuel’s remarks come amid poll results released Tuesday that show 51 percent of Chicagoans surveyed believe he should resign over his handling of the Laquan McDonald case. Perhaps more difficult in the long run for the mayor, though, is that his job approval rating has dropped to 18 percent from 35 percent a year ago.

Ouch.

The robopoll, which is here, was conducted Saturday by Ogden & Fry. The same outfit did a poll for the same publication back in September which found his approval rating at 25 percent.

No doubt that Emanuel’s poll numbers are horrible, but his approval rating isn’t that much lower post-LaQuan McDonald than it was before the horrible snuff video was released. Why? Tax hikes, teachers’ union troubles, junk bond rating, etc., etc., etc. Chicagoans are a mighty grumpy bunch.

Then again, his disapproval rating has shot up to 67 percent from 51 percent in September. He’s approaching Blagojevich territory.

64 percent, by the way, say they don’t believe the mayor when he says he never watched the McDonald video.

Remember that “credibility gap” phrase from the old days?

* Even so, I’ve said before that I don’t see Emanuel ever stepping down. One poll certainly ain’t gonna push him out the door. Besides, what aldercreature are they gonna replace him with? Not happening.

It’s also been fairly clear since the election that Emanuel isn’t going to run for another term (a big tipoff is that he’s barely raised any money since the campaign ended). So, while the poll may drive the media narrative for a bit (at least until we get another poll), it likely won’t matter in the end.

* But when half the populace thinks their mayor ought to resign… Whew.

The council is definitely gonna run for cover. And that’ll make it far more difficult to do the things necessary to turn that city around. He can’t go big if aldermen are constantly watching their backs because of him.

* Related…

* ADDED: Text of Mayor Emanuel’s speech

* Mayor to speak about police misconduct at City Council - Listen Live

* Mayor’s office offers hint at content of Emanuel’s speech to council

* IPRA chief wants to hand off Laquan McDonald probe to city watchdog

* Video of 2013 Police Shooting May Be Released Wednesday

* IPRA reopens investigation into Philip Coleman’s death

* How a ‘Fed Up’ Source Sparked a Federal Investigation in Chicago

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 8:00 am

Comments

Rahm isn’t going to step down, today, eveb with these horrific numbers, but when you are spproaching Blagojevich styled spreads and your credibility is Rod-Like, you have serious governing problems.

Can’t see any Alderman wanting to move Rahm out…

… Can’t see any Alderman being pressured to get their GA stablemate to help Rauner through Rahm pressures.

The triangulation is now a “bi-angulation” which is as existent as a pink-spotted unicorn.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 8:23 am
== Besides, what aldercreature are they gonna replace him with? Not happening.==

Exactly. In a city of 3 million people, you’d expect more people to be qualified to be mayor, but that clearly isn’t the case.

In fact, it’s never the case. There is usually only 1 or 2 people in the entire population of the city that are ever qualified to be mayor at any given time.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 8:36 am
“There is usually only 1 or 2 people in the entire population of the city that are ever qualified to be mayor at any given time.”

Gravitas!

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 8:42 am
It’s an interesting question, though. Assuming for a moment (which I agree is not gonna happen) Rahm stepped down and you saw a City Council alderman take his place … Who’s the most “mayoral”?

Clearly we need another Daley! Send up Patrick Thompson (OK that was a joke).

Anointing Ed Burke as a caretaker, you could see him hold up the mayoral gavel and intone, “My … precious …”

But really the most interesting mayoral replacement from the Council for my money would be Ameya Pawar. He’s very liberal but without being self-righteous about it, is interested in coalitions and he has a kind of technocratic reformer vibe that right now it seems like the City needs. Experience is a major major concern still though.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 8:54 am
“Making it more difficult to do the things neccessary…”

Absolutely correct, Rich. People who dislike having a strong mayor should realize having a strong city council is far worse.

Anyone who was around or has studied the 1976-1989 period in Chcago knows this. Washington started to consolidate after the 1986 special aldermanic elections and was well on his way until his untimely death.

So all you who wanted a “strong, independent City Council” you will have your wish soon. Just be careful what you wish for…

Comment by low level Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:01 am
ZC, it would be a disaster and split the council into 4-10 different pieces.

Comment by sadly Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:01 am
Chicagoans never loved Rahm, but he was all they seemed to have had after Daley. The City has a powerful mayor and a rubberstamp council, yet 21st Century realities are taking a huge toll and overwhelming what worked for the past century regarding leadership.

He isn’t going anywhere, but no one but a complete crackpot should be coveting his job. When a time comes that Chicago feels safe, they will want someone else as mayor. Until then, Chicago is going to grumble, complain then hide behind Rahm Emanuel, hoping that times get better.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:04 am
sadly,

Quite possibly true. So who -wouldn’t- split the council, in your opinion? Who’s an acceptable caretaker? (Austin? Osterman? Brookins? Burns? O’Connor?)

I guess I’m a -little- leery of your argument, because I remember we said all the same things about Daley - “He’s the irreplaceable man”; “Without Daley, the city might fly apart.”

We have to get away from this worship-dependence on our city executives, in the long run.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:04 am
Well we didn’t change mayors this year and it seems now Chicagoans don’t like what they see now. At the very least we have another four years of Rahm. Perhaps he knows no 3rd term is in his future.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:05 am
Let’s hope he is smart enough to say the words “code of silence,” and that it is a organizational culture problem.

If he is humble enough, surrounds himself with high quality people, he could turn it around and be an agent of change.

One thing for sure, the entire country is watching him.

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:12 am
I doubt anyone on the City Council would like Emanuel to leave office. Let him continue to take the heat for the city’s problems. He owns them now.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:21 am
Wow — those numbers are AWFUL. I voted against Rahm for the re-election, and I’m still not quite at the “resign” level, in part because I’ve thought about it some and can’t see anything in the offing as a replacement other than a Bilandic type so it would be an out-of-depth O’Connor or a back-to-the-1960s Burke, and in part because I’m all too aware of the mess left by Daley and the significant lengths Rahm has gone toward addressing it. Rahm is providing some of what we need — it’s nice to see maintenance of infrastructure again, and improvements to some city services — and while it isn’t nearly enough, it’s better than nothing.

I guess I suspected something was up when Kass turned so strongly against him with his “little man” jibe and so on.

cdog has good advice for the mayor.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:24 am
Today’s speech is an epic failure.

It ain’t the responsibility of aldermen, civic, and religious leaders to convince the public to trust the Chicago Police Department.

And the execution of Laquan McDonald had nothing to do with gun control or gangs. He was not in a gang, and he had no gun.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:25 am
Weighing in as a Chicago resident and Rahm supporter-I am used to being a contrarian. Other than the Laquan case ( which every other alderman and politician also swept under the rug) I really don’t think anyone could do the job better.

It is not possible to reform the city’s finances without making people angry. He has certainly tried to put the city on the right track but the medicine was long over due. His opponents had no solutions, just class warfare. Promising people all kinds of programs but not identifying a way to pay for it. Sound familiar Springfield?

Chicago needs a pro business mayor who can attract investment and employers to our city. Rahm is abarasive and certainly would not win the politician I would most like to have a beer with but is clearly a brilliant man.

He is making the case for term limits and has 3 years left to reform the city without worrying about getting reelected

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:26 am
===I guess I suspected something was up when Kass turned so strongly against him===

lol

Kass has been against him from Jump Street.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:31 am
Never seen Rahm this worked up… He is banging the podium and yelling himself hoarse about mutual respect between the community and the police

Comment by Young State Worker Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:43 am
Not really Rham’s fault, but $37/day to park in a Loop garage probably has a fair amount of people pretty grumpy.

Comment by Team America Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:43 am
–Chicago needs a pro business mayor who can attract investment and employers to our city.–

Been in the greater downtown lately? It’s booming and the mayor has nothing to do with it.

Politicians as Economic Messiahs is a weird belief. It has no basis in reality.

Employers are moving downtown because that’s where the whiz kids want to be. They don’t want to schlep out to Schaumburg and Naperville anymore.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:43 am
Chicago is a world class city, with great business infrastructure, and cultural amenities attracting the young professionals and entrepreneurs. It is outperforming most of its urban competitors already.

But hey, Grif needs somewhere to demonstrate his genius in governing.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:58 am
Rahm inherited a mess with the city’s fiances and he inherited a major issue with the CPD and crime. And for some reason, he came into office and picked a fight with the schools.

And now all three are exploding at the same time.

Part of the explosion is his own ‘man made’ decisions. Some he could do little about. But he sat on his hands for four years, which has only made these explosions larger.

Not sure how Rahm gets out of this. Repeating talking points isn’t going to help. Showing some anger will, but not enough. He doesn’t appear to have much control over any of these situations and it’s quite obvious to most everyone who isn’t an alderman.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:59 am
I’ve been reading some incredibly thoughtful and exceptional posts by Rich and the commebts following, allowing myself to try to grasp more than what I read online, see on TV, eveb hear on the street, so taking all that, and hearing closely what Rahm said in his speech, what I know is…

Rahm can “own it”, and anyone who reads what I writhe knows I am one of the biggest proponents of “gotta eat it, gotta own it” and have railed when that isn’t the tact.

However, Rahm needed to “own it” months earlier, and never after a settlement, and never after the
release of a video, showing a murder.

I don’t know how much good today did, but today was needed if only to hear the words “I’m sorry” over a year late, and after a city finds itself with more anger and frustration when it’s leader tries to call for healing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:59 am
This is about his political future post-Chicago.

A run for U.S. Senate? Governor? President?

He’s not going to resign, but he can’t sweep this under the rug as has been done in the past because that would come back to haunt him in any future races for office.

The “righteous indignation” routine by politicians is always launched to try to shift blame.

If he doesn’t make real reforms from this crisis, he and Bruce will sit around sipping wine and reminiscing about the good old days.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:01 am
–This is about his political future post-Chicago.

A run for U.S. Senate? Governor? President?–

Historically, there is no post-mayor electoral future.

Bilandic is the only one I can think of who later went on to another elected position.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:07 am
some police are a problem. same thing with some people in the city who are criminals. systems of justice to handle those problems should be made better. but the criminal reality includes victims forgotten, the victims of sexual assaults and murders that go on all the time and the criminal level that is unacceptable. shine a light on that too.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:12 am
Does he want a third term. If not, he has more latitude to do what he thinks needs to be done. He’s too smart to tell us until he has to, though. Maybe any mayor of Chicago who wants to do a lot of tax-raising on the residents needs to be prepared to say an earlier goodbye than he might wish.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:14 am
And just wait until the teachers strike! A “strong” Rahm was rolled by CTU and Lewis a few years back. A “weak” Rahm is certain to be road kill for Lewis, et al.

Time to quietly work a deal?

Comment by Georg Sande Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:15 am
People think Rahm has a political career after this?

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:24 am
==Today’s speech is an epic failure.

It ain’t the responsibility of aldermen, civic, and religious leaders to convince the public to trust the Chicago Police Department.

And the execution of Laquan McDonald had nothing to do with gun control or gangs. He was not in a gang, and he had no gun.==

This, exactly.

So much failure in that speech.

“We” failed, Rahm? Give me a break.

If not a hair shirt, you should’ve spent this month in the apology sweater.

Instead, you keep talking to people who don’t live in Chicago, with this “tough love” approach.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:26 am
“Not sure how Rahm gets out of this,” says FTDTHP.

It’s pretty simple. He goes on the long-overdue hunt for the people that should be fired for lying on the McDonald reports, and the ones who were accomplices in the lying.

He needs to get ahead of the Feds. The Rahm house-cleaning needs to be part of the Fed report, not taking action months from now by REACTING to the Fed report.

(There has to be someone in his organization that could have those p.o.s. officers in some fast-track discipline, before another week passes.)

He thinks he’s a leader? Let’s see it.

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:28 am
I seem to recall that Daley Sr. and Washington each had two successors: an acting mayor who took over immediately (Wilson Frost after Daley Sr., David Orr after Washington), followed by an interim mayor, chosen by the City Council, who served until the next mayoral election (Michael Bilandic after Daley Sr; Eugene Sawyer after Washington). Is that procedure still in effect? If so, does anyone know who would become acting mayor if Emanuel resigned?

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:28 am
Is there a younger generation Daley in the wings? It’s Chicago after all. Plus ca change.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:34 am
–I seem to recall that Daley Sr. and Washington each had two successors: an acting mayor who took over immediately (Wilson Frost after Daley Sr…..)

Frost thought he had the gig, but Donovan and the Bridgeport boys literally locked him out of the office on Five.

A few days later, the council installed Bilandic (one of the Bridgeport boys).

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:34 am
@Wordslinger. The whiz kids are going urban because they’ve been told that from their college profs to social media. And hey the bars are better as well. But after paying taxes and having kids of school-age (when they can’t go to bars during the week) a metamorphosis occurs and they’ll move from their West Loop loft or Bucktown condo to the far reaches.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:36 am
==–This is about his political future post-Chicago.

A run for U.S. Senate? Governor? President?–

Historically, there is no post-mayor electoral future.

Bilandic is the only one I can think of who later went on to another elected position.==

True, wordslinger…but you’re grounded in reality. Emanuel is grounded in himself. He doesn’t care about Chicago. He doesn’t care about Chicago history. He’s above all that. He’s better than us.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:37 am
Of course “we” failed.

Some bad police officers have been engaging in brutality and violence against African-Americans in Chicago for a long, long time now. And (the real eye-opener) apparently a lot more “good” cops have been happy to cover up for them, than I ever realized.

And for a long time, nearly no one outside those communities seemed to care about it.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:39 am
We have serious criminal justice and crime problems that must be solved or substantially curtailed, not just in Chicago but elsewhere. The real tragedy will be if we fail at addressing and solving the problems.

I’m hoping that the anger is channeled into peaceful demonstration and persistent action. I hope that anger is constructive and not destructive.

“Chicago needs a pro business mayor who can attract investment and employers to our city.”

Chicago is very highly rated for business and has been attracting businesses and corporate headquarters. Chicago metro led the country two years in a row for corporate/business location/expansion. The Trib or some other outlet reported that small business job growth was strong. It was also reported that Chicago led other Illinois cities in one-year job growth.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:45 am
Re: “we” failed - you’re right, ZC. It’s true when you say it.

The problem is, it’s untrue when Emanuel says it. It’s not his job to “we/us” the public at blameshift time when he’s happy to play the autocrat for grins every other day.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:52 am
And Bogey, once you move to the suburbs, it’s a lot easier to get downtown for work than it is corporate campus in a different suburb.

It’s not just a Chicago thing, it’s happening all over the world.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:54 am
No that’s fair CBH. It’s a bit late in the day for Emanuel to suddenly find religion here, I agree.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:56 am
If Emanuel had succeeded in suppressing the McDonald video, you’d be hearing oogats from him on this subject.

He’s a spin doctor. But you can’t sell this mess.

That whistleblower who leaked the video is the Citizen of the Year. Hats off to Futterman, Kalven and Smith, too.

Note that the whistleblower didn’t trust any of the “big hitters” in the Chicago media. That’s very telling.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:00 am
I’m a Chicagoan and I’m angry. Today’s speech was nothing more than the same lies, spin attempts that have become all too common in this city. I question Rahm’s assertment that he didn’t view the tape, the couching of said tape prior to the election, and the hasty 5,000,000 settlement approval. It’s poor leadership at best - an interesting realization given Rahm’s comments on Chuy’s potential for failed leadership during the runoff - and continued poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars at its worst.

Comment by LakeviewLib Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:04 am
Yes! Welcome aboard the angry train, LakeviewLib!

If enough of us board, it turns into the peace train.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:09 am
@ CBH: thank you; I’m a long time looker, first time commenter - the elevated level of discourse here is one of the things I enjoy about this site.

Comment by LakeviewLib Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:24 am
==Historically, there is no post-mayor electoral future. Bilandic is the only one I can think of who later went on to another elected position.==

Maybe so, Word, but isn’t Emanuel Chicago’s first Jewish mayor? So historically he’s already broken the mold.

I don’t see a guy with his ego just riding off into the sunset.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:36 am
So it’s starting to look like the speech was a failure.

Rahm’s problem is:
1) He needs to ditch the talking points
2) He needs to stop coming at these issues as if he commutes in from the North Shore to the Loop every day (maybe seeing parts of Lakeview/West Loop for the five or six Cubs/Bulls games he goes to each year).
3) He needs to stop addressing the national media when he should be talking to Chicagoans.

Rahm’s obsession with what and who are not in Chicago is/has been his downfall. His refusal to address Chicago and Chicagoans has been a political disaster.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:46 am
It may seem strange to some, but I think the safest path for Rahm right now is to man up, clean house not just in CPD but everywhere, and in general do the right things for the city. Will he catch a lot of flack? Yes, but be is going to whatever he does. Housecleaning will be his political salvation.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:47 am
@ Bogey 10:36:
I have this disagreement with my suburban Millenial friends. I as a city dweller ask them,” How many daycare centers do you have in your neighborhood?”. In my Chicago neighborhood, it nothing but daycares and strollers. I’m surrounded by the future, and it ani’t Schumburg or Naperville.

Comment by Jockey Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:47 am
James Hutchinson Woodworth won election to the US House of Reps after serving as Mayor of Chicago.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:48 am
Will Ken Dunkin throw his hat into the ring to replace Emmanuel?

Comment by Rollo Tamasi Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 12:19 pm
Rahm has done everything to Chicago he claimed Chuy would do like crashing the credit rating and raising taxes. He’s also failed to do things he promised–like no teacher strike. Finally, he’s done things Chuy would never have done like the McDonald situation. He’s a failure as a mayor and he needs to go.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Ancient history: Mayor Edward Dunne lost his bid for reelection to Fred Busse. Dunne subsequently lost a primary for the Democratic mayoral nomination to Carter Harrison, Jr. Dunne was elected Governor one year later.

Bilandic is not alone, but it is usually a lonely path for former Chicago mayors seeking other elected offices.

Comment by 10-4 Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 12:50 pm
Rahm’s main problems are still financial. He’s now got lots of help reforming the Police Dept. He should replace his corp counsel, who’s is giving him bad advice about pension solutions and encouraging a lack of transparency. But I don’t know if Rahm would listen to good advice.

I would like to see Rahm use his dynamism and persuasiveness on the stock exchange leaders to win their support for a small transaction tax on trades. It’s everyone’s civic responsibility to do more than take from the City. Let’s get a foot in the door, get the traders used to paying something.

Illinois should legalize and tax recreational marijuana, period.

Illinois needs a constitutional amendment to
authorize variable income tax rates. California’s ranges from 1% to 13.3% depending on income. 3.75% is ridiculous pandering to popular preference. To govern, you have to make the case for change, then lead. You have to be ready to be Richard Ogilvie and do the right thing, then find a new career after your current term ends.

For any of these things to happen, we have to replace this Governor and that will certainly happen in 2018.

Rahm should have stayed in Congress where he could deal with conceptual big issues and not get down in the muck with police, potholes and petty corruption. He was helping congressional Democrats get elected. He was in line to be Speaker.

I believe Chicago will have a black mayor in 3 years. There are many aspirants. I don’t think Toni would want it–she’ll be 72 in 2019. But she can have a say in who wins. Rod Sawyer is likeable and sensible, not bombastic, and today looks like a potential successor to Rahm.

Comment by James Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Will Axelrod outfit Rahm in a warm and fuzzy sweater to film another living room commercial like Mister Rogers? Oh, that has been done before…

How about Rahm holds a fireside chat like Melonville Mayor Tommy Shanks? It worked for John Candy…

Comment by 10-4 Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:14 pm
For a man who never lets a crisis go to waste, Rahm seems lost and desperate. I have been fascinated by his sudden failure to turn a lemon into lemonade.

He is running out of minions and buses to throw people under to save his own hide. Now he suddenly “owns” it? LOL!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Let’s not let a good crisis go to waste. Designate a charitable recipient and let Rahm spend an hour on the Daley Center Plaza in a dunk tank. It ought to raise some bucks for a worthy cause.

Comment by Snark Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:28 pm
Absolutely laughable that young people “move to the city because their profs tell them to but they move to ‘burbs once kids get school age. Whoever says that has no clue as to what they are talking about.

Families are everywhere in the north loop, south loop and downtown. Enrollment at private schools that were about to close is in such demand you practically have to put your kid on a list when he/she is born.

The third largest building in the US has been proposed for the SE corner of Roosevelt and Michigan. It will be condos.

Being close to cultural institutions and being able to walk to work is worth the investment to many. So is having kids grow up in a diverse environment.

All this growth also gives the lie to the oft repeated but always false notion that the “city is going bankrupt”. News flash: wealthy developers don’t build in cities about to go bankrupt.

Chicagoans may be angry but the business community is confident about the future of the city and clearly are satisfied with the mayor.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Sawyer will never be Mayor. I do think it’s possible that Chicago has another black mayor though. But the chances are becoming less and less. Whites now outnumber blacks in the City as of the latest census figures. Every ethnic group is growing in population in the City with the exception of African Americans.

Comment by Tone Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:51 pm
low level is mostly right. The business community definitely views Chicago as a good place in general. But there are too many people like James who think the answer is more taxes, financial transaction taxes, higher income taxes, variable income tax rates, etc.

If the state constitution is amended it should be to eliminate unfair public employee retirement benefit protections. Problem solved.

Comment by Tone Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:55 pm
==Rod Sawyer is likeable and sensible, not bombastic, and today looks like a potential successor to Rahm.==

Don’t take your eye off Burns … he is pretty cozy with the Corporate side, and he might be able to pass himself off as Community if memories are short enough.

Comment by Anderson Villy Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:05 pm
“Rahm was rolled by CTU and Lewis a few years back.”

That’s not remotely true. Rahm completely played Lewis. Lewis wanted a contract with a high number but she never bothered to think it through. Rahm immediately used that contract as a reason to cut teachers and close schools, which is likely what he wanted to do in the first place.

I sure wouldn’t want Lewis or any part of her team negotiating on my behalf.

Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:08 pm
Regarding people moving out — on the north side, there is a ton of pressure for developers to add more three bedroom units. There are a lot of families who want them.

Further, the private schools (Parker, Latin, Catherine Cook, Chicago Grammar, British School) and public (Ogden among others) are busting at the seems.

Ogden is considering merging with Jenner, as Ogden needs more class space.

The days of parents automatically fleeing are long over. Some do, but many stick around.

Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:18 pm
Everything Rahm said in his speech I just greeted with cynical laughter. I don’t have a super-strong opinion on whether he ought to go (largely because I don’t have a great deal of faith on whether a replacement would be any better), but every word out of his mouth seemed like a lie. I trust him even less than I thought, and I don’t believe a word of it when he says he’s taking it seriously and wants to clean up the CPD.

(My preschooler watching over my shoulder asked, “Mom, why do you keep laughing the mean way every time that guy says something?”)

Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:19 pm
Everybody knew the school closings were coming. CPS had been adding 10-12 charter schools a year for a decade even as population shrunk. A big part of the contract was trying to give those people some job protection. There will probably be high school closings soon unless Rahm’s nose is too bloody. There are now 60% more high schools in Chicago than there were 10 years ago. That contract was never about money. The arbitrator called for 20% raises for CTU to make up for the increase in workload.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:22 pm
Carhart, you may be right as to the “intent” but if so, she failed miserably at what she intended to do.

Lewis destroyed teacher jobs and she caused schools to close. That’s just a fact. Rahm used that contract to do exactly that.

Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:32 pm
-Tone- @ 1:55, you can change the pension benefits for new hires without changing the Constitution. You can change the Constitution to remove the Pension Clause but it won’t affect those already in the system because they will still have protection under the Federal and State Contract Clauses. It a fantasy to believe the existing pension debt can be negated.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:53 pm
a sad causalty in all this is the impact on The mayors influence on his friend the Gov. Whatever little impact he may have been able to make to try and get the gov to back up a bit just got completely washed away. i am not saying he had a lot of influence, but he had some…. had……

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 4:00 pm
Does “dynamism” mean yelling at people and acting like a glassbowl?

Comment by Joe Biden Was Here Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 5:05 pm
Tone: I take back what I said about your comments elsewhere. You more than redeemed yourself on this thread. My error.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 11:27 pm