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State Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) pointed to the years-long feud between two old friends — Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner — that has prevented the two powerful politicians from working together to benefit Chicago neighborhoods that need it most.

“The mayor has a problem with the governor. Here they are, the leaders of the largest city … and the entire state. And they cannot sit down to figure out what is it that they need to do to get it done,” Hunter said.

“So I’m asking the mayor of Chicago. I’m asking the governor and the president of the Cook County Board, will you please sit down? If I need to call you all personally, I will. We are facing a crisis here in this state, especially in this city.”

* The Question: Should there be a summit with the mayor, the governor, the county board president and perhaps the legislative leaders and others to try to find some solutions to Chicago’s violence problem? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

surveys

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:34 pm

Comments

Yes, absolutely yes. This, please, before Ford’s invitation to President Trump gets legs.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:37 pm
This is a no brainer. For the Love of Pete, if they can’t put aside their battles to address this carnage, what the heck are they in office for.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:38 pm
The answer to Chicago’s crime problems is more jobs.

The Democrats are not interested in creating more jobs, they’re interested in more benefits, rent control, and giving away free money.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:38 pm
I voted “yes”. It may be that nothing comes of it, but what could it hurt?

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:38 pm
I vote yes, but invite trump also.

Comment by Question Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:39 pm
I voted no. Not because I like Ford’s solution. I just don’t feel like such a meeting will accomplish anything. If I felt they were actually going to do substantial, long term funding as a result of the meeting, I might feel differently, but my cynical self says it will be a bunch of posturing and next to no substance.

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:40 pm
“The answer to Chicago’s crime problems is more jobs.”
No, the answer to Chicago’s job problem is less shootings.

Comment by 17% Solution Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:44 pm
Yes. And I’d add someone from the feds too. Get in the same room for crying out loud and act like you are taking this seriously.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:44 pm
Rahm can’t afford to have a sitdown with Rauner.

For Rahm, it an admission of failure of his inability to fix this problem.

And secondly, if Rauner does contribute State resources (whatever that may be) and it actually helps mitigate the violence, it makes Rahm weaker in his upcoming election and would be a feather in Rauner’s cap going up against JB.

No, Rahm will stay a million miles away Rauner. Its much better for Rahm, JB and the aldermen to NOT fix the problem.

Comment by Occam Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:50 pm
Yes, by all means. Bring in some Feds, as Demo suggests. That should include Durbin and Duckworth.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:51 pm
Yes. Mattie, call them. Set it up. They all have enough power and enough ego to challenge one another to see who does the best and who does the most. Give them 15 minutes of free air time per week to brag about what each has done.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:52 pm
That is some sick logic you’re employing Occam and I sincerely hope there are less cynical people tackling this issue.

Comment by Shelby Thomas Weems Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:54 pm
==Rahm can’t afford to have a sitdown with Rauner.==

What Rahm can’t afford is any more Monday morning headlines like these. Mattie’s right. Start with the 3 of them, then add along the way.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:54 pm
==Its much better for Rahm, JB and the aldermen to NOT fix the problem.==

That’s just a ludicrous assertion and you should be ashamed of yourself for making the suggestion.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:55 pm
Voted “Yes”

“Why?”

At some point, the office each holds needs to be bigger than they are, and the problems are in need of the full weight and cache of each office.

Everyone meet, but everyone needs to make a meeting mean something too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:55 pm
Yes, because it’s better than nothing. But I don’t think either Rahm or Rauner cares all that much what happens to people on the South and West sides. Rahm would rather paper over the issue and keep pushing business development in the loop, and Rauner would rather caricature the problem to have more red meat for the base. Likewise, I think inviting Trump is a terrible idea.

@Just Me
Having stable housing, healthcare, good schools and childcare all help people get and keep jobs. Poor education, disability, not having anyone to watch your kids, and inability to afford rent in areas with economic opportunity are probably the biggest barriers individuals in these neighborhoods face to actually changing their economic situation.

Comment by Actual Red Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 3:58 pm
I said no, because the timing and players will simply play to the press. It would be a waste of money. Immediately after the elections, sit them down for some hard discussions.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:01 pm
I voted yes.

I’m cynical enoguh to think nothing would come of such a meeting, but if there’s a less than zero chance of a good idea emerging, they should meet.

Comment by thunderspirit Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:03 pm
I voted no. Having watched Rauner for three and a half years when he get involved in something it typically takes a turn for the worse. Why would I expect anything different from him here?

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:04 pm
Actual Red — What use is it to be able to get a job if there are no jobs available? Chicago continues to lag behind the rest of the nation in job growth. I have to think our higher taxes and higher business regulation are the barrier to job growth.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:15 pm
I voted “Yes,” not because I think Rauner could come up with any solutions no matter who he was sitting down with or without, but because such a meeting - a summit, in a sense - has to take place, and as gov, he has to be part of it.

Agree that Durbin and Duckworth be invited, but I also think some of the most affected areas’ own should be invited - community leaders, people of faith, NGO reps who live with the violence on a day-to-day basis.

Rahm and Rauner both need to be persuaded, compellingly, that the issues which have given rise to the violence on the South and West sides have to be addressed, as in, really addressed, and that lip service and crocodile tears (MRE’s very own version of “thoughts and prayers”) won’t cut it any longer.

This will be hard for them both - MRE is smart and savvy enough to get it, and to understand his own role in making the situation worse over the past several years even if he can’t admit it out loud. Re: the gov, I don’t know if he can understand it or not, his thought processes remain opaque to me.

But a summit needs to happen, and soon.

Comment by dbk Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:16 pm
Similar to the Dude’s feelings. Watching the two of them grandstand in an election year for them both, no thanks.

These problems have only long-term solutions - things like schools and mental health clinics and social supports for trauma - neither of these ‘leaders’ has shown any inclination to make the investments needed to actually reduce the violence borne inequitably in Chicago’s communities.

Comment by lakeside Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:17 pm
I voted yes because each has a part to play. While the state and city aren’t the base of the problem and even though the state and city can’t fix the issues entirely they have a part to play. The first part being the safety of the neighborhoods. They should be flooding those areas with police. Get the worst offenders off the street. Then start working on long term interventions.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:22 pm
I voted yes. They should, but they won’t.

Comment by Bruce (no not him) Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:25 pm
Just please don’t invite these two guys.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-lake-shore-drive-violence-protest-organizers-split-20180807-story.html

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:32 pm
Voted No. There is no political answer to a cultural problem.

Comment by Matt Vernau Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:33 pm
They used money to get their offices of leadership. Apparently they wanted to lead. Get the meeting, do what real leaders do and do some serious work. This State is seriously missing real leaders, our gang violence, debt and corruption is testament to our quality of leadership over the decades.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:33 pm
It would irresponsible NOT to meet. And if a consensus can be reached to allow for the national guard to be deployed in the most dangerous parts of the city, then it would be a great success.

Comment by JDuc Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:36 pm
I voted yes. It’s owed to the people in the communities most affected. This should be a top priority at every level of government.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:40 pm
No. Only because I don’t think I could bear the shame of watching my elected officials posture and politik instead of actually try to govern, even when it’s all on the line.

I know, that is assuming they would. I know.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:42 pm
The Governor and the Mayor are not feuding. It is for public consumption only. They are still buddies.

Comment by Michael Westen Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:45 pm
No…the solution is more investment and reopening some public schools on the west and south sides…enough talking at the challenge…do something Bruce and especially Rahm…

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 4:53 pm
You mean do their jobs like responsible grownups, rather than constantly engaging in deflection, obfuscation and CYA p—— contests?

Yes. But I don’t know if either Rauner or Emanuel have the maturity for that kind of heavy lifting. They’re more into spinnin’ the daily news cycle to their advantage, rather than real work.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 5:02 pm
Absolutely.
If there’s enough of them, a leader may be produced.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 5:05 pm
Time to act like grown people–esp. Baron Von Carhartt…

Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 5:08 pm
It would be nice, but the president, governor and mayor use Chicago’s violence to attack each other, the city, and the people of the neighborhoods where it’s the worst. During election season, is this idea realistic?

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 5:15 pm
Voted no.
Decades of politics over policy in Chicago, Cook county and Springfield has got us here. Until Illinois politicians realize they have to govern the problem will continue. A beer summit will solve nothing.

Comment by Flat Bed Ford Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 5:20 pm
Voted no. Summits work when staffs have developed options and the principals are prepared to act.

I don’t think any of them has a plan. A summit of ignorance is just noise.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 5:34 pm
Voted no. How much more money does the Illinois tax payer have to throw into Chicago, to solve a problem, that has to do with parenting and being responsible citizens?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:10 pm
Another useless summit/meeting/blue-ribbon panel/report/etc. Meanwhile, the Cook County State’s Attorney refuses to prosecute violent felons caught with firearms, on MSR/probation/Electronic Monitoring, and people who don’t care about anyone but themselves keep shooting. Even some Cook County judges are aghast at how the SA refuses to prosecute, while Chicago’s elected officials keep up their war on law enforcement.

Comment by revvedup Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:18 pm
“Immediately after the elections, sit them down for some hard discussions.”

I hope the Governor is Skyping in from Italy.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:20 pm
Is there a room big enough to fit both egos in?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:24 pm
I voted no. It won’t be productive. And, there’s nothing to be gained politically for any of them. This is a societal problem, not a government problem. Until the residents of the Chicago get invested in their own neighborhoods and people, the cycle will continue.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:25 pm
I voted yes because it is about time some leaders start leading on this issue.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:41 pm
–This is a societal problem, not a government problem.–

I wonder what that means? It’s jabberwocky.

And if it were happening in your neighborhood?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:48 pm
Voted “yes”. There is no intelligent, lucid argument against bringing the powers that be to a forum and try to find a way to reduce the violence.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:53 pm
What’s needed is a summit of gang leaders…behind bars.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 7:00 pm
Find a large city with a low crime-rate, and find out exactly what they are doing to stop crime.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 8:43 pm
If Rauner, Rahm &/or the Chicago Board knew how to stop the crime in Chicago, it would have been done before now.

Comment by M Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 8:45 pm
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 7, 18 @ 6:20 pm:

“Immediately after the elections, sit them down for some hard discussions.”

I hope the Governor is Skyping in from Italy.

Why wait until after the election? They are being paid by the taxpayers to do their jobs not get re-elected. Sick and tired of “professional campaigner’s” wasting taxpayer money for their egos.

Comment by A Voter and a Taxpayer Wednesday, Aug 8, 18 @ 8:20 am
Off topic here, but does anyone have any real evidence that this “feud” exists? I’ve always thought that it was nothing more than good theater.

Comment by South Sider Wednesday, Aug 8, 18 @ 9:12 am
==Find a large city with a low crime-rate, and find out exactly what they are doing to stop crime.==

Ceasefire. Cities all over the country are lowering crime rates with Ceasefire.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/opinion-get-behind-ceasefire-to-reduce-chicago-violence/

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Aug 8, 18 @ 9:29 am
I voted no because I believe that the current governor if he agreed to a meeting, it would be used merely as a photo opportunity and nothing of anything of significance would occur. Such a meeting may have more of an impact after the November election.

Comment by Fishingvest Wednesday, Aug 8, 18 @ 10:06 am