Ray Lopez drops out of mayoral race #Ward09

 

[VIDEO] Over the summer he had been one of the first candidates to announce his run for the mayor's office. Yesterday he had dropped out of the race stating that a crowded field could help Lori Lightfoot get a second term as Chicago Mayor. Well while I could be disappointed that's he's dropping out, he is running for re-election as Ward 15 Alderman and well it'll have to be another candidate who could potentially defeat Mayor Lightfoot.

Earlier this month Congressman Chuy Garcia announced another run for Mayor.

Meanwhile this week candidates seeking an elected office in Chicago have started filing their petitions. You can check out them out here at the Chicago Board of Elections. 

These two candidates are running for Alderman of Ward 9. Ald. Anthony Beale is running for re-election and so far Cleopatra Draper has filed to run against him. Time to start that Ward 9 elections page.

Also I see also on the ballot next year in 2022 is three positions in 22 Chicago Police Districts around the city. I'm sorry but had no idea about this, when did this start? Anyone reading this blog running for a seat on the Chicago Police District council?

BTW, I wish I could create an iniative no more of this alderperson junk. Let's just change the job title of Chicago alderman. Find something that is "gender neutral" and a bit more logical to say...can't get used to it! 

Crain's: Who's running for Mayor of Chicago next year

 It's in the news that Congressman Chuy Garcia is throwing his hat in the ring against Mayor Lori Lightfoot next year. Remember that in 2015 he lost a runoff to them Mayor Rahm Emanuel. So he's the latest to thrown his hat in the ring against the vulnerable lightfoot.

Meanwhile, Crain's has a list of candidates who have announced and a list of possible candidates and then a list of those who will NOT be running. At least we got through those midterms this past Tuesday.

Since we're talking about 2023

 According to this Campaign Notebook post over at CapFax we see a couple of names.

Congressman Chuy Garcia and remember he ran against Rahm Emanuel in 2015 and forced a run-off that still resulted in a second term for Mayor Emanuel.

And we also have Pat Quinn. Remember him? He used to be the Governor of Illinois he's looking for a comeback. He tried to come back as an Attorney General of Illinois and fell short in a primary race to current AG Kwame Raoul.

Anyway those items and more over at Capitol Fax.

Campaign notebook https://t.co/kdg55FD3gR

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) September 7, 2022

Ald. Lopez plan to reform city gov't

 Speaking of mayoral contender for 2023 Ald. Ray Lopez he's proposed a series of reforms for the city. Fran Spielman writes about it today and I'm sorry I missed it before posting about Ald. Lopez asking for Nat'l Guard help for the city.

Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) on Monday unveiled a dramatic plan to rein in mayoral control and give Chicago the strong council-weak mayor form of government that the municipal code intended.
...
Either by seeking a change in state law or by flexing Chicago’s home-rule powers, Lopez is promising to:

• Cut the City Council by half, empower Council committees to approve spending by departments they oversee and give the Council its own, truly independent budget office and parliamentarian to challenge dubious mayoral rulings from the chair.
• Create three new citywide elected officials — the corporation counsel, inspector general and city comptroller — instead of empowering the mayor to appoint “pawns” to those pivotal positions.
• Create a 21-member Municipal Charter Commission to reexamine the structure of city government every 10 years.

The most dramatic and controversial of those changes is to reduce the size of the City Council from 50 members to just 25.
...
“It is my hope that a leaner, reinvigorated City Council with new and guaranteed oversight authority and budgetary authority over departments would be able to flex its muscles accordingly and be a true partner in government,” said Lopez, one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s most outspoken critics.

Lopez noted that 85% of requests for city services are “handled outside the local ward office” through 311, city apps or online. When the local aldermanic office does get involved, it’s “often the stumbling block,” he said.

“We are not the City Council of the 1800s. We are a 21st century city and we need 21st century Chicago. One that is able to focus on city services as they are currently being delivered as well as focusing on the legislation and oversight that they’re meant to take care of,” he said.

Why clip the mayor’s wings with three new citywide elected officials?

“Mayoral control and authoritarianism … often comes from his or her ability to have the corporation counsel do the legal maneuvering they need to secure their power, squash or silence reports aimed at making government more efficient and to play the smoke-and-mirrors games of budgeting,” Lopez said.

“Making those three positions independently elected … would ensure there are other players on the board who will hold the mayor’s feet to the fire to ensure that they are honest, fair and representing the truth in all of their dealings.”

Well I do think it's time to re-evaluate how many Aldermen (still Alderperson or Alder ewww) must represent the city of Chicago so I'm with that. The idea of a municipal charter commission, I want to see more about that. Surely he has a page for that! 

h/t 19th Ward Chicago

Capitol Fax: Duckworth and Pritzker take different paths on Lightfoot endorsement

US Sen. Tammy Duckworth made a robocall endorsing the re-election bid of Mayor Lightfoot in 2023, however, Gov. Pritzker who's going through his re-election for Governor (actually Sen. Duckworth is running for re-election herself) wants to focus on his race before making any endorsements.

Duckworth and Pritzker take different paths on Lightfoot endorsement https://t.co/YHY8iKqPq2

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 5, 2022

ALSO, I might add in that posting someone wrote in the comments that Gov. Pritzker won't endorse the first Black mayor of Chicago. Someone doesn't know Chicago history now do they. Perhaps they weren't yet born in 1983 or they slept through most of the 1980s in Chicago....

America's Crime Crisis: Lightfoot is the worst mayor in America

 

[VIDEO] I don't know how many of you are watching cable news whether CNN, MSNBC or even FOX News with the clip above. The discussion is over the latest proposal by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to help keep the Bears within the city limits as opposed to potentially Arlington Heights. Frankly I hope the end of the road isn't that close for the racetrack where a new Bears stadium would be located but then again....

Anyway, the mayor proposed a domed stadium on the site of Soldier Field so that historic and architecturally unique structure would again be gutted and a much larger stadium would be located on the site. It could be open for more than an NFL season, it would be open year round. Some soccer matches could be played there and even better still a future WrestleMania....

Well the crime crisis fits in because well as FOX News and our local news discusses the issues of crime. The crime in the neighborhoods unfortunately spill into the more tony areas of our city. So the portrayal by Steve Doocy and Clay Travis is that Chicago is so crime ridden the Bears don't even want to stay.

BTW, I'm still hanging my hat on the Bears locating at the former Southworks site in the South Chicago neighborhood if they want their own stadium.

ALSO, I do actually admire the mayor's plan for Soldier Field, however, the problem has always been even last year with the Bears inking a deal with Arlington Heights is that I don't think politically she'll be able to keep the team in the city.

The next Willie Wilson gas giveaway

 It's coming to the following locations seen in the graphic below on July 9, 2022 which is a Saturday a week from now about. As you know Willie Wilson is one of many who is running against the incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot next year in 2023.

There probably will be updates I would refer you to Wilson's fb page and his Twitter.

Another candidate for mayor

 

[VIDEO] This is really old news from two days ago, however, this report from WBBM-TV shows 26-year-old Ja'Mal Green entering the 2023 race for mayor. How remarkable that at 26 he wants the very challenging position of running the city of Chicago. 

He also joined the race in 2019 when Mayor Rahm Emanuel bowed out leaving the mayor's office an open seat however according to WTTW Willie Wilson was successfully able to challenge his petitions and knock the young man off the ballot.

Here's his announcment video shared on his twitter page @JaymalGreen

She's finally kicked off re-election campaign

 

[VIDEO] She's in! Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants a second term as Chicago's Mayor. And I got to admit this video was a valiant effort to own that many doesn't like her delivery - so at least she isn't that out of touch. On the other hand she wants voters to know she is a fighter.

Of course we won't be voting for any city office until February 2023 and the question for now is there anyone who has announced for mayor so far that you would vote for?

Of course as happens on the internet and we know she does have opposition, the below video noted a local TV news report that her approval ratings are under 30%. Of course it's meant to be somewhat funny and also showing how much they oppose Mayor Lightfoot. [VIDEO]

I like the clips they throw in from Clockwork Orange this YouTuber wanted to give the viewers the impression that this video hurts their eyes.

WTTW: Lightfoot Takes Aim at Rivals: ‘Another Man Who Thinks He Can Do This Job Better Than Me’

 Upon news that Ward 6 Ald. Roderick Sawyer is throwing his hat in the ring to challenge Mayor Lightfoot in 2023.

But shortly after kicking off the city’s celebration of Pride month by dedicating Chicago’s AIDS Garden along the Lakefront near Belmont Harbor, Lightfoot brushed off the criticism leveled by Sawyer, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas, state Rep. Kam Buckner, businessman and philanthropist Willie Wilson and Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward).

“Another day, another man who thinks he can do his job better than me,” Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot tapped Sawyer to serve as the chair of the City Council’s Health and Human Relations Committee, and his candidacy is a stunning rebuke of Lightfoot and her leadership. Sawyer was first elected to the City Council in 2011.

Sawyer served as the chair of the Black Caucus under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and charted a moderate path during his administration. In 2019, Sawyer was forced into a runoff, but retained his seat, winning nearly 54% of the vote.

...

Sawyer and Lightfoot clashed over a number of issues during the past three years, including efforts to create an oversight board of Chicagoans to oversee the beleaguered Chicago Police Department as well as a push to study whether and how the city should pay reparations to Chicagoans who are the descendants of enslaved African Americans.

In the face of opposition from the mayor, Sawyer dropped his push to create a commission, and agreed to form a subcommittee of the Health Committee. That body met only once, and Sawyer regretted bowing to the mayor’s wishes, telling WTTW News she had “stonewalled” his efforts.

And what seems to be a typical Lightfoot tactic:

Nearly a year ago, Lightfoot told “Chicago Tonight” that 99% of the criticism she faces is spurred by racism and sexism.

Lightfoot told WTTW News on Thursday that nothing has changed during the past year.

“Women are always going to be judged by a different lens, and people of color are always judged by a different lens,” Lightfoot said. “That’s just the reality of our lives.”

Lightfoot, Chicago’s first gay mayor, said members of the LGBTQ-plus community also face unwarranted criticism because of who they are.

“I’m a big believer in playing the cards that were dealt,” Lightfoot said. “I’m going to keep doing what I think is right on behalf of the residents of the city.”

Unwarranted criticism or just plain the direction of this city needs a change? 

Another mayoral contender in 2023

Before the 2012 remap Ald. Roderick Sawyer was my Alderman (or Alderperson or Alder ewwww) about one year before the 2023 mayoral race he throws his hat in the ring via Sun-Times

The son of former Mayor Eugene Sawyer said Wednesday he will give up his City Council seat to join the growing field of candidates vying to turn Lori Lightfoot into a one-term mayor.

“I don’t think she’s the right fit for Chicago in this role. … She doesn’t play well in the sandbox with others. … The authoritativeness. The mean-spirited demeanor. That’s not how you run a government,” Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) told the Sun-Times Wednesday, in a wide-ranging interview from the barber chair.

“I want to give the people a more collaborative option, where every voice matters. The current administration’s style of governing is a top-down form of government. It’s not taking into consideration her partners, which is us as aldermen. Also, the citizens of Chicago.”

I want to add the response of Mayor Lightfoot to another mayoral contender it was a bit of a shot at former Schools CEO Paul Vallas who also ran for mayor in 2019. A bit of a zinger delivered by a surrogate found via CapFax yesterday. 

Capitol Fax: It’s time to try something besides simply reacting angrily to crises, Mayor Lightfoot

 Bear in mind she's talking about running for re-election, Lori Lightfoot has all but announced it. When she does officially throw her hat into the ring we'll have a decision to make. Via CapFax

It’s time to try something besides simply reacting angrily to crises, Mayor Lightfoot https://t.co/nnbORyxV6c

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) May 20, 2022

And speaking of the 2023 mayoral election - Mayor plans to run for re-election

Mayor Lori Lightfoot

I was actually hoping she wouldn't, being Mayor of Chicago is not an easy job. However she's just combative enough and willing to stand for re-election in 2023. Word from the Sun-Times earlier today.

NEW: Intending to make it “official” sometime “soon,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday she will seek a second term in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.https://t.co/RWgpVhoMLx

— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 28, 2022

One of her main city council critics Ward 15 Ald. Raymond Lopez is running next year and so is businessman Willie Wilson. Earlier today 5th District US Congressman Mike Quigley announced he won't run for mayor in 2023.

At this point the field is only beginning to form.

WGN: City leaders, council members debate ShotSpotter use

 

[VIDEO] There is further debate over whether or not ShotSpotter technology is effective in the city at curbing violence. In his report Paul Lisnek, especially notes the spat between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and State's Attorney Kim Foxx on a shooting that took place on the west side where no charges were filed citing "mutual combat". Neither Lightfoot nnor Foxx haven't polled very well on the issue of crime and what happened on the West Side over a week ago probably didn't help their poll numbers.

Supt. David Brown is seen in this report defending ShotSpotter in a city council hearing noting how in using the technology they were able to find wounded victims. Regardless the debate is over whether or not this technology has been a great help in gun violence in high crime areas.

Sept. 5th Pullman Nat'l Monument Opening

 

[VIDEO] I see there were other festivities on Labor Day that featured the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago among other dignitaries. And of course the Alderman of Ward 9 Anthony Beale was around for this since the nat'l monument is in our ward. Here's to the positives of this new tourist destination on this part of town.

This was recorded by local YouTuber artistmac. Enjoy!

I hope you get a kick out of those antique bikes called penny farthings and the two gents riding them in period clothing.

I hope everyone had a restful and safe Labor Day weekend.

Mayor lifts stay-at-home advisory on Friday

 From WTTW

Mayor Lightfoot's stay-at-home order will expire on Friday.https://t.co/Qyt26nDX2C

— WTTW (Chicago PBS) (@wttw) January 20, 2021

Mayor Lori Lightfoot will allow the advisory that urges Chicagoans to stay home in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 to expire on Friday, officials announced Wednesday.

Lightfoot updated the advisory Monday to reflect Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to lift the toughest restrictions in Chicago after the Illinois Department of Public Health launched a new plan to add hospital staff and beds where the need is greatest.

Although the order issued Monday extended the stay-at-home advisory until Jan. 30, city officials told WTTW News on Wednesday that was an error.

The mayor on Wednesday morning updated the order for the fourth time to allow it to expire at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

“In recent weeks, Chicago has made significant progress in the ongoing fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus,” said Chicago Department of Public Health spokesperson Andy Buchanan. “While there is much more work to be done, we have reached important milestones in curbing the spread of the virus, and we want to thank the countless Chicagoans that continue to do their part to save lives.”

WTTW: Lightfoot Quietly Extends Stay-At-Home Order Until Jan. 10

 The key word here is quietly:

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Sunday quietly extended the advisory that urges Chicagoans at stay home in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 through Jan. 10 — the day before the first Chicago Public Schools students are set to go back to in-person class.

Lightfoot announced a 30-day stay-at-home advisory on Nov. 12, saying that Chicago was facing a sustained and dire second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The advisory took effect on Nov. 16.

To combat the second wave, Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposed statewide restrictions on Nov. 20 that closed museums, casinos and theaters while limiting the capacity of most stores to 25%, while grocery stores can operate at a maximum capacity of 50%.

Indoor gatherings within private residences are limited to six non-household members but are strongly discouraged, according to the advisory.
...
While Lightfoot can order tighter restrictions than the governor for Chicago, she cannot ease his rules, making the stay-at-home advisory, which she extended for 21 days on Sunday, redundant.

Chicagoans should only leave home to go to work or school, to seek medical care or to shop for groceries or take-out meals, according to the stay-at-home advisory.

Alongside Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public of Health, Lightfoot warned Nov. 12 that if Chicagoans did not quickly change their behavior and cancel plans to gather in person for Thanksgiving, another 1,000 Chicagoans would die from COVID-19 before the end of 2020.

I can't wait till life starts to get back to some semblance of normal with this vaccine in 2021....

Second City Cop: Batten Down the Hatches...Again

 While this post at Second City cop is very political, it's a fascinating look at the politics of what happened with Anjanette Young as the police wrongfully served a warrant on her residence. So the windy city cop blogger notes that there is a lack of warrant training among police officers. And then the fall out of this news - which actually happened February 2019 - has reached the mayor's office. And just today a corporation counsel for the city has resigned their post.

Heard about the case of Anjanette Young

 She was a social worker who's home was hit wrongfully by a police search warrant. Capitol Fax shared a press release from an organization of social workers & Black legislators on this subject. Also in that post are a number of links to stories with regards to Ms. Young.

From the Black legislators' press release:

What we see play out in the video of Anjanette Young is an act of racism, gendered violence and yet another violation of a Black woman’s dignity and safety. She told police 43 times that they had the wrong house, yet they stood there while she remained handcuffed and unclothed. Ms. Young had the courage to pursue the release of CPD bodycam footage in the face of legal threats from the City’s top leaders. Now it’s our turn to pursue justice and accountability for the wrongful trauma Ms. Young experienced, all rooted in the same systemic racism that plagues Black people throughout our state and country. We will not let Ms. Young stand alone without answers from the City.

Also this story was shared to a more nationwide audience at Instapundit noting:

As Ed Driscoll first raised here, Democratic Mayor of Chicago’s Lori Lightfoot actually directed her personally-appointed city lawyers to block CBS’ Chicago TV station from airing police body cam footage of them arresting and cuffing the wrong woman.

FFS, how can this woman say she believes “Black Lives Matter” when she tries to suppress footage showing potential police misconduct or incompetence? How can any Democrat say they support her and the idea of BLM? She was rightly laughed out of court. Worth noting:

“This isn’t the first time CPD attempted to shield body camera video from public view. Last year, police denied CBS 2’s FOIA request for video that would show how officers handcuffed 8-year-old Royal Wilson during a bad raid. The department said it would be “unduly burdensome” for police to collect, review and redact 16 hours of video.”

I think it's in our best interest to insure police has the correct information so that they won't execute a search warrant on the wrong house. 

Ward 9 Ald. Anthony Beale speaks on the proposed Chicago police budget

 

[VIDEO] There were calls earlier in the course of the past summer to defund CPD from some members of the city council. It seems in this latest news, those voices may well get what they want. However, Mayor Lori Lightfoot isn't asking for deeper cuts because as she puts it rightfully the police aren't our enemy.

You will see Ald. Anthony Beale speak on this in this video from CBS Chicago. He's actually with the Mayor and they're somewhat at odds to put it nicely on a lot of policies, however, he doesn't agree with deeper cuts either.

Regardless consider the fallout from the pandemic and the damage to the economy with people out of work and some businesses having to shut down as a result there are some very difficult decisions to be made. If you don't want these cuts, where will the money come from?