Sun-Times: Mayor Johnson takes aim at Rahm Emanuel, ex-mayor's 'neoliberal agenda'

Rahm Emanuel

Does Mayor Brandon Johnson view his predecessor as a threat? It sure seems that way if you believe this report from the Chicago Sun-Times:

Johnson’s barbs directed at Emanuel came when he was asked during his weekly City Hall news conference whether the school funding increase he plans to seek next week during a lobbying trip to Springfield would be enough to avert a stalled, $300 million, high-interest loan at the Chicago Public Schools.

Instead of answering the question directly, Johnson unleashed a tirade against Emanuel, whom he has attacked before, though never so aggressively.

The mayor said he was watching an interview with Emanuel recently and was “incredibly bothered by his temerity.” Johnson said there has been a “long, sustained movement” in Chicago to push back against the “neoliberal agenda” that Emanuel championed to “set up austere budgets” targeting African-Americans and the “public accommodations” that support them.

“The playbook that Donald Trump is running is a playbook that Emanuel executed in this city,” Johnson said.

“We didn’t get here because we just happen to have a tyrant in the White House. We got here because someone gave him the script… The shutting of schools. The firing of Black women. Privatizing our public education system is why the system is as jacked up as it is today.”

Johnson said Emanuel, who famously closed nearly 50 public schools in 2013 in one fell swoop, had “immense disdain for public education and particularly Black, Brown and poor children, and he was vocal about it.”

“He told one of my heroes — sheroes — that 25% of children won’t become anything. Those are his words directly to Karen Lewis,” Johnson said of the late Chicago Teachers Union president whose planned 2015 mayoral campaign against Emanuel was derailed when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“And now, he’s prancing around this country asking people to reconsider him,” Johnson said. “It is not just frustrating. It is beyond offensive.”

I've commented a lot about the prospect of a future third term for Rahm Emanuel and there is speculation on him running for either Governor next year, mayor in '27, or even President in '28.

The reason why he had forgone a third term in '19 was because of his standing among city voters. It was clear he was unpopular and think about it, he had to deal with a runoff in '15.

In considering the last two mayors we had, we know what we were getting. We might have an issue with what happened with Laquan McDonald and that was a tragedy, however, the last two mayors didn't know what they were doing.

What are your thoughts on the former Mayor Emanuel possibly running for another term as Mayor? You see anyone else who you'd think would be a better candidate?

Block Club Chi: 1 In 5 Chicagoans Will Lose Access To CTA, Pace, Metra If State Doesn’t Fund Public Transit, RTA Says

transitchicago.com

Any concerns about this current transit fiscal crisis? 

The Regional Transit Authority oversees Metra, Pace, and the Chicago Transit Authority and they're sounding the alarm over funding gaps. In what ways could this affect the CTA?

The RTA contends this impending crisis was caused by “decades of underfunding” from the state. Seventeen percent of the agency’s operating budget comes from the state — a significantly lower portion than in other major transit systems. In New York, 28 percent of its regional transit authority’s operating revenue comes from the state. It’s 44 percent in Boston and 50 percent in Philadelphia, according to the RTA.

The lack of state funding, combined with the end of federal aid provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left the system in a precarious position, the RTA said.

If the cuts occur, the most drastic changes would be felt in Chicago, where the CTA would be forced to shut down half the city’s “L” lines and eliminate nearly 60 percent of bus routes, cutting bus access for 500,000 Chicagoans and leaving “260,000 city workers without a reliable way to commute,” according to the RTA release. The frequency of both train and bus service on remaining lines would be reduced by 25 percent.

If this happened, the CTA would go from the third-largest transit system in the country to having fewer bus routes than Madison, Wisconsin, or Kansas City, Missouri, according to the RTA.

“Public transit is what helped shape the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs as we know it today — it is why and how millions of us call this region ‘home,'” CTA acting President Nora Leerhsen said in a statement. “The results of a 40 percent service reduction are unconscionable, and no decisions about our service future will be made without community input.”

It seems, the state and city finds a way to make it work financially and service resumes under current levels. Of course, there are other issues I would like CTA to address such as safety and even how some riders are smoking on the trains.

Having to rely on transit at the current time cutting services would be inconvenient for me. Of course what bus routes would be cut if CTA isn't funded. And I already take for granted (at least over the years) the headways of the Red Line during the day at least. How infrequent would service on the L be once it's budgeted accordingly?

Do you support recalling a Chicago Mayor?

 This recent post by CapFax talks about the current movement to recall a Chicago Mayor and the history of such a movement.

Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel interviewed by Mary Ann Ahern

 

[VIDEO] Our former mayor and current Ambassador to Japan speaks on the recent Presidential race which resulted in a win for the 45th President Donald Trump who returns to the Presidency as the 47th President. What he says about the Democrats and perhaps what caused them to lose the election last month and he cited the feel good about themselves messaging of the Democrats and even looked at the measures enacted during the 2020 pandemic.

I do think we'd be in a different place in 2020 or so had he still been mayor.

DO NOT SKIP school board races

 I found this on the FB page for Ward 15 Ald. Ray Lopez sharing this graphic of preferred candidates for the Chicago Board of Education. One of those names was highlighted yesterday Miquel Lewis, and this graphic is basically against the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

It may explain the anti-Lewis mailer I shared with you yesterday.

Anti-Miquel Lewis flyer - candidate for Chicago School Board Dist. 9

The below flyers are from the Chicago Teachers Union that are urging voters to reject Miquel Lewis who is running in the 9th District for the Board of Education along with Lanetta Thomas. 

As you will see Lewis is being tied with former President Donald Trump and this so-called Project 2025 agenda. Also note that the School Board races are non-partisan and there is nothing that shows Lewis' political affiliation.

 I'm sure there is a way to verify any campaign funds that Lewis is receiving for his bid for a seat on Chicago's school board. As we even saw with Paul Vallas who ran for Mayor of Chicago in 2023 to tie anyone to Trump or any Republican is something that voters in Chicago may well respond to.

Below are flyers from Lewis' campaign. We need a counterpoint here and hopefully you might decide for yourself what his inclinations are before you hit the ballot box.

You can visit his campaign website here: https://www.miquellewisforeducation.com/

Candidate for CPS School Board Dist. 9

 We're less than one month away from Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024. We'll be voting especially for President (I have to add that early voting had started on October 3, 2024). Also this year we'll be voting for members of the Chicago Board of Education.

This mailer arrived in my mailbox recently for a candidate for the Board of Education a woman, a veteran of the U.S. Army - Lanetta Thomas -  is seeking a seat on the new school board representing District 9.

You can check her out at the website friendsforlanetta.org or check her "socials" X/Twitter & Facebook @friendsforlanetta.

Anyone else seeking a Chicago school board seat?

Again Election Day is Nov 5, 2024 and early voting is going on in downtown Chicago starting on Oct. 3, 2024. Have you registered to vote, yet?

NBC Chicago: State's Attorney's race

[VIDEO]As you may know the incumbent State's Attorney Kim Foxx has opted not to run for a second term. And the two likely successors are in a close race to replace her former Cook County prosecutor Clayton Harris III & former Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke. Below are the results as I wrote this post.

This was in interesting discussion that was had in the above clip from NBC Chicago which included former IL GOP state house minority leader Jim Durkin who had considered throwing his hat into the race on the Republican side. However, he concluded that he would be running a more challenging race where he'd have to answer for the now Republican nominee for President Donald Trump. He would state for the record that he's not a Trump supporter and that he opposes him but he knows instead of saying what he could bring to the State's Attorney office he'd have to answer any possible connections that could be made with former President Trump.

Regardless though it's an obvious conclusion, Cook County is a solidly Democrat county and most likely any Republican would have a tough time here. Perhaps who might head the ticket in a Presidential Race might prove to be a huge issue in the long run.

Let's open up the discussion here. How did you vote in the State's Attorney race? Is crime an important issue? You think either Burke or Harris have different approaches to the crime issue in Chicago?

Write-in for Ward 9 Democrat Committeeman

 Actually it's "commiteeperson" but that just sounds awful like "alderperson," yuck!

Anything it's unusual to see two flyers for the volunteer, elected position of ward committeeperson, committeeman, or committeewoman which is up for election on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 (wait that's this coming Tuesday) in time for our state's presidential primary. On top of that both the incumbent Committeeman is one Ald. Anthony Beale and his opponent ran against him last year for Alderman Cleopatra Draper. Both of these flyers show that both are seeking write-in votes.

Really?

Granted in the last few years, the committeeman err sorry committeeperson ewww spot doesn't have the importance it used to. Historically when Chicago had its strong political machine, the committeeman was a very important - and especially the Democrat committeeman - position for getting out the vote. And perhaps doling out political patronage, anyone is free to correct me if I'm not entirely correct on this.

However, for both candidates to chase write-in votes this year? What happened?

I can't believe an incumbent Alderman couldn't get enough votes to secure a spot on this ballot for this position. Ms. Draper, I think I understand her though she was on the ballot for Alderman err sorry Alderperson yuck last year. This year in 2024 what gives why are both candidates chasing write-in votes?

2024 is already being set up as an usual election we know former President Donald Trump has snapped up the GOP nomination. So you may want to vote against him in this state if you pull a Republican ballot, it really doesn't matter. And never mind the confusing attempt to use the 14th Amendment to keep him off the ballot not just here but in Vermont and Colorado for example.

As far as the incumbent President in Joe Biden unless something weird happens he'll probably be the Democrats choice in November and I'm not sure who's on the ballot against him in Illinois. I do wish it was a Kennedy though it seems he's choosing to run as an independent.

Regardless as we consider other offices beyond committeeperson or President this year. What we may see at the top of our ballots in November will be two former presidents in a rematch of the 2020 race.

However, we have to get through the primary this coming Tuesday, March 19, 2024. If you haven't voted early go ahead and do that on Monday, March 18, 2024.

I also hope you all had a safe and fun St. Patrick's Day 🍀

IL Channel - Cook County Dem State's Attorney candidates, a choice not an echo

[VIDEO] We see Public Affairs host Jeff Berkowitz discuss the race for Cook County State's Attorney - Kim Foxx the sitting State's Attorney is not running for re-election. 

Eilenn Burke and Clayton Harris are Democrats running to replace Kim Foxx. Former Alderman Bob Fioretti is running as a Republican. And Berkowitz points out that there is a Libertarian running also, Andrew Charles Kopinski.

Earlier this month there was a debate between the two Democrat candidates for State's Attorney. You can watch that here if you didn't see it the first time.

The primary election is March 19, 2024. This year in addition to Cook County State's Attorney we're voting for President, so in March we vote in a presidential primary for the candidate to stand for election in November 2024. Of course we vote for a Republican or Democrat committeeman err committeeperson. In addition to voting our respective state legislators, county judges, etc.

Check out ChicagoElections.org to see who's on your ballot when you vote.

Also, early voting is paused due to court order. A judicial candidate is to be kicked off a ballot! 

Early voting had started on February 15, 2024. However, as soon as it's open again that news will be shared here on this blog.

CapFax: (state senate president) Harmon still waiting for “clear direction” from mayor on elected school board

What's going on with that fully-elected schoolboard & what is that Chicago Teacher Union activist Mayor's position on this issue? Why won't he make a clear position on an elected schoolboard?

Harmon still waiting for “clear direction” from mayor on elected school board https://t.co/cWftLG4IqJ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) January 17, 2024

 

CapFax: Alderman attacked....

 Ald. Julia Ramirez (Ward 12) was attacked by constituents who were "protesting" a proposed tent camp in the Brighton Park neighborhood.

I would say citizens have a right to be concerned about immigrants to be housed in their communities. There have been stories out there about crime involving these immigrants who have been bused from places such as Texas primarily. Something needs to be done and there needs to be a better plan than a tent camp or just allowing them to shelter at district police stations.

What we don't need is footage of an Alderman (or Alderwoman but never Alderperson yuck) being whisked away from their constituents because of a violent mob (verbal or physical abuse). I'm glad to see today that the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council denounces the actions of the crowd.

Here's raw footage from what happened on Thurday via WGN News [VIDEO]

Red Line extension gets $2 billion, one step closer to reality

Well this is what the Sun-Times says that $2 billion is pledged towards.

The $3.7 billion Red Line extension has “advanced to the final phase” of the painstaking, federal funding process. The feds are making a $2 billion commitment to cover half the cost and authorizing CTA to advance to the engineering stage, which CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. called the “final step ... in order to begin construction.”

The CTA hopes to award an engineering and construction contract and begin preliminary work before the end of this year, then reach the final step — a full-funding grant agreement with the feds. That would pave the way for construction of the extension and four stations to begin in 2025.

“You have heard us talk about this project for decades, but I’m here to tell you the project is now happening,” Carter told a news conference at the Red Line Extension Community Outreach Center, 401 W. 111th St.

The Red Line extension includes new stations at 103rd; 111th Street near Eggleston Avenue; along Michigan Avenue near 116th Street; and the new terminus at 130th Street near Altgeld Gardens.

Here's a WGN story about this which aired on the news yesterday. It features comments from Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Mayor Brandon Johnson, CTA Pres. Dorval Carter, and Ald. Anthony Beale as he will benefit from this new L branch. [VIDEO] 

Michael Madigan gives up his ward committeeman position

 Not exactly huge news, but worth sharing I suppose.

The base of Michael Madigan's power as Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party is being the committeeman for the 13th Ward. There was a reason that he had been the longest serving speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives since about 1983 until he resigned in early 2021.

Well he resigned from his seat in the Illinois General Assembly, he dropped out of the running for his Speakership as his continued leadership was said to be toxic in Democrat races around the state. It came out that there was a sexual harassment scandal involving people on his staff.

And then of course there is this ComEd bribery business. People connected with his organization have faced trial and he will have his federal trial next year on April 1, 2024 - sorry to note this it's April Fool's Day '24.

However for a man who had been so powerful and I respect some aspects of his cunning and political acumen it's amazing how far he has fallen from power. He gave up his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, his speakership, the chairmanship of the state party, and now his Democratic ward committeeman spot.

Times have truly changed.

Now petitions are circulating for next year. We vote for among other offices for President. In next years party primary one of those offices up for election is ward committeperson.

CapFax: CTU president won’t answer questions about enrolling her son in private prep school

 Let me enter a quote before we link to Capitol Fax

To me, the Chicago Magazine quote, “I can’t advocate on behalf of public education and the children of this city and educators in this city without it taking root in my own household” really leaves her open to this.

CapFax: MAA grills the mayor on the CTU, CPD and Arwady

 NBC Chicago's Mary Ann Ahern speaks with Mayor Johnson and when you click through to the Capitol Fax blog be prepared for the evasive answers.

MAA grills the mayor on the CTU, CPD and Arwady https://t.co/5Y493Eyegf

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) August 22, 2023

ABL: DANGEROUS Illegal Aliens THREATEN Black Chicago Residents!

 

[VIDEO] Anthony Brian Logan isn't a Chicago resident and allow me to make that clear, he is one of those citizen YouTube personalities who talk about what's going on in the world. He's talking about Chicago and the issues of one neighborhood - particularly Woodlawn - and their issues with the migrants who have taken up residence at a neighborhood school Wadwsorth Elementary.

So he looks at a report from our local CBS affiliate WBBM-TV or CBS 2 Chicago and listen to resident comments towards city officials which include a deputy mayor, a deputy police superintendent, and an Alderman in this case Jeanette Taylor. Of course the town hall got heated though it underscores in some respects how unhappy some people in this city are with these migrants coming into their neighborhoods.

The other day I was walking around the Streeterville neighborhood, and I do believe it was noted in the WBBM-TV report. And near the intersection of St. Clair & Ohio there's a hotel there and you see these migrants (presumably I might add) just standing around loitering near the hotel and in a nearby alley. That alley is next door to a Dunkin Donuts. I'm amazed that this going on one block away from Michigan Avenue - the Magnificient Mile.

Just so that you might not be persuaded solely by the commentary offered by ABL, I will share links to the WBBM-TV report both video and a written report from the Hyde Park Herald.  [VIDEO]

Inauguration Day - City of Chicago

 A new city council, a new mayor, in addition to the incumbent treasurer and clerk get sworn into office today. Check out the live feed from our WLS-TV. [VIDEO]

Illinois Channel: Will Mayor-Elect Johnson IGNORE the Biggest Issue?

 

[VIDEO] Illinois Channel Director Terry Martin & Public Affairs host Jeff Berkowitz discuss mayor-elect Brandon Johnson. One question to ask if the mayor-to-be would ignore the issue of crime that most Chicagoans are worried about?

I see only that last-night there was some issues - most call it a melee or a mini-riot - near the 31st Street beach on Friday night. Most who commented on this via Twitter just joked that the Mayor-elect would sent social workers to this instead of a significant police presence.

Chicago will host the 2024 DNC

 Well next year the Windy City will be host to the Democrat Nat'l Convention. This is hitting the wires today.

It has been in the news that Gov. Pritzker, Sen. Duckworth, and outgoing Mayor Lightfoot had been working on a bid to get the 2024 Democrat convention here in Chicago. It seems their work has been successful and perhaps it will be incoming Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson big opportunity to showcase the city he will soon be set to lead for the next four years.

CNBC:

The Democratic Party has chosen Chicago as the site of its 2024 convention.

President Joe Biden called Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to tell him about Chicago’s selection Tuesday morning before leaving for Ireland.

“Chicago is a great choice to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” Biden said in a statement. “Democrats will gather to showcase our historic progress including building an economy from the middle out and bottom up, not from the top down.”

The City of Big Shoulders last hosted a convention in 1996, when then-President Bill Clinton ran for re-election and Democrats helped make famous the “Macarena” dance.

...

“The last Chicago convention was a huge success. It makes sense to put the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 2024. Every facility where it will be located will be a union facility. Every hotel is a union hotel,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth told NBC News Thursday. “We are a state that guaranteed in multiple ways the right of women to have reproductive choice. And in fact, we are a beacon of hope and security for women’s health care from all of the states around us.”

Chicago was first viewed as a leading contender more than a year ago. But the DNC has a more troubled history in the city, when police brutality was on display at the 1968 Democratic convention. Thousands of Vietnam War protesters descended on the city in a wide-scale rebuke of the war. Police tear-gassed, dragged and beat demonstrators — images that were captured on television. That moment gave birth to a chant, “the whole world is watching,” signifying activism in the face of abusive authority.

The decision to choose Chicago came after deliberations and site visits from Democratic National Committee members. In recent months, the DNC viewed Chicago and Atlanta as the front-runners, with New York City remaining in the mix.

Part of me wishes the convention could be held at House of Hope in Pullman. Well one day there will be a major convention there with connections to the action in downtown. It's logical that the DNC will hold their convention at the United Center aka the Madhouse on Madison.

For those of you who are Republican or those Republicans who still exist in our great city, the GOP will host their nat'l convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It seems there will be focus on these Great Lake states (really Wisconsin, Michigan & Pennsylvania) which proved very pivotal in 2016 & 2020.