Tuesday, January 13, 2009
News / Clout City Community benefits
Posted by Mick Dumke on 01.13.09 at 06:07 PM
South-side aldermen and community activists long ago realized that Mayor Daley had fallen headlong in love with the idea of bringing the Olympics to Chicago, and that it didn’t matter what they or anyone else thought or did—he was going to press ahead with plans to use their neighborhoods and parks for housing and athletic facilities.
So instead of trying to stop the Olympics push, they promised to go along with it—as long as the mayor and his people agreed to go along with their demands for affordable housing, construction jobs, and other “community benefits.”
It’ll soon be evident if the strategy has worked.
With activists and union members standing behind them, aldermen Toni Preckwinkle and Pat Dowell announced this morning that they were introducing an ordinance at today’s City Council meeting requiring the bid committee to include community benefits in their plans. Aldermen Bob Fioretti, Willie Cochran, and Leslie Hairston had signed on as cosponsors though they weren’t there.
The ordinance, which activists said was developed through a series of neighborhood forums, is wide-ranging and ambitious. It would mandate that the city and Olympic planners
· “seek to make” 30 percent of the housing developed for the Olympic Village affordable when it’s turned over to the private market after the games;
· pay home owners market-rate value or above for their property if they’re displaced by the games, and give three months’ notice to renters;
· set aside 50 percent of all Olympics-related contracts to minority- or women-owned firms;
· generate quarterly reports detailing the use of public funds;
· create a jobs program for unemployed residents;
· sign a labor agreement with building trades unions;
· “rebuild Chicago’s bus and train system” and “fill in critical gaps” in it;
· work with state and federal officials to bring high-speed rail to the region.
No one at the Chicago 2016 press office returned my call for comment, but Preckwinkle said a copy of the ordinance had been delivered to the committee last week. “I think they understand this has to be done,” she said.
If that’s true, it will be well received in the City Council. But I’m betting it won’t sail through as easily as the mayor’s Olympic funding plan did at today’s meeting, leaving even finance committee chairman (and master rhetorician) Ed Burke wondering why there wasn't any debate.
But for now Jay Travis, executive director of the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, prefers to signal optimism. “We’ve talked to a few folks in the City Council, and we know that building the support it takes to pass the ordinance will take a lot of work.”
If by "work" she means something like “threats to picket the mayor’s ass whenever international Olympic officials just might be looking,” she's got a chance.
Comments (14)
Showing 1-14 of 14
"If by "work" she means something like “threats to picket the mayor’s ass whenever international Olympic officials just might be looking,†she's got a chance." Have you been reading the SCC blog lately?
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The maggot mayor will say anything to get his project past the starting gate. He lied about not asking the tax payers to foot the bill. Do you think he will keep his word or abide by some agreement. The only people who are going to make any money on the Olympics are Machine minions. Anything crumbs ,or garbage will be given to the so-called community interest.
Mayor Daley is a real hero. Chicago is better due to KIng Richard. Thanks for listening.
Selling off public assets,to cover tax and pension monies stolen. 2. Over 500 homicides 3. over 200 tortured 4. Greater mob influence. 5. Development,and Zoning scams. 6. rubber stamped city council. 7. Hiring and workers comp fraud. 8. Public at risk from corrupt Building Department. 9. Daley committing perjury. 10. hired trucks. 11. criminal political Gangs(HDO) ECT. ECT ECT.
What we need is a massive, unprecedented infusion of spending to strengthen our economy. The Preident-elect understands this and is preparing to act accordingly. The 2016 Olympics will provide an even better local opportunity for growth, as the period in which this spending will occur is significantly longer. Our splendidly led city government is the only local institution which can initiate such a grand plan. Once serious resources are advanced toward this great event, collateral spending by the private sector will undoubtedly follow. Our visionary mayor understands this and has chosen the wise course. As for the amount (500 million) that has to be put up by taxpayers, even if every cent was spent its still a good deal. In fact, screw it, make it an even billion. We'll see all that and more in increased local economic activity, which increases government revenues, which in turn alleviates the need for additional taax and fee increases. My toga is ready. Let the spending begin!!!
property tax used for Olympics. I told you , Daley cries broke before the budget, than after he gets our money, he spends it on projects so his friends and family can get rich! WE are the dumb fucks!
Oh I cant wait for all the graft. Buckets of graft will reign down on the well connected.
The SAME shit & Laugh his ass off to the bank & Care LESS about the POOR, Gullible peasants he hoodwinked.
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