Wednesday, October 31, 2007
News / Clout City Win the battle, lose the war?
Posted by Mick Dumke on Wed, Oct 31, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Angry demonstrators clogged the common space just outside City Council chambers Wednesday morning, protesting, among other things, the Daley administration's proposed tax increases on beer, wine, and spirits. "What's the most expensive ingredient in beer?" one sign said. "Taxes!"
Protests or press conferences of some kind happen before nearly every full City Council meeting, but this one attracted some recent converts to civil disobedience, such as aldermen Eugene Schulter and Patrick Levar. Both are reliable Daley votes in the council, but this time both ripped the idea of taxing alcoholic beverages, saying that would only succeed in driving "mom-and-pop stores and taverns" out of the city.
It's obvious that the mayor's 2008 budget plan is going to have to change. Daley has even said so, announcing that he's willing to slash some of the nearly $300 million in proposed new taxes, including more than $100 million in property levies, and at least delay some spending, such as for additional cops and recycling services. The mayor is a skilled enough politician that he can present this as a thoughtful, generous compromise. In fact, he'd hardly be the first public official to anger everyone with the specter of a gargantuan tax hike, then show apparent benevolence by implementing a slightly smaller one.
On the other hand, the mayor doesn't have a choice this time.
While some aldermen have moaned about the booze taxes, others have blasted the tax on bottled water or the jacked-up fines for parking violations, and just about everyone has run from the massive property tax increase.
Leading the property tax bitch-fest--it doesn't rise to the level of a "revolt" or even "coffee-cup rebellion"--are the northwest- and southwest-side white and Latino guys who are usually the mayor's closest allies. "The property tax stuff is no good," said 38th Ward alderman Tom Allen, who then asked this reporter for ideas to generate more revenue.
That's the problem right now: just about everybody agrees that the new taxes stink, but they don't know what else to do. Some aldermen have proposed things like scaling back a couple of the TIFs downtown, selling off city-owned plots of land, or fining people who hang signs without a permit, but these ideas don't have widespread support or won't generate enough to replace existing proposals. A few aldermen have groused that budget talks have so far focused on which ways to raise money rather than where fat can be trimmed.
Most, though, have accepted Daley's argument that any significant cuts will keep Chicago from "moving forward," as his ongoing campaign slogan proclaims. "It's to the point where what used to take a day to get done is going to take a week," said 30th Ward alderman Ariel Reboyras.
But the mayor has to make some choices. He knows his budget doesn't have close to a council majority. Black and "independent" aldermen appear to be more open to many of the tax ideas than the mayor's usual friends, but they're only going to support them if Daley gives them a few gifts in return--such as additional funding for the Inspector General's office or an agreement to settle the police torture lawsuits.
Daley's not going to make those deals. So instead he's got to appease the aldermen who represent the bungalow belt. "In this environment, there's not a lot the mayor can promise you--or threaten you with, which he never did openly, but it happened," said Brian Doherty, alderman of the conservative 41st Ward on the far northwest side. "The old patronage-type government is gone, there are new aldermen in the council, and people are against this property tax increase. It makes for an interesting time."
Doherty's prediction: "They'll keep lowering the property tax until they get 26 votes."
That's what other mayoral allies, such as council budget committee chair Carrie Austin, are already talking about.
But don't expect many more spending reductions. These aldermen are now hoping manna will drop from the sky. On the off chance that doesn't happen, they're wondering how high they can raise vehicle stickers and other fees, how fast parking meters can be leased to a private company, and what the odds are that the state will deliver Chicago a casino.
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Let the aldermen keep Daley on the hook. It's about time after years of waste waste and more waste. Why should anyone rush to help the mayor after all these years, they finally have enough aldemen not inthe mayors pocket to say NO to the school yard bully who got his way for the last 20 years.
Chicago cops got caught beating a suspect in full public view. the suspect was in handcuffs. A Water department truck and a cop car was used to absorb the kids face and body we saw blows and kicks to the private parts. And you wonder why the city is broke. Happened at Karlov and Madision. 911 called. Man I would hate to be poor and black in the west side of Chicago.
Be careful what you wish for: "Kozicki October 25th - 7:53 p.m. Oct 31 the Mayor will have the Alderman vote for his tax plan. I will asume none of you brave souls whom poster here, will have the stones to come and show your displeasure with our Administration." You wish is granted.
Yep, be careful what you wish for: "CHRIS KOZICKI October 28th - 5:09 p.m. To all fellow posters Oct 31 there will be a council meeting regarding the proposed and needed revenue increases. Mayor Daley would love to have the input of all concerned citizens"
Lets travel back to the Mayoral Election way way way back to March 2007. Alderman Levar"I endorse the the greatest Mayor of all time", Alderman Eugene Schulter and Alderman Doherty said the same thing. Matter of fact, Daley came to the 41st ward on Doherty's behalf. The point. I ,a little ex-city worker, can pick out the mis-management in this administration. From Millinium Park to Rainblockers . This mayor is like a boy with a charge card . He spends more than he makes. The City Council members you mention are veterans of the Council. They knew the mayor was spending to much, but did nothing to prevent it years ago. Does anyone still remeber the $500 million dollars the Council gave him for O'Hare expansion this year? Or the millions of dollars in funding for the Olympics that no one wants. These Alderman the article just mentioned are playing a game. They have to look good to the people in their wards. They mayor is a spoiled child, you give him a inch , he will take a mile. These Alderman(along with the mayor) are just playing "ask for alot, and take what they'll give you". The Mayor asked for the moon , knowing he would settle for a star! The Alderman are in the space craft with him.
Kozicki you inbred 11th warder, You as well as I know he fills the council room with his clan. If any taxpayer even tried to drive downtown( can't use public transit-it sucks!), pay $30.00 to park, go into City Hall to the Council Chambers. There would be a line out the door of all his departments heads(5200 in all ,making $75,000.00 per year). So anyone with a bitch could never get in to complain to King Richie!
I do not care what is taxed or how much as long as City Hall payday keeps coming on the 1st and 16th of every month. Why is everyone so upset ? It is payday today @ City Hall and the sun is shining so brightly ! Thanks taxpayers, keep working, I got bills to pay and a pension that needs only a few more years to max out at 80%. Life is beautiful.
thanks for putting "independent" in scare quotes anyway
"Black and "independent" aldermen appear to be more open to many of the tax ideas than the mayor's usual friends, but they're only going to support them if Daley gives them a few gifts in return--such as additional funding for the Inspector General's office or an agreement to settle the police torture lawsuits." Listening on aldertrack, it seems like most of Daley's dept heads were grilled on minority hiring & contracting. Apparently these numbers are not available elsewhere. To the list of "gifts" you might add renewed lip-service to minority hiring & contracting and the 120% bump in the aldermen's office allowance. http://aldertrack.typepad.com/aldertrack2/ http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-daleyoct12,1,4932492.story
Frank Coconate should run for Mayor. He is not too smart, but one heck of a speaker. The Rainblockers were exposed by some disgruntled sewer workers, not coconate. Frank clings on to everything someone else comes up with, and tries to steal credit. Coconate is a laborer, just a ditchdigger, an a lazy one at that.
Thanks! I will run for Mayor if I win the 41st ward Democratic Committeeman race. The more you keep bringing my name up , the more people see it! Thanks!
This is about libraries and kids.
What an appropriate title. "Win the BATTLE, lose the WAR" While the citizen's attention is manipulated to focus on the issue of threatened higher taxes, with the typical "ask for a lot, and take what they'll give you" fraudulent maneuver, our cabals of usual suspects continue to play 'king of the mountain', with our financial lives and well-being paying for their games. While we fret and worry about the threatened cuts in ESSENTIAL services, bitch and moan about the seemingly endless stream of our tax dollars being funneled into the pockets of the cabal's minions, panic at the impending arrival of property tax bills, (and the financial strains resulting from same), the usual suspects bide their time, play their games, and put on a show that rivals anything Hollywood has ever produced. THEY don't really care if WE 'protest', it's what they want us to do, it allows them to SEEM to be listening to our complaints, to give us the impression that our opinions actually matter to them. They don't. What matters to them is that we, the citizens, blow off enough steam NOW, so that, by the time another election rolls around, we'll have run out of steam. Our resident machine hack gofer, the ever-dependable 'orion', has summed it up succinctly: "Thanks taxpayers, keep working, I got bills to pay and a pension that needs only a few more years to max out at 80%. Life is beautiful." Translation: "Fuck you, taxpayers, 'cause I got mine" There is only one solution, to the ongoing problem of taxation devoid of authentic, honest representation. HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT 1) REGISTER TO VOTE 2) Make a list of every INCUMBENT, (leaving those few incumbents who you are CERTAIN deserve to be reelected off of your list) 3) BRING this list with you when you go to vote 4) DO NOT vote for ANYONE on your list 5) If the INCUMBENT has only one CHALLENGER, vote for that CHALLENGER, no matter who it may be 6) If the INCUMBENT has 2 or more challengers, then: If the INCUMBENT'S name is listed FIRST, then vote for the CHALLENGER who's name is LISTED LAST or If the INCUMBENT'S name is NOT LISTED FIRST, then vote for the CHALLENGER who's name IS LISTED FIRST (This will concentrate the most votes for a SINGLE CHALLENGER, thus providing the greatest possibility of the incumbent losing) 7) whenever you have the choice to RETAIN or NOT RETAIN an elected official, ANY elected official, vote to NOT RETAIN 8) Vote for whomever you choose, for whatever your reasons, it's your vote and you can cast it for whomever you please, but, REMEMBER, the INCUMBENTS are the people who have been, are, and will continue to be, the people responsible for ALL of our current economic troubles. Cast your votes with the SOLE purpose in mind of ousting practically all those currently holding, and ABUSING, the power and authority they've been entrusted with. This strategy, IF APPLIED, will GUARANTEE that the incumbents WILL LOSE EVERY TIME. Primaries are the PERFECT opportunity for HONEST individuals, of either major party, to CHALLENGE the corrupt, old-school hacks infesting their respective parties. Whether you consider yourself essentially a 'liberal' or 'conservative', a Democrat or Republican, a mixture of both, or 'none of the above, you must acknowledge that the entrenched members of BOTH parties have been, currently are, and WILL CONTINUE TO BE responsible for fucking up the lives of the 'common citizens'. Independent-minded, authentic Democrats AND Republicans should flood their respective primaries with CHALLENGERS and vote according to the HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT protocols, with the determined goal of replacing each party's respective incumbent hacks with anyone BUT the incumbent hack. In the general election, both Democrats and Republicans will then have the opportunity to elect a candidate who is NOT a hack, NOT a part of the old-school hack machine, NOT one of the rascal, schemers currently picking our pockets. and, may well be a person more authentically committed to the ideals of true democracy. Those citizens who are sick and tired of the ways in which BOTH Democrats and Republicans have fucked up our city, county, state and country, can also apply this voting strategy in the general election, (should any incumbent hacks survive their respective primaries), to ensure that practically ALL incumbents are ousted. In addition, this will also open up the general election for any and all independent candidates to have a chance of successfully challenging the major party candidates. GET REGISTERED TO VOTE VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION, (be it a Primary or a General Election.) USE THE POWER OF YOUR VOTE TO COMPEL CHANGE It's Simple, Effective & Easy. S.E.E.? No need to struggle, no need to protest, no need to attempt to persuade those who are proven to be deaf to our pleas and concerns, no need to believe the lies and bullshits, no need to figure out which individual elected officials are responsible for our troubles, as they are ALL responsible for acting irresponsibly. Silent, but deadly. HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
Coconate for Mayor November 1st - 11:46 a.m. Frank Coconate should run for Mayor. He is not too smart, but one heck of a speaker. The Rainblockers were exposed by some disgruntled sewer workers, not coconate. We only saw Coconate uncover this story? What City sewer workers are you talking about ?
Navy Pier Operations is loaded with waste. Lou "the barber" Delmedico, Tanya DeLeo and bunch of Ghost pay-rollers. Call me at 773-507-5572 ask for Noseanate!
Don't believe a word I say. I am a liar, just like my husband, the ex-governor.
Are you the same Jane Thompson, married to Jim Thompson, the ex-governor of Illinois, the guy who built the Republican Corruption Machine, then handed it off to his close friend, associate and political alley-cat, George 'the Glutton' Ryan?
How many City of Chicago workers does it take to change a lightblub? Abate Carmen J Street Light Repairman Dept Of Streets & Sanitation Salary - $74,984 $75k a year plus benefits & pension to change a fucking light bulb? Do you think this wanton largesse by the City could be why they're millions in the hole? Do you think? try finding a job in the real world that will pay even half that for changing fucking light bulbs. I'm sick of this stinking, festering City and all the lazyass otherwise unemployable morons who are raping the good honest people of Chicago every day.
I wonder if my millions will keep me and Daley out of hell? At least, we can use them as blankets there.
are you, Yes that is I.
The leader always get his way. The genius of MAYOR DALEY is unbelieveable. He is letting the Alderman save face by making it appear they are rebelling against DALEY. They will approve his tax/fare increases. DALEY will be his Casino just in time for the 2016 olympics. Mick is a little sawed off fool,whom greatest admirer is Frank Cocohead. Good luck with our TV show ,maybe 10 people will watch ha ha
11th man, By you being one of the 10, it makes the cable show worth it!Your guy the mayor sold his son out for him and his Irish Outfit!
Hey Franky, amazing how you you fixed the budget problem in Chicago. Tell everyone on t.v. about your personal bankruptcy since Jan Pestka exposed your loafing. You did not work at Chicago Water Department, and you still have no job, looks like an open an shut case. GET A JOB AND HELP YOUR FAMILY.
Thanks for giving me credit on solving the Budget problems of the City of Chicago. But you are incorrect in saying I filed for bankruptcy, even though I know you care. Ex- Commissioner Pestka shouldn't get all the credit for firing me, Brian Murphy also had in a hand in it, along with Lobbyist for Honor Gaurd Security, Ron Pashel. In regards to working at Water Management, I always did my job for 27 years. Matter of FACT, I won safety Awards for 11 of those years for keeping City workers at work and not at home injured with pay.The only mistake I made was helping Union Workers get a fair shake.I do appreciate you being concerned about my family , but they are doing fine . My oldest daughter just made the H.S basketball team, my other daughter is 7-0 with her bb team and my son is just getting started...thanks again for being concerned.
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