Chicago Megathread: With CTU on strike, Lightfoot lays out her budget

[Mr. Illini]

It's just so unprecedented. Even when Richie was winning with 70% margins, he typically would lose a block of wards that would go to his challenger along racial lines. Same with his dad. Chicago has truly not seen anything like it in at least the last 50 years.

Still trying to figure it all out.

Since 2007. Daley won every ward in both 2007 and 2003.

Interesting - I guess my assessment was not correct. Where do you get the maps for these years? I typically reference Chicago Democracy Project, linked below, but they only go through 1999.

Between when they started mapping and 1999, no candidate won every ward in the primary (back when it was partisan).

I wonder why Daley was able to do it two times in a row when he and his dad were unable to do it for many decades prior. Less racialized politics? Technology making things less localized?

I would still argue that a non-incumbent winning all wards is much different than an incumbent of two decades winning all wards, but alas, we haven't had that many elections with non-incumbents.

[Mr. Illini]

Council members confirm Ed Burke is organizing council against Lightfoot

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-mayor-elect-lori-lightfoot-alderman-edward-burke-organize-against-her/

Reminiscent of the Vrdolyak 29 days against Harold Washington. Difference is that Vrdolyak and Burke are on their way to the pen this time.

I'd like to keep this thread going to discuss Chicago political affairs if that is good with everyone else.

[Mr. Illini]

Last last night, the Mayor-elect notified the Mayor of her request that he delay a committee vote on the controversial Lincoln Yards TIF project that Mayor Emanuel has championed. Lightfoot campaigned on the idea that there should be a cost-benefit analysis done on the TIF system before proceeding with any new TIF districts.

The Mayor agreed to do so, but a handful of council members, most vocally Brian Hopkins of the 2nd, whose ward the project would fall in, threw a fit. They motioned to hold the vote, but Chairman and outgoing 40th ward alderman Pat O'Connor denied it.

O'Connor signaled that there will be another hearing on Wednesday morning and he is hopeful that the Mayor and Mayor-elect can come to an agreement before then so that a vote can be held.

It's only been a week, but if this start is any indication of what her tenure as Mayor will be like, I'd say she will not have a good relationship with the council.

That's a huge plus, btw. A huge number of council members are criminally crooked at worst and owned by developers at best. She just has to identify how she's going to get her agenda through if that relationship isn't there, given that the council has a number of methods it can use to block the Mayor's agenda. She'll have a more cooperative council as of 5/20 than what is currently in place, though.

[Mr. Illini]

Sure enough, the vote will take place today. Lightfoot issued a statement last night saying she secured stronger commitments from the developers on MWBE and giving the green light to the vote.

Yesterday, it appeared that the vote was going to take place today regardless, so it seems that this is Lightfoot is trying to save face by giving the green light. She may appear weak if the council is steamrolling her wishes before she even takes office.

[Mr. Illini]

The cynic in me wonders if Lightfoot and Emanuel came to an agreement to have it go down this way in order to both save face politically.

[Mr. Illini]

It became pretty clear today that Lightfoot misplayed the Lincoln Yards/78 deal. Progressives are now pissed that she has given the green light, yet she looks equally weak in front of the council having come out against it and then caved.

[Mr. Illini]

Lightfoot's May 20 inauguration will be at Wintrust Arena and is open to the public. A City Hall open house will follow.

This week, she was in Washington. She met with Ivanka Trump (representing the WH), Nancy Pelosi, and other officials, as well as the Illinois delegation. She also held a fundraiser, telling the media that she wants to have a presence in 2020 to help her allies/early backers. Can't think of who that would be, though - no one is in trouble.

Additionally, liberal/reformist firebrand Scott Waguespack says he is one vote away from having enough to take Finance chairman. More moderate alderwo/men have gotten behind Tom Tunney. Both were Lightfoot endorsers, though Waguespack was an early backer (Tunney very late) and key ally and adviser to the ME throughout the campaign.

[Mr. Illini]

Lightfoot and Preckwinkle had lunch today to discuss collaboration heading into the Mayor-Elect's inauguration. Preckwinkle remains Cook County Board President and the two will interact considerably in their respective roles.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/g00/politics/ct-met-mayor-lightfoot-toni-preckwinkle-lunch-20190513-story.html?i10c.ua=1&i10c.encReferrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8%3d&i10c.dv=9

[Mr. Illini]

Trib and NBC5 confirm that Lightfoot wants Waguespack as Finance Chair and Tunney as Budget Chair.

Waguespack in lead role would be a big win for progressives and heading into budget season, I expect that the “light” will be brought in on many aspects of the current budget with him in charge.

[Mr. Illini]

Lightfoot laid out her plan on aldermanic prerogative in meetings with aldermen this week. That is the unwritten rule that aldermen have essentially unchecked control over activities requiring city approval within their wards. It has been at the heart of most political scandals in this town over the last several decades.

The aldermen say she plans to push to curtail the practice on licensing and permits, but will leave zoning untouched. Most aldermen have opposed the plan. The two that are most supportive are an interesting pair - Alds. Cappleman and Ramirez-Rosa.

[Mr. Illini]

Lightfoot tells the press that she plans to end aldermanic prerogative over zoning as well. She says she’ll do it via a re-write of the zoning code. I’m a happy voter Will be happier once it happens, though.

She also denies that the leadership being reported is final, but confirms that Waguespack will be front and center. She cites his experience in good government and his early endorsement of her despite political consequences.

[Mr. Illini]

Clock ticking on Lame Duck Emanuel. Does anybody know if he'll be attending the inaugural festivities on Monday afternoon ?

Haven't heard, but Daley did attend Rahm's

[Mr. Illini]

Lightfoot has announced her desired committee leadership. Among others, it includes...

Finance: Waguespack
Budget: Dowell
Zoning: Tunney
Floor Leader: Villegas
Economic Dev: Villegas

Lightfoot informed Ald. Carrie Austin - longtime Budget Chair - that she was being thrown out because of nepotism.

The ME also says that Ald. Beale is being ousted from his prior committee spot because he threatened a fight if Waguespack was to be named Finance Chair.

Beale backed Lightfoot in the General. Austin backed Preckwinkle.

[Mr. Illini]

Rahm was indeed in attendance, as he had to call the council to order.

In her speech, Lightfoot doubled down on her campaign platform, promising improvements to education, equitable investment in underserved neighborhoods, and government reform.

Most notably, she said, “Stopping corruption isn’t just in the city’s interest, it’s in the city council’s interest.” She then turned around to smile at the council sitting behind her. Crowd went nuts.

“For years, they’ve said Chicago ain’t ready for reform. Well get ready because reform is here.”

“I campaigned on change. You voted for change. We will deliver change.”

Kind of sets the stage.

[Mr. Illini]

Wish her luck because she's sure as Hell going to need it considering the Establishment is likely pulling a McConnell to undermine her every step of the way 24/7.

you really saw the people she appointed as chairs and still think "oh, she's clearly going to fight the establishment"?? lmfao

Waguespack as Finance Chair was something of my dreams before she (has almost) made it happen.

Here's hoping that four years from now she's made you happy to have voted for her in Round 1.

[Mr. Illini]

In her first act as Mayor, Lightfoot signed an EO instructing those in her branch to no longer honor aldermanic privilege when it comes to licenses and permits. She plans to implement this with zoning via a re-write of the code.

She announced several appointments today, including Marisa Novara, a champion of affordable housing and critic of aldermanic privilege, to lead the Housing Department.

She also reiterated that she plans to retain CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson, CPS CEO Janice Jackson, among others. In the campaign, she indicated Johnson would stay through the summer. She never committed either way on Jackson.

Ald. Ray Lopez - a Burke ally who fended off a progressive challenger this past cycle - told the press that he thinks Lightfoot has the votes to deliver her preferred council chairs but says she will pay for embarrassing the council during her speech Monday.

[Mr. Illini]

CST reports that Lightfoot has tapped Miguel del Valle to head the school board until an elected board can move into place.

del Valle has been a strong voice for reform over the years. He ran for mayor in 2011 and lost to Rahm.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2019/5/28/18643504/mayor-lightfoot-city-clerk-miguel-del-valle-school-board-president

[Mr. Illini]

In Lightfoot’s first test in front of the Council today, her preferred committee chairs passed on a voice vote - a major victory for her. Reports say that only four members voiced nays, prompting no call for a roll.

Ald. Villegas, Lightfoot’s floor leader, says that the four nays were Alds Burke, Lopez, Beale, and an unidentified alderman.

Prior to the vote, Alderman Ed Burke rose to take issue with Lightfoot’s proposed rule changes because they were not gender neutral. Lightfoot said, “Alderman, please. I will call on you if I want to hear from you.” Afterward, she said that he likes to play games but she won’t allow it.

[Mr. Illini]

lmfao
https://twitter.com/daybydavon/status/1133537414352461824

So ridiculous. She has doubled down on her promise to invest in underserved communities.

She has appointed the most progressive finance chair in history. She has appointed the most progressive CPS chair in history. She has revived the Dept of Housing and appointed an affordable housing champion to lead it. She has taken power over TIFs and aldermanic privilege (major forces against affordable housing) away from the Council. She has called for a re-examination of the code of silence acquittals in the McDonald case. She is moving forward with plans to make video of all Council meetings public. She has strengthened Rule 14 and protections against aldermanic conflict of interest.

All in a week.

Progressive Alderpersons like Ramirez Rosa, Vazquez, Martin, etc have cheered this, but it seems that some in their base will continue to oppose her, likely for the purposes of saving some face after going all in against her during the campaign (and then losing 74-26).

[Mr. Illini]

She has appointed the most progressive finance chair in history.

Tell us why she chose him and not some other Alderman. Is it because he is a progressive? Is it because of anything related to anything he believes?

She has taken power over TIFs and aldermanic privilege (major forces against affordable housing) away from the Council.

This is a lie and you know it.

Progressive Alderpersons like Ramirez Rosa, Vazquez, Martin, etc have cheered this, but it seems that some in their base will continue to oppose her, likely for the purposes of saving some face after going all in against her during the campaign (and then losing 74-26).

lmao, what a bizarre and antiquated way of looking at politics. I am a journalist working for an independent newspaper — our goal is to hold the powerful to account, and I will continue to oppose Lori Lightfoot when she does bad things for this city.

1) Lol what? I don't speak for her motives. I just give my opinion on her actions and their impact. My opinion is that it is a great pick. Why are you questioning it? I can tell you that if Toni Preckwinkle were elected, we'd have gotten an old establishment friend to chair it. In fact, if Burke hadn't been indicted, she'd have gladly kept him in place. O'Connor, too, if he hadn't lost.

2) She has shut down aldermanic privilege for licensing and permits. She will propose re-writing the code to do it for zoning. Her new council rules transfer TIF control to a committee in her branch.

3) I hope you do hold her to account. Instead, you're currently spending time sharing tweets about a tip at a coffee shop and a hearty joke made about it. Would love to hear your input on the actions she has taken thus far instead.

[Mr. Illini]

She didn't choose Waguespack because of his leadership, she chose him because — and this was in the Sun-Times — "He’s the only one of the aldermen who actually supported me before Feb. 26, and I’m not gonna forget that." That's the same old way politics has always worked, but it does mean she doesn't get to pretend to be the progressive reformer.

I could, of course, turn the motive question to you and ask why the leader of the Progressive Caucus endorsed her in the first place. It certainly wasn't because he thought she was going to win, as she was polling 3% when he made the endorsement. Regardless, questioning motive is ridiculous - we got a great Finance Chair, a key role on the Council. Like I said, Toni would have loved to have Burke back in the role if she could have.

Fundamentally, it's the zoning that matters. Licensing and permits is an avenue for low-level graft like the stuff that snared Willie Cochran, but when you're talking about segregation and affordable housing, it is the zoning that makes the difference. She will propose re-writing something, but the deal sounds like surrender on zoning in exchange for limits on licensing and permits. As for TIF funding, I am... skeptical of her willingness to curtail the worst abuses of the practice after she abruptly signed on to $2.4 billion in TIF spending on two megadevelopments.

She has not backed off her promise to curtail the practice when it comes to zoning. She's actually reiterated it many times since her election. Time will tell.

I can multitask lol. She has not taken all too many actions thus far, but we've extensively covered her choices for committee chairs. To be clear, there are some selections I genuinely like! SSG at Workforce is perfect. But she also inexplicably picked Cardenas for Environment, kept Harris at Rules for god knows what reason, and made a number of decisions that seem nakedly political — Waguespack will be a great Finance Chair, but it’s pretty clear that he’s only being chosen because he endorsed her. Similarly, Beale was a garbage Transportation chair, but it seems clear that he’s being stripped of his chairmanship because he criticized her. Hell, she’s trying to sink Martwick’s school bill because he got in a shouting match with her back in February. There are some bright spots, but it does not seem to be any sort of meaningful break with the type of politics that have characterized this city.

She certainly chose a council that could pass the council. It would have been a disaster (in fact, a repeat of Harold's fate) if she took a loss during her first council meeting and had a competing organization rammed through. This was not out of the question - there was even talk among some members of separating the Finance Chair vote so that they could vote Scotty down. I have no problem with her shutting Beale out because he spoke out against her. Why would she appoint a political opponent (which he solidly established himself as following the election, despite endorsing her) to her Council organization? Perhaps Dems in the US House should elect a Republican as Speaker, too?

[Mr. Illini]

Also, notice that you separate out individual pieces of my posts to respond to and delete the rest of the quote. Can I take that as agreement with the deleted portions of the quotes?

[Mr. Illini]

For those that missed it, Dinosaur alderman Ed Burke was hit with a 14-count indictment late last week. The Mayor is calling for his resignation. She also says she will work with the council to investigate from within.

[Mr. Illini]

Little update:
*CTU and SEIU school staff have been striking for about a week over the new contract, joined by Bernie and Liz
*Lightfoot laid out her budget today that counts on permission from Springfield to implement a high end real estate transfer tax
*If she doesn't get that permission, Chicago is going to see a massive property tax hike, which will no doubt damage her popularity
*She declared a $300m TIF surplus, most of which will go to covering the cost of the new CTU contract

I've honestly been kind of out of the loop since she took over (lot going on at the national and international level) but am finally catching up, motivated by the recent developments with CTU and the budget.

What does everyone think of the first five-ish months?