there's going to be a reckoning on Friday with anyone at that meeting
By Fran Spielman Aug 19, 2020, 1:13pm CDT
Calls for a special meeting of the City Council are just “grandstanding,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday shot down as “grandstanding” an attempt by four aldermen declare a state of emergency in Chicago that would pave the way for a four-month stint by the Illinois National Guard to assist exhausted Chicago Police officers.
Two of the four aldermen who called for Friday’s special City Council meeting are, Lightfoot noted, her most outspoken and knee-jerk City Council critics: Anthony Beale (9th) and Ray Lopez (15th). She signaled strongly she would direct her allies to stay away.
Lopez and Beale were joined by Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st), whose Far Northwest Side ward is home to scores of Chicago Police officers, and Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), who represents Hyde Park and South Shore.
“This is a very difficult … and challenging time for all of us across the city. … What we really need to be focusing on is ways in which we can reach common ground and listen to each other,” the mayor said.
“The two main proponents of this meeting unfortunately have a history of grandstanding. They don’t listen. They don’t ask questions. And they’re not really committed to answers. … This is not a time for grandstanding just for the purposes of trying to seek media attention, which, unfortunately at least two of those aldermen — that seems to be their M.O. … They are who they are.”
Lightfoot was asked about the specific call for a four-month National Guard deployment to prevent a third round of looting in the downtown area, River North, the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park.
“This isn’t the way you get things done. And certainly not something like that. It’s quite foolish and it’s unfortunate that they are grandstanding again on an issue that is so important, which is the safety and security of our communities. There’s a better way to get things done,” she said.
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Friday’s special Council meeting will adjourn immediately unless a quorum of 26 aldermen answer the virtual call. That’s unlikely, given Lightfoot’s opposition. She’s almost certain to ask her allies to stay away from a meeting she views as an attempt to embarrass her and tie her hands.
Still, Beale said Friday: “If my colleagues understand the disaster this city is headed toward, I’m hoping they’ll step up the plate.”
Demand that Lightfoot take a drug test. What an idiot. All businesses will leave Chicago and downtown will look like it did in the 1970's, pretty ratty. I heard in Arizona they can't build homes fast enough. The people buying them are from Illinois, New York, and California.
ReplyDeleteCome on O'Shea. Do something.
ReplyDeleteLet the multiracial and multi-ethnic coalition begin. All the aldermen need is 26 of 50 aldermen. I hope alderman O'Shea grows some nerve and joins the coalition too. Napolitano, Beale and Lopez I'm sure would join in and convince other right thinking aldermen to do so as well. There's many more. RECALL LIGHTFOOT. She has turned Chicago into a Shithole and national laughing stock. Many large companies that employ many of our fellow Chicagoans will be leaving Chicago soon. She needs to go now. Come on O'Shea stand up, be heard and show us you actually care about our community. She really is only a schoolyard bully. I know you know how to deal with bullies. Get it together Matt or you can start looking for a new job soon too.
ReplyDelete