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The Mechanics
« Impeach-y Keen No Child Left With Dignity? »

Daley Thu Jan 08 2009

That Efficient "City Manager" Mayor

Hey, who needs $153,000,000 in federal "anti-congestion" funds? Certainly not Chicago; it's not like we have a congestion problem. Via Crain's.

The administration this week quietly pulled back a pending ordinance that would have hiked fees and taxes for off-street parking in garages and on surface lots downtown by as much as $8 a day. The measure was supposed to be the stick for a big carrot: a $153-million federal grant announced last spring to begin a pilot express transportation system known as bus rapid transit....But the measure, which arrived in the wake of large hikes in parking-meter fess, drew strong opposition from business groups.

Thanks, "business groups." Every day, another crack in the foundation. The invincible Mayor Daley.

 
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tony / January 8, 2009 10:01 PM

Easy cowboy. The money/bid can be re-instated/re-bid once the new administration takes office. It's not like someone else got the cake.

Ramsin / January 9, 2009 2:56 AM

Good point, Tony, and fair enough--but it is still absurd that a guy who glides over damning scandals because of his supposed managerial brilliance and efficiency could allow something as necessary and popular as this decongestion plan (the bus lanes) get so easily derailed by some business association kvetching and poor calendar management.

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Feature

Parents Still Steaming, but About More Than Just Boilers

By Phil Huckelberry / 2 Comments

It's now been 11 days since the carbon monoxide leak which sent over 80 Prussing Elementary School students and staff to the hospital. While officials from Chicago Public Schools have partially answered some questions, and CPS CEO Forrest Claypool has informed that he will be visiting the school to field more questions on Nov. 16, many parents remain irate at the CPS response to date. More...

Civics

Substance, Not Style, the Source of Rahm's Woes

By Ramsin Canon / 2 Comments

It's not surprising that some of Mayor Emanuel's sympathizers and supporters are confusing people's substantive disputes with the mayor as the effect of poor marketing on his part. It's exactly this insular worldview that has gotten the mayor in hot... More...

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Mechanics is the politics section of Gapers Block, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints and beliefs of Chicagoans and Illinoisans. More...
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