Tag Archives: rahm

Connected to Chicago (07-29-2018) Special Guest: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Jul 27, 2018 | mgaray

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was raised in Peoria and attended Princeton and Harvard. Raja, influenced by Barack Obama, now represents the 8th District for Illinois. Can President Trump and his tax reforms be given any credit to the current economic recovery or was the ball already rolling from the Obama administration? Tax cuts have been helpful, but there is a strong possibility that Americans will be paying for these tax cuts for many years to come. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi sits on the Oversight Committee thinks the proposed GOP impeachment of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is just the newest in a long series of Republican attempts to undermine, discredit, and disrupt the Mueller investigation. Close to home, Rep. Krishnamoorthi is concerned about reports Heartland Alliance, which has been accused of abuse of children being sheltered there by the separation of immigrant families by the Trump administration.

In this week’s round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crains, Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times, and Heather Cherone of the Daily Line. Topics discussed include: President Trump and his visit to southern Illinois on Thursday to tout his economic re-development and tariffs. Do these new tariffs help or hurt Illinois businesses and residents. 30% of the congressman’s constituents are foreign born, and he says that many of them are concerned about their future and the ability of others to immigrate into the country.

This week’s community spotlight segment is from Jennifer Keiper.  Robert Mendez, Organizer, Illinois Peruvian American Medical Society.  A group of Peruvian and American health care professionals and volunteers from Illinois make up the Illinois Peruvian American Medical Society, a non-profit organization that has and outdoor event coming up. 5k for Peru Committee Chairman, Robert Mendez, says the August 5th race, in downtown Chicago, helps raise funds for Doctors here in Chicago to go to Peru to offer medical services in impoverished areas. Mendez talks about the groups’ work and the need for volunteers.

John & Ray in 60 – 11-15-16

Nov 15, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

Rahm Emanuel says Chicago will remain a sanctuary city. The man who was seen getting beaten in a video because people thought he voted for Trump spent time in prison decades ago. Chuck Todd talks about Trump’s potential Cabinet members. Plus, a man in Arizona still doesn’t know the results of the Presidential Election.

Wikileaks emails show Chicago mayor used personal domain

Nov 7, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has used personal email accounts and a personal email domain to communicate with government officials and political figures.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Emanuel’s personal account information turned up among emails stolen from Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign chairman John Podesta and posted by Wikileaks.

Emanuel registered his personal email domain, “rahmemail.com,” on May 16, 2011, the day he was sworn into office. Podesta’s hacked emails also turned up evidence of Emanuel’s personal Gmail account.

The newspaper says the messages are the first direct evidence that Emanuel has used personal email accounts beyond official city government accounts. He was sued by the newspaper last year in a case about state open record laws that’s still pending.

Emanuel spokesman Adam Collins says the mayor’s use of a customized email domain is common, adding the mayor has not had and does not use a private email server.

 

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emanuel’s Anti-Crime Plan

Sep 23, 2016 | WLSAM Staff
By Bill Cameron, WLS-AM 890 News

(CHICAGO) Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel talked up 500 more cops but not how to pay for them, universal mentoring for at-risk 8th, 9th & 10th graders and a new law now to just “encourage” judges to sentence repeat gun offenders to the upper range of the sentencing guidelines. He got controversial when he argued that the street violence is NOT the gangbangers fault.

“I know this about the kids of Chicago, they haven’t had a choice. It’s been forced on them. You give the kids of Chicago a good, positive, moral choice where they can have a future or a negative one, our kids will pick the positive good one,” said Mayor Emanuel.
Speeches don’t stop Street crime but for decades Chicago mayors have used them to show they’re trying to do something about it.
© WLS-AM 890 News

Gov. Rauner, Rahm Emanuel trade barbs during budget impasse

Jun 3, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

 

(CHICAGO) Gov. Bruce Rauner and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel are trading barbs amid Illinois’ budget impasse with Emanuel comparing Rauner to Donald Trump while the governor tours the state.

Emanuel began the exchange Thursday by saying Rauner “is following the Donald Trump playbook of demonizing one group of people for his political advantage.” The remark was a response to Rauner comments Wednesday accusing lawmakers of wanting a “massive bailout” for Chicago Public Schools at the expense of other areas of the state.

Rauner on Thursday called Emanuel’s comments a “goofy personal attack.”

Rauner is in a nearly yearlong standoff with Democratic lawmakers over a state budget.

Public schools worry they won’t have funds for the next school year. Without funding, the CEO of Chicago Public Schools says the district won’t open.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Big John Howell Show Notes 5-16-16

May 16, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

The security lines at Chicago airports aren’t going to get better any time soon. American Airlines says it had to provide cots for passengers overnight.

According to a confidential TSA document, the TSA has a list of body language signs that it believes indicates a greater likelihood that a passenger is a terrorist, which include “fidgeting, whistling, sweaty palms …arrogance, a cold penetrating stare, and rigid posture.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the board in charge of police accountability has lost “credibility” and needs to be replaced by a civilian agency. Emanuel announced that he would ditch the Independent Police Review Authority. Kelly Bauer from DNA Info Chicago joined John with the latest on Emanuel’s plan for police reform. (Listen here)

Donald Trump’s past was front an center in the news cycle over the weekend. On Friday the Washington Post broke the story that during the 1990’s, Trump would pose as a PR spokesperson named John Miller during some interviews. Then on Sunday the New York Times ran a piece examining Trump’s professional relationship with women. Bret Baier the host of Special Report on Fox News Channel joined John to talk about what, if any, impact the revelations will have on the Presidential race. (Listen here)

Ben Carson says Sarah Palin and Ted Cruz are both on the short list to be Donald Trump’s running mate. Palin has already said she might be too much of a divisive figure. Wall Street Journal columnist Stephen Moore joined John to talk about the running mate search. (Listen here)

With National Police Week set to start Sunday, Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st) urged Chicagoans to show their support for the Chicago Police Department. Residents can pick up a blue balloon, ribbon or porch light from the 41st Ward office, 7442 N. Harlem Ave.

Two lawmakers in Springfield were caught on camera playing video games while bills were being debated. One claimed he had already done all of the work he planned on doing that day, and other basically had no response, although she did say she’s “focused on working to end the budget impasse.”

A South Carolina man refused to cut a customers hair because he’s black… then he decided it was a good idea to pull a gun on him. The barber said he felt threatened by the man.

John Howell Book Recommendations:

Emanuel proposes eliminating Police Review agency

May 13, 2016 | WLSAM Staff
By Adam Chappelle, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) The city of Chicago’s Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) would be disbanded under a new proposal revealed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel late Friday.

In an editorial published in the Sun-Times, the mayor said he wants it to be replaced by a civilian group that has “more independence and more resources to do its work.” Despite a recent shakeup at IPRA, Emanuel says a new agency is needed to “rebuild trust in investigations of officer-involved shootings and the most serious allegations of police misconduct.”

Another part of the plan includes creating a new position at City Hall- a Public Safety Inspector General. That office would audit and monitor policing with the authority to audit both the Chicago Police Department and investigations that are cone by the new civilian group.

Full details of the plan are still in flux, but will be brought up at a city council meeting later this month. You can read the full editorial from the Sun-Times here. http://tinyurl.com/jqz8wgc

 

Chicago Police sued in shooting death of black teen

Apr 20, 2016 | WLS-AM Staff

.By John Dempsey

(CHICAGO) The mother of a 16 year old black teenager shot dead by Chicago Police April 11th, is filing a federal lawsuit against the City of Chicago and two unnamed police officers.

The lawsuit from the mother of 16-year old Pierre Loury also cites findings from Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s task force on police accountability, which found inherent racism in the department, and found that Chicago police have “no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color.”

​Police First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante has said Loury ran away from a car that officers had pulled over because it matched the description of a vehicle used in an earlier shooting.

​Escalante also said that during the foot chase, Loury turned and aimed at gun at an officer, who then fired the shots that killed him.

An autopsy showed the teen was shot in the chest.   Police called Loury a documented gang member, and said they recovered a semi-automatic weapon at the scene.

Loury had also posted a photo of himself online holding a gun, and wearing a gang tattoo on his neck. ​

The lawsuit filed in Chicago Federal Court also accuses police of conspiring with one another to lie about what happened during the incident.

 

@ 2016 WLS News

Big John Howell Show Notes 4-19-16

Apr 19, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration on Monday unveiled the details of its last-ditch plan to put “Star Wars” filmmaker George Lucas’ museum along the lake. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration on Monday unveiled the details of its last-ditch plan to put the museum along the lake. Greg Hinz the Political Writer and Blogger for Crain’s Chicago Business joined John with details on the new plan. (Listen here)

There may be more armed people at O’Hare and Midway soon. A new ordinance by Alderman Chris Taliaferro, would change a long-standing policy that keeps aviation police officers unarmed when they are on duty at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports. The aviation police officers are all certified law enforcement officers in the state of Illinois. Many work in suburban police departments or are military veterans. Chicago Police officers are there, and they are already armed. The aviation police don’t like the idea that they would actually be expected to run and hide if there’s an incident at the airport.

Donald Trump, who has made his advocacy for New York City after the 9/11 attacks central to his candidacy, accidentally referred to it on Monday as 7/11 — the ubiquitous convenience store.

A Muslim student says he was pulled from a Southwest flight at LAX because he spoke in Arabic. He was even questioned by the FBI. He was talking to a friend on the phone in Arabic and ended the conversation by saying “God willing” in Arabic. Some passengers around him heard him says “Allah” and basically freaked out.

An elementary school in Massachusetts has decided to ban Donald Trump’s image… sort of. A group of 11-year olds were planning on wearing giant masks of Trump during their dance routine for the school talent show. The kids said they picked Trump’s face just because it would look funny. The school wants nothing to do with that though.

Actress Doris Roberts has died at the age of 90. Most recently she was famous from Everybody Loves Raymond.

Emanuel appoints Sophia King to fill 4th Ward aldermanic seat

Apr 12, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

(CHICAGO) Mayor Rahm Emanuel has appointed a “longtime community advocate” to replace his staunchest African-American ally, Ald. Will Burns (4th), who stepped down earlier this year, the Sun-Times is reporting.

“For almost 30 years, Sophia King has not just lived in the 4th Ward, she has worked to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives there,” Mayor Emanuel said in an emailed statement. “She has led initiatives to increase education, recreation, employment and safety, as well as quality affordable housing. She will be a tireless advocate for her constituents as she serves on City Council.”

King was expected to appear before the City Council’s Rules Committee, then face a confirmation vote in front of the full City Council on Wednesday, according to the mayor’s office.

King is the founder and president of Harriet’s Daughters, a nonprofit group of professional women that helps find jobs for African-Americans, among other things. King is also a community advocate and volunteer, the mayor’s office said. King was president of the Kenwood Park Advisory Council from 2008 to 2015.

“I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I believe the only solutions we are missing are the ones we won’t work on together,” King said in a statement. “I look forward to collaborating with all people who want to make a positive difference in the city that I love, and to continue to position the 4th Ward as an example of transparent, innovative and community focused work that lifts all residents. I appreciate the confidence of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his willingness to engage a new voice.”

Burns — who helped the mayor improve his South Side ground game on the way to capturing nearly 58 percent of the black vote in the April 7, 2015, runoff — resigned his seat earlier this year, accepting a job with Airbnb.

© Copyright 2016 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

Chicago Alderman Nicholas Sposato

Mar 29, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

Eddie Johnson, a 27-year Chicago police veteran who was appointed Monday to lead the embattled Chicago Police Department, said he plans to focus on reducing gun violence and restoring public trust. Johnson is now charged with leading a department that is not only low on morale and credibility, but also has failed to quell a recent spike in gun violence. Chicago Alderman Nicholas Sposato from the 38th Ward joined John with reaction.

A Weakened Chicago Mayor

Feb 8, 2016 | WLS-AM Staff

By Bill Cameron, WLS-AM 890 News

(CHICAGO)  At City Hall, Bill Cameron says Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposal to raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21 and raise $6 million taxing smokeless tobacco, got quite a lot of push-back from the aldermen today.

Mayor Emanuel has been weakened so much now, even his new anti-smoking proposal ran into defiance in the City Council Finance Committee.

West Side alderman Jason Ervin told the mayor’s health commissioner that this would drive small stores out of business and boost the black market for cigarettes.

“This is not something that I dreamed up.  This is not something that Aldermen Sawyer dreamed up, Alderman Moore dreamed up, Alderman Hairston dreamed up.  This is real stuff that when you come out in these communities and see it, you then may understand it.  If you live it – you for sure will understand it but if you see it, it may give you a better option, a better look at the policies that your pushing – may give you a better sense  of the detriment these things are doing to some of these communities,” said Alderman Ervin.

In the audience were small store operators who applauded aldermen to who stood up to the mayor’s proposal.

Response from Adam Collins, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Deputy Press Secretary:

“Mayor Emanuel has stood up to the tobacco industry countless times throughout his career to reduce youth smoking, and he’s not about to back down now. The tobacco industry can lobby as much as they like. We’ll continue speaking to and working with aldermen on this ordinance that will prevent young people from picking up smoking, while investing in their education.”

###

@ 2016 WLS-AM NEWS

Not Everyone Wants Rahm Out

Dec 11, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

By Nick Gale, WLS News

(CHICAGO) There was another protest in Chicago Friday, but not everyone there called for the mayor’s ouster.

Clergy, community leaders and the Rainbow Push Coalition gathered outside of City Hall, marching around it seven times and calling for change. At several points, they stopped and counted to 16; the number of times 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was shot by a police officer, the shooting captured on dash-cam video.

Unlike many others, Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin did not call for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to step down, but called for an expansion of the U.S. Justice Department investigation.

“We’re hoping that truth will come down and that the federal government will expand their investigation beyond the Chicago Police Department and also include Homan Square and the mayor’s office and what the mayor knew and when he knew it,” Boykin said.

Listen to Nick Gale’s report for WLS News:

 

He says the mayor can take this opportunity and make real change within the city. Boykin also wants to see the investigation expanded to include Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

@ 2015 WLS News

Rahm Backpedals on DOJ, Set to Release Another Dashcam Video

Dec 3, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

By Bill Cameron, WLS News

(CHICAGO) Mayor Rahm Emanuel has backpedaled on his earlier opposition to a federal civil rights investigation of Chicago police tactics.

On Wednesday Emanuel called a federal civil rights investigation “misguided.” But then Hillary Clinton called for one and now the mayor is for it.

“I welcome the engagement of the justice department,” Emanuel said. “We have a long road ahead of us as a city and I welcome people from many views to help us do what exactly we need to do which is why I welcomed months ago the ACLU in, why I also established, I think, a good commission to work on this issue and I welcome the justice department’s engagement in that issue.”

Emanuel acknowledged he dropped the ball.

“I own the confusion, that’s why I wanted to clarify and set the record straight.”

Listen to Bill Cameron’s report for WLS News radio:

The mayor also said next week, he will release the dashboard video of another police killing, this one of Ronald Johnson.

 

@ 2015 WLS News

Mayor Emanuel Fires Police Superintendent McCarthy

Dec 1, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff
Courtesy Photo; Chicago Police Department
Courtesy Photo; Chicago Police Department

 

By John Dempsey, WLS News

(CHICAGO) Embattled Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy is out, a victim of the public outcry after last week’s release of a police dashboard camera video showing white police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting 17-year old Laquon McDonald to death, firing 16 shots into the teenager’s body.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced McCarthy’s departure this morning, saying that despite many positive things McCarthy has accomplished, in light of the video’s release, “The public trust and the leadership of the department has been shaken and eroded.   This morning I formally asked for (McCarthy’s) resignation.    Now is the time for fresh eyes and new leadership to confront the challenges the department and our community and our city are facing, as we go forward”.

Emanuel says 1st Deputy Police Chief John Escalante will serve as interim Police Superintendent, until a permanent replacement for McCarthy is found.  The firing came after McCarthy went on several television morning programs including WLS-TV ABC 7, and said he would not resign in the face of the public pressure he’s been feeling.

“No, I’m not going to resign.   I’m not going to give up on this city, I’m not going to give up on the good people of Chicago, and I’m certainly not going to give up on the Chicago Police Department.  I believe absolutely that there is a very large sector of the community who supports me.   I hear it all day long, every single day.  Honestly, every place I go people are saying things like, ‘stay strong, stay tough, we’ve got your back'”.

Listen to City Hall reporter Bill Cameron’s report for WLS News radio:

Despite taking steps to modernize the department, Emanuel says Garry McCarthy “has become an issue rather than dealing with the issue, and that’s a distraction”.

Emanuel also announced the creation of a five member police task force to advise him on ways to improve the relationship with the Police Department and the community, saying “The shooting of Laquan McDonald requires more than just words,” Mayor Emanuel said. “It requires that we act; that we take more concrete steps to prevent such abuses in the future, secure the safety and the rights of all Chicagoans, and build stronger bonds of trust between our police and the communities they’re sworn to serve.”

The task force will include:

Former Federal Prosecutor Sergio Acosta.

Former Federal Prosecutor and Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson.

Former Chicago Police Deputy Superintendent and former Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau.

Former Federal Prosecutor and Chicago Police Board President Lori Lightfoot.

University of Chicago Law School Professor and former Cook County Public Defender Randolph Stone.

Former Massachusetts Governor and Chicago native Deval Patrick will serve as a senior advisor to the task force. Patrick also served as U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division under President Bill Clinton.

Emanuel wants the task force to present it’s recommendations to the City Council by March 31, 2016.

@ 2015 WLS News

 

Mayor Emanuel:  Release Cop Shooting Video

Nov 20, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

new rahm

 

By John Dempsey, WLS News

Mayor Emanuel has decided not to appeal a court order to release the video showing a Chicago Police Officer shooting a black teen to death.   The officer shot and killed 17 year old LaQuan McDonald last October, firing 16 shots into the teen’s body.   On Thursday, Cook County Judge Franklin Valderama ordered Emanuel to release the police dashboard camera video, which the Mayor had resisted.   A few hours after the judge’s order, Emanuel released the following statement:

“Police officers are entrusted to uphold the law, and to provide safety to our residents. In this case unfortunately, it appears an officer violated that trust at every level. As a result, the city’s Independent Police Review Authority promptly sent this case and the evidence to state and federal prosecutors who have been investigating it for almost a year. In accordance with the judge’s ruling the City will release the video by November 25, which we hope will provide prosecutors time to expeditiously bring their investigation to a conclusion so Chicago can begin to heal.”

So far the officer has not been charged with wrongdoing, but the Chicago City Council has already approved a five million dollar settlement with McDonald’s family.

Now, some in the community are concerned about possibly rioting when that video is released.

City Council Black Caucus Chairman, Sixth Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer, told ABC 7,  “I just to make sure that people remain calm, be angry, be frustrated, but work within the system”.   Meanwhile, Police Union President Dean Angelo told “The Big John Howell Show” on WLS,  “There is a sense of concern throughout the entire department now, probably throughout the entire city, what are the plans?   What’s going to go into effect?  Is this going to be an emergency or a high alert type of concern?”

So far the police department is not saying what measures it might take to prevent unrest, in the days and hours before that video is released.

Angelo says if the officer is eventually charged, release of the video will make it harder to find impartial jurors for his trial, telling WLS,  “Not only is it going to put out evidence that is going to be viewed hundreds of times by a potential jury pool, but where do you find someone that doesn’t have a pre-conceived opinion of what occurred?”

However freelance journalist Brandon Smith, who filed a lawsuit to force the release of the video, says it’s past time for the public to be able to see what happened, even if prosecutors are still deciding whether to file charges against the officer.   ” Videos speak a lot louder than descriptions of videos, and it’s been over a year since this incident.  If there’s such a clear record of what happened, it doesn’t make sense to investigate it so long and doubt what happened”

@ 2015 WLS News

 

 

Emanuel Budget to Hit Renters

Oct 27, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

By Bill Cameron, WLS News

(CHICAGO) On the day before the aldermen vote on the mayor’s bad-news budget, one group of opponents is talking about how the property tax increase will hit a group that’s been overlooked.

Landlords will pass the mayor’s big property tax increase onto renters. Diane Limas of Communities United says the working poor just can’t take this anymore.

“You ask us to do a little bit. You ask the working family, the working person, to do a little bit. We do it every year, every year, every year,” Limas said. “Well, now we’re at the point where the straw is going to break the camel’s back. We can’t do it anymore.”

One solution being suggested is for the mayor to reduce the size of his property tax hike by using more of the property tax surplus set aside for developers.

Listen to Bill Cameron’s report got WLS radio news:

@ 2015 WLS News 

 

Breaking: Biden Out, Rahm Backs Clinton

Oct 21, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

BreakingNews_654x372

By Bill Cameron, WLS News

(CHICAGO) Vice President Joe Biden has announced today that he will not be running in the Democratic presidential primary. In his announcement, Biden referenced the passing of his son, but said it wasn’t holding him back, rather, he feels there is not enough time to mount a good campaign.

“I hope there would come a time…that sooner rather than later, when you think of your loved one it brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes. Well that’s where the Biden’s are today, thank God,” Biden said. “Bo is our inspiration. Unfortunately I believe we’re out of time.”

Meanwhile, at City Hall the media-savvy mayor was doing not react, but pre-act to Biden’s big announcement. Ten minutes before Biden announced his decision not to run, Rahm said this.

Listen to Bill Caermon’s report for WLS radio news:

“He is a dedicated public servant who has served the president loyally, served the constituents of Delaware when he was a senator loyally and has moved major legislation,” Emanuel said. “In any format, whether he is a vice president or a candidate, he has a lot to offer. I do want to note though, I support former-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and what I would just say is that I think in the debate she showed both her policy and political chops.”

And for that reason, Rahm’s got to be relieved Biden’s not running.

@ 2015 WLS News

 

Cubs Fever Hits City Hall

Oct 17, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo

By Bill Cameron, WLS News

 

(CHICAGO) Mayor Emanuel is talking about the big Cubs-Mets series for the National League pennant.

Emanuel, the Cubs fan you’ve been seeing in the stands behind home plate at Wrigley Field lately, says he doesn’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but the Cubs did beat the Mets seven out of seven during the regular season.

Listen to Bill Cameron’s report for WLS News radio:

As for correcting the Cubs collapse to the Mets in 1969 he says, “It’s a way to prepare for what’s going to happen now which is the good game of revenge,” Emanuel said. “We’re going to settle the score.”

But then the mayor changed his mind.

“What important is not about 1969, what’s important is what’s happening in 2015.”

So take your pick, 1969 is and isn’t important.

@ 2015 WLS News

Rahm: New Runway Keeps O’Hare “World Class”

Oct 15, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

By Bill Cameron, WLS News

(CHICAGO) Mayor Rahm Emanuel and dignitaries have officially announced the new east-west runway on the south side of O’Hare Airport along with a South Air Traffic Control Tower.

Rather than address concerns from residents of nearby suburbs that the new runway will create new jet noise, Emanuel talked about how it will keep O’Hare world class.

“There is no where in the world and no where in the United States you can’t get to multiple times daily from the City of Chicago, weather permitting, and we are working on that in the City Council next week,” Emanuel said to laughter. “This modernization of O’Hare, the modernization of Midway, continues to allow Chicago to be at the center of a global economy.”

In the last 15 years, O’Hare has added three new runways, a runway extension, many new taxiways and now a third control tower.

Listen to Bill Cameron’s report for WLS News radio:

 

 

@2015 WLS News

Emanuel: An Unyielding Mayor

Oct 2, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

By Bill Cameron, WLS News

In an interview with Bill Cameron…Mayor Emanuel is unyielding about the major objection aldermen are raising against his city budget proposal.

In city budget hearings there’s been quite a lot of push-back from the aldermen against the mayor’s plan to privatize the 3-1-1 non-emergency call center. So, I asked the mayor if he’s open to change.

“A modernized 3-1-1 is essential for the effectiveness and of our neighborhood services that we want to see.  So, I’ve laid out what I think is essential to make sure that everything we’re doing on our budget, uh, and the investments that we’re making the quality of life we want to see in our neighborhoods – that 3-1-1 is part of that modernization,” said Mayor Emanuel.

Bill Cameron:  “They’re afraid that jobs are going to go away?”

Emanuel responds:  “Well, the people will have to, uh, staff it and we think this is the right thing to do and I’ve made my proposal and I think it’s the right thing to do.  My budget is pretty clear, Bill, about what I’m going to do.”

But behind the scenes, some of the aldermen are hoping the proposal is a red-herring which the mayor will pull back later.

@ Copyright 2015 WLS News

Rahm shakes up school board, teachers union not impressed

Jun 2, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

By Bill Cameron, WLS News

(Chicago) Mayor Rahm Emanuel is shaking up his school board in the wake of the federal investigation that forced out his school CEO.

Emanuel is replacing a U.S. Senate candidate, a retired Northwestern University president, a teacher and an education consultant with a retired banker, a retiring Loyola University President, a school foundation president and a CPS principal.

Teachers union vice president Jesse Sharkey is not impressed.

“It still lacks parent-community input and voice and I would’ve liked to have seen a clean sweep and do a completely new board,” Sharkey said. “I know that there are still a few people who remain. It’s likely to be more of the same.”

Sharkey says what Chicago needs is an elected school board but the mayor is adamantly opposed to that.

@Copyright 2015 WLS News

Update: Rahm not happy with Thibodeau firing

May 28, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

Rahm Emanuel - Photo courtesy of Bill Cameron, WLS News

Rahm Emanuel – Photo courtesy of Bill Cameron, WLS News

By WLS Reporter Bill Cameron

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is weighing in on the firing of Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau.

Emanuel is a huge Bulls fan and he’s not happy about the firing.

LISTEN to Bill Cameron’s story:

 

“I’ll say this, I have been in regular communication over the past weeks with Coach T and I think he’s a great coach,” Emanuel said. Asked if Thibodeau got a raw deal, he said, “I think he’s a great coach. We were fortunate to have him.”

The mayor was restraining himself on the Bulls front office decision, although he did say he’d like to use a graffiti blaster on somebody. He was not restraining himself on keeping the ball in Springfield’s court on the huge financial problems facing the city.

“Everyone of the issues we’re talking about, the challenges were first created in Springfield years ago.”

But the impasse in Springfield continues with no end in sight.

Copyright @ WLS NEWS 2015

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