With $9 billion in the federal stimulus pipeline coming to Illinois, everyone is asking (e.g SEIU IL State Council president Tom Balanoff statement: http://www.progressillinois.com/2009/2/18/columns/balanoff-chicago-recovery) how the money will be spent and suggesting how the money should be spent. But despite pressure from all sides, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is being silent on the city's plans.
"Yes, we do, we have our list, we've been talking to people," he said. "We did not put that out publicly because once you start putting it out publicly, you know, the newspapers, the media is going to be ripping it apart."
What a bunch of hooey! Just about every other city and town has a list. In fact most municipalities have had lists of shovel ready projects that desperately need funding.
So where's the beef, Mayor Daley?
Everyone can see there is a desperate need in Chicago to upgrade and expand mass transit, insulate public buildings, construct affordable housing, renovate our schools, clean up of the rivers and waterways, expand and improve our parks, preserves and green areas, etc.
One can only speculate. Is Mayor Daley figuring out how to steal as much of the stimulus money for his cronies? Is he trying to find a way to pay for as much of the Olympic construction plans as possible? Is he trying to find a way to pay for downtown development that benefits the tourist industry and wealthy residents at the expense of our working class communities?
Mayor Daley - put it on the table and let us all see. Open up the process so we can all have some input.
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