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FacebookIn the last few days Mayor Daley has been spreading the word that even though the city faces mountains of debt, there's absolutely no way he will raise property taxes.
Last week he and schools CEO Arne Duncan announced that the Board of Education would rather take $50 million out of reserves than hike taxes for the cash-starved system.
And today he proclaimed that he would mandate furlough days for nonunion city employees to help close a budget deficit he says stands at "a couple of hundred million dollars." But no new property taxes.
This is a surprising turn of events for the mayor, who hasn't been reluctant to hike taxes in the past. For instance, to help close last year's $293 million deficit, Mayor Daley raised roughly $276 million in fees, fines, and taxes, including $83.4 million in property taxes. And this was on top of his $113 million increase in what I call the TIF tax (which the mayor doesn't acknowledge because he's apparently convinced himself that TIFs aren't taxes even though we have to pay them).
So what gives this year?
Well, there are two theories bouncing around City Hall. The nice guy theory is that Mayor Daley truly cares about the little people of his town and he realizes that in these hard economic times they can't afford another tax hike.
"Chicago taxpayers have been generous and supported our school improvements, and they deserve a break," the mayor told reporters at a July 23 press conference where he announced no new property taxes for the schools.
Arne Duncan was even more direct. "People are hurting," he said at the same press conference. "They're having a hard time making ends meet. And we refuse to add to that burden....We will not raise taxes. It would have been the wrong thing to do at this time."
Then there's the more, shall we say, realistic point of view that goes like this. With just six months left before the city submits its official bid for the 2016 Olympics to the International Olympic Committee, the last thing Mayor Daley wants or needs is to risk igniting anything remotely resembling a property tax revolt. Not when he's trying to show the world that everyone in Chicago just can't wait to host the games. There will of course be plenty of chances to jack up taxes next year, when he won't have to impress the IOC.
So which theory do you buy: Mayor Daley truly cares about you, or he wants you to remain asleep?
Chicagoans will then give Daley yet another free pass while directing all their ire at Todd Stroger. Stroger has served his purpose for Daley by taking all the heat.
"So which theory do you buy: Mayor Daley truly cares about you, or he wants you to remain asleep?"
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Chicago is a mess.
Property taxes and all the other stupid petty fees that Daley's friends steal and eat are too high.
Is Duncan's assessment that a school tax levy increase is not necessary predicated on his anticipation of the largess from the expiration of the Central Loop TIF?
The TIF That Keeps On Taking
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/thew...
Another fine gem from the comments section of:
http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/
"Off Topic, but this comment needs to be placed where it can be read by all your readers.
Your contract:
Please do not fall for the gimmicks being offered to buy your "loyalty," such as new color schemes for our squads, new Tahoes, etc. The city can find money for this stuff, but cannot find money for your contract?
Come on guys and gals, wake up!
What is wrong with our current color scheme? How much is it going to cost to redo all the Department's vehicles?
Recently, an Order came out wherein Overtime for CAPS was canceled. I'm sure soon you will see all Overtime canceled, because of the budget, except for court related Overtime.
But, the Department keeps creating new positions.
Just announced, a Personal Assistant position was assigned to the Bureau of Strategic Deployment.
Come on people! A Personal Assistant!
In addition to the new Personal Assistant, the Bureau of Strategic Deployment has a Deputy Superintendent, an Assistant Deputy Superintendent, a Chief of Homeland Security, and a Deputy Chief of Homeland Security.
The Department has 2 CAPS Exempts: Chief of CAPS, and the Director of CAPS Implementation, who by the way, should be in jail because of his involvement with the GD's.
Why do we need 2 Exempts doing essentially the same thing?
We have a Superintendent's Policy Group. Why can't Research and Development handle policy suggestions; after all, policy falls under their purvue.
In IAD, there is a Chief, and a Director of Investigations, which will soon be filled by another FBI Special Agent who recently retired.
Look at the Personnel Division, a civilian heads Personnel now. Also, the Department has a Director of Marketing; again, isn't this a responsibility of Research and Development?
If these new spots and some existing spots were eliminated, think of the savings that could be used for your contract. At the very least, you are talking about 2 million dollars.
Let me talk about morale. They want you to be aggressive, yet you are told you will be fired if you disclose an illegal aliens status.
They have already proven that they will go after you in other ways if the Cook County justice system doesn't suffice.
Also, they tell you they have your back, but what does the Supt do, he hires an FBI Special Agent to be Director of Investigations in IAD.
What message is this sending?
Nepotism. The Supt said at one of his first meetings that he was going to eliminate clout on the job, but what does he do, he hires his Best Man, and another Fed, and now another Fed.
If you really need these positions, how about filling them with officers from within our ranks.
You mean that you couldn't find people qualified within our ranks instead of going outside the Department. A slap in your faces.
Outsiders: Deputy Superintendent of Professional Standards, Chief of Homeland Security, Director of Investigations for IAD, Director of Marketing, Director of Petrsonnel.
Not one person within our ranks is qualified to fill these spots?
Getting rid of good bosses before you even got to know them.
Hiram Grau - had the trust of the rank and file - was part of the Violence Reduction Initiatives that worked!
John Risley - knew how to handle major events - also part of the Violence Reduction Initiatives that worked.
Michael Chasen - like him or not, he was the right man for police shootings.
George Rosebrock - held 019 up to standards.
Yes the other dumps were on target: Kohlman - O'Donnell - Chizewski.
How about the fact that the Cmdr of Management and Labor Affairs was inept but was laterally moved.
M. Bonds. Terrible representative of the Department. Has done more damage than good.
Manpower. How about assigning SWAT members to Districts on all three watches. Provide them with cell phones. If a call comes out, you already have SWAT personnel working who can respond from their assigned Districts within minutes.
More manpower and less time waiting for SWAT to assemble.
Time Due. Watch Commanders are looking at your activity to base whether or not to approve your time off. They are playing favorites as well.
Guys and Gals, this is just a few things you need to look at.
Keep doing what you are doing. It is not worth loosing your job.
To the FOP, you should seriously look at a no-confidence vote.
8/10/2008 10:34:00 PM"