As Emanuel Fights for Political Life, Aldermen Show Independence
via Chicago Sun-Times
“Chicago aldermen emboldened by a once-powerful but now wounded Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday questioned just about everything on the agenda of the City Council’s Finance Committee.
Routine matters that once sailed through without a whimper were placed under the microscope — and it wasn’t limited to the protracted debate over Emanuel’s plan to borrow a record $3 billion. No issue was too small for the laser-like focus.
So was a request for $2.6 million in fee waivers for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which is building a new DePaul basketball arena that will double as an event center for McCormick Place. Emanuel’s original plan called for the $55 million TIF subsidy to be used to build the stadium. But the subsidy was switched to the hotel after the arena became a symbol of what critics called the mayor’s misplaced priorities.”
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