Several recent political reversals are the manifestation of former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley’s adage, “Good government is good politics and good politics is good government,” according to Andy Shaw, president and CEO of the Better Government Association (BGA).
Writing for Crain's Chicago Business, Shaw noted that current Mayor Rahm Emanuel had been completely opposed to federal oversight of Chicago Police Department reform. In August, Attorney General Lisa Madigan requested Justice Department oversight, bucking Emanuel’s position, but Emanuel said that he was proud of her for standing up for the city.
Similarly, Shaw said that Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed education funding reform legislation because of an inclusion of what he considered a bailout for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). He recently signed legislation that, while achieving other conservative goals, is actually more generous to CPS, Shaw reported.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
While Madigan, Emanuel and Rauner have borne out Daley’s iconic line, Shaw speculated as to whether Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle would do the same and abandon the heavily criticized sugary beverages tax. The measure has little public support and stands to threaten her seat, as well as those of several other commissioners, Shaw contended.
Alerts Sign-up