Posted on 09/12/2006 9:50:40 AM PDT by STARWISE
With dozens of protestors shouting nearby, Mayor Richard Daley gave an impassioned speech today to explain why he vetoed the big-box ordinance.
Standing at the site of a proposed Target store on the Far South Side, Daley said no one protested when large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target opened in the suburbs.
"Not one person objected to any type of store in the suburban area," Daley said. "No one said, 'Mayor, you're wrong. No one said the aldermen are wrong. No one said the community (was) wrong, or church leaders. Only in the West Side, only in the South Side."
The supporters, nearly all of them African Americans from community organizations, erupted in cheers.
Daley said his decision to issue the first veto of his 17-year tenure was based on fairness, pointing to a map that showed big box stores ringing the city.
He said he understands that people are upset with stagnant wages at a time when Wall Street executives make millions. But he said the minimum wage must be raised at the state or federal level so that local disparities are not created."The result of this ordinance would not be better wages and benefits for workers in Chicago," Daley said. "Instead, it would drive out business, jobs and revenue from our city."
The pro-labor community group Acorn sent buses with dozens of protestors to the site of the press conference at 119th and the Dan Ryan Expressway.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Leaders in Chicago's suburbs say Wal-Mart and the sales and property tax revenues its stores generate have helped pay for vital projects and invigorate once-moribund shopping centers.
The chart shows the amounts of sales tax revenues and real estate tax revenues that Wal-Mart stores generate in selected, close-in suburbs.
Two shuttered Montgomery Ward department stores now house thriving big-box retailers as a result of Wal-Mart's entry into north suburban Niles and south suburban Lansing, officials said.
And west suburban Forest Park has leveraged its Wal-Mart store to improve its aging infrastructure.
The village has rebuilt and resurfaced streets and alleys and made water improvements.
(snip)
Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon said he's disappointed Daley's first veto in 17 years "comes at the price of 10,000" retail workers who "could have gotten a raise of $2 an hour that could have lifted them" from poverty.
"It just saddens me that the mayor of Chicago has decided to side with big business and major corporations, rather than the working men and women," he said.
Tom Balanoff, president of the Service Employees International Union's Illinois Council, predicted that Daley would pay a political price for taking a stand against "the little guy" if he chooses to seek re-election in February.
"I don't see how unions are going to be able to support the mayor, and I would hope that working people aren't going to vote for him," Balanoff said.
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., a possible mayoral challenger, is already seeking to capitalize on the veto -- by accusing Daley of standing "with President Bush and the Republican-led Congress" against "incrementally raising the minimum wage."
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With the organized union and the "gimme, entitlement" crowd machine staging loud, dissident rallies, protesting that they're protecting the low income workers, and Jesse Jackson, Jr. publicly mulling a run for the mayor's office, I'm getting a sick feeling. Daley, from what I've seen, has been responsible for a very impressive and magnificent city, all things considered. God help us if Jesse and his gang end up running a city like Chicago.
You could take the first person you see in each Ward of the City, appoint them alderman and the City Council would be improved. What a bunch of idiots.
Chicago is a cesspool, let 'em have it. Then after they mess it up, Chicago can be reclaimed and a Phoenix will rise from the ashes.
There's also a city council backlash brewing on the foie gras ban. Bernie Natarus, of all people, says the law makes Chicago susceptible to jokes.
Alderman Natarus should know.
just look at the senators from that state
Will he be inviting his namesake to Chicago for an annual company/business shakedown?
Ping!
Makes me quake.
And these people get paid for this??
Actually, despite Daley and its "leaders" its a very nice city. One of the best in the USA.
It's too bad the media on both coasts hates Chicago.
There must be some truth to what you say, Chicago STOLE Boeing from Seattle. ;)
WalMart Ping..........
I think it's going to be a busy week, folks!!!!
How dare they defy the elites like that. Don't they know their place on the plantation? /sarc
The real truth came out in the last few words of that statement.
The media on both coasts may hate Chicago, so? We in "downstate" Illinois have no love for what all the politicians from Chicago are doing to our state.
I love this part, the unions can pay them to protest but can't find them jobs. Funny stuff, only unions and dumbocrats can think this is a good idea.
LOL!!!
My native state is going downhill at an alarming rate. Though I have several years to retirement, I am starting to give great thought to moving elsewhere. Illinois and Chicago will be lost causes in a few years.
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