Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says he’s not running for re-election after decades in office.
Daley said Tuesday he’s been thinking about not running for several months and has become comfortable with his decision over the last several weeks. Daley says “it just feels right.” Daley says the time to move on “is now.”
The 68-year-old Democrat has been Chicago’s mayor since 1989.
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PRESS RELEASE: CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY Christopher C. Cooper is running for Mayor of Chicago. See: http://www.christophercooperformayor2011.org/ http://www.facebook.com/cooperforchicagomayor2011
AMONG MY PRIORITIES: ??
THE PARKING METER LEASE MUST BE VOIDED
I will use my legal skills as a lawyer to void the parking lease contract. We will explore every legal remedy to void the 75-year lease arrangement the City of Chicago has entered into with Chicago Parking Meter LLC. If we are unsuccessful in that effort, at the very least, a moratorium on parking ticket writing will be implemented after 6PM and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Towing will be significantly decreased. Towing will occur only when absolutely necessary.
OTHER ISSUES
FIREARMS: I understand that some of Chicago’s law-abiding citizens want to be able to carry a firearm on their person because they are concerned about being harmed by criminals. When I am elected mayor of Chicago, I will work closely with your aldermen to pass an ordinance that will not preclude any law abiding Chicago resident who passes a simple, uncomplicated background check from exercising their Second Amendment right to possess and carry a firearm within Chicago City limits. I am a proponent of “conceal and carry” and will work with those groups and organizations trying to advance legislation towards it’s’ legalization.
JOBS: (1) To create jobs and to restore jobs as in rehiring laid off schoolteachers and CTA workers; (2) More jobs by the hiring of more Traffic management personnel and to bring back conductors on all rush hour CTA trains; (3) Eliminating or remaking any employment position in city government for which a salary is not commensurate with the job.??
TRAFFIC & PARKING: (1) Towing will be decreased significantly! And, parking signs will explain in clear concise English when a driver can park, etc.; (2) Commonsense Synchronizing of traffic lights; (3) Putting an end to traffic tie-ups on streets such as Cicero, and Western; as well as on highways such as the Eisenhower and Kennedy, by assigning on-site personnel (includes police and traffic control agents), AROUND THE CLOCK, to supervise traffic construction projects and to monitor and direct traffic. No longer will a “Foreman” of a traffic construction project have the luxury of closing lanes and blocking roads without absolute necessity. The orange cones and orange barrels that unnecessarily disrupt rush hour traffic will be used sparingly; (4) Stricter limitations on when a driver can receive a ticket pursuant to a red light camera; & (5) Increasing fines for freight trains that stall automobile traffic at crossings.??
SCHOOLS: (1) Fewer schools will be closed. Teachers will be rehired and high schools in particular will no longer be havens for crime; (2) Making CPS autonomous to city government.
CTA: To build new CTA rail lines and to increase existing CTA rail and subway service. This includes attaining the goal of providing new subway service from Ogilvie and Union Stations to Michigan Ave.; Navy Pier; major Museums and Soldier Field with additional service to the Museum of Science and Industry; (3) Express subway service between downtown and O’Hare Airport; (4) Express “3D Express Coach” service and subway service between downtown and Forest Park in order to ease congestion on the Eisenhower; & (5) Express buses and lanes on the Eisenhower, Increase service on Stony Island and #2 Indiana bus lines on the South Side.?? ???
CRIME: (1) To hire more police officers and to implement 24-hour foot patrols accompanied by constant, unrelenting pro-active policing by uniformed and plain clothes patrol officers; (2) Total revamping of the Police Independent Review Authority; (3) Support for FOP and the community calls for increased staffing.(4) Serious consideration for beat and district re-alignments.
GREEN & PHYSICAL EXERCISE: (1) Creation of more bike paths and green areas (e.g., turning abandoned rail lines into a running trails, etc.); (2) Requiring all city contractors to sign-on to an agreement to recycle.?? ?
MILITARY VETERANS: My administration will give military veterans the respect and credit that they deserve. It will no longer be difficult for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to secure employment in Chicago city government. Police personnel in particular will receive new training that will enable them to understand and appreciate the re-adjustment challenges of returning war veterans.
MERIT HIRING ONLY: Making sure that no one is hired by the City through patronage…owed favors, etc. The “Shakman Decree” will be honored; rather, a person is hired based on merit and qualifications. The unknown, unconnected professionals in Chicago will finally have a real chance to hold positions in City government.