How do you think things will change in city hall? Contracts etc..?
chicagotribune.com
City Hall on edge as Emanuel moves in
Bureaucrats, lobbyists wonder about their futures under the next mayor
By John Chase and David Heinzmann, Tribune reportersMarch 26, 2011
A nervous energy is crackling through City Hall as bureaucrats, businesspeople and lobbyists wonder how the first regime change since 1989 will affect their livelihood.
For these insiders, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's promise to get things done in a new way is more than just a campaign slogan.
Many made a comfortable living during the 22-year administration of Mayor Richard Daley, building political capital, forging relationships and making deals. Now they face the prospect of a new boss with different priorities, a fresh voice on the phone at a crucial department — another power structure to scale. Emanuel is set to be inaugurated on May 16.
"There will be a new paradigm," said public relations executive Marilyn Katz, a Daley loyalist who has won city contracts going back to the administration of the city's first black mayor, Harold Washington. "It is a period of transition, and people are scrambling to get the ear" of Emanuel's team.
Still, some insiders say they don't expect the kind of upheaval that happened when Washington or Daley took over.
"It's not like somebody beat the incumbent and beat the old guard," said former 43rd Ward alderman Charles Bernardini, now a lobbyist and lawyer at Ungaretti & Harris. "There's a great deal of good will for Rahm, even those who supported other candidates."
Billions of dollars are at stake in City Hall. Road, airport and school construction. Legal work, bond financing and advertising. Not to mention the money spent — legally — on lobbyists, politicians and consultants to influence the decisions.
Click on the link below for the whole story
For these insiders, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's promise to get things done in a new way is more than just a campaign slogan.
Many made a comfortable living during the 22-year administration of Mayor Richard Daley, building political capital, forging relationships and making deals. Now they face the prospect of a new boss with different priorities, a fresh voice on the phone at a crucial department — another power structure to scale. Emanuel is set to be inaugurated on May 16.
"There will be a new paradigm," said public relations executive Marilyn Katz, a Daley loyalist who has won city contracts going back to the administration of the city's first black mayor, Harold Washington. "It is a period of transition, and people are scrambling to get the ear" of Emanuel's team.
Still, some insiders say they don't expect the kind of upheaval that happened when Washington or Daley took over.
"It's not like somebody beat the incumbent and beat the old guard," said former 43rd Ward alderman Charles Bernardini, now a lobbyist and lawyer at Ungaretti & Harris. "There's a great deal of good will for Rahm, even those who supported other candidates."
Billions of dollars are at stake in City Hall. Road, airport and school construction. Legal work, bond financing and advertising. Not to mention the money spent — legally — on lobbyists, politicians and consultants to influence the decisions.
Click on the link below for the whole story
Rahm Emanuel regime and City Hall power structure - chicagotribune.com
I hope one of the first things he does is re-write policies related to contracts and how vendors, businesses and lobbyists need to work with the city. And no more contracts for family and friends.
ReplyDeleteAgree competetive bidding procedures need a major overhaul.
ReplyDeleteAlso, very curious as to how Rahm and Ferguson (City of Chicago Inspector General) will interact. It will be critical for these two to be on the same page if we are to reform municipal government.
Daley and the City Council haven't been taking the IG's reports seriously, even though he has been right on target about spending since he started. No one wanted to upset the applecart of connected friends/family who have city contracts. Will Rahm dump connected people? Stay tuned - the proof will be in the pudding.
ReplyDelete