And Quinn of all people is calling him on part of it:
- Gov. Pat Quinn said today Mayor Rahm Emanuel is "putting the cart before the horse" with plans for spending money from a Chicago casino that has yet to be legalized.
Quinn made it clear he doesn't appreciate Emanuel's repeated suggestions that he sign legislation to legalize a massive expansion of gambling statewide in addition to allowing Chicago to own a casino. - But in a Tribune interview Monday, Emanuel offered some specifics for fixing schools, roads and public transit with money from a proposed Chicago casino, stepping up his pressure on Quinn. Emanuel laid out his plans for the casino money just days before Senate Democrats are poised to discuss how to deal with Quinn's concerns about the gambling legislation.
- Emanuel said he would invest revenue from a city-owned casino to build or renovate up to 25 schools; double arterial street repaving to 80 miles a year over three years; replace 20 miles of "L" track each year to eliminate slow zones, rebuild 10 miles of elevated track structure each year and renovate 45 rail stations over five years; replace 40 miles of leaky city water mains; and overhaul five viaducts that are rusting away.
The city's take of casino revenue, which the state estimated at up to $140 million a year, would cover the cost of borrowing for a plan that would create 15,000 to 20,000 jobs during construction, Emanuel said.
So instead of paying down Chicago's debt and catching up on outstanding pension obligations, which were supposed to be the main reasons for actually getting a Chicago casino, Rahm has decided he doesn't need casino revenues for their intended purposes, but rather for more bells and whistles - new spending programs, more opportunities for ribbon-cutting ceremonies, additional government contracts - probably so he can run on his "public works" programs record as he aspires to higher office.
If Quinn had any balls whatsoever, he'd cut Rahm off at the knees and veto the entire bill tomorrow....let Rahm explain why he's spending $140 million he doesn't even have yet while the city has a $600 million deficit and billions in unfunded liabilities that's going to destroy Chicago just as sure as the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.
If Quinn had any balls whatsoever, he'd cut Rahm off at the knees and veto the entire bill tomorrow....let Rahm explain why he's spending $140 million he doesn't even have yet while the city has a $600 million deficit and billions in unfunded liabilities that's going to destroy Chicago just as sure as the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.