This has corruption and scandal written all over it (WARNING: The Tribune has since moved this story behind their firewall - you might have to register):
- Mayor Rahm Emanuel has spending authority over millions of dollars in private donations left from the NATO summit, giving him a powerful new tool to reward projects and causes he supports, the Tribune has learned.
The private donations were raised by Emanuel allies to help cover the city's share of hosting the May gathering of world leaders in Chicago, and officials have only said that any remaining money — currently as much as $14.9 million — would be spent on undefined NATO "legacy" projects.
But this week, the mayor's office and officials at World Business Chicago, the city's economic-development arm, confirmed that Emanuel will decide how to dole out the money. Emanuel aides and officials at WBC, which Emanuel chairs, will be involved in his decisions.
Gee, $15 million just lying around, to be spent on "legacy projects." Decided by a board that the mayor heads and probably appointed, too.
Well, a humble suggestion there Rahm - seeing as how the Police Department made you look like you knew what you were doing, how about tossing that $15 million our way? We'll find a good home for it.