Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday laid out a second-term economic plan he said would focus on the city's struggling neighborhoods as he fights critics who say his policies so far have mainly benefited wealthier Chicagoans.
Emanuel went to the Far South Side for a campaign speech light on new proposals and heavy on what he says were his first-term economic successes in which he said areas of the city outside downtown already are seeing a better jobs outlook on his watch.
Six weeks before he stands for re-election, the mayor is working to win back African-American voters who gave him strong support in his first election but who have grown disenchanted with him since, according to Chicago Tribune polling. The Emanuel campaign event at Method, a new manufacturing company in a predominantly black neighborhood, highlighted what he called "a comeback story for Pullman."
"Method is a symbol of what's happening in neighborhoods across Chicago," Emanuel told the invitation-only crowd. "Its arrival here in Pullman didn't happen by accident. It's part of a plan that we developed shortly after taking office."
Method, which makes cleaning products, is scheduled to open in April and is expected to employ about 100 people. About $8 million in city funds from two special taxing districts were spent to build the $40 million, eco-friendly plant.
The mayor made the case that thousands of jobs have been created in Chicago since his first term began in 2011. Left unsaid was the fact that the last four years coincided with the end of the Great Recession and a general nationwide improvement in the job market.
Nor did Emanuel mention that many of the new jobs added during his tenure have come from companies relocating from the suburbs or elsewhere with lots of the positions already filled and not available to unemployed Chicago residents. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has lamented this "zero sum game" of municipalities in the area poaching companies from one another, arguing regional officials need to cooperate in order to truly improve the economy.
Emanuel acknowledged the job creation hasn't been seen equally citywide and called for expanding both a small business loan program and a business infrastructure improvement program, with a particular focus on the South and West sides.
"Too many neighborhoods in the city, however, still struggle to attract jobs," he said. "To make these neighborhoods more attractive for growth and investment, we will develop a package of incentives such as targeted tax reductions and a concierge service for both zoning, permitting and licensing."
Emanuel also touted his work to shrink food deserts in the city and pledged to bring additional grocery stores to underserved parts of Chicago in a second term. In particular, he pointed to the Wal-Mart now selling groceries in Pullman, though that store was approved by the City Council in 2010 under predecessor Richard M. Daley.
Heading into the Feb. 24 city election, Emanuel has embarked on what he says will be a series of five policy speeches. Wednesday's economic talk followed campaign events where he spoke about ethics and education. Talks on infrastructure and public safety have yet to be scheduled.
Mayoral challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia released a statement in advance of Wednesday's speech saying Emanuel was downplaying his economic failures, including a refusal to address the city's growing long-term debt. "The reality is that the current administration has not delivered for huge numbers of our working families. Under this administration, unemployment outside of the central city remains unacceptably high, and income inequality persists," Garcia said.
And challenger Ald. Bob Fioretti, 2nd, said Emanuel "has been more concerned with making the downtown favorable to his developers, rather than bringing good-paying jobs to our communities."
Candidate Willie Wilson said he can't see the development Emanuel was boasting about and said the city needs to do more to equitably distribute contracts and jobs.
"He's running for re-election, and he's trying to build a case," said Wilson, a businessman. "As I ride around in the neighborhoods ... I don't see it. It's not there."
Tribune reporter Hal Dardick contributed.
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