Coalition gives Mayor Daley 'D' for job performance
March 16, 2010
Now, a coalition of liberal-leaning civic groups is piling on -- by giving the mayor a "D" for job performance.
Developing Government Accountability to the People (DGAP) accused the mayor of "mortgaging the future" by selling off Chicago parking meters and draining most of the $1.15 billion windfall to fill a massive budget shortfall.
But, that's only part of the reason for the near-failing grade. The coalition forged in 2006 by the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, the Pilsen Alliance and the Coalition to Protect Public Housing is equally incensed by the mayor's priorities.
"It was really about equity. The city is working for some, but not everybody," said DGAP director Brian Gladstein.
"Except for the environment, they have failed to either be transparent around their policies or they have not been able to successfully create programs that are equitable across the city. Yes, there's a lack of money. But, the real issue is a lack of priorities for people most under-served in this city."
Mayoral press secretary Jacquelyn Heard noted that the time frame for the new study "roughly mirrors the worst economic crisis in recent history."
"The mayor welcomes feedback from constituents. But, it strikes me as odd that he gets an 'F' in the area of housing just hours after announcing the 300th public housing resident to buy a new home with help from the
