With Chicago Drowning In Debt, Major Rich M. Daley Announces He Won't Seek Seventh Term
'THE TIME IS NOW''
With Chicago Drowning In Debt, Major Richard M. Daley Bails On Seeking Seventh Term
WE THOUGHT HE'D DIE IN OFFICE.
But the once invincible Richard M. Daley announced Tuesday that he won't seek a seventh term as mayor of Chicago, leaving a sudden power vacuum in city's political machine.
"In the coming days I know there will be some reflecting on my time as mayor," Daley said earlier today at City Hall.
“Many of you will search to find out what’s behind my decision. It’s simple. I have always believed that every person, especially public officials must understand when it is time to move on. For me that time is now.”
The announcement shocked city pols and media types and comes as the city faces a $650 million shortfall after years of bloated spending. The city’s bond rating was downgraded a month ago from AA+ to AA.
The announcement also comes one month after speculation appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times that a search warrant may have been served in relation to the mayor.
Despite consistently winning reelection with sizeable majorities, Daley is accused of rewarding political operatives with jobs and enriching friends and family with government contracts.
In 2006, the New York Times concluded that “corruption shadows his every step.”
Tags: Chicago
