Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Plans New Anti-Gang Violence Push
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By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio | email
Next Wednesday, it'll be exactly one year since Rahm Emanuel took the oath of office as Mayor of Chicago. The surprising surge in shootings and killings has been a setback, but he said he will soon unveil a new gang strategy. And he said he's delivered progress on 91 percent of the goals set forth in his transition team's report; with a nod to Austin Powers, he said that's been good for Chicago's "mojo."
"I think our challenges were here and our city, for whatever reason, had kind of lost its mojo," Emanuel said. "And I think we have our mojo back, that none of our challenges are bigger then us."
No challenge has been tougher during Emanuel's first year than controlling the gang-related street violence afflicting almost one-third of the City of Chicago. Early each morning, he personally reviews the previous day's often-grim statistics and, when there's a clearly innocent young victim involved, he reaches out to the devastated family.
"It's very hard. Looking at that thing every morning is hard. Calling a parent and letting 'em know they're not alone is very, very hard. But I think it's a responsibility to speak on behalf of the city. And to care for them. There's a parental piece of this. And then there's my job as mayor. And both count when you talk to them," Emanuel said.
He acknowledged that homicides are up, but almost 90 percent are gang-on-gang violence.
"And there are kids, innocent kids caught in that crossfire," he said. "We'll be laying out a clear piece of an anti-gang strategy, because we have a unique gang problem in this city that other cities don't have.
"But I think once again the city has a confidence that we can handle this. And that we know what our priorities are, that we are focused on our priorities. And we're ready to be held accountable to getting results," he said.
Each of the 55 goals laid out in his Transition Team report was ultimately related to bringing jobs and growing prosperity to Chicago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:48 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:48:27 GMT
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:44 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:44:38 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:55 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:55:19 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
