Chicago Voters Say Emanuel Neglects City’s Neighborhoods

New poll shows that majority of voters don’t believe that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is doing enough for economic development.

(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

This is your first of three free stories this month. Become a free or sustaining member to read unlimited articles, webinars and ebooks.

Become A Member

A new Chicago Tribune poll reveals that the majority of voters say they believe that Mayor Rahm Emanuel isn’t doing enough for economic development. According to the poll, six in 10 city voters say Emanuel is not doing enough to create jobs throughout the city. The number is higher among those who say they plan to vote for Emanuel’s challengers.

Many believe that the Mayor’s efforts have been largely focused in the city’s downtown area, and not in the neighborhoods that need them most.

“He takes care of downtown,” said 41-year-old poll respondent Lakashia McCoy. “He’s got the jobs going there. In the real city, there isn’t any of that. No jobs. Shootings all over the place and no police in sight.”

Chicago’s mayoral election will take place on February 24th. Mayoral candidate and Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia has painted himself as the man-of-the-neighborhoods candidate, saying that Emanuel doesn’t understand how to address Chicago’s biggest issues.

“He didn’t grow up here,” Garcia says of Emanuel. “He doesn’t breathe what the city needs.”

Garcia’s website addresses schools, crime and immigration but offers no jobs platform. Of all the candidates’ platforms, Emanuel’s offers the most specifics on jobs. Still, when it comes to connecting to the community, as Bill Bradley recently reported for Next City, Emanuel might want to look to a fellow Obama guy, the University of Chicago’s Derek Douglas.

Like what you’re reading? Get a browser notification whenever we post a new story. You’re signed-up for browser notifications of new stories. No longer want to be notified? Unsubscribe.

Jenn Stanley is a freelance journalist, essayist and independent producer living in Chicago. She has an M.S. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Follow Jenn .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tags: chicagorahm emanuel2015 mayoral races2015 city vote

×
Next City App Never Miss A StoryDownload our app ×
×

You've reached your monthly limit of three free stories.

This is not a paywall. Become a free or sustaining member to continue reading.

  • Read unlimited stories each month
  • Our email newsletter
  • Webinars and ebooks in one click
  • Our Solutions of the Year magazine
  • Support solutions journalism and preserve access to all readers who work to liberate cities

Join 1096 other sustainers such as:

  • Gabby at $5/Month
  • Abigail at $10/Month
  • Gloria at $5/Month

Already a member? Log in here. U.S. donations are tax-deductible minus the value of thank-you gifts. Questions? Learn more about our membership options.

or pay by credit card:

All members are automatically signed-up to our email newsletter. You can unsubscribe with one-click at any time.

  • Donate $20 or $5/Month

    20th Anniversary Solutions of the Year magazine

has donated ! Thank you 🎉
Donate
×