Daley defends record, says he's had vision

Daley defends record, says he's had vision
A diplomatic mayor counters Gutierrez

By Gary Washburn
Copyright by The Chicago Tribune
Published May 10, 2006

One day after being criticized by potential challenger Luis Gutierrez, Mayor Richard Daley responded Tuesday by taking credit for improving the city's public schools and tackling the challenge of public housing.

Daley also defended Millennium Park, something Gutierrez appears to have seized upon as an issue, saying the lakefront attraction will pay for itself and even help provide money for schools.

And the mayor asserted that the city is well positioned to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, but is a distance away from knowing whether to seek the Games.

Gutierrez, a Democratic congressman from Chicago for 14 years, unveiled the equivalent of a campaign platform in a speech Monday, saying he would love to be mayor but has not yet decided whether to run in next February's election.

Gutierrez decried the shortcomings of a school system in which only six of 100 entering high school freshmen ultimately graduate from college. And he said Daley has been distracted from the push for educational improvement by less important matters such as Millennium Park and the Olympics.

Daley sought to be diplomatic Tuesday.

"There is nothing wrong with people giving me their ideas, whether Congressman Gutierrez or you or anyone else," he told reporters at a South Side school after an appearance with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. "That is what you do as a public official. You listen. You take their criticism, you take their evaluation."

But Daley said that he has spent "an enormous amount of time on education." He said he decided to seek control of the schools in 1995 despite doubters.

"I had the vision, I had the will and I had the character to do it, and the courage," he said. "I said we are going to make a difference, and there has been a difference. I am the only mayor in the United States who would take that political responsibility. Every other mayor ran out left and right."

Daley pointed out that he also sought control of the Chicago Housing Authority in 1999 despite some who urged him to let the federal government keep what had become a major headache.

"We roll up our sleeves, and I said we want responsibility," he said. "We said we are going to make a difference. It has been a struggle. It is a challenge. But it is all worth saving [CHA residents]. Every one of these children, if you let them be isolated and left alone, then you are saying they are not worth saving."

Millennium Park, the popular but expensive attraction at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, has been a great asset for the city, Daley said.

"This is not a privileged park. It's free concerts. Everything is free there. It is amazing."

The new park has contributed to an increase in downtown property values, Daley said. Property taxes are rising accordingly, with some of the revenues headed to the Board of Education, he said.

Daley, who first was elected in 1989, said he has not yet decided whether to seek another term in 2007.

He is scheduled to meet with officials of the United States Olympic Committee Wednesday to discuss a possible Chicago bid for the 2016 Games.

"They are going to talk about the process, the requirements, the timelines, so we can make informed decisions whether to move toward an exploratory process," the mayor said.

Daley reiterated that "you are not going to use local taxpayers' money," for the Games if Chicago decides to go forward, and he said that the city would not build a major new stadium unless it would have a use afterwards.

Daley, who returned Monday from a trip to Jordan and Israel, said he visited schools in both nations and "was very impressed by what I saw."

Both countries emphasize math and science, and he raised the possibility of establishing more academies in Chicago that emphasize those subjects.

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gwashburn@tribune.com