If you didn’t see it in the weekend paper, my latest piece is now online in the Wall Street Journal. It’s about the Chicago mayoral election and the state of the city. Here’s an excerpt:
Visitors to Chicago’s gleaming downtown might never know that the Windy City faces a fiscal crisis driven by unfunded pension liabilities as well as major challenges with crime and corruption. But local voters should know the full story as they head to the polls Tuesday to pick a new mayor.
Thirteen candidates—mostly Democrats—are vying to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose eight years in office have been dogged by controversies including a major teachers strike and allegations of police brutality. His unexpected decision not to run for re-election created a wide-open field to replace him.
…
The backdrop of Tuesday’s election is a strange mixture of urban glitter, violent crime and woeful governance. Chicago has proved itself different from other postindustrial American cities. It has a strong economic base and continues to draw talent and investment. The Windy City’s potential is unlimited if it gets its act together. But doing so will require fresh thinking and a real commitment to reform—qualities noticeably missing among the city’s permanent political class and the baker’s dozen of candidates vying to be the next mayor.
Click through to read the whole thing.
Cover image credit: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
from Aaron M. Renn
https://www.aaronrenn.com/2019/02/25/a-mad-dash-for-city-hall-in-the-windy-city/
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