By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Some Presidents have used their second term to steer big projects and other federal largesse to their home states. Will that be on Barack Obama's agenda?
Fox Chicago News Political Editor Mike Flannery has been talking to top officials here who hope the President will now deliver more than he did in his first four years.
Texas has NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. New York is littered with living memorials to favorite son Franklin D. Roosevelt. Where might Sasha and Malia Obama one day take their grandchildren to point with pride to something named after the current President? Mayor Emanuel has a few ideas. And he's not the only one.
If Rahm Emanuel were to write Santa Claus this season on behalf of Chicago, insiders told Fox Chicago News most of his gift requests would likely be found in here: a formal report of his Transition Team whose members included former City Hall Policy Chief MarySue Barrett.
"We need to invest in Union Station. We need to invest in Bus Rapid Transit. We need to invest in rehabilitation of our crumbling infrastructure," says Barrett.
The mayor's wish list includes billions of dollars more for new world-class schools and for housing; the CREATE rail project to speed up freight trains; express rail service between The Loop and O'Hare; and extending the CTA Red Line from 95th St. to 130th St.
Each of those remains a top priority of Mayor Emanuel, who said he treasures the memories of his work with and for President Obama.
"You look back on that. Those are special moments that, uh, you did something with your life that at some point in your life you've left your little thumb print on our larger society," Emanuel stated.
But warm memories alone will do nothing to solve looming budget crises at City Hall and the Illinois State capitol. A few subtle tweaks to federal funding formulas and regulations could be much more valuable.
"We'd be falling into a trap just to think about projects. It's also how we can use the money. A lot of the way the dollars flow from the federal level down to the local level, cities and regions, have strings attached," says Barrett.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:05:27 GMT
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Republicans call them "scandals." Democrats call them "fishing expeditions." Whatever the case, the Obama administration finds itself trying to fix three big problems this week. FOX's Bret Baier reports.
Republicans call them "scandals." Democrats call them "fishing expeditions." Whatever the case, the Obama administration finds itself trying to fix three big problems this week. FOX's Bret Baier reports.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:51 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:51:51 GMT
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
After initially opposing the legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon now supports the bill awaiting a State Senate vote. She told Good Day Chicago why she changed her mind.
After initially opposing the legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon now supports the bill awaiting a State Senate vote. She told Good Day Chicago why she changed her mind.
FOX's Brett Baier has the latest on political headlines regarding former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Benghazi testimony and the IRS admitting to targeting conservative groups for tax enforcement.
FOX's Brett Baier has the latest on political headlines regarding former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Benghazi testimony and the IRS admitting to targeting conservative groups for tax enforcement.
