What suburban mayors want from Rahm Emanuel
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Now that Chicago has its first new mayor in 22 years, many suburban mayors believe the key to success for Rahm Emanuel is to emulate the relationship Mayor Richard M. Daley forged with the suburbs.
Cooperation and communication were common themes mentioned by suburban leaders who were asked what it will take for the new Chicago mayor to have a successful relationship with his neighbors. Many of the mayors praised Daley's collaboration with the suburbs when it came to legislative initiatives and funding prioritization.
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Emanuel elected as Chicago mayorHere's what some suburban mayors had to say:
Larry Hartwig, Addison: “Mayor Daley had been very instrumental in the establishment of the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus. I'm now chairman of that group and we look forward to their involvement. Come and have lunch with me. I'll buy.”
Arlene Mulder, Arlington Heights: “When you sit down and talk to someone, you can find common ground. The mayor of Chicago and suburban mayors have found that common ground. It's not about city or suburbs; it's about being a prosperous global region in the world. It's more than just getting along within the region. (Cooperation) allows you to take an agenda to Washington and to Springfield and get things accomplished at those levels and that's equally important.”
Karen Darch, Barrington: “We're looking for more of the same cooperation and good working relationship. Continuing the open dialogue that Mayor Daley began with suburban communities is very important. We both need to listen to each other and communicate.”
Jeff Schielke, Batavia: “We need to continue projecting ourselves in the international community as a highly cooperative region. The expansion of O'Hare International Airport is a key component because we're not going to maintain our global competitiveness without that airport.”
Frank Saverino, Carol Stream: “I've given it a lot of thought. I've sat for hours thinking who would want that job? I mean, really. They sold the Skyway. They sold most of the (parking) garages. The Olympics aren't coming. The airport's a disaster. The deal with Bensenville about the airport isn't any better. I don't know where the money's going to come from. Whoever leads Chicago is going to be a leader for the area. Everything comes through Chicago. But we need to work together.”
Martin J. Moylan, Des Plaines: “It's important to have a viable city of Chicago. As the saying generally goes, as Chicago goes, we go. When Chicago attracts business it's good for the whole region.”
Craig Johnson, Elk Grove Village: “When you're looking at what's good for Chicago, make sure it's good for the surrounding communities. You're not an island unto yourself. Don't be afraid to reach out to other mayors for help, for advice and for partnership, especially to some of us who've been around for a long time.”
William McLeod, Hoffman Estates: “I hope the next mayor is as involved in the suburbs. There is strength in numbers. Issues that affect a city of 3 million also affect a city of 50,000. Get involved. Attend the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. If we can find common ground on issues we'll have a much stronger voice.”
Terry Weppler, Libertyville: “The best thing the new mayor can do is to keep Chicago a world-class city. What's good for the city of Chicago is good for all the suburbs. All the things that affect the city, affect us in the suburbs, especially transportation. Making sure our residents can get into and out of the city from a transportation standpoint is important to the city and to us. We all need to work together.”
Brett Blomberg, Lincolnshire: “The city of Chicago is an economic engine for the entire state. To promote business and tourism in Chicago helps all of the suburbs. Don't discount anything. Be open to new ideas. It doesn't matter where they come from, give them due consideration.”
Kenneth H. Kessler, Mundelein: “We're so far from Chicago it's like two separate worlds. One thing we struggle with is public transportation to and from Chicago that is efficient. Understand that the suburbs can be affected by things that happen in Chicago.”
Al Larson, Schaumburg: “There used to be almost a war between the city and the suburbs, but Rich Daley made a big difference in terms of reaching out to the suburbs and finding a common cause. Just maintaining that kind of relationship is what I'd suggest. I'm not going to presume to have any advice; I have enough problems giving advice to my fellow board members.”
William Murphy, Woodridge: “I would be hard-pressed to think of something we're not getting from the city already. My advice is to establish good relationships with the suburban mayors and be attentive to those matters that impact the entire region, which at the top of the list right now is transportation. That's the backbone of the entire metro area.”
