Mayoral Race Tightens

Thelma Sardin |

It has been a busy week in Chicagos mayoral race.

Former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun has become the leading Black candidate among all African American contenders in Chicagos 2011 race for mayor.

On Sunday, Braun spoke at Salem Baptist Church, church of former mayoral candidate, Rev. James Meeks who withdrew on Dec. 23. Congressman Danny Davis dropped out of the race on New Years Eve.

On Sunday, Davis introduced Braun to the congregation at Salem. Braun told the congregation she can bring the pieces together from across the world. She also said the city must make sure it has a bright future and isn't a city divided or a people divided.

Braun faces reputable competitors including former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, former public schools president Gery Chico and City Clerk Miguel del Valle. Although Braun is the only major Black candidate in the race, she is still joined by two other Black candidates including community organizer Patricia Van-Pelt Watkins and William Dock Walls.

Last week, Braun announced her eight point Safety First crime plan which includes:

1. Creating a stronger police presence;

2. Increasing community involvement;

3. Taking the department in a new direction by hiring a new police superintendent from within;

4. Fighting for greater protection of senior citizens;

5. Overhauling child safety investigations and strategies;

6. Reducing recidivism;

7. Streamlining prevention and intervention services and;

8. Creating the Chicago Summer Nights program.

The budget situation cannot be used as an excuse for not keeping Chicagoans safe, Braun said in a recent press release. Nothing is more important than making sure our children are not being murdered and our seniors are not living in peril. A city without safe neighborhoods cannot prosper, she said.

At press time, Emanuel was scheduled to unveil his crime plan at the Better Boys Foundation.

Meanwhile, the citys parking meter rates rose again on Jan. making this the third rate hike since 2008 under the parking lease agreement. The rates call for two more increases over the next two years. It now costs $5 an hour to park in the loop, making it the highest rate in the country.

This week, Braun also vowed to break the citys parking meter lease if she is elected.

"This is a classic investment bank rip-off of the people of Chicago. I won't stand for it. Morgan Stanley and the other investment banks got billions worth of our quarters for only $1 billion. We want our money back, and if elected Mayor, I'm going to cancel this deal," said Braun . She continued, Not only are the rates too high, but now they want us to pay to park on Sundays? And in some streets, they want us to pay 24 hours a day? All so that Morgan Stanley, Abu Dhabi and Allianz can take our money? After I cancel this deal, I will roll back some of the worst parking hikes, especially in the neighborhoods," said Braun.

Chico released this statement after Brauns press conference about eliminating the citys parking meter deal.

"The parking meter deal was a disaster from the start, made worse by the fact that the promised $400 million in long-term reserves is gone. But just because it's campaign season doesn't mean candidates should mislead voters into thinking something is there that really isn't. Candidates who say the city can sue Morgan Stanley or renegotiate this deal without returning money the city already spent are simply deceiving voters.

Also at Mondays press conference, Braun was asked would she release her taxes to the public. The other three majority candidates have already done so. Braun reportedly said not until after the election, however, later that evening, it was reported that she will in fact release her tax returns prior to the election. The Citizen asked Brauns campaign for a statement confirming reports that she would release her tax returns before the election, but no confirmation was forthcoming by the Citizens deadline.

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