Emanuel: Chicagos 55th Mayor
by Thelma Sardin
Tuesday morning began Rahm Emanuels first full day as Chicagos new mayor. Mayor Emanuel announced a $75 million budget cut to the citys finances for fiscal year 2011.
These $75 million worth of immediate savings to the 2011 budget are only the beginning, said Mayor Emanuel. They pave the way to a leaner budget for the 2012 fiscal year. And they also send an unmistakable message: I am committed to stabilizing the Citys finances in order to secure Chicagos long-term economic future.
The city budget reductions will help to streamline city services. Some of the services include: Parking Enforcement &Traffic Control Coordination, Dept. of Water Mgmt./CDOT Coordination and scaling back the city vehicles with more fuel efficient models.
Tuesday mornings measure is not Mayor Emanuels first action as Chicagos boss.
On Monday afternoon, Mayor Emanuel signed six Executive Orders to reinforce ethics rules.
According to a press release, the first Executive Order prohibits new appointees from lobbying City government for two years after leaving.
The second Executive Order protects City employees against pressure to give gifts or make political contributions to their superiors.
The third Executive Order prohibits City lobbyists from making political contributions to the Mayor.
The release also noted that Mayor Emanuel reissued three Executive Orders on ethics that were originally signed by Mayor Daley. These include a ban on political contributions to the Mayor from the owners of companies that do business with the City, an order requiring City employees to comply with the hiring oversight rules adopted in connection with the Shakman litigation, and an order reaffirming that it is the duty of every City employee to report wrongdoing to the Inspector General.
"Chicagoans want to see change in the way their city government does business," said Mayor Emanuel.
On Monday morning, Mayor Emanuel was sworn-in as Chicagos 55th mayor at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The Mayor was joined by his wife Amy Rule and three children Zach, Ilana and Leah as he took the oath of office which was administered by Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court.
Several local, state and federal dignitaries were present for Emanuels inauguration including: Vice President Joe Biden, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, United States Senators Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin, Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jesse White.
The event opened with a moving musical selection by the Chicago Childrens Choir. The national anthem was sung by Grammy and Tony Award winning singer, Heather Headley. After an invocation by Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, City Clerk Susana Mendoza was sworn in.
After she took the oath of office, Mendoza swore in 18 new City Council members. Next, Chanel Sosa, senior at Innovations High School read a poem and City Treasurer Stephanie Neely was sworn in by Shelli Williams Hayes, Cook County Circuit Court Judge.
Mayor Emanuel was sworn in after Treasurer Neely. In his nearly 25 minute inaugural speeches, the new mayor noted that Chicago is ready for change.
For all the parents who deserve a school system that expects every student to earn a diploma; for all the neighbors who deserve to walk home on safer streets; for all the taxpayers who deserve a city government that is more effective and costs less; and for all the people in the hardest-working city in America who deserve a strong economy so they can find jobs or create jobs -- this is your day, Mayor Emanuel said to the large crowd.
Emanuel also thanked former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
When Richard M. Daley took office as mayor 22 years ago, he challenged all of us to lower our voices and raise our sights. Chicago is a different city today than the one Mayor Daley inherited, thanks to all he did, he said.
Throughout the duration of his speech, Mayor Emanuel discussed education, public safety and the citys finances.
He concluded by asking Chicagoans to help resolve some of the citys issues.
I ask of each of you Let us share the necessary sacrifices fairly and justly. If everyone will give a little, no one will have to give too much.
The mayors inauguration ceremony capped a weekend full of events.
Sunday morning, he joined City Clerk Susana Mendoza and Treasurer Stephanie Neely at the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago Interfaith Luncheon.
On Saturday, Mayor Emanuel, Treasurer Neely and Clerk Mendoza participated in a citywide community service day.
The trio stopped by two community service project sites. They first joined community residents at 65th & Woodlawn Community Garden located on the south side. The Mayor, who was also accompanied by his family helped weed and shovel the garden.
Mayor Emanuel also participated in service projects at the Fulton Street Flower & Veggie Garden on the citys west side.
Chicagos parks and gardens, playgrounds and waterfronts belong to all of us, said Mayor Emanuel in a released statement. The leaders in my administration all agree: it's our responsibility to help keep Chicago safe and clean. Working together, we can make sure that years from now our children and grandchildren will call this world-class city home.
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