- Christian K. Lee / For Sun-Times Media
- Mayoral challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia tells skeptical reporters that he really does have a financial plan for the city.
Challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia faced a roomful of reporters and camera crews Friday morning to prove that he’s ready to be mayor.
But he’s been vague about what he’d do about annual budget deficits and $20 billion in unfunded pension obligations. Emanuel and his allies have hammered the point, portraying Garcia’s squishiness as evidence that he’s not mayoral material. In other words, it’s better to have an arrogant prick in power than someone who could let Chicago become Detroit.
In fact, Garcia had quite a few things to say about Rahm, starting with how he’s added to the city’s debt, put off pension payments, and seen bond ratings drop. It’s not a reassuring list, and Garcia returned to it as often as possible.
Or maybe it’s because the plan was similar to what Emanuel promised when he was first campaigning four years ago: a “forensic audit,” TIF reform, and operational efficiencies.
Similarly, Garcia danced as long as he could Friday morning. Eventually, after the press corps began shouting questions at him about potential tax hikes, he acknowledged that “additional and new revenues” would probably be needed.
