“The decisions we make in the next two or three years will determine what Chicago will look like in the next 20 or 30.’’
Emanuel inherits a city with big financial problems. His transition team predicted a $700 million budget shortfall next year, but because of some controversial decisions by Daley — most notably the push to privatize parking meters — he has a limited number of ways to pay for school improvements or repair the city’s aging infrastructure.
In his speech, Emanuel walked a fine line, bluntly assessing the city’s problems without being directly critical of the departing mayor. He also showed that he would not be shy about wading into national politics, referring to efforts in other Midwestern states to eliminate union rights for many public employees as part of budget cuts.
“I reject how leaders in Wisconsin and Ohio are exploiting their fiscal crisis to achieve a political goal. That course is not the right course for Chicago’s future,’’ he said.
Emanuel represented Chicago in Congress before he went to Washington to become Obama’s senior aide.
In a mark of Emanuel’s continuing ties with Washington, Vice President Joe Biden attended the inauguration, as did Obama’s current chief of staff, William Daley; Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner, and two other Cabinet secretaries.
Obama proclaims Huskies best hoopsters in the land
WASHINGTON — President Obama yesterday proclaimed the Connecticut Huskies as the best college basketball team in the land.
At a White House ceremony, Obama honored the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team for winning the 2011 NCAA national championship title. Connecticut defeated Butler University, 53-41, to capture the national title last month.
