Kathianne
08-18-2024, 10:43 PM
Great editorial:
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-chicago-model-for-democrats-johnson-crime-education-dnc-5ddd8e7d?st=h12n711pszg9r9f&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
The Chicago Model for DemocratsDelegates to the Democratic National Convention this week can see progressivism in action, from crime to schools.
By
The Editorial Board
Follow
Aug. 18, 2024 5:14 pm ET
Journal Editorial Report: Protesters say the convention is all about them. Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg News
Welcome to Chicago, esteemed delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and please look around while you’re here, but maybe not too long after dark. The city hasn’t had a Republican mayor in nearly a century, making it a showcase for progressive governance. So how do Democrats explain its high crime, fiscal woes, and failing public schools?
These problems are interrelated, but start with the crime rate, which would spook Al Capone. Chicago led the U.S. in homicides for the 12th year in a row in 2023, and this year violent crime is at a six-year high. Changes to the city’s policing strategies, including engaging in fewer foot chases, have contributed to a rise in petty crimes and a growing sense of disorder.
This has afflicted the city’s businesses and retail, from vacancies on Michigan Avenue to drugstore chains that now lock up shampoo to keep it from walking out the door. Shoplifting is at a 22-year high, according to CWB Chicago, which makes it hard to run a business profitably. On the city’s South and West sides, major retailers and grocers have closed.
Rather than call law enforcement to action, Mayor Brandon Johnson sees another progressive opportunity. This month Mr. Johnson proposed to open three city-owned grocery stores to “tackle food inequity” and “lead the way with a new approach to fighting food insecurity.” This boondoggle could cost $27 million upfront, a consultancy report says. Why not simply fix what’s driving out private retailers?
The Chicago metro area’s unemployment rate, 6.2%, is the highest of any big city in the country, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. Boeing and Citadel have fled. “The truth is, it’s more difficult today for me to convince a promising McDonald’s executive to relocate to Chicago,” the burger chain’s CEO said in 2022.
The city budget has a $538 million hole, and there’s a $51 billion pension debt that siphons off municipal revenue. Chicago has a boat-mooring tax, a fountain-drink tax, a parking tax and an amusement tax, on top of a 10.25% combined state and local sales tax. Mr. Johnson has called for adding another $800 million in new levies. In a March referendum, voters rejected a hike to the real-estate transfer tax for properties over $1 million, a defeat for the Mayor.
Driving the fiscal imbalance is an alliance between politicians and government unions. Chicago schools are notoriously awful, and only 21% of 8th graders in 2022 were proficient in reading. Yet the Chicago Teachers Union runs the schools and politicians. CTU was a top donor to Mr. Johnson, and in current contract negotiations it’s asking for 9% annual raises, plus other benefits.
Chicago Schools CEO Pedro Martinez has resisted, and a district official recently argued that CTU’s proposals would drive the deficit to new heights. Local media now say Mr. Johnson is “working to oust” Mr. Martinez. This is the Chicago public union political machine at work. Oh, and Mr. Johnson’s approval rating is under 30%, among the lowest in city history. Enjoy your visit, delegates.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-chicago-model-for-democrats-johnson-crime-education-dnc-5ddd8e7d?st=h12n711pszg9r9f&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
The Chicago Model for DemocratsDelegates to the Democratic National Convention this week can see progressivism in action, from crime to schools.
By
The Editorial Board
Follow
Aug. 18, 2024 5:14 pm ET
Journal Editorial Report: Protesters say the convention is all about them. Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg News
Welcome to Chicago, esteemed delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and please look around while you’re here, but maybe not too long after dark. The city hasn’t had a Republican mayor in nearly a century, making it a showcase for progressive governance. So how do Democrats explain its high crime, fiscal woes, and failing public schools?
These problems are interrelated, but start with the crime rate, which would spook Al Capone. Chicago led the U.S. in homicides for the 12th year in a row in 2023, and this year violent crime is at a six-year high. Changes to the city’s policing strategies, including engaging in fewer foot chases, have contributed to a rise in petty crimes and a growing sense of disorder.
This has afflicted the city’s businesses and retail, from vacancies on Michigan Avenue to drugstore chains that now lock up shampoo to keep it from walking out the door. Shoplifting is at a 22-year high, according to CWB Chicago, which makes it hard to run a business profitably. On the city’s South and West sides, major retailers and grocers have closed.
Rather than call law enforcement to action, Mayor Brandon Johnson sees another progressive opportunity. This month Mr. Johnson proposed to open three city-owned grocery stores to “tackle food inequity” and “lead the way with a new approach to fighting food insecurity.” This boondoggle could cost $27 million upfront, a consultancy report says. Why not simply fix what’s driving out private retailers?
The Chicago metro area’s unemployment rate, 6.2%, is the highest of any big city in the country, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. Boeing and Citadel have fled. “The truth is, it’s more difficult today for me to convince a promising McDonald’s executive to relocate to Chicago,” the burger chain’s CEO said in 2022.
The city budget has a $538 million hole, and there’s a $51 billion pension debt that siphons off municipal revenue. Chicago has a boat-mooring tax, a fountain-drink tax, a parking tax and an amusement tax, on top of a 10.25% combined state and local sales tax. Mr. Johnson has called for adding another $800 million in new levies. In a March referendum, voters rejected a hike to the real-estate transfer tax for properties over $1 million, a defeat for the Mayor.
Driving the fiscal imbalance is an alliance between politicians and government unions. Chicago schools are notoriously awful, and only 21% of 8th graders in 2022 were proficient in reading. Yet the Chicago Teachers Union runs the schools and politicians. CTU was a top donor to Mr. Johnson, and in current contract negotiations it’s asking for 9% annual raises, plus other benefits.
Chicago Schools CEO Pedro Martinez has resisted, and a district official recently argued that CTU’s proposals would drive the deficit to new heights. Local media now say Mr. Johnson is “working to oust” Mr. Martinez. This is the Chicago public union political machine at work. Oh, and Mr. Johnson’s approval rating is under 30%, among the lowest in city history. Enjoy your visit, delegates.