For Release: September 23, 2005 * Contacts: Patricia Hill 773-330-6960 and Frank Coconate 773-507-5572
CHICAGO CITIZENS, TAXPAYERS CALL FOR DALEY’S RESIGNATION
Chicago Freedom Now (CFN), a new organization of citizens and taxpayers, announces its formation and message: Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley must resign.

CFN is a volunteer organization that is not affiliated with any political candidate or organization; rather, it is dedicated to energizing a new spirit of democracy and creating conditions for a new era of integrity at City Hall. The group is urging Chicago taxpayers and citizens to unite for a "Daley Resignation Rally" on Saturday, October 1 at 2 p.m. at City Hall (Randolph and LaSalle Streets). More information is at www.chicagofreedomnow.com.

“The people of Chicago will not allow gross misconduct and failed policies from our mayor. Either Mr. Daley ordered the widespread corruption to reward his political friends, or he failed completely as our chief executive officer to insure the integrity of City Hall operations. The result is the same: taxpayers were cheated out of billions of dollars and City contracts, jobs, and services. In addition, Mr. Daley's policies have not served the majority of people. For his extraordinary failed leadership, Mr. Daley must resign,” say CFN spokespersons Patricia Hill, Executive Director of the African-American Police League, and Frank Coconate, Chairman of the Northwest Side Democratic Organization, who are joined by the Committee for a Better Chicago, the Committee to Preserve Voting Rights, Latinos United of Illinois, and private businesses and citizens.

The misconduct uncovered in the Daley Administration is overwhelming: the $40 million/year Hired Trucks with political kickbacks and do-nothing contractors, the $100 million Duff Family contracts, insider business deals and bribes at Millennium Park, drug dealing at the Water Department, systematic hiring that violated the federal Shakman decree, unqualified building inspectors, a failed affirmative action contracts program, workers selling asphalt for bribes and committing tow truck fraud, the hiring of John “Quarters” Boyle who previously stole millions from the State of Illinois, and more. Under Daley the “City of Big Shoulders” has become the “City of Filthy Hands.”

Daley claims ignorance about the scandals and now says he “should have done more to end the corruption more quickly.” However, he has had 16 YEARS in office to establish executive procedures and policies to prevent corruption and protect taxpayers. The public is not fooled by Daley’s claims of ignorance or his teary-eyed pledges for reform.

Moreover, the scandals, indictments, convictions, and ongoing investigations have created disarray at Daley’s City Hall. Staff dodge questions over who ordered the corruption and feign surprise over new corruption findings. Numerous Commissioners and staffpersons resigned, were fired, or were indicted leaving us with no experience. Whistleblowers are fired instead of rewarded with names of those cooperating with the feds are leaked to the press. City employees are paranoid and morale is low. In short, due to the chaos at City Hall, taxpayers are not receiving the services that they deserve, and they have lost all trust in the Daley Administration.

The people are also upset that the City has hired a pricey criminal defense attorney from William Daley's former law firm, a move that is highly unusual since taxpayers have no legal obligation to protect officials charged with criminal offenses. There has been no public explanation.

“With Chicago taxes high and escalating, we deserve a chief executive officer who can put the ‘City that Works’ back to work without being compromised by investigations. Mr. Daley made a mess at City Hall and has lost the credibility to clean it up. Cleaning up City Hall must begin with Mr. Daley’s resignation,” add Hill and Coconate.

Besides the corruption and mismanagement scandals, Daley's policies have not served the majority of the people. His support for Bush's Iraq Invasion, privatizing and militarizing schools, failure to provide affordable housing and create jobs, deplorable environmental record (air quality and recycling), and failure to provide leadership on the no-smoking ban enhance the case for his immediate ouster.

After Daley’s resignation, the appropriate City Council alderman would become interim mayor until the next election in February 2007. A Daley resignation would allow a genuine campaign for mayor during 2006-2007 with the voters awarding a mandate - - and legitimacy - - to a new leader at City Hall. ###