Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, hardly sounding like a man on the verge of retirement, on Tuesday called on the federal government to pony up more money to modernize school buildings, teach math and science, and expand global language and cultural programs l
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, hardly sounding like a man on the verge of retirement, on Tuesday called on the federal government to pony up more money to modernize school buildings, teach math and science, and expand global language and cultural programs like Chinese.
The Chicago Democrat, who will leave office in May after not seeking a seventh term, said the future economic success of Chicago and other cities hinges on a good education system.
"More than any other factor, it is the most important service we provide in government," said Daley, who recently hosted a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao that included a visit to a Chicago high school.
Daley has been mayor for more than 20 years and during that time education has remained a core focus, including taking over the Chicago Public Schools to remake them.
The candidates vying to succeed Daley in the Feb. 22 election include former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, former Chicago schools president Gery Chico and City Clerk Miguel del Valle. A candidate needs 50 percent of the vote plus one vote to win the mayor’s job outright and avoid an April runoff. Emanuel has led all his opponents in the polls and in fundraising.
Daley told the audience it had been his great privilege to serve as mayor, the same job his famous father, the late Richard J. Daley, once held.
He said people often ask how he feels about leaving office after so many years on the job.
"Every moment of public life I enjoyed," he said.
Ann Marie Lipinski, the former editor of the Chicago Tribune, who is now vice president for civic engagement at the University of Chicago, said there is a legion of Chicagoans — everyone under the age of 22 — who know of no mayor other than Daley.
"In what city does the identity of the citizenry seem more tightly entwined with its chief executive?" she said.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
About Post Author
