City Elections Winding Up
For those of us in the Chicago area, local elections are not a one time event. Since our Mayor and Aldermen have to be elected by a simple majority, and any number of successful petitioners are allowed to run, the “big” election often results in identifying the participants for the run-off election to narrow down the winner because no contestant has acquired the 51% needed to win. Yesterday was run-off election day here in Chicago.
For those individuals who think that the term of the non-Daley mayor will result in business as usual, the handwriting is on the wall that they are mistaken. Not only do we have a new mayor taking office in May, but a third of the City Council members will will not be returning. These individuals are being replaced with a whole new breed of Alderman from different walks of life — small business owners, community activists — whose familes have not been government employees.
I wish that I had a crystal ball to see what effect this will have on the business climate. The city is certainly poised, after so many months, to step up the pace of growth. Let’s see what the new kids have in mind!
