Chicago City Council Approves Emanuel's $8.9 Billion Budget
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel's $8.9 billion budget plan won overwhelming approval from aldermen on Wednesday, although there were some ripples of criticism along the way, particularly from mayoral challenger Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd).
WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports aldermen voted 46-4 to approve the mayor's spending plan, which hikes taxes on parking garages, telephones, and cable companies. Vehicle stickers also will cost more, but the city will spend more to fill potholes and remove graffiti.
Fioretti, who is running against Emanuel in the February election, said he voted against the mayor's budget plan, in part due to short-term financial moves.
"This budget does nothing to bring Chicago together. It does nothing to move Chicago forward. It perpetuates the two Chicagos that exist today, and that is unfortunate," he said.
But Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st), who voted yes, said critics should have come up with alternatives to the mayor's plan.
"Legislate. Put amendments forward. Get a coalition of aldermen around that amendment, so the changes and the criticisms that you talk about today are not just criticisms, but perhaps solutions," Moreno said.
Aldermen did not approve any amendments to the mayor's budget.