Emanuel Seeks To Improve City's Business Climate
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel says he wants his team to redesign a government that doesn't discourage businesspeople from doing business with the city.
As WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, Emanuel kicked off the first meeting of his transition group on reinventing government with a challenge.
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He said currently, if you want to start a small business in Chicago, you currently have to visit three different departments. That should be pared down to one department, he said.
Emanuel also says businesses shouldn't have to pay separately for each permit.
"I would like to set the goal for at least small businesses to start there, but eventually bigger, but by the end of the term, their entire interaction with the city is paperless; electronic," Emanuel said.
On budgetary issues, Emanuel warns that the end may be near for free water service for charitable and not-for-profit agencies. The city can't afford it anymore, he says.
But it may be tough to get the City Council to go along with that change.
