Thursday, July 17, 2008

Will the Daley Machine Rehabilitate Tom Barrett?

Maybe Tom Barrett will look a helluvalot better than the Daley Machine.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday raised the possibility of bringing in state troopers or even the Illinois National Guard to help Chicago combat a recent increase in violent crime — an offer that Mayor Richard Daley didn’t know was coming.

Appearing at signing ceremony for a bill that toughens the penalty for adults who provide guns to minors, Blagojevich said “violent crime in the city of Chicago is out of control.”

“I’m offering resources of the state to the city to work in a constructive way with Mayor Daley to do everything we can possibly do to help … stop this violence,” said the governor…

…The governor’s comments come at a time when violent crime has spiked in Chicago. This spring, for example, nine people were killed in 36 shootings during a weekend and Chicago Public Schools officials say more than two dozen students have been killed by gunfire since last September.

Daley canned the old Police Chief over some internal-affairs scandals, and brought in an ex-FBI desk jockey to replace him--a move which has been criticized by at least one prominent Chicago-area conservative.

It's entirely possible that Barrett's hire of Ed Flynn will prove to be far better.

No comments: