Your vote can make a difference … get out to vote … be informed … make your own choices

Gery Chico

Rahm Emanuel*

"Pay attention to the mayoral race and listen to candidates," advised Andy Shaw , Executive Director, Better Government Association, during the first Chicago Mayoral Forum which focused on Education in December. The four panelist that evening were Carol Mosley Braun, Gery Chico, Miguel del Valle and  James Meeks. Danny Davis, at the last minute, had to be in Washington, D.C. for a vote and Rahm Emanuel just did not show up.

Miguel del Valle

As the race continued, there were some heated statements about mayoral candidates by other mayoral candidates. The few forums where Emanuel appeared gave few opportunities for extensive questioning of the candidates by voters. For a series of questions and answers by Emanuel, Chico and del Valle, check this out from Chicago Now.

A great deal of campaign rhetoric via commercials, literature, ads and campaign workers state or elude to their candidates' plans to tackle a laundry list of issues, but the specifics on how they see achieving those inferred promises were less clear.  Even the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has gotten involved in our local elections. In one ad, he is seen and heard sounding as though he is anointing his former Chief of Staff (Emmanuel) as Mayor.  He says how excited he is, "...for Rahm as he takes on a new challenge."

Susana Mendoza listens to concerns of a resident

Locally, Gery Chico and Miguel del Valle have been at the 1st and 26th Ward gatherings answering voter questions.  Current polls say Emanuel will meet the 51% vote count required to win and win while others say that there will be a runoff. Some voters have said, "Well, it looks like Emanuel is going to win, so that's who I'm voting for." To that I say, YIKES! Exercise that gray matter between your ears.

A couple of nights ago, I notices signs along several street corners for Patricia Horton, Commissioner of the Water Reclamation District, who is running against Susana Mendoza, Il State Representative, for Miguel del Valle's soon to be former position as City Clerk. Here are some links for information about that race: Chicago Tribune and CBS.

Not only is this the first time in more than two decades that there is a real election for mayor but City Council will have a substantial new look too in Wards that have been same old same old for decades.

Our Urban Times has devoted a lot of space (more than twenty stories) to the aldermanic races in the five wards that are part of our coverage area (1st, 26th, 27th, 32nd and 35th)  We hope you have found them helpful.

If you have any thoughts about not voting or not doing some "homework" before voting, think about what has been happening in Egypt and other countries!  Did you notice that a lot of people are demanding freedom to select their leaders? They are risking bodily harm and even death?

As an American citizen, we don't have to fight to vote! It is our right, our privilege and it is our duty. Your vote counts so do not squander it. Vote based on your evaluation of the candidates. Saying that you are not going to vote or that you are voting for whatever candidate(s) because they are getting the most votes is shameful.

Our Urban Times is not endorsing candidates. But, we are endorsing responsible voting. Exercise your right to vote and be informed.

If you are aware of any actions during the election that you think we should cover, please call our office and tell us what is happening and where. Thank you and see you at the polls!

*Photo by Sarah Tilotta