CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling on Governor Bruce Rauner to reverse an “immediate freeze” on state funding of dozens of parks across the city.
Thursday Rauner sent letters to cities across the state freezing all state funding for park projects.
That put the brakes on $28 million dollars pledged to 27 parks in Chicago.
Emanuel led a rally Sunday, calling for Rauner to make good on the promised money.
The freeze also stopped construction of a park in South Elgin that’s being built to accommodate families with special needs kids and adults.
Ron Melancon
Your City is bankrupt and the faster you admit the truth the better. Your leadership has put your city into a pkace where it is just like Detroit. Your Mayor unlike our president does not have a phone or a pen bigger than his. Hey voters you voted for this. Good luck
Diane.
The mayor has spent his first term re-designing city-center with all kinds of new attractions and revamping transportation. All fine well and good, but now needs monies to maintain the parks. Sorry Mr. Mayor but the piggy bank is empty and if you need more money ask the residents of Chicago to pick up the tab. Rauner is only doing what the citizens of Illinois asked him to do.
dapandico
Which park was donated for the library? Is it true the Rezko mansion will become a national monument?
Bruce
Dear Mayor, There isn’t any money. Time to start canceling programs. Just like our family does when times get tough. Less money, no problem, we’ll cancel our vacation and keep our car for another 3 years. No summer camp, fewer Christmas gifts, less meat, more beans. Have you EVER thought of doing that in Chicago? Wake up and stop blaming the new Gov. He is doing his job, and quite well I might add. Time for you to do yours and stop the blame game and posturing for your election. Thank you, BV
Tori B.
I don’t even live in Illinois, but I am saddened for the people there. With so much ugly violence in Illinois, families need safe places to take their children. Suspending the park funding is a tragedy. Many children live stacked in apartment buildings with no nature….and they need it. Your billionaire governor can buy his own park. I don’t think he cares about the needs of the people. Sadly, you are all stuck for four years. Guess I won’t be visiting.