Wednesday, January 26, 2011

New business caucus wants Chicago to re-think ‘impediments to growth’

Another Sun-Times story and this caucus has ended offering our Alderman an endorsement:
Roper’s definition of “stepping up” is the “Jobs and Growth Caucus,” 20 sitting aldermen endorsed by the Chicagoland Chamber PAC who have agreed to push a job creation and business development agenda in the new City Council.

The caucus will be chaired by Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), owner of Ann Sather’s Restaurants.
...

The $112,000 raised so far by the Chicagoland Chamber PAC is a drop in the bucket compared to the millions that labor is expected to spend on aldermanic races again this time. 

But the group’s endorsement of 27 incumbents and eight aldermanic candidates is a prelude to a much broader agenda. 
...
The Jobs and Growth Caucus will work against those efforts and for a business agenda that includes eliminating the employee head tax and solving the city’s pension crisis.

“What we want from the Council is to take a look at those impediments to growth for companies. It could be a more refined tax and regulatory policy, getting through zoning faster, taking a look at licensing and permitting,” Roper said.

Ald. George Cardenas (12th) added, “This is not labor vs. business. We have something in common. We want to put people to work. Chicago must be open for business. We hear from New Jersey, from Wisconsin, from Indiana. Everyone’s attacking this state, this city that they’re better than us. We have a message to send to them that we’lll compete at every level on every detail to get businesses here so they can stay here and prosper.” 

The Chicagoland Chamber PAC made 35 endorsements, including 27 sitting aldermen. Seven incumbents got the nod, without joining the caucus. They include political powerhouses Edward M. Burke (14th) and Richard Mell (33rd) along with Aldermen: Pat Dowell (3rd); Leslie Hairston (5th); Freddrenna Lyle (6th); John Pope (10th) and Ariel Reboyras (30th).
If there is a time to think about bring jobs to this city as well as making this city business friendly now is the time.

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