Posted by
Mike Bates on Friday, February 20, 2009 10:52:08 AM
In a news story not covered by other major media, the Chicago
Sun-Times today reported that the Democratic National Committee still
hasn't paid Chicago for November's Obama victory celebration.
"Obama victory bash owes city $1.74 mil." begins:
Chicago has yet to recoup the $1.74 million cost of
President Obama's victory celebration in Grant Park -- despite a
burgeoning $50.5 million budget shortfall that threatens more layoffs
and union concessions.
"The Democratic National Committee has not yet paid us,'' Peter
Scales, a spokesman for the city's Office of Budget and Management,
said Thursday after questions from the Chicago Sun-Times. "We're
reaching out to them this week."
Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Obama-controlled DNC, explained
the reimbursement delay by saying, "We are still looking at various
costs and bills.'' She would not say whether parts of the bill are
disputed.
The city spent $1 million on police protection for the rally. The
Office of Emergency Management and Communications racked up more than
$120,000 in expenses, including $19,500 paid to police official Neil
Sullivan to quarterback election night logistics.
In late October, Mayor Daley assured that the cash-flush Obama
campaign would reimburse the city for every penny spent on the rally.
"We have a financial crisis," he said at the time. "The City of Chicago
could not afford $2 million on this because we're gonna be laying off
people, cutting back. That [cost] would really be unfortunate. . . .
It's a huge cost to the City of Chicago.
Days later, Daley was again asked about the debt:
"Yeah. I don't know why you're so negative. ... What is
this? He just won for president, and you say, 'He's not gonna pay his
bills,' " the mayor said then.
The skepticism that Democrats would timely pay their debt was
justified. No doubt prompted by a press inquiry, Chicago is now - in
the jargon so beloved by politicians these days - "reaching out" to the
Democratic National Committee. Maybe the city should try a collection
agency. Or even ask Senator Roland "How'd I Get Here?" Burris for
assistance.
The Chicago Sun-Times should be commended for carrying a story most
of the mainstream media won't touch. Don't count on seeing the item on
CNN anytime soon.