- AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
- Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia before the first runoff debate last week. They meet again tonight, with the debate airing on Fox 32 from 9 to 10 PM.
From the Fox Chicago News Facebook page: “If you had the opportunity to ask one of Chicago’s mayoral candidates a question, what would it be? Leave yours in the comments below and we’ll do our best to pose it to the candidates during the 2015 Chicago Mayoral Debate Thursday at 9 p.m on FOX 32.”
Moderator: Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, welcome to the second mayoral runoff debate, broadcast by Fox 32. Yesterday, our viewers submitted many insightful questions for you on our Facebook page, and we’d like to pose some of them to you tonight.*
Garcia: As the neighborhoods guy, the grassroots guy, I’d love to field questions from your viewers.
Emanuel: I’ve been talking with average Chicagoans at el stops since my first campaign, and I’m always eager to hear more from them.
Moderator: Great. Mayor Emanuel, the first question is for you: “Would you investigate yourself and all your cronies, and lock yourselves up after the overwhelming evidence is collected?”
Emanuel: Well, I think that question targets corruption in Chicago, which may have existed under a prior mayor who I had nothing to do with, except for raising money for him. I’ve worked from day one to restore faith in government by changing the culture in City Hall, and if it isn’t obvious yet, we will redouble our efforts.
Moderator: Commissioner Garcia, a viewer asks: “How soon after you win the election do you intend on beginning your own corrupt dealings and attempts to pull the wool over the eyes of the citizens in order to pad your own pockets?”
Garcia: I hear the skepticism in that question—a skepticism rooted in my opponent’s corporate giveaways to his fat-cat hedge-fund contributors. The wool has been pulled over the eyes of citizens for far too long in this city, but I will have a transparent administration, details to come as soon as I’m elected.
Moderator: Thanks. Mayor Emanuel, another viewer writes: “Why is it that nearby states like Indiana don’t have any speed cameras or red-light cameras, and there are parks and bike paths throughout Indiana, and they have way less police officers and budgets than Chicago? Are you trying to tell me Indiana has better drivers?”
Emanuel: Make no mistake, I think we have world-class drivers here in Chicago. We were saddled with those cameras by a prior mayor who I had nothing to do with, although I appreciate his endorsement.
Moderator: This next viewer has questions for both of you: “I want to ask Rahm Emanuel, ‘Why didn’t my street get plowed not even once all winter season long?’ And I want to ask Chuy, ‘Can you make sure my street gets plowed at least once next winter?'”
Emanuel: I apologize if we missed your street. We spent millions on snow removal this winter, because I realize there’s nothing more important than providing residents with basic services before an election.
Garcia: You can bet the mayor’s fat-cat donors got their streets cleared, but once I’m elected, Chicago no longer will suffer under these pay-to-plow rules.
Moderator: Thanks. Another viewer writes: “Why is the world coming to an end and wickedness of the governor and mayor are the leading cause of that, while the Bible speaks of wickedness in high places?”
Emanuel: Given the significant fiscal challenges ahead, I do agree that our world could be in jeopardy if my opponent is elected. But I’m willing to make the tough calls to make sure we persevere. As for the governor’s wickedness, I keep my distance from him when we aren’t having wine.
Moderator: Mayor Emanuel, “Given the toxic relationship between your administration and the teachers’ union, do you think you have the ability to negotiate the upcoming teachers’ contract and prevent another teacher strike?”
Emanuel: Our relationship isn’t really that toxic. Yes, I once dropped an F-bomb on their president, but I do that with everybody.
Moderator: This one for you, Commissioner Garcia: “Some people see you as a puppet for Karen Lewis. Can you identify any issue on which you and her disagree?”
Garcia: Let me check with Karen about that.
Moderator: Mayor Emanuel, I believe this next question refers to the two and a half years you worked as an investment banker: “How does a dance major broker a multimillion-dollar deal and score a commission of $20 million dollars?”
Emanuel: I only made $16 million.
Moderator: Thanks. A question for Commissioner Garcia: “Why can’t you build a bigger jail to fit all the criminals that need to be there?”
Garcia: I hear the frustration in that question. I favor a more multifaceted approach to improving public safety, but everything will be on the table after I’m elected.
Moderator: And Mayor, this from another viewer: “Rahm, where is your compassion and humanity?”
Emanuel: I know I can rub people the wrong way, or talk when I should listen. I already owned that in a commercial, and if that doesn’t show my humanity, I don’t know what does.
*These questions were actually among those submitted yesterday on the Fox Chicago News Facebook page.