McCarthy says he's running for mayor 'to save black lives'

2018年3月26日星期一

McCarthy says he's running for mayor 'to save black lives'

Topspin

New mayoral candidate Garry McCarthy says African-Americans should vote for him because he's "going to save black lives."

"Eighty percent of the murder victims in this city are male black," the former Chicago police superintendent said during an interview with WLS-AM's Bill Cameron that aired Sunday on the "Connected to Chicago" program. "And at the end of the day, that's got to stop."

McCarthy drew the ire of black aldermen allied with Mayor Rahm Emanuel even before he officially announced his run for mayor last week, saying during a recent fundraiser that the exodus of black residents from the South and West sides has left behind "trigger pullers."

McCarthy also said during the radio interview that he would look to give the police superintendent the final say on discipline, instead of the mayor-appointed civilian Police Board. He said the board too often overturned his recommendations to fire officers. "I had accountability, but I didn't have authority," he said.

He was noncommittal on whether he would try to back out of the consent decree being hashed out between the state attorney general's office and Police Department following the Laquan McDonald shooting. He called such deals are "a mixed bag," and usually "very, very, very expensive."

McCarthy said he's getting into the race because he sees a chance to turn around the problems in Chicago, but also pointed to another reason for his candidacy.

"I really get my juice from being involved in very important things, and trying to make a difference," he said. (John Byrne)

What's on tap

*Mayor Emanuel has no public events scheduled.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner has no public events scheduled.

*The week ahead: On Wednesday, the City Council meets, and an Illinois Senate budget committee convenes at the Bilandic Building.

From the notebook

*Chuy Garcia candidate gets Madigan help: Cook County Board Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's pick to take his current seat got help from House Speaker Michael Madigan — a bit of a surprise considering Garcia has at times battled Democratic party regulars.

The 13th Ward Democratic Organization controlled by Madigan gave $25,120 in the waning days of the Democratic primary election cycle to Garcia aide Alma Anaya, who defeated Angie Sandoval to win the nomination, according to state reports. The money was for calls to voters and campaign signs.

Garcia won the Democratic nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, a victory that removes Garcia as a potential Emanuel opponent next year. Garcia forced him into a runoff in 2015. (Hal Dardick)

*Mayor in Puerto Rico: Emanuel spent the weekend in Puerto Rico with Gutierrez.

The mayor's office said the delegation delivered 5,200 pounds of various supplies, met with local officials and spoke at a Shabbat service in San Juan. On Saturday, he cut the ribbon on a Walgreens in Naranjito.

Gutierrez said freeing up more time to help rebuild Puerto Rico was a reason he didn't run for re-election.

*Voters procrastinate: Included in some primary data Cook County Clerk David Orr released was this nugget: The biggest time of day for turnout was the 5 p.m. hour.

Orr's bottom line was that primary voter turnout in suburban Cook County was at its highest for a governor election since 2002. About 76 percent pulled Democratic ballots.

*On the "Sunday Spin": Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests were Better Government Association Director of Investigations Bob Secter and University of Illinois political scientist Christopher Mooney to talk about the primary results and the campaign ahead. "The Sunday Spin" airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN-AM 720. Listen to the full show here.

What we're writing

*Preckwinkle will run to lead Cook County Democrats.

*Stakes are high for Raoul, Harold in race to succeed Lisa Madigan.

*Young activists rally for gun reform at March for Our Lives Chicago march in Union Park.

*City graffiti cleanup "blitz" ahead of Amazon visit wipes out street art at Cards Against Humanity HQ.

*Artifacts from 1893 World's Fair found beneath Obama center site, but report signals construction won't be blocked.

*"I'm not leaving. They're taking me," Afghan War veteran says as ICE prepares to deport him.

What we're reading

*Willow Creek pastor, elders tell church about inquiries into misconduct claims against preacher.

*Wisconsin Republicans defy court order, call legislators back to revise special election laws.

*Loyola routs K-State, earns school's first Final Four in 55 years.

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