As he prepares for a second term, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has plenty on his to-do list.
Over the next four years, the mayor will tackle issues that are very familiar – from crime and public transportation to the city’s pension crisis and development of parkland for the Obama Library and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. He’ll have to address the hot button issues of the mayoral campaign: new or higher taxes and fees to help the city pay its bills, red light cameras and the inequity of investment made in the neighborhoods compared to downtown.
With the term officially beginning May 18, Emanuel will have to continue being the city’s most visible cheerleader to lure more companies and jobs to Chicago as well as secure state and federal funding for project like extending the CTA’s Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street.
RedEye asked its Twitter followers and Emanuel’s supporters: Which issue should the next mayor tackle first?
Here’s what supporters had to say at Emanuel’s victory party Tuesday night at Chicago Plumbers Local 130 Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington
“Consolidating his plan for the public schools … Show the people why he chose to downsize the way that he did.” Jaye Hobart, 26, Lincoln Park
“Rahm should focus on setting the city on a good financial path forward.” – Justin Newman, 36, Avondale
“The gun crime and violence, because it gives our city a bad name and is bad in general..” – William Kane, 26, Rogers Park
“The gangs in the city, because it’s a lot of killings … Everybody knows us as the killing town and it’s kind of embarrassing.” – Cynthia Gonzalez, 42, Bridgeport
“Concentrate on the revenue. I happen to agree with him trying to get revenue from the red light issue. A lot of people disagree with him but it’s the law.” – Paul Castro, 58, Lakeview
From RedEye readers via Twitter:
It's Election Day & we want to hear from you!
What should be the first order of business for whoever wins the race? http://t.co/sbfnxCVMJf
— RedEye Chicago (@redeyechicago) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago to print a list of bias reporters and news stations#Runoff @Vote4Mayor2015 @KenzoShibata
— Frank Gallagher (@312_frank) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago remove the red light cameras and then head to Springfield with an agenda to fix the city's finances
— Blake Garcia (@blakeagarcia1) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago re-eval the residential parking sticker situation on the 1800 block of N. Rockwell. Redic only 2 signs on the whole street.
— Sam (@MasKeo13) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago forgive all existing parking tickets older than 30 days
— Wendy (@WendEclair) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago slapping Rahm in the face with a bag full of nickels.
— Faith Tsurutani (@stingray615) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago first order of business…pizza party. City wide.
— Himillsy Dodd (@atiela_theHun) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago cut pensions move workers to 401k program.
— Greg M (@GregWa76) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago bust the unions
— Greg M (@GregWa76) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago Fire whoever runs the @cta Twitter page!
— Rose Montag (@montag_rose) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago ensuring the economic success of all Chicagoans!
— Annie Jordan Kraft (@AnnieJKraft) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago breweries in every ward
— Goodie Dickman (@GoodieDickman) April 7, 2015
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@redeyechicago get rid of paid parking meters and red light cameras
— ¿¿Crayónce¿¿ (@MsJeauxJeaux) April 7, 2015
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