Member-only story

Rahm Emanuel and the Rise of Chicago 99

Isaias Blair

·18.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Mayor 1%: Rahm Emanuel And The Rise Of Chicago S 99%

4 min read

824 View Claps

48 Respond

Save

Listen

Mayor 1%: Rahm Emanuel and the Rise of Chicago's 99%

by Kari Lydersen

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2027 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	308 pages

Rahm Emanuel's rise to power in Chicago was marked by both controversy and progress. This article explores his tenure as mayor and its impact on the city.

Early life and career

Rahm Emanuel was born in Chicago in 1959. He is the son of Benjamin Emanuel, an Israeli immigrant who worked as a physician, and Marsha Smulevitz Emanuel, a social worker. Emanuel attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1981. After college, he worked as a community organizer in Chicago and then as a political consultant. In 1993, he was elected to the Chicago City Council, where he served until 2002. In 2002, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 2009.

Mayor of Chicago

In 2010, Emanuel was elected mayor of Chicago. He was the first Jewish mayor of the city. During his campaign, he promised to reduce crime, improve schools, and create jobs. He also pledged to root out corruption in City Hall.

Emanuel's tenure as mayor was marked by both progress and controversy. He oversaw a decline in crime, the implementation of full-day kindergarten, and the construction of new schools. He also worked to reform the city's pension system and to attract new businesses to Chicago.

However, Emanuel was also criticized for his handling of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald, his support for school closures, and his use of tax increment financing (TIFs). TIFs are a type of economic development tool that allows municipalities to use tax revenue from a specific area to fund redevelopment projects within that area. Critics argue that TIFs have led to gentrification and displacement in Chicago.

Legacy

Emanuel's legacy as mayor of Chicago is mixed. He oversaw some significant progress in the city, but he was also criticized for his handling of a number of issues. His tenure was marked by both controversy and progress, and his legacy will likely be debated for years to come.

Rahm Emanuel was a controversial figure in Chicago politics. He was a skilled politician who was able to achieve some significant successes during his time as mayor. However, he was also criticized for his handling of a number of issues. His legacy will likely be debated for years to come.

Mayor 1%: Rahm Emanuel and the Rise of Chicago's 99%

by Kari Lydersen

4.3 out of 5