Rahm Emanuel treats Chicago is if it was the West Bank
It's not just Occupy protesters against Rahm Emanuel's proposed ordinance that imposes harsher fines and rules for protests and demonstrations. - This week's edition of Crain's Chicago Business editorializes against the ordinance as it, "reinforces the very stereotypes that Chicago is trying to shed." Crain's argues that increased fines for resisting arrest are "driven by fear of reliving" the violent 1968 Democratic National Convention. Crain's critical focus is actually on a less reported part of Emanuel's plan: The mayor has the power to hand out no-bid contracts for summit-related matters ... like the $16 million no-bid deal already provided to Motorola,allowing the company can provide emergency radios for the May summits. Emanuel said last week that the city will rely on private companies to provide both security and services - and for private donors to raise up to $60 million to supplement security costs. Henry Bayer, head of AFSCME-Local 31, is upset by this request: Bayer wonders why these same private donors couldn't also give to other causes, such as money to keep Chicago's libraries open on Mondays. [H/T: Wayne Madsen Report]