From the Chicago Sun Times: "Chicago has yet to recoup the $1.74 million cost of President Obama’s victory celebration in Grant Park — despite a burgeoning $50.5 million budget shortfall that threatens more layoffs and union concessions.
“The Democratic National Committee has not yet paid us,” Peter Scales, a spokesman for the city’s Office of Budget and Management, said Thursday after questions from the Chicago Sun-Times. “We’re reaching out to them this week.”
Yep, that's right, Barack Obama and the DNC have stiffed Barack's Home Sweet Home!
AHH, but we were promised by the powerful mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, that of course he would pay his bills:
"In late October, Mayor Daley assured [the city of Chicago] that the cash-flush Obama campaign would reimburse [them] for every penny spent on the rally. "We have a financial crisis," he said at the time. "The City of Chicago could not afford $2 million on this because we're gonna be laying off people, cutting back. That [cost] would really be unfortunate. . . . It's a huge cost to the City of Chicago."
"This is not a presidential visit. . . . This is a political event, and they've agreed to pay for all those services -- all the expenses of that. ... It's costly, but they raised quite a bit of money. There's no [shortage] of money in that campaign."
"The day after the Nov. 4 election, Daley was asked again whether the Obama campaign would pay up"
"Yeah. I don't know why you're so negative. ... What is this? He just won for president, and you say, 'He's not gonna pay his bills,' " the mayor said then."
Problem is, Mr. Mayor, HE'S NOT PAYING his bills! And city workers are being layed off, services are being cut, and Obama cares about America? Hmmm, how about PAYIING the bill and if there is a discrepincy, then making it a donation to the beloved home city of Barack?
For those looking for a tally of services provided, many thanks go to the Chicago Sun Times:
Police $1 million
Emergency Management and Communications Office $121,578
Fire Department $85,965
Streets and Sanitation $71,694
Transportation $49,659
Cultural Affairs $2,567
Environment $2,309
CTA $201,500
Chicago Park District $202,440
(Park District breakdown):
Giant video boards $68,900
Electrical $37,185
Sound $37,500
Stagehands $29,850
Portable toilets $12,500
Security $7,505
Stage rental $6,000
Bike racks, barricades $2,000
Heavy equipment $1,000
Total bill $1,737,712
H/T Michelle Malkin
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