City Of Chicago: Challenges Facing Local Government

James Haworth

MPS 526

9/19/2017

Challenges Facing Local Government

Local governments historically face numerous and varied challenges, and the City of Chicago is no exception. In fact, by most accounts, The City of Chicago tops the list of local governments plagued by overwhelming and often debilitating problems. If a Chicago resident was asked what he perceived as problems and challenges in his city, no doubt he would mention gangs and murders in many south and west side neighborhoods, political corruption and a lack of confidence in Chicago politicians, rising taxes on the middle class, and a struggling public school system. While these issues are important, and indeed challenges, they are more likely symptoms of or results of the greater

For example, in cities facing a financial crisis, mayors and other government leaders, such as city council members or city managers, will often cite “fiscal crisis” as a means to pursue tax increases on residents. When in actuality, the tax increases are shown to mainly benefit businesses and development interests, often not solving the local fiscal crisis in any way. (cite Fiscal Problems Chicago) Recently, Chicago’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel, addressed the financial troubles of the city openly, yet he emphasized the need for everyone to prepare for difficult choices. In his words, this would extend to “elected officials and residents alike.” In other words, residents should prepare for more tax increases, in the name of “fiscal crisis”. Rahm continues: “Despite the work of the past four years, we start this year’s budget process with a $426 million deficit...We will continue to look for savings and efficiencies everywhere we can. But there is no doubt this year’s budget will require difficult choices.” (cite Is Chicago the New

While there are no studies concluding a definitive reason for Chicago’s recent spike in homicides since the beginning of 2016, sociological studies on the topics of urban poverty suggest that socioeconomic disadvantage and poverty concentration in urban areas lead to higher rates of homicide and other violent crimes.(Cite: Social Isolation and Lethal Violence…from Rural Sociology) In a world class city like Chicago, which experienced 726 homicides in 2016, the stakes for the citizens of the city and the local government are high. The people of Chicago want the violence to end, and many are looking to the local government for