Big Money Helps Get Access To Mayor, Schedule Suggests
CHICAGO (CBS) – Getting face time with Mayor Emanuel isn't easy. But making big campaign contributions doesn't hurt your chances, CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports.
Emanuel's public appearances -- like Thursday's at Washington Park International Charter School -- are nearly always carefully planned and skillfully orchestrated.
But four months' worth of internal schedules obtained by CBS 2 indicates far, far busier days than the public typically sees.
Take Aug. 16. Emanuel was seen twice, at a mid-morning appearance pushing his Healthy Chicago Initiative, then an hour later making a speech at the University Club.
His internal schedule shows a far busier day, with 18 separate entries: events, meetings or briefings. From 7:45 a.m., when he left home, to 6 p.m. when he wrapped up a final interview.
In between, there were staff meetings, lunch with a school principal, a drop-in meeting from downstate Congressman Jerry Costello. The mayor also met with ministers helping push for a longer school day and had a private meeting without an unidentified visitor.
People whose names are on those private schedules make up a virtual who's who of his big money backers.
California TV mogul Haim Saban, whose family gave $521,000, was scheduled for a 30-minute phone call. Another half-million-dollar donor, Michael Sacks, now vice chair of World Business Chicago, got half an hour. So did Howard Gottlieb, a Chicago investment fund founder who gave $100,000.
Hedge fund manager Mark Lasry of New York gave $100,000 and was booked for 15 minutes.
Emanuel downplayed the appearance of favoring big donors with his time, saying he's focused on public safety, the city budget and schools.
"I know my day and I know what it's focused on," the mayor said.
