Rivals Criticize Chico Over City Worker Residency
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -- Chicago mayoral candidate Gery Chico is being criticized by his rivals for suggesting the city could do without residency requirements for municipal employees.
As WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, Chico says he would consider lifting requirements that city employees such as police officers, firefighters and teachers live within the Chicago city limits.
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"I think we're a different city than we were 30, 40, 50 years ago when this rule came on the books," Chico said.
But rival Carol Moseley Braun says getting rid of residency rules would threaten the city's middle class.
Standing with Braun, the Rev. Jesse Jackson argued that if "you crack the door open" to eliminating the residency rule, Chicago would lose its middle class and its tax base.
Fellow candidate Miguel Del Valle agrees.
"I understand why he's saying this. He's obviously pandering to the unions," Del Valle said. "When I got those questionnaires from the union, I didn't say that I would be in favor of that. I will not pander to get an endorsement."
Chico was endorsed by the Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 on Tuesday. He has also been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police.
