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“As debate ensues, I’d like everyone to keep in mind the fact that we’re all in favor of affordable housing in the city of Chicago,” said 36th Ward alderman William J.P. Banks, the zoning committee chairman, at the beginning of the meeting. “But we also should be mindful of the fact that we have [a development] industry to protect, and we have an economy to protect.”
Preckwinkle immediately countered by offering an amendment to the mayor’s ordinance that would aim it at families making up to 80 percent rather than 100 percent of the region’s median household income, currently about $75,000 for a family of four. Her proposal was defeated 28-11.
“Alderman Burnett,” Daley said.
“Well,” Burnett said, “if I die right now, I will feel good knowing I stood up for people and I did something for my lord Jesus Christ.”
Suarez looked confused. No one appeared to know who the mayor was talking to or about.
The mayor then continued his incredible claim that he hadn’t scheduled the special meeting so he could pass the ordinance before new, union-backed aldermen joined the council next week.
