Mayor Emanuel commits $1M excess NATO donations to youth programs
By mitch dudek Staff Reporter mdudek@suntimes.com December 2, 2012 8:56PM
Updated: January 4, 2013 6:18AM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Sunday that $1 million in private donations left over from the NATO summit will be used to expand youth programs aimed at providing alternatives to idle time that could lead to trouble.
“We’re going to provide a million dollars from the NATO surplus funds to go to the community organizations to give our children a positive alternative,” said Emanuel, who spoke in Little Village at the Universidad Popular community center — which plans to apply for a portion of the money. More than 400 youth jobs will also be created, Emanuel said.
Emanuel touted the center’s programs that provide tutors and mentors and teach cooking and skateboarding.
“There is no doubt our police have a responsibility to help fight crime, but the best preventive medicine is a strong family, a strong community,” said Emanuel.
Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy voiced his support.
“Certainly looking at my own experience growing up in the Bronx, it was things like football and baseball that kept me focused on school and off the streets,” said McCarthy.
While answering media questions, Emanuel added that he is not committed to privatizing Midway Airport but is looking at the option. He noted that his administration is not yet requesting proposals from companies seeking to run the airport.
The Sun-Times reported this weekend that Emanuel, facing a Dec. 31 federal deadline, has all but decided to test the privatization market for Midway Airport, but do it in a way dramatically different from the 99-year, $2.5 billion deal that collapsed for lack of financing, according to city hall sources.
