Is boxing event costing city?
'WE'RE NOT DISCUSSING IT' | Officials say no tax dollars being used, but police, fire are providing services
As the world boxing championships enter its first weekend here, local officials are refusing to detail what city services are being used to stage the event.
Pressed on the matter Friday, Chicago 2016 Olympic bid chairman Pat Ryan said that "no public funds are being used" but acknowledged that the city Police and Fire departments are providing manpower.
Boxing sponsor World Sport Chicago, a group funded by the privately run Chicago 2016, is reimbursing the city, said Kevin Smith, spokesman for the city's Office of Emergency Management & Communications.
World Sport Chicago officials won't discuss the costs of the 12-day AIBA World Boxing Championships and "we're not discussing it, either," said Smith.
"They're paying for it. No tax dollars are being used,'' said Smith.
But supervisors in the city's detective areas and specialized police units said they have been understaffed because their employees have been placed on security duty for the boxing event, being held at the UIC Pavilion.
One boss said most of his staff was monitoring hotels where boxers, fight officials and foreign media have been staying. Much of the unit's work was on hold, he said.
Police spokeswoman Monique Bond would not discuss police staffing levels but said "we're not taking street officers off patrol." Instead, detectives and administrators are being temporarily reassigned, said Bond. "It's not a lot," she said.
In a letter to officers earlier this month, interim Police Supt. Dana Starks wrote that the "men and women in blue will no doubt be on the front lines to ensure a safe and successful event."
Meanwhile Ryan, during a radio taping set to air at 8 a.m. Sunday on WLS (AM-890), downplayed the disappearance of two Ugandan boxers and a fighter from Armenia from the championships, which has attracted nearly 700 fighters from 120 nations. Police do not suspect foul play, and the coach for the Ugandans said the boxers have phoned friends and family.
Ryan does not think their disappearance will hurt Chicago's chances to land the 2016 Games. He noted that two Cuban boxers disappeared at the Pan American Games last summer in Rio de Janeiro, one of Chicago's competitors for the Olympics.
"I don't think it's a major event," said Ryan. "I don't think anybody likes the fact that people take off. That's not what they're supposed to. But keep it in perspective: It's less than a handful of people out of 700."
Contributing: Frank Main