People suffer but Daley's friends prosper

The Daley administration is spending $55 million on public relations according to the Chicago Sun Times.

Of course the Daley administration has complained about a lack of funds for all kinds of city services. But there's funds for a tightly controlled public relations campaign. This is the 11th PR contract the city has awarded, each worth $5 million. All this during a time he city has a $50 million budget hole for 2009. Because of the budget crisis, Daley laid off 420 city employees, eliminating 1,600 vacancies, slowing police hiring and raising taxes, fines and fees by $52.5 million.

How many jobs could the latest $5 million have saved? How can Mayor Daley justify raising taxes to save city programs yet spend this kind of money on public relations?

Business as usual in Chicago. The mayor's friends get city money and the people get the short end of the stick. That's the Chicago way.