MORE OLYMPIC NEWS - SECRET MEETINGS AND A BOLD MOVE BY TONY PERAICA

Nothing like open, honest government: Olympics bid team to hold secret meetings with aldermen today

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said he believed the committee and mayor’s office were responding to the concerns of aldermen, who have agreed to setting up a tax increment finance district to pay for Olympic infrastructure and back a shortfall of up to $500 million—but no more.

“I think the citizens have seen what they did when they went to Switzerland, and as far as I can tell, people are making a lot of calls to their aldermen,” Waguespack said. “We’ve already seen the story from 2016 change one too many times.

“We have e-mails just flooding in the office now,” he added, saying his constituents were urging the aldermen to commit no more money.

Ald. Manny Flores (1st) is drafting an ordinance he plans to introduce at next week’s City Council meeting that would block the city from making any further commitment.

Even better, Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica is taking legal action against Mayor Daley's blank check for the Olympics:

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today requested that Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Attorney General Lisa Madigan initiate quo warranto proceedings against Mayor Richard M. Daley for committing the taxpayers as guarantors for the cost of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Games.

“I am taking this action on behalf of the taxpayers in response to Mayor Daley’s actions – which were unilateral, without express authority, and without approval from the city council,” said Peraica. “Like most people, I am a fan of the Olympic games, but not if they leave the taxpayers on the hook for a huge price tag that wasn’t even approved by the city council.”

If the Attorney General or State’s Attorney do not respond to Peraica’s request within 30 days, he will petition the Circuit Court of Cook County for leave to file the quo warranto proceedings as an individual on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois.

“As a Cook County Commissioner, I have a duty to protect the best interests of the people I represent in the 16th District,” said Peraica. “And right now, those people are hurting, looking for work, and wanting a government that spends their money legally and wisely.”

Gotta respect this move by Tony Peraica. He's bold enough to go right at Dick Daley. Looks like Cook County Commission William Beavers isn't the only "hog with the big nuts" around here. Tony Peraica...I applaud you.

As Ben Joravsky of the Reader is saying: "Go Get 'Em, Tiger!"