More scathing words for Mayor Emanuel at final public budget meeting

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Amid heavy security Mayor Rahm Emanuel came to listen. For just under two hours speaker after speaker denounced a reported plan to balance the city's books with an average 11 percent property tax hike and a host of fee increases on such items as garbage pick-up, e-cigarettes and ride sharing programs. Mayor Emanuel did not address the property tax hike directly, but it was on the minds of many people in attendance, especially those on low and fixed incomes.

"You were elected to represent us, and when is that going to happen? It needs to happen," said one woman.

"The city doesn't have a money problem, it has a spending problem," said another woman.

Mayor Emanuel responded, sometimes asking staff to confer with residents who brought up specific issues. The grilling got heated when a few denounced his administration's decision to turn failing Dyett High School into an open enrollment arts-focused school.

"We're sick and tired of your games, and guess what? If we don't get, shut it down," said one speaker.

"It'll be interesting to see if he is really listening," 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas, who was in attendance, said of the mayor. "He's hearing them, we'll see if he's really listening."

There were some supporters in attendance.

"I like some of the things that he's doing, with the gun laws and investing in the roads," said Andrew Lawson.

But on the question of new taxes, Rahm Emanuel will likely have scathing critiques ringing in his ears.

"He better listen to people," said John Gora. "People are mighty angry and these are hard times, economically."

The mayor spoke to a couple of people closely at the end of the meeting. He was expected to make some general remarks, but did not. As for what makes it into the final budget proposal, the city will find out when the mayor presents his plan to the city council on Sept. 22.