Many Chicagoans were thrilled today to hear their mayor Rahm Emanuel would not seek re-election. One of those was Chance the Rapper, who congratulated and championed the efforts of local community support groups and called for key qualities in what is needed for a future candidate.
“As much as I love this job and will always love this city and its residents, I’ve decided not to seek re-election,” Mayor Emanuel said. He would also cite three children in their college years as reasons to not continue his job.
Mayor Emanuel’s big news comes just twenty-four hours before the murder trial of police officer Jason Van Dyke gets underway. Van Dyke’s trial is stated to have “had no bearing” on Rahm’s decision to step aside. Jason Van Dyke is the officer involved in the controversial killing of unarmed LaQuan McDonald.
Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa and more city advocates have been vocal about the poor job that Emanuel has done and now look to a better Chicago with its forthcoming leader.
REALEST THING IVE READ SINCE THE NEWS BROKE https://t.co/9CDRyGRHXZ
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 4, 2018
Shoutout to all the grassroots orgs like @AssataDaughters @BYP_100 and many others that pushed for accountabily and resignation from Rahm. His announcement to not run however, is not Justice for Laquan McDonald, only convicting muderer Jason Van Dyke can bring that.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 4, 2018
Also we need a new mayor, but not just anybody. We gotta start to come together around a candidate that cares about equity in regards to education, job development and healthcare in one of the most segregated cities in the country
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 4, 2018
The Chicago Tribune reports before Emanuel wraps up his term in April he wants to finish bike and running paths in the city, finish a contract for a high-speed train, enhance programming at Chicago Public Schools and more.
Chicago folks when Rahm Emanuel announced he won’t seek re-election pic.twitter.com/9iWA3qtSdu
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 4, 2018