For the last several weeks, Mayor Emanuel, Governor Quinn, and various civic and corporate big shots have been pounding each other on the back for bringing Chicago a $70 million shipment of federal pork—otherwise known as a Defense Department grant.
OK, look—I’m happy that the mayor and the governor and the other civic honchos are happy. And I like the fact that the feds are sending money back to Chicago—we certainly pay enough in federal taxes.
There are also a few basic facts we need to keep in mind about the digital manufacturing institute.
Speaking of Youngstown—that reminds me of the great wisecrack Don Rickles made at a Dean Martin roast back in the 1970s. Rickles set it up by noting that Martin’s from Youngstown. Martin responded that he was actually from Steubenville. At which point Rickles gave Deano his deadpan and said, “What—that’s better?”
In contrast, this is the Tribune‘s lead about our $70 million: “Chicago beat out the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and aerospace hub Huntsville, Ala., in a national bid for a digital manufacturing institute, largely because of private funding pledges that backers were able to secure, officials said Sunday.”
I think we can all agree about one thing—before it’s said and done the digital institute will get its fair share of tax increment financing cash.
