Several Chicago aldermen have officially formed the so-called Progressive Reform Coalition.
The aldermen, who had been working together informally, said they’ll focus on issues including government accountability, economic growth and public safety.
“Our constituents, in wards all across the city, have sounded the alarm about the direction of the city, and are demanding that we do more to right this ship,” said Ald. Bob Fioretti in a statement. “They are disturbed by the increasing reliance on privatization to create revenue. They are angry about the closings of public schools and mental health clinics.”
The aldermen said they also want to push for a more democratic process to move legislation forward.
“Part of the problem is that there is a number of legislative proposals that are in the city council right now that got proposed by a couple of us that got stuck in the rules committee, that’s undemocratic,” said 22nd Ward Ald. Ricardo Munoz.
Munoz criticized Rules Committee Chairman Ald. Richard Mell. “If you don’t like a piece of legislation, vote it down, that’s why the rules are there,” Munoz said. “There is no way that Chairman Mell should be sitting on legislation simply because he doesn’t want to grant a vote.”
Ald. Mell did not return calls for comment.
