Emanuel says he’s not doing battle against the suburbs

Emanuel says he’s not doing battle against the suburbs

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Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he’s not at war with the suburbs for business. That comes after Sara Lee announced it will be moving its corporate headquarters from the western suburbs to the West Loop.

Emanuel is offering up to $6.5 million in special financing for Sara Lee to move its new meat company to Chicago. After touting city life at a news conference announcing the move, Emanuel was asked if he’s declaring battle against the suburbs.

“No. It’s just, we won,” Emanuel said. “I don’t consider it a battle or a war. I just consider - it’s not like Battleship, man.”

He was then asked if winning implies competition.

“It implies being the DNA of an Emanuel,” he said.

Martin Tully is the mayor of Downers Grove, where Sara Lee is currently based. Tully said all municipalities are doing what Chicago’s doing to get jobs.

“We look to Chicago to see what we can lure out to our borders and we also look throughout the regions to see what we can lure to our community,” he said.

Sara Lee is planning to keep its test kitchens in Downers Grove, along with about 100 jobs.