Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined us on Morning Shift to weigh in on the heated Democratic primary race for the House seat in Illinois’ 5th district between incumbent Ken Dunkin, who is backed by Governor Bruce Rauner, and challenger Juliana Stratton, who has been endorsed by President Obama. Emanuel also discussed why the Lucas Museum should be along Chicago’s lakefront and why it’s important that a new generation of CTA cars are built here in Chicago. 

Interview Highlights

On the Dunkin-Stratton Race:
“We’ve had a standstill down in Springfield, and I think the Governor and Ken Dunkin have a partnership, and I think it’s bad for Chicago, bad for Illinois. And the question is: Are we going to have somebody rewarded that, in my view, is not going to pass a budget that invests in Chicago and in Chicago’s schoolchildren, or are we going to hold everything hostage?”

On the Lucas Museum:
“I know where I stand. 2,000 people will go to work. Thousands will be culturally enriched. And it will become a new jewel in Chicago’s museum campus. I’m for it. I’ve been clear about it, and let me say this: This will be worth hundreds of millions of dollars worth in investment. Tony, do you know another person who’s willing to spend their money — hundreds of millions of dollars worth in investment — in our city? Because if you do, give me the name, I’ll talk to them.”

On CTA Rail Cars:
“To the people who are going to have these good-paying manufacturing jobs, and to the commuters who will now ride on modern, quiet, safe, secure CTA cars, this is a win-win.”