Rahm Emanuel got free sports tickets, travel perks from wealthy friends
(
Chicago Tribune) For Mayor Rahm Emanuel, it pays to have friends in high or at least wealthy places.
Once again last year, the mayor accepted free sports tickets, a stay as a houseguest and transportation (likely complimentary rides on private jets) from some of Chicagos richest executives and philanthropists.
Like all Cook County politicians, Emanuel is required to disclose gifts valued at more than $500 in his annual economic interest statement due Monday.
The mayors report covering 2015 shows he accepted gifts from six people, continuing a more recent trend of Emanuel taking high-dollar gifts from fewer of his political donors and friends. The mayor accepted gifts from three people in 2014, five in 2013, 12 in 2012 and 19 in 2011.
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That report noted that nearly 60 percent of Emanuels top circle of 103 elite donors had benefited from his city government, receiving contracts, zoning changes, business permits, pension work, board appointments, regulatory help or some other tangible benefit. Included on that list of firms that benefited was Finnegans Madison Dearborn, which holds a significant stake in the CDW Government firm that has received two Emanuel administration contracts worth more than $39 million. ............(more)
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