Rahm Emanuel will formally announce his campaign for mayor next week at a Chicago Public Schools location.
The former White House Chief of Staff telegraphed his announcement during an afternoon press conference at a West Side manufacturing plant.
So far Emanuel has only been running a "listening tour."
He continued the listening on Monday.
"Everywhere you go, the people are talking about jobs," Emanuel said.
Apprently he plans on doing more with less, because at the same event he suggested reducing inspectors from various city departments because different departments are sending different inspectors to the same plants.
"We should work smarter," Emanuel said.
Emanuel also pitched ultimately getting read of the "head tax," which employers are required to pay for every employee that earns at least $900 per quarter. His comment quickly earned the praise of mayoral opponent Gery Chico.
Chico "helped reduce the head tax when he was chief of staff to the mayor in the early 90s and has advocated for its complete abolishment since. We are glad that Mr. Emanuel is finally joining Gery in supporting the elimination of this ridiculous tax, which penalizes emloyers for creating jobs," said a Chico spokesperson.
Mayor Richard Daley last month offered a head tax concession to businesses.
Emanuel will be visiting Ford Motor Co later this week and he plans to host a town hall at Groupon.
