Daley to Become Paid Public Speaker

Outgoing mayor signs deal with Harry Walker Agency

"Daleyisms" have become a pseudo-coined phrase during Mayor Daley's term as Chicago's head honcho. Soon, the retiring mayor could get paid big bucks for them.

Daley signed on with a New York lecture agency whose clients include former President Bill Clinton and U2 frontman Bono to deliver speeches for an estimated $50,000 a pop, the Sun-Times reports.

"I’ve done it before," Daley told the Sun-Times of his public speaking background. "I’ve done it continually throughout my career."

Starting the first day of his retirement on May 17, Daley will be in the speech rotation for the Harry Walker Agency, speaking publicly about Chicago, leadership and urban planning. Daley also has said he'd be interested in teaching a government or global urban issues class and writing a book centered around policy.
 
Daley wouldn't say how much he'd be paid for the speeches, but press secretary Jacquelyn Heard said $50,000 is a safe bet per speech.

“I feel fantastic,” Daley said.

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