In his first campaign attack ad, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is zeroing in on just one of his four opponents, and that person is Cook County commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia.
The mayor’s ad is a quick response to Garcia’s first TV ad that was released this week, and it alleges Garcia "helped himself to an illegal property tax break.”
Garcia says that's not true.
“After my mother passed away, I inherited property,” Garcia said. “She was receiving a senior exemption. I wasn't aware of it, I didn't ask for it and as soon as I became aware of it, I paid for it.”
Emanuel attended a groundbreaking Thursday, but did not take campaign questions. Garcia is firing blows back at the mayor as well in his new ad, saying, "Chicago's had 10,000 shootings in the last four years, and it has got to stop.”
Candidate Willie Wilson has been on the air with TV ads as well. And Ald. Bob Fioretti is airing a new radio commercial which includes criticism of residents being “nickled and dimed” with the city’s red light camera program.
Also Thursday, former appointed U.S. senator Roland Burris gave his endorsement to Fioretti.
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“He is a committed public servant dedicated to the health of the people of this city,” Burris said. “And therefore without a doubt I am supporting him."
Fioretti noted, "As we move forward here in this city, it is to have one vision, one goal, one Chicago."
As for Mayor Emanuel., he's breaking all fundraising records, now taking in more than $31 million.
