DNC Still Owes City Over Obamapalooza
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Feb 20, 2009 4:00PM
With all the recent ruckus over President Obama's stimulus package, it's easy to forget the swell of happy and goodwill that came from the Election Night Obamapalooza rally in Grant Park back in November. And this latest bit of news surely won't help: it seems the Democratic National Committee still owes the city $1.74 million stemming from the party. Peter Scales, spokesman for the city's Office of Budget and Management, said, "The Democratic National Committee has not yet paid us. We're reaching out to them this week." A DNC spokeswoman only responded with, "We are still looking at various costs and bills.'' According to the Sun-Times:
The city spent $1 million on police protection for the rally. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications racked up more than $120,000 in expenses, including $19,500 paid to police official Neil Sullivan to quarterback election night logistics.
The Sun-Times offers a full break-down of the cost:
- Police - $1 million
- Emergency Management and Communications Office - $121,578
- Fire Department - $85,965
- Streets and Sanitation - $71,694
- Transportation - $49,659
- Cultural Affairs - $2,567
- Environment - $2,309
- CTA - $201,500
- Chicago Park District - $202,440
- Giant video boards - $68,900
- Electrical - $37,185
- Sound - $37,500
- Stagehands - $29,850
- Portable toilets - $12,500
- Security - $7,505
- Stage rental - $6,000
- Bike racks, barricades - $2,000
- Heavy equipment - $1,000
- Total bill - $1,737,712
The day after, a question about the cost prompted this response from Mayor Daley: "Yeah. I don't know why you're so negative...What is this? He just won for president, and you say, 'He's not gonna pay his bills.' "