Manny Flores Wants to Cap City's Olympic Spending

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jun 23, 2009 2:00PM

As the backlash against Mayor Daley's Olympic commitments grows, 1st Ward Ald. Manny Flores is now saying that he will introduce an ordinance that will limit the city's liability for the Games to $500 million. Daley signed a contract last week with the International Olympic Committee, committing the city to assume unlimited financial liability for the "planning, organization and staging of the Games." Chicago has already guaranteed $500 million in backing for the Olympics.

"To just simply say, 'Well, we're going to write a blank check and we're gonna put the City of Chicago, hold the City of Chicago responsible for that blank check,' I can't sign on to that," Flores told WBEZ. Alderman Flores is also calling on the rest of the city council to exercise it's power over the use of city finances. Given recent citizen discontent over the mayor's use of city resources, Flores may have plenty of support on the council.

Flores was one of three aldermen - along with Joe Moore and George Cardenas - who appeared on Chicago Tonight last Thursday. Good luck understanding what each is saying as they continue talking over one another. [video via Gapers Block]