IVI-IPO Opposes Chicago 2016 Olympics Bid

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jul 14, 2009 3:20PM

Citing Chicago's "long history of being unable to contain special project costs" and the violation of the "initial promise that 'not a dime' of taxpayer money would be used", Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organizations (IVI-IPO) board members have voted not to support the city's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. In a statement released to the press late yesterday, IVI-IPO urged city council members to vote against authorizing Mayor Daley to sign the host city contract with the IOC on October 1.

"With it's history of blowing budgets, we have no confidence that the city can present these games without taxpayers being stuck with a significant tab," IVI-IPO State Chair Bob Bartell said. "It is irresponsible for the city to be guaranteeing hundreds of millions for the Olympic bid while depriving city residents of needed services and forcing city workers to take unpaid days off." Daley indicated during his trip to Switzerland earlier this summer that he would sign the agreement, leaving taxpayers on the hook for cost overruns in hosting the games, if that's what it took to get the games in Chicago. Since then, both the public has questioned the integrity of the bid, and some members of the city council have called for greater transparency and accountability in the process. 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores has said he plans to introduce an ordinance limiting the city's liability for the games to the $500 million already agreed upon.