Bob Fioretti Circulating Mayoral Petitions

By Kevin Robinson in News on Sep 22, 2010 5:20PM

2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti, who unseated Madeline Haithcock in a hotly contested race in 2007 is now circulating petitions around the city to get on the February ballot for mayor. “Petitions will be circulated in all 50 wards in the next couple of days,” Fioretti told the Tribune. “We are starting a fund-raising campaign.” He's also actively seeking re-election to his aldermanic seat, just in case.

Perhaps warming up for the race, the alderman is proposing that McCormick Place East be converted into a temporary casino until a permanent location can be found in the city limits. “Gaming has and continues to have its share of controversy,” Fioretti said, citing the $50 million take that the Indiana casinos get. “But folks, let’s face it, we are losing a significant amount of revenue right across the state line. I believe we should give serious consideration to a Chicago casino.” Fioretti said that a temporary casino could be up and running in six months at McCormick Place East, while a permanent location is found. And Fioretti also took a jab at beleaguered police superintendent Jody Weis. “We have to put more police officers on our streets, and there is no greater priority at this particular time in our history,” he said, adding that the city should start looking for Weis's replacement now, while putting 1,000 more cops on the street.