Emanuel to "Re-Evaluate" Daley Security Detail

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jul 13, 2011 1:50PM

Mayor Emanuel, staying on his message of "shared sacrifice," said that he would wait until the end of summer to "re-evaluate" the security detail of his predecessor, Richard Daley.

Emanuel kept May Day's five-officer detail intact for the time being, even as he ordered the detail of 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke -- which Burke has kept in place since his Council Wars Days -- reduced from four active police officers to two retired ones. The move, Emanuel stressed, would save the city $650,000.

Emanuel stressed that Daley's bodyguard detail would be "transitional and temporary" and that Daley is well aware of that. But Daley, when news broke in May of his security detail (and a request for two city cars at his disposal) defended the decision as only a man who's been mayor of a city for over 21 years could - impetuously.

"I’ve been mayor for 22 years, and my wife has made a commitment [to the city]. Former mayors received security appropriately. It’s appropriate for every former mayor. Yes, it’s always appropriate.”