NATO Host Committee Head Speaks Out On G-8 Move

By aaroncynic in News on Mar 12, 2012 6:20PM

Late last week, Lori Healey, head of the NATO Host Committee, spoke on the decision the Obama administration made to move the G-8 summit to Camp David. At the Chicago Tribune’s “Chicago Live” show, Healey said Chicago lost the summit because “there are some very critical and serious issues in the world going on in foreign policy right now.”

NBC5 reports Healey also suggested that President Barack Obama chose to move the meeting of heads of state to a more quiet setting, away from the hundreds of staffers—and presumably thousands of protesters—who would have been on site for the event.

Healey also announced Thursday that security company Hillard Heintze, headed by former police superintendent Terry Hillard, would provide security assistance for the NATO summit. The contract was not put out for competitive bid. Healey told WLS the committee chose Hillard Heitze because “they’re a unique firm” and since the event will be a national security special event, “nobody but Hillard Heintze has that capability” when it comes to experience of the Secret Service and Chicago Police Department.

Prior to heading the NATO host committee, Healey also chaired Chicago's failed bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. She also replaced Ron Huberman as former Mayor Richard M. Daley's chief of staff.