Something is stirring up in Chicago, something that will affect Wisconsin and the Midwest for years to come. This is a critical election, and while on the surface it is only a local issue, in actuality, the Chicago mayoral race will impact surrounding states.
Today, Chicagoans elected former congressman and Obama White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel as mayor. The results of this election will have a profound effect on the course of, not only Chicago's future, but the entire Midwest's future.
The Chicago mayoral election is influential across the Midwest because of the Chicago's considerable position in the region's economy, culture and politics.
Chicago is the heart of the Midwest, and the way that heart beats affects the strength of the Midwestern region.
The three top contenders for the mayor's office included longtime Chicago politician Gery Chico, former ambassador to New Zealand Carol Moseley and Emanuel.
Chicago's viability as a place for business is essential to the Midwest's business and economic health. In an increasingly globalized economy, it is important for regions to pool resources to be competitive. A vibrant urban center like Chicago has to be at the core of these large areas to act as a place where people and businesses gather and connect. The new mayor will be a significant factor in Chicago's role as the center of the Midwest's economy. Failure could result in a lagging Midwest.
But the mayor's most important role outside of the city will be infrastructure development, which is vital for the future of the Midwest's reputation as an efficient place to live and work. Immediately, the new mayor will inherit a project to expand an airport at the center of domestic and international travel: O'Hare International. Its prosperity will generate success throughout the region, as it connects the international community with the Midwest. If the new mayor fails to implement this project, the Midwest could lose one of its most important assets.
Also, with Chicago positioned as the center of high-speed rail development in the Midwest, the next mayor of Chicago will have the responsibility to push forward essential rail connections among major centers in the Midwest.
Both Emanuel and Moseley Braun expressed concern about transit options in the region and a need to push the federal government for proper funding. Considering the setbacks high-speed rail experienced with the election of Gov. Scott Walker, a supportive mayor in Chicago can help to sway government support back toward high-speed rail developments.
Will the new mayor push for stricter gun control laws? This is something that would be significant for places like Detroit, St. Louis and Chicago. After the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., there has been an overwhelming sense of awareness toward gun violence. It would be wise for the new mayor of Chicago to set the precedent in the Midwest and push for stronger gun control policies, which will likely affect the position of states throughout the region.
What will the mayor of Chicago's support for LGBT community in Chicago mean for LGBT communities in other parts of Illinois, Wisconsin or Minnesota? Chicago politics has a strong hand in swaying political action in Illinois. A supporter of the LGBT community in Chicago's City Hall could mean the difference between having same-sex marriage rights in Illinois—and a supportive mayor will definitely help the expansion of LGBT rights in the Midwest. All three top contenders expressed the need to expand Illinois marriage laws to include same-sex couples, and Emanuel played a role in the passage of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy on gays in the military.
Support for continued investment in sustainable living is something that could change significantly in the Midwest depending on the stance of Chicago's mayor. In order to expand sustainable living initiatives it is important to have major urban centers leading the way. For example, according to a 2004 article from National Geographic outgoing mayor Richard M. Daley spurred efforts to build green roofs nationwide when he began implementing programs in Chicago inspired by green roofs in Europe—starting with City Hall. Chico's environmental policy stressed an industrial renaissance in the region with Chicago at the center of ""green"" industry making things like solar panels and wind turbines.
Sustainability offers great examples of how different cities take from each other. Places like Madison and Chicago learn from the other city's projects when making decisions about sustainable development to see what works and what doesn't. Emanuel is proposing protected bike lanes similar to those on University Avenue in Madison. At the same time, Madison is taking Chicago's example by setting up bike rental facilities for public use. Support in Chicago can benefit Madison and vice-versa.
Even decisions about education in Chicago schools will cause changes region-wide. This winter Chinese President Hu Jintao's reason for visiting Chicago was because of changes in Chicago Public Schools made by Daley. His expansion of Mandarin Chinese language programs in CPS schools is attracting investment in Chicago from China. Those are the types of local decisions that have region-wide affects. Capital from those investments will trickle into economies of surrounding communities as the investment expands.
The Windy City is experiencing a major political shift that is going to shake the city's cultural, economy and social institutions to the core. For the first time since he gained the mayoralty in 1989, Daley will leave his office for a new successor. There is no doubt that whoever wins the election will have big shoes to fill and a big job ahead. Not only are Chicagoans counting on them to improve the city's economy, transportation and social issues, but all Midwesterners have a large stake in the election.
