The Countdown: Chico Pans The 'Rahm Tax,' Del Valle Speaks Out

Down to 26 days remaining until the city elections, and we're back at you with the day's news. The first ballots will start coming in next week, and the candidates are trading body blows before Round 1 begins.

Stay tuned to HuffPost Chicago from now until February 22 for "The Countdown," a daily roundup of election news, gossip and other fun tidbits. You can also sign up to receive "The Countdown" via email daily by checking the "Chicago Brief" box here.

EARLY VOTING: GAME ON

Already made up your mind about the mayor's race? Know who you want to back for alderman? Don't want to have to pay attention to the news cycle (or these delightful updates, for that matter) for the next three weeks? Well, you can cash your chips in early and vote in the city elections starting next Monday, January 31.

Locations will be open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day between now and February 17 (except for President's Day, Friday, Feb 11). From the Board of Elections: "Ballots cast in Early Voting are final. After casting ballots in Early Voting, voters may not return to amend, change or undo a ballot for any reason. It is a felony to vote more than once -- or to attempt to vote more than once -- in the same election."

For a list of early voting locations, click here.

CHICO HARPS ON THE "RAHM TAX"

Gery Chico is hoping to score some points against the race's front-runner / heir-apparent, Rahm Emanuel, before those early ballots start coming in. At a barbershop in Hyde Park, Chico had some harsh words for the former White House Chief of Staff's revenue plan, which would include a tax on a wide range of services. From a Chico press release:

"Need a plumber? Pay the Rahm Tax. Need a taxi? Pay the Rahm Tax. Need to park your car? Pay the Rahm Tax," Gery Chico said. "If Rahm Emanuel gets his way, we will all pay the Rahm Tax." The Rahm Tax could be a nine percent increase on everyday services, including things families rely on a daily basis like barber shops, car repair, home repairs, plumbing, laundry, bowling and movie tickets. The Rahm Tax would also hurt small businesses and kill jobs by creating a massive new burden on employers.

The speech may have won over some barber shop owners, but it's not actually true. A Chicago for Emanuel spokesman reached out to HuffPost Chicago and pointed out that Rahm's tax plan would not put any extra tax burden on barber shops or haircut services.

DEBATE SCORECARD

Turns out, we weren't the only people who thought that Miguel del Valle had by far the best performance at last night's mayoral debate. NBC Chicago came out with a "scorecard" of the debate: Miguel pulled down an A, Chico got a B, Emanuel scored a C, and Carol Moseley Braun came in last in their estimation with a C-.

We can't help but agree with first and last place: Carol was all over the map, boasting about herself and her failed small business while addressing few if any specifics about how she'd make the city better. If that kind of performance deserves a C-, then grade inflation really is a problem.

DEL VALLE SPEAKS

While Moseley Braun was meandering, Miguel del Valle was making a strong case for a little more media attention. The cash-strapped underdog is hoping to force his way into the conversation with his strong reform message and grass-roots organization, and his command performance at the debate could help him do just that.

We had a long interview with del Valle today, in which he talked about his political background and addressed a number of the issues that are on the minds of everyday Chicagoans. We'll have the full conversation next week, but here's a little teaser: del Valle's reaction to the decision that Jon Burge would continue to receive his pension despite his conviction for lying about torturing suspects.

"I thought it was a terrible decision, a terrible decision. Awful, awful, awful. I think it sends the wrong message. There are a lot of people who lost their pension -- you've got a governor in jail who lost his pension, a governor of the state of Illinois. For this man to keep his pension after what he did... I think the individuals who voted for that made a big mistake."

Stay posted for the rest of that interview, and more tidbits from the mayoral race.

If you have any juicy gossip about the Chicago elections, or a story you think we should see, send us an email at [e-mail].

Comments

[pray4words]

05:09 PM on 01/31/2011

I have no problem with paying taxes on cab fare...Chicago needs help and collecting taxes on items that most people do not use do make real sense to ME.

[MYSTERIOUS]

10:26 AM on 01/31/2011

Carol Moseley-Braun: Sarah Palin with a tan.

[samuraifrog37]

07:58 PM on 01/31/2011

Very odd. Please tell us why? I'm not a an of either one of them...but really I'd like to hear why you compare them.....

[MYSTERIOUS]

04:23 PM on 02/11/2011

The pettiness. Instead of Mosely-Braun saying what she will do, she calls her opponents names, demonizes, them, and then when asks for a solution, she'll "get back to ya.'

[Chicago0048]

08:52 AM on 01/30/2011

RE: Rahm's tax. I wouldn't mind a small "surcharge" that goes back to the city....call it a tax but make it small --1to 3%. But 10% for services???? No way. And he has to get it pass the legislature. I'm afraid that one tax opens the door to other taxes. Look at the tax on water, for example. Tax on candy, it goes on and on and on.
RE: Chico's promise to add 1000 police -- from what budget will that happen?

They both are pandering and making promises. I'm leaning towards voting for the woman who's name is not Carol, just as a protest. Doc Walls was on the radio and he sounded well spoken and logical.

I still don't know how the black caucus chose Carol MB, was it because of her "name" factor? Amazing.

[Hallywood]

06:53 AM on 01/30/2011

Rahm, ideas are wonderful, esp, taxing tannin booths , in which i love , but i do know it is not healthy for me, yes luxury,not on haircuts, CHICO, please get it rite or do not say anything,.Chicago is the highest tax bracket, in the united states, we need to reduce that , and RAHM, is the man with a plan!!!! stop wasteful spending, Gym membership sure it will hurt, but anything to reduce our taxes, I think all upper officials should park/and ride, Transit, get rid of there limo"s and save Transit, what else you got CHICO? nothing,

[HankyJoe]

06:22 AM on 01/30/2011

I watched the debate and thought the moderators Michah Materre and Bruce Dold were terrible. At one point Michah looked at de valle and called him Rahm. Whoever put the "scorecard" together didn't watch the debate.

[Dane Tidwell]

01:30 AM on 01/30/2011

Once again Chico needs to read something rather than regurgitate what his consultants tell him will make great sound bites — especially when what he’s reading (and distributing) is a flat out lie.

The “Rahm Tax” as he’s so wittily put it, is a luxury tax — unless you consider chartered flights and private limo service everyday expenses.

Directly from http://chicagoforrahm.com/:

“Rahm’s plan would cut Chicago’s portion of the sales tax by 20 percent – from 1.25% to 1% – while working with state legislators to expand the tax base by closing the loopholes that allow luxury goods to go untaxed.”

But then again, should we really be listening to anything Chico says when it comes to general math skills? He was a primary proponent of leasing the parking meters — the deal that screwed the city out of nearly 10 billion dollars.

Yes — lets let him do math.

[lightbulb10]

11:38 PM on 01/29/2011

Yea, nobody is a fan of the taxes right now. This Chico is a mix... how nice.

[JDJase]

09:06 PM on 01/29/2011

Pretty amazing that the CMB campaign has to sent its staffers onto HuffPo to leave comments praising her.

If you want Chicago to look like Detroit, then CMB is your candidate!

[Pierre Soltanirre]

12:15 AM on 01/30/2011

And you know this how?

[Debater60660]

03:23 PM on 01/29/2011

I voted for Braun when she ran for senate. She could still be senator but she did not keep faith with her constituents and acted irresponsibly. I don't trust her not to repeat that episode. She proved that she is not public-minded.

I will enthusiastically vote against her..

[MYSTERIOUS]

10:28 AM on 01/31/2011

Agreed and fanned. I didn't watch the debate, but I did watch the part when she accused her opponent, wrongfully, of smoking crack.

That's ghetto fabulous, hitting below the belt.

[Dokemion]

10:30 AM on 01/29/2011

"Fannie and Freddie play a central role in our housing finance system and must continue to do so in their current form as shareholde­r-owned companies. Their role in the housing market is particular­ly important as we work through the current housing correction­. The GSEs now touch 70 percent of new mortgages and represent the only functionin­g secondary mortgage market. The GSEs are central to the availabili­ty of housing finance, which will determine the pace at which we emerge from this housing correction­. ...

OFHEO has reaffirmed that both GSEs remain adequately capitalize­d. At the same time, recent developmen­ts convinced policymake­rs and the GSEs that steps are needed to respond to market concerns and increase confidence by providing assurances of access to liquidity and capital on a temporary basis if necessary.­"

http://www.firsttimehomebuyercredittips.com/

[crookedcountyillinois]

04:36 AM on 01/29/2011

I drove through the West side today, and particularly enjoyed the "Carol for Chicago" signs in front of the most dilapidated and boarded-up buildings, not to mention vacant lots.

It's as if her campaign doesn't understand the associations they're making...

[47th]

07:59 AM on 01/29/2011

There are parts of this city that will be ignored, regardless of who is elected mayor.

[TrueChicagoan]

01:56 PM on 01/29/2011

I can tell you with all sincerity that I do not believe that will be true if we elect Miguel del Valle mayor - his message is clear - a mayor for all Chicago, for every neighborhood. His record in the State Senate proves that he's the social justice candidate in this race.

[TrueChicagoan]

11:38 PM on 01/28/2011

Del Valle definitely captured the regular (read working class) voters frustration with this city and the way its run (I count myself among this lot). I loved, loved, loved, when the moderators methodically attacked each candidate on one of their shortcomings, except of course for one - Miguel del Valle.

Rahm got questioned on his connections to Freddie Mac, CMB on her property taxes, and Chico on his law firm / clout issues, del Valle - NOTHING. The man's clean, the man's a proven reformer. The only thing they had on del Valle was that his campaign was underfunded as a result of his refusing to accept donations from individuals that do business with the city, but he COMPLETELY turned that around. His response - I don't owe 12 MILLION dollars (or 2.5 million) in favors to suburban millionaires and billionaires, when I'm mayor I'm going to be beholden to you - the voter. I think that message one him the day, and I LOVED the look of death Rahm gave him when Del Valle called him out on this fact.

[47th]

08:03 AM on 01/29/2011

I couldn't agree more! Del Valle's closing statement was very good too. He is the only candidate who can say the word "Reform" with a straight face.

[MrPragmatic]

05:31 PM on 01/29/2011

Sorry but Del Valle looks like he's running for mayor in the 1970's. He is a feel good "everyman" and a spewer of platitudes and sentiment. I don't want an everyman running my city. I want a hardboiled realist that knows how the game is played. I'm not ashamed to say that I want a strong central core that is vibrant and caters to business and tourist dollars. And while many Chicago 'hoods need improvements, let's not forget that there are many great neighborhoods in the city. All American cities are suffering right now because of the nationwide recession. Travel to other big cities and you will find that Chicago, despite its problems, is a wonderful dynamic city. Chicago needs a mayor that has a national profile like Emanuel. Emanuel's star power will only benefit the city in the long run both locally and globally. Reform? Let me tell you something , the word reform is meaningless rhetoric in politics. Run the other way when a candidate starts throwing the R word around.

[Dane Tidwell]

01:38 AM on 01/30/2011

Perhaps it isn't that he's clean, but that he's not done anything outside of the Latin community. In 20 years as a State Senator he sponsored legislation to "provide harsher punishment for ATM crimes; provide Illinois with more Early Childhood Teachers; provide comprehensive health coverage for every child in Illinois; and increase funding for Advanced Placement courses in Illinois high schools".

Really? So thats like, what, 5 years per bill? I'll be dead before his administration accomplishes anything.

[ckfan]

09:35 PM on 01/28/2011

My husband and I watched it and thought De Valle came across as vague and out of it. We thought Chico won, then Rahm. CMB doesn't even deserve a mention. If you have a business that's 5 years old and it's failing - and you're sticking with it - then you don't know much about running business. And probably can't run a city.

[MrPragmatic]

09:44 PM on 01/28/2011

Right on! Rahm and Chico were specific on plans and came across like big city mayors. I liked Rahms plan to lose the employee head tax, to get grocery stores into all the neighborhoods, and to make the U of C campus and the hospitals create a research medical campus. I could also see Chico as a strong mayor.

[ckfan]

09:26 AM on 01/29/2011

You are correct in that both came across like big city mayors. People forget Chicago is bigger than some states and countruies. If Rahm wasn't in the race Chico would be in the lead. I like the specifics both gave, especially Rahm. It shows he did his homework.

[TrueChicagoan]

11:31 PM on 01/28/2011

Sadly ckfan this reflects more on your knowledge of city issues than anything else - del Valle came off very strong and passionate and as the most knowledgeable. He didn't sit their and list of obtuse one-line fixes, he gave robust answers that reflect his deep understanding of city government. The solutions he listed for the city's budget crisis was a thing of beauty - he showed me in that moment that he was a statesman and not one of these politicians. I also loved his answer on crime - while all the other simply said - I'm going to hire more police! Del Valle showed that he got the issue - build communities, not prisons - attack crime at its root cause and that's how you create a better city.

[ckfan]

09:24 AM on 01/29/2011

build communitie­s, not prisons. . .

Can you get anymore vague than that???

We no longer live in Chicago so you probably are more in tune with city issues. Yet, if you are that in tune, then it's even sadder you don't realize how vague Del Valle's answers were.

Of course people want better communities instead of more prisons. Duh! Such a feel good answer. . . Rahm and Chico didn't give answers that just felt good, they gave SPECIFICS on how to deal with issues.

[MrPragmatic]

09:18 PM on 01/28/2011

De Valle won the debate? He came across to soft. I'd vote for him to be the head of social services. I want a mayor who is a little tougher and wiser. People should pay a ticket if they get the boot and if they run a red light. What was De Valle talking about.... paying fines for violating the law and being too oppressive because folks got to pay tickets? Chicago is a big and rough and tumble city and I want a mayor who has friends and connections in high places. I want a mayor who is a bit of a thug and isn't afraid to toss around a few swear words. Come on folks get real.

[47th]

08:20 AM on 01/29/2011

We have had a thug with powerful connections as mayor for the last twenty one years! Guess what, we still have bad schools, dangerous hoods,and high taxes and fees. But hey, at least we got a 650 million dollar budget deficit out of it!

[MrPragmatic]

05:42 PM on 01/29/2011

650 million deficit is due to the recession. All cities are broke. The schools have gotten better under Daley but I'm afraid that the days may be gone when big city public schools are viable. LA unified is no better than Chicago's public system. In San Francisco, public high schools are practically non -existent. Both rely on charter schools as viable alternatives to public schools. There are many great and livable neighborhoods in Chicago. I can think of at least twelve that i'd live in with no problem. Some of the worst neighborhoods will never be fixed because the people that live in them suffer from chronic drug dependence, affiliation with gangs is the norm. There is both good and bad in life and there is a lot of good in the city of Chicago.

[wendyshyersayles]

09:16 PM on 01/28/2011

Carol Mosley Braun certainly showed she has the most experience of all the mayoral candidates.
She wonders if Chicagoans want a mayor to work for just some, or all people in all the neighborhoods. Unlike the rest of the field, she owes no one, her ethical record surprisingly pristine.
She will work for all families in every neighborhood and has articulated her plan and vision.

[ckfan]

09:40 PM on 01/28/2011

You should really do your research on CMB. Your post indicates you know nothing about her.

Record is pristine??? Check out the medicare story involving CMB and her mother. Check out the former boyfriend and the handling of her campaign funds. Owe's no one??? Check out the mortgage due on her home which is past due and was near foreclosure until she decided to run for mayor.

Experience? Really? This woman was the first black, female senator and she did nothing with that position - no cabinet appointment, no successful law firm, no successful business. She was a senator that couldn't parlay that into anything. Doesn't speak much for her.

Please do your research on her.

[darleneslee]

10:36 PM on 01/28/2011

Wendy
You must have intended to put (snark) behind your comments.
Are you talking about the CMB that was an Illinois senator ? Pristine ethical record ? She owes the IRS, managed to run two companies in the ground. We won't touch her personal life that spilled into her professional life. She couldn't even manage the ambassadorship that Clinton GAVE her. I'm sorry but this cinderella's coach has turned into a pumpkin.

[Chicago0048]

08:46 AM on 01/30/2011

As far as choices, the black leaders should have backed Patricia Watkins vs. Carol. But Carol needs the job ($$$) and she has the name brand. Nothing more.