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CHICAGO (FOX 32) - A potential showdown between Mayor Emanuel and Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot was averted Monday when the mayor changed his timetable on the controversial Lincoln Yards project.
The mayor agreed to delay a vote on Lincoln Yards, at the request of Mayor-elect Lightfoot. But it's still not clear if the project will pass later this week, or be delayed until the Lightfoot administration takes over.
“The leadership of the City of Chicago for the next four years wants these votes to stop,” said Amisha Patel, Grassroots Collaborative.
Critics of Lincoln Yards Monday demanded that the Finance Committee postpone its vote on the massive Northside riverfront project. At the same time, Mayor Emanuel tweeting out his response, an agreement to call off the vote.
Alderman Brian Hopkins, whose ward includes Lincoln Yards, wanted the vote Monday.
“The aldermen, every one of them, including the most ardent opponents, have been adequately briefed on this project,” said Ald. Hopkins, 2nd Ward.
The mayor explained his about-face by saying, “I made it very clear to the mayor-elect that I would not move forward on these projects if she wanted to delay the process."
“We've got a whole new city council coming in, we've got a new mayor, and there's a lot of questions that haven’t' been answered,” said Ald. Scott Waguespeck, 32nd Ward.
Finance Committee Chairman Patrick O’Connor, an ally of the mayor, said he was hopeful that between now and Wednesday, the mayor and mayor-elect could reach some sort of agreement on Lincoln Yards.
Opponents say Lincoln Yards will siphon dollars from other neighborhoods, and falls short on affordable housing and public parks. Supporters say it includes extensive infrastructure improvements while adding a tremendous economic engine for the city.
So for now, stay tuned.