Jane Byrne Quotes
If we are to succeed, we must recognize that the community redevelopment is not solely the rehabilitation of housing, or putting a mall in the business strips.
I accept that responsibility and ask only that I be judged by my performance as its chief executive.
But I am committed to keeping this city a strong and viable center for commerce and industry, for continuing to make it a place of opportunity for its citizens.
The nation can no longer afford to continue policies that hasten the flight of persons to the distant suburbs.
City employees will be hired and promoted because of their abilities - without outside interference.
As I visited the various neighborhoods in the campaign, I learned fast that it's a mistake to think that all of the wisdom and possible solutions to our problems are available only in this building.
In the housing projects, people talked of ways to reduce crime, relieve overcrowding, and they were good ideas that we plan to study, and possibly implement.
But always I was a private citizen whose activities in government or political party were appointive.
Chicago kept industry, attracted new business, became the center for convention trade and transportation.
The people ask much, often more than any government can give. We must resist the temptation to promise solutions to all problems.
In the days and months I spent walking through the various communities of this city, I found that Chicago did not work for everyone, however.
Tonight - by taking this solemn oath - I am no longer a private citizen but the Mayor of the City of Chicago.
But as important as the job to be done by government in the neighborhoods, the people must also be involved.
We must care. We must all care. And while I am working, while the governments is working, so must the people also work.
The cooperation of government at its different levels is important and can only be achieved as long as the people of Chicago are directly involved in our efforts and supportive of our goals.
When there were fears about the future of this nation's older cities... when a few of the cities teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, all eyes were focused on Chicago for contrast.
For my part, I plan to work out a fair and adequate redistribution of city services to all city neighborhoods.
