CITY HALL — All right, who should I vote for, Rahm or Chuy?
Despite the clear-cut differences between the two candidates for mayor, polls show many voters remain undecided right up to Election Day in the runoff between Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-Chicago).
So for those who plan to vote Tuesday, and who still haven't made up their minds, here's a guide for the truly perplexed.
FINANCES: Emanuel has stressed his steady stewardship of city finances and the willingness to make "hard decisions" and "tough choices," such as balancing the budget without raising gas, sales or property taxes, but hiking fees and also closing 50 schools his appointed Board of Education said were underutilized.
Garcia has said in his financial plan that he needs to get into office and conduct a full-scale audit of all city departments before deciding where to cut and where to raise revenues. While he's argued that the city's "books are cooked," that hasn't stopped Emanuel allies from calling it a political ploy and pointing out he doesn't have Emanuel's experience as a government executive.
Ted Cox breaks down the race:
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CRIME: Garcia favors the hiring of 1,000 additional police officers no matter the cost, an idea advanced by Emanuel four years ago and then dropped as impractical. He would see they're trained in community policing.
The mayor has insisted overall crime is down dramatically from four years ago, despite a rise in shootings and murders over the first quarter of this year. He says he's moved more officers to the streets who were previously on desk duty, and he's pushed for stronger gun laws as a way to halt street violence.
EDUCATION: Garcia has promised an elected school board, which was overwhelmingly supported by voters in who received an advisory referendum question on the topic in the February election. He's also slammed Emanuel for the closing of 50 schools.
Emanuel has argued he's protecting Chicago Public Schools from "playing politics" by keeping the school board appointed. Despite the school closure criticism, Emanuel insists CPS is better for it, with graduation rates and test scores up and full-day kindergarten extended to the entire city.
WEALTH AND POVERTY: Garcia has said Chicago is a city increasingly divided between rich and poor and that devices such as a progressive state income tax are necessary. He's picked up on the criticism of Emanuel as "Mayor 1 Percent," favoring the rich and powerful.
Yet Emanuel has touted Downtown development, improvements to the Chicago Transit Authority Red and Blue lines and the way the city is attracting major firms, especially in the technology sector. He says neighborhood workers benefit from Downtown construction, and he also touts development of the Chicago River and its branches to the north and south.
BIG MUSEUMS: Emanuel has been eager to bring the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and the Obama Presidential Library to Chicago, clearing the way for the use of public lands for the projects.
Garcia initially resisted both, but granted that South Siders had the right to support giving 20 acres in either Washington Park or Jackson Park to the library. He has not, however, agreed to placing the Lucas Museum between Soldier Field and McCormick Place, calling it "a monument to Darth Vader."
MANAGEMENT STYLE: Emanuel admits he can be abrasive, saying, "I own that" on a campaign ad designed to disarm critics. Yet he says no one fights harder for the city. Garcia has told him, "You are not the king of the city."
Garcia repeats time and again that he'd talk to residents and get their opinions on issues ranging from street shootings to O'Hare Airport noise. He advocates community engagement. Yet his critics suggest that makes him follower rather than a leader.
PENSIONS: No one is looking forward to dealing with what Emanuel has called a $600 million "pension cliff," brought on by overdue payments at the end of the year after "holidays" declared by the administration of Mayor Richard M. Daley. He's said he'd raise revenues through a progressive sales tax including services, a Chicago-owned casino and tax reform.
Garcia has suggested a city luxury tax, but has said a complete overhaul of the tax system is necessary, including a progressive state income tax, which would have to be handled by state lawmakers. Both are reluctant to raise property taxes.
UNIONS: Garcia has the backing of the Chicago Teachers Union and service employees, but critics wonder how he'd negotiate with CTU on its next contract.
Emanuel has the support of unions at McCormick Place and many workers benefiting from Downtown construction.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Emanuel has amassed a campaign war chest estimated at $20 million, and has also benefited from the Chicago Forward super political action committee.
Garcia has gotten big donations from those unions, but has been dramatically outspent by Emanuel on television and radio.
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