CITY HALL — Chicago voters will get a chance to send city leaders a message on gun policy, school funding and infrastructure spending in Tuesday's election.
Once they are finished voting for president, senator and a host of state lawmakers, they can answer three questions selected by the City Council to gauge public opinion — and bolster their case while lobbying Illinois lawmakers.
But whether voters approve or reject the measures won't change city law.
The three questions are:
• On guns: Should the State of Illinois strengthen penalties for the illegal trafficking of firearms and require background checks for gun dealers and their employees?
Emanuel and Police Supt. Eddie Johnson have repeatedly called for gun laws to be toughened in response to the violence that killed 78 people in October alone.
• On school funding: Should the State of Illinois provide full and equitable funding for the Chicago Public Schools?
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool said this week he will continue to press Gov. Bruce Rauner, and the Democrats who control the General Assembly, to change the way schools are funded in Illinois.
"We are going to fight hell to get fair funding," Claypool said.
• On development: Should the City of Chicago work with the Federal Government and the State of Illinois to prioritize significant new investments in important infrastructure like roads, bridges, public transportation, river and lakefront redevelopment, and additional green space?
Authored by Ald. Water Burnett (27th), the question is designed to give the city leverage when pressing their case to expand public transportation into underserved areas of the city.
Go to DNAinfo's 2016 Voter Guide.
In May, allies of Mayor Rahm Emanuel thwarted an effort to end his control of O'Hare and Midway airports and put an elected board in charge by asking voters to weigh in .
Backed by anti-O'Hare noise activists and labor leaders, an elected board was touted as well to reduce the racket and help resolve labor unrest at O'Hare Airport.
Another effort to ask Chicagoans whether the city should create a municipal identification card designed for poor, the aged and undocumented immigrants.
But supporters of the measure urged that it be withdrawn because of concerns it would become a flashpoint in the presidential election and complicate efforts by Cook County officials to create an ID card for all county residents.
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