Joe Perillo is a prominent businessman in Chicago and the suburbs. He owns multiple car dealerships including Gold Coast Exotic Motors on Rush Street. He has been in the car business for decades.
Last month, in a brazen daytime act, thieves rushed in, smashed display cases, and stole several high-end watches. Mr. Perillo went on radio and television, castigating the city’s handling of crime, especially on the Gold Coast.
I predicted to a friend that Perillo would probably be visited by a city inspector(s). That is the Chicago Way. According to CWB Chicago, Mayor Lightfoot went to the dealership days later to meet with Perillo. According to a CWB source, the meeting did not go well. Lightfoot allegedly called Perillo an idiot as she walked out. A real class act, if true.
Days later, a city inspector showed up and wrote the business several citations. As I said, the Chicago Way. Mayor Lightfoot campaigned to put an end to the Chicago Way. Now, she practices the Chicago Way. It was blatant.
Under Lightfoot’s reign, Chicago turned into a hellscape. Criminals run rampant daily in every neighborhood. Nowhere and no one is safe. Yet, the mayor could not take the righteous anger of a victim, allegedly insulted him, then sicced the hounds on him. How can we take this mayor seriously? What next? Will she threaten to “scrootin” her critics?
Before that incident, the mayor blamed the looting of high-end stores on the businesses. What next blaming the next murder victim for getting killed? Blaming the carjacking victim for driving?
It appears Lightfoot wants to make enemies instead of friends. She is not influencing anyone either.
Businesspeople are fed up. Citizens are fed up. Every day there is brazen looting, euphemistically called smash and grabs to spare the tender sensitivities of the looters. There are daily carjackings, armed robberies, shootings, and murders. There are no touchy-feely euphemisms for those crimes- yet.
This is no way to run a city. Lightfoot is ruining the city. Her temper tantrums are embarrassing. She is not in control. She refuses to criticize the failing policies- a social experiment gone awry- of State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx. She was forced into a frenemy relationship by Machine Boss Toni Preckwinkle. Foxx is also a darling of the local news media. She is untouchable.
Lori Lightfoot ran on a campaign of change. She beat Chicago Machine Boss Toni Preckwinkle by winning 49 out of 50 wards. Lightfoot offered new hope and a fresh start for the city. She denounced the Chicago Way. Now, she embraces it.
I supported and voted for Lori Lightfoot. I am sorry I did. She broke my heart. The 2023 election cycle will soon be upon us. I hope some competent candidates run against her. The only people who can step up for us are the alderpersons. Unfortunately, most of them are silent or ridiculous.