Op Ed: Banning Corruption from Chicago Olympic Bid

(ATR) The impeachment of the governor of Illinois removes a cloud over the Chicago Olympic bid. But is this episode just a reminder that political corruption is a fact of life in the Windy City?

Rod Blagojevich did not have much to do with the Chicago bid, leaders of the Olympic campaign have maintained ever since his arrest in December for influence-peddling. Among the most notorious complaints -- Blagojevich allegedly tried to broker his appointment of a successor to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama.

Just this week, as Blagojevich faced his final days in office, Chicago 2016 chairman Patrick Ryan once again went on the record to distance the bid from the big-haired governor. He says he believes people think of much more favorably viewed politicians when it comes to the bid: "they're thinking Mayor Daley, and they're very much thinking President Barack Obama," Ryan was quoted by AP in St. Louis.

Never mind the widely used news photo of Daley, Obama and Blagojevich that shows the men wearing Chicago 2016 lapel pins at some event for the bid a year or so ago. The photo won't be in the bid book to be presented to the IOC next month, nor will any mention of the ex-governor. His name and signature supposedly won't even grace documents from the Illinois state government that are required as part of the candidature file. Bid book planners must have had a good idea of the fate awaiting Blagojevich.

But erasing him from the bid doesn't necessarily end questions about whether wheeling and dealing and political scandals will accompany the lead-up to a Chicago Olympics.

Blagojevich still could face a trial for influence-peddling, but that drama won't play out until well after the Oct. 2 vote by the IOC.

In the meantime, hope will run high in Chicago that new Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is able to restore some prestige to a post chronically sullied by criminal prosecutions and prison terms for its officeholders. With that kind of history, bid leaders must understand how outsiders might look askance at the way business is done at the state level.

But truth be told, it's the city of Chicago that may be more widely-known corruption, fostered in part by the gangland era in the 1920s and '30s.

While a good impression from the state capital of Springfield may be part of how an IOC member decides for Chicago, the IOC will want to know that political scandals won't rot a 2016 Olympic Games.

Ryan is right with his assertion that Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is the politician best associated with the bid (although he possibly is soon to be replaced by Barack Obama). Now in office for his seventh term since 1989, Daley is the quintessential big city mayor. His tenure is unrivalled across the country and around the world -- among the fellow mayors from bid cities Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.

While he inherited the political machine of his legendary father Richard J. Daley, the son has sewn his own cloth and commands support based on his own accomplishments and quality of character.

Daley's time as mayor has included controversies and legal problems for friends or associates, but Daley has avoided career-destroying muck and won a reputation as a progressive mayor, moving Chicago forward. His push to increase the international image of the city dovetails with the passion to bring the Games to Chicago.

Without saying as much, Daley must convince IOC members that they can bring the Olympics to Chicago without fear of corruption. After all, it's the city of Chicago that backs the guarantee for the Olympics. It's also the city where most of the venues are located, and it is the city that owns the airport and roads.

Expectations are high that President Obama will ramp up his involvement in the Chicago bid. Such a move could provide a powerful jolt of energy to the campaign. However, in the day-to-day battle for the favor of IOC members, overcoming Chicago's notoriety will be up to foot soldiers such as Ryan, who carries an impeccable reputation as a business and community leader.

But it will be up to the politician who commands the city, Mayor Daley, to hold open the door and show the way to a new Chicago for the IOC.

Written by Ed Hula

For general comments or questions, click here