City voters have become increasingly uncertain about Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s ability to lead following the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video, a new Chicago Tribune poll claims.
According to the poll, only 27 percent of Chicagoans approve of Emanuel’s leadership and job performance while 63 percent disapprove. The poll also found that 55 percent of Chicagoans supported a measure in Springfield that would allow city voters to recall a mayor from office.
The poll comes on the heels of the police-involved shooting death of Chicago teen Laquan McDonald which led to months of protests and calls for Emanuel’s resignation.
According to the poll, nearly three-fourths of voters question Emanuel’s explanation of how he learned of McDonald’s death with two-thirds saying it was not justified for the mayor to withhold dash-cam footage of the shooting.
Aside from the McDonald shooting, Emanuel's popularity has been damaged by the city's pervasive crime problem, a $755 million property tax hike and a tumultuous relationship with the Chicago Teacher's Union.
Nonetheless, Emanuel’s office remains focused on the city’s future.
“As a city we have come face-to-face with a generations old problem,” Adam Collins, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, told Ward Room in a statement. “The Mayor has made it clear he will be judged in the months and years ahead by how we address this challenge and the reforms we make.”
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Certain poll numbers are encouraging for the Emanuel administration. For example, 51 percent surveyed feel the mayor should not resign from office and 59 percent of voters view the mayor as honest and trustworthy.
