Editor's Note: Crains Chicago Business reports Thursday that former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley would be giving a speech in Grand Rapids next week – Jackie Heard, spokeswoman for Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, says he will not attend. In her words “there has been a mixup.”
A previous version of this story cited Crain's Chicago Business reporting on the speech.
Daley was reportedly scheduled to make his first public speaking appearance since suffering from an illness last year, according to an article in Crain's Chicago Business.
Daley was reported to be set to take the stage at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., as a guest speaker on Jan. 14 for the college's January Series, a lecture and cultural arts series. He will speak on the topic of "CEO in the city."
The college website does tout Daley's accomplishments as mayor, saying he's "one of the world's most celebrated mayors."
"Mr. Daley enhanced Chicago's quality of life, improved the public school system and infrastructure, strengthened the economy, reduced crime, improved transportation and made Chicago one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world," the school's website says.
In January of last year, Daley fell ill on a business trip to Arizona. He was picked up by ambulance at Midway Airport and underwent a week of treatment at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for what were described as "stroke-like" symptoms.
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Since Daley left the hospital, his appearances have been minimal, and he has not had any speaking engagements. It's unclear whether his health problems have impaired his speech at all.
The illness prevented Daley from testifying in the Park Grill lawsuit in July. Attorneys for the Millennium Park restaurant wanted the former mayor to testify in their defense amid allegations that the restaurant benefitted from a sweetheart deal when they obtained a 30-year contract to operate the venue.
Daley made a recent appearance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon, but he did not speak at the event.
