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Walter: Emanuel-Friendly Organization Should Be Scrutinized

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Half a million dollars that Rahmbo and his money guys are spending to influence the aldermanic run offs on April 5. Half a million now and a quarter of a million more they're planning to spend.

That we know. But who they are and how much money from each they won't say, which landed Emanuel on the front page of the Tribune today with a scheming look in his eye and a screaming headline: 'Emanuel Allies' Secret Fund."

Secret because the money's being spent by a group called For A Better Chicago, which is a not-for-profit and therefore allowed by federal law to hide the identity of its donors. Why do the donors want to hide, and how involved is the mayor-elect?

Not involved, says the leader of the group, who is Rahm's very good friend,  telling us Rahm had "nothing to do" with establishing For A Better Chicago and that it's not working for him.

That's what the group says, but the fact is its donors are spending a huge amount of money to elect aldermen who will give Rahm Emanuel total control of the Chicago City Council.

That's not working for Rahm? Oh. Guess it just looks that way.

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