Mayor Rahm Emanuel discusses the decision to close North Avenue Beach on Memorial Day. (Credit: CBS)
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CHICAGO (CBS) – Chicago will host world leaders next spring for the NATO and G8 summits, and will be the first U.S. city other than Washington, D.C., ever to host a NATO gathering.
As WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the meetings will be a great opportunity for the city to showcase itself to the world.
Emanuel laughed Wednesday when a reporter asked if just the security costs for hosting the NATO summit would be huge, given that the G8 summit has traditionally drawn demonstrators.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports
Yes, Emanuel said, he realizes that just fine.
But the mayor says he will look for help from the private sector to supplement what the city will have to do next spring. Emanuel also says he is looking at the big picture.
“There’s a bigger opportunity as it relates to both international security and the international economy. That’s what’s essential,” Emanuel said. “But for us from a city perspective, this will be an opportunity to showcase what is great about the greatest city in the greatest country.”
The mayor spoke with reports on the city’s South Side, where he was talking about creating jobs for young people this summer.
