Chicago, IL. ---- My recent remarks toward Mayor Daley as reported in both the Sun-Times and Tribune on November 29 were taken as an endorsement by some, but I have not made an endorsement in the upcoming 2007 mayoral race.

 The remarks were made in the backdrop of the new technology facility being established at IIT where the mayor and I shared compliments of each other. I was asked by a reporter does Mayor Daley deserve to be mayor. Yes, he does. Dorothy Brown, an accomplished attorney and public servant deserves to be mayor. Bill “Dock” Walls an accomplished attorney and public servant deserves to be mayor. Ultimately, at the end of the day, when the votes are counted, the people will decide who deserves it most.

 I admire the history and commitment of mayoral candidate Dorothy Brown and I believe she has a great record of public service, but I do believe that her recent statements to the media was an overreaction and hopefully not made for any political gain at my expense.

 I want to make it clear that for the past 40 years I have been and will continue to be a strong critic against police brutality, torture, and murder. In fact, police brutality was an issue I raised to the media and was mentioned by the media. And as head of the city, the buck does stop with the mayor in terms of hired truck, city hiring and minority contracting scandals as well as police misconduct. But we must make sure that not only are issues of violence and corruption on the table, but health care, jobs, education, and economic development is on the table as well