Ald. Anthony Beale to head the city council's police & fire committee

Sun-Times:

Far South Side alderman Anthony Beale (9th) — who has infuriated rank-and-file-police officers by targeting their supplemental pay and proposing more power for “rent-a-cops” — was chosen by Mayor Daley today to chair the City Council’s Police Committee.

But, he said, "We'll continue to work with the [committee] members for the benefit of Chicago Police officers and the people of Chicago.”

Beale, 43, replaces former Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th), who was elevated by the mayor over more senior colleagues, only to be convicted of shaking down a West Side developer.

Beale is a surprise choice for several reasons. Although he has cozied up to Daley recently in his push to develop Pullman Park, Beale was elected to the City Council in 1999 with the staunch support of State Sen. James Meeks and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson (D-Il.), longtime Daley critics.
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Beale has targeted duty-availability pay, a supplemental, $2,800-a-year lump sum that essentially compensates officers for being on call at any time.

He has also criticized the roughly $1,800-a-year uniform allowance officers receive and infuriated the rank-and-file by proposing that private security guards patrolling three Far South Side commercial strips be empowered to write tickets — for everything from parking and moving violations to loitering, littering and graffiti.

Daley denied that his selection of Beale was an “antagonistic move” toward police officers who are already furious with the mayor after waiting three years for a new contract.

"He's had some criticism, but in the long run, he’s supported the Police Department and Fire Department tremendously in his district. He works very well in the 9th Ward," Daley said.

As you all know Beale is also attempting to get a Wal-Mart into his ward in the same development mentioned in this article.

Via CapFax morning shorts!

ALSO, 2nd City Cop doesn't like Ald. Beale all that much!