Key Moments
Rahm Emanuel | Full Address and Q&A | Oxford Union
Oxford UnionKey Moments
Chicago transformed from a city losing jobs to the top US destination for corporate relocations by focusing on the '5 Ts'—talent, transportation, training, technology, and transparency. This strategy not only boosted the economy but also significantly reduced poverty.
Key Insights
Chicago is the #1 city in the US for corporate relocations for the last five consecutive years and for direct foreign investment for six consecutive years.
39.5% of Chicago residents hold a four-year college degree, exceeding New York City (37%) and Los Angeles (33%), indicating a strong talent pool.
Chicago's community college system offers free tuition for students with a 3.0 GPA in public schools, with additional discounts for 'dreamers', aiming to reduce student debt.
O'Hare Airport is rated the #2 most connected airport globally, and Chicago's public transportation system boasts a 97% on-time arrival rate, contributing to business certainty.
Since raising the minimum wage and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, 99,000 people in Chicago have been lifted out of poverty, including 45,000 children.
Chicago Public Schools' reforms have led to an increase in graduation rates from 56% to a freshman 'on track' rate of 89%, with 50% of graduates earning college credit before high school.
The '5 Ts' strategy to make Chicago competitive
Rahm Emanuel's tenure as mayor of Chicago was defined by a strategic focus on revitalizing the city's economy, which was experiencing job and company flight. To counter this trend, he commissioned McKinsey & Company to study Chicago's economic performance. The study identified Chicago as the second most competitive economy in North America and among the top ten globally, despite not being a national capital. This success was attributed to five key factors, dubbed the '5 Ts': Talent, Transportation, Training, Technology, and Transparency. Emanuel argued that by providing certainty in these areas, businesses would be more confident in relocating or expanding in Chicago. This approach aimed to create an environment where companies felt secure, fostering economic growth and job creation.
Chicago's economic leadership in corporate relocation and foreign investment
Following the implementation of the '5 Ts' strategy, Chicago experienced a significant surge in economic activity. For five consecutive years, the city led the United States in corporate relocations and for six consecutive years, it secured the top spot for direct foreign investment in America. Notably, Chicago was the only US city to consistently rank in the top ten globally for foreign investment, a list often dominated by established financial and political capitals. This success underscored the city's ability to attract and retain businesses by offering a compelling combination of factors, including a skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and a stable economic outlook. The sustained performance demonstrated the effectiveness of the '5 Ts' in creating a business-friendly environment.
Cultivating a deep talent pool through education and universities
A cornerstone of Chicago's 'Talent' strategy was its extensive network of universities and a strong emphasis on higher education attainment. The city boasts more universities than any other in the United States, and within a 200-mile radius, it has more level-one research universities than any other city globally. This concentration of academic institutions provides a rich source of talent for local businesses. Furthermore, 39.5% of Chicago's population holds a four-year college degree, surpassing other major US cities like New York and Los Angeles. To further enhance this talent pipeline and address student debt, Mayor Emanuel introduced the 'Chicago Star Scholarship,' offering free community college tuition to public school students with a 3.0 GPA. This initiative also extends discounts to 'dreamers,' aiming to ensure that educational opportunities are accessible and debt-free for many.
Enhancing transportation infrastructure for global connectivity
Transportation is a critical 'T' in Chicago's economic strategy, with significant investments made in its infrastructure. O'Hare International Airport was recognized as the best-connected airport in the United States and second globally, trailing only Heathrow. Plans for expansion, including the creation of the first global alliance terminal in the US and increasing terminal space significantly, demonstrated a commitment to maintaining and enhancing this connectivity. Beyond air travel, Chicago's public transportation system achieved an impressive 97% on-time arrival rate. These transportation assets provide businesses with the certainty and efficiency they need, further solidifying Chicago's position as a global hub for commerce and industry.
Educational reform: Expanding access and improving outcomes
Education was a principal reason Emanuel ran for mayor, addressing Chicago's historically short school day and year. Reforms included the implementation of full-day pre-K for all four-year-olds and full-day kindergarten for all five-year-olds, along with adding instructional time daily and annually. Stanford University lauded Chicago Public Schools as the best in the US, outperforming 98% of other districts. These changes have led to significant gains in reading and math for elementary students, and the graduation rate has climbed from 56% to an 89% freshman 'on track' rate. A key innovation is that 50% of high school graduates now earn college credit before graduation, a critical step in breaking the cycle of poverty for the 84% of students from low-income backgrounds.
Reducing poverty through economic and social policies
The economic resurgence and educational reforms have had a tangible impact on poverty reduction in Chicago. The city experienced a 19% drop in its poverty rate, significantly outperforming the national decline of 12% during the same period. This was attributed, in part, to policies like raising the minimum wage and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. These measures have not only increased employment but also helped lift individuals and families out of poverty. Specifically, 99,000 people in Chicago were lifted out of poverty, with 45,000 of them being children, demonstrating a profound positive effect on the city's most vulnerable populations.
Mayoral leadership in the era of 'city-states' and global challenges
Emanuel posited that nation-states are retreating, and 'city-states' are emerging globally, leading to a shift in political importance. He highlighted how mayors are increasingly called upon to address complex issues like climate change, immigration, and economic inclusiveness, often filling gaps left by national governments. Chicago, for instance, became a leader in water research by forging agreements with Israeli universities, an initiative that bypassed slow federal channels. The city also established 'citizenship corners' in libraries and implemented its own basic immigration policies. This active role demonstrates the growing influence and responsibility of mayors in tackling global challenges, making them pivotal figures in contemporary governance.
Addressing gun violence and police reform through trust and de-escalation
The speech touched on the intertwined issues of gun violence and police relations. Emanuel acknowledged the challenge posed by guns flowing in from neighboring states, with 40% of guns recovered in Chicago originating from outside city limits. Despite this, the city's police have removed a record 9,600 guns from streets annually, and overall gun violence has decreased by 30% over two years. This improvement is attributed to building trust between the police and communities, exemplified by a citizen reporting a car with guns. Reforms include retraining officers in de-escalation, separating mental health calls from crime responses, and implementing community policing paradigms. While acknowledging that progress is ongoing, the focus is on ensuring safety and creating an environment where children can focus on education, not fear.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
Rahm Emanuel identifies the 'five T's' as Talent, Transportation, Training, Technology, and Transparency. These factors provide the certainty that companies seek when deciding to relocate or expand.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Mentioned as a figure whose message sparked something in America during Jimmy Carter's presidency.
President during whose tenure Ronald Reagan's message resonated.
Speaker who invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak to Congress on the Iran deal without consulting the Obama administration.
Mentioned as a former president for whom Emanuel worked, passing the Brady Bill and assault weapon ban, and as a presidential candidate whose comeback in New Hampshire was a revealing moment.
An economist who showed Emanuel maps of wars and droughts, illustrating the global challenges mayors face.
Mentioned as an individual around whom comments with anti-semitic tones have been made by the right wing in America.
A gentleman who was to join Emanuel for the second part of the Q&A after the main speech.
A Stanford University professor who studied Chicago Public Schools and found them to be the best in the US.
Mentioned as a candidate who had recently entered the expanding field for the 2020 Democratic primaries.
President associated with the New Deal, used as a point of comparison for how ideas are disseminated.
A political figure from the 19th ward in Chicago, mentioned in the context of a question about the Water Reclamation District.
Mentioned as the US President whose administration's policies were antithetical to Chicago's agenda, and whose approach to civic engagement sparked engagement.
Mentioned as a former president and his book 'The Audacity of Hope' as aspirational; his administration's foreign trip choices are discussed as a regret.
Head of the Black Caucus and City Council who stated there was no cover-up related to a police shooting.
Former Secretary of Education mentioned in the context of ideas flowing horizontally rather than vertically through federal departments.
A state that, like Chicago, has implemented free community college programs.
A state that has free community college programs.
The state where renewable energy announcements are needed to complement city-level climate actions.
Mentioned as a potential top city for foreign investment in the US, and as a city experiencing similar challenges in police relations.
A country with a scarcity of water where Emanuel visited with university presidents for research agreements, and a key point of discussion regarding US politics.
A state that has passed legislation for free community college.
Subject of ecological reclamation efforts, with a dramatic increase in species since 30 years ago.
Mentioned as a potential top city for foreign investment in the US and having more universities than Chicago.
A state that has free community college programs.
Mentioned as one of the top global cities for foreign investment.
A state whose governor announced plans for free community college.
A city mentioned as facing similar challenges in police-community relations as Chicago.
A Chicago neighborhood that had a coal plant, contributing to health issues for its residents.
Mentioned as one of the top global cities for foreign investment and as a city whose mayor Emanuel has spoken with.
Ranked as the number one best-connected airport in the world, with O'Hare Airport ranked second.
A state that has free community college programs.
A large source of fresh water for Chicago, and the subject of environmental restoration efforts.
Mentioned as one of the top global cities for foreign investment.
Mentioned as a potential top city for foreign investment in the US.
Mentioned as a leading global city for foreign investment and a city Emanuel planned to visit for C40 climate change meetings.
Mentioned as a potential top city for foreign investment and as a city whose mayor Emanuel has spoken with.
A city mentioned as facing similar challenges in police-community relations as Chicago.
Mentioned as a potential top city for foreign investment in the US.
A state that has passed legislation for free community college.
A state bordering Chicago where guns can be easily purchased without questions, contributing to gun violence in Chicago.
A Chicago neighborhood that had a coal plant, contributing to health issues for its residents.
A university in Chicago whose graduates are available to companies relocating to the city.
University where Professor Sean Riordan, who studied Chicago Public Schools, is based.
A community college in Chicago whose graduates are available to companies relocating to the city.
A US government department that Emanuel did not contact for a visit to Israel.
A university in Chicago whose graduates are available to companies relocating to the city.
A US government department that Emanuel did not contact for a visit to Israel.
An art and design college in Chicago whose graduates are available to companies relocating to the city.
A business school in Chicago whose graduates are available to companies relocating to the city.
A university from which Chicago draws talent and whose graduates are available to companies in the city.
A business school in Chicago whose graduates are available to companies relocating to the city.
A university from which Chicago draws talent and whose graduates are available to companies in the city.
A US government department that Emanuel found unresponsive when seeking to arrange a visit to Israel.
A university from which Chicago draws talent.
A community college in Chicago whose graduates are available to companies relocating to the city.
An organization focused on climate change where mayors meet to set policies. Emanuel was attending meetings.
A federal oversight of hiring practices in Chicago that existed for 20 years and was lifted during Emanuel's tenure.
Emanuel's first bill as a congressman, aimed at saving Lake Michigan.
Climate goals that Chicago is working to meet by 2025, regardless of national administration's stance.
Legislation Emanuel helped pass as a point person for President Clinton, establishing a waiting period to purchase a gun.
Mentioned as a policy that, along with a raised minimum wage, has helped lift people out of poverty in Chicago.
The subject of Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to Congress, which caused political tremors.
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