CHICAGO - An effort to promote the conservative cause in cities is being launched in the heart of liberal Chicago. Chris Cleveland, 43rd Ward Committeeman, announced the formation of a new fund started with an initial contribution of $100,000 from Richard Uihlein, owner of a shipping supplies company.
According to Cleveland, the "New Urban Conservative Fund" is focused on developing candidates and the organizational infrastructure necessary to promote conservative and free-market solutions to urban problems. It will also work to make the case that conservatives can succeed in solving urban problems where liberals have failed.
"Urban and near-suburban residents have unique problems that often receive short shrift from national conservatives," said Cleveland. "The problems of crime, public safety, education, transportation and the economy are all different in a city than they are elsewhere."
"Education is good example. In a suburban area, a voucher means a child goes to a better school. In an urban area, it means a child has a shot at a better life. We're going to support candidates who can make that case forcefully."
Cleveland tells IR the fund will focus its efforts in the Cook County area only.