“Chicagoans have a sweet spot for social responsibility.”

Chicago Democrats used the issue as a means to maneuver a bailout of the mismanaged Chicago Public Schools system that for years has wildly overspent while overpromising its powerful unions.

In 2007, the City Council signed off on dozens of city worker contracts, all in force for 10 years. It was an unusual and risky move, meant to buy labor peace until after the 2016 Summer Olympics, which then-Mayor Richard M. Daley hoped to bring to Chicago. Oops.