Expert: Federal government should reimburse Chicago for president’s visit

President Trump is visiting Chicago today, where he spoke to an association of police chiefs and hosted a fundraiser for his 2020 campaign. The president’s arrival could force the city to spend its public resources to accommodate the visit. Northwestern University political science professor Jaime Dominguez says Chicago should not have to foot the bill.

Dominguez is an assistant professor of instruction in the department of political science in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. His teaching and research focus on race and ethnicity, immigration, urban politics, Latino politics and Chicago politics. He can be reached at j-dominguez@northwestern.edu or 312-375-4868.

 Quote from Professor Dominguez

“In the spirit of federalism, municipalities do and should have a right to be compensated for visits by the President, especially if they are centered around campaign activities. Not all cities are equal, and many are cash-strapped, so to have to put the financial onus on city governments to spend public resources is asking too much.

“In the case of places like Chicago, which the President has besmirched on multiple instances and threatened to withhold federal aid for supporting policies opposed by Trump, why should the city be left in the red with city taxpayers having to foot the bill? So long as public safety is not compromised, cities should be reimbursed for the services they provide for these kinds of visits. And, if the President does not like it, he can take his business to other cities that will openly and willingly embrace his visits.”