CHICAGO (WBBM) - Chicago 2016 officials found a packed house, and for some, a hard sell, at the first of a series of community meetings citywide to try to drum up support for the city's Olympic bid.
The 90-minute presentation at the McKinley Park Fieldhouse, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., was slick, and included videotaped comments of President Obama voicing support for a 2016 Summer Olympics in Chicago.
But the first member of the audience to pose a question, union carpenter Jeff Nolan, asked whether the average Chicagoan who lacks political connections can expect to get an Olympic job.
"Can you look me in the eye right now and say that anyone like myself, or anybody else in this crowd, has a fair shake at any one of these jobs," Nolan asked.
Nolan's question drew a comment from the stage to ask questions, and not make speeches.
Afterward, Chicago 2016 spokesman Patrick Sandusky said, "We just want to highlight to people that we're in a campaign, and once we win the Games, we can bring some of these benefits to people."
Despite that, Sandusky said he thought the meeting was a success.
"People seemed very pleased that we're out talking and to hear our plans," he said.
Sandusky said the only reason Chicago 2016 is engaging in the meetings now is to "keep excitement high" -- and unify Chicago behind the bid.
Opponents both inside and outside of the meeting made it just as clear that they intend to voice their view that the Olympics in Chicago would be a bad idea.
"That guy Daley decided, yeah, we're going to have the Olympics and all these monkeys go along with them," said John Galt of the group No Games Chicago. "That's a bunch of bull____."
Galt said he considered the meeting "a waste of time" and the only questions that were answered "softballs."
Another man, who held a large yellow sign that read, "No blank check," said he was ordered to leave the fieldhouse by Chicago Police officers. He said he feared taxpayers would be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars.
On stage and off, Chicago 2016 President Lori Healey said she remained confident that the Games would make money if Chicago is chosen.
Healey said the Games are projected to cost around $3.3 billion, and said income of at least $3.8 billion is expected, leaving a profit of about $450 million.
She found many supporters in the crowd, a number of whom wore official Chicago 2016 "We Back the Bid" T-shirts.
Sandusky said that Chicago 2016 remains committed to similar meetings in every Chicago ward, although some may be combined. The IOC will vote on the 2016 host city in October.
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