Posted by John Byrne at 11:35 a.m.
Mayor Richard Daley today said he's retained an agency to book him for speeches nationally and internationally after he leaves office in May.
Daley said he has signed up with the Harry Walker Agency, a company that sets speaking engagements for a roster of public figures that includes President Clinton, Lance Armstrong, Bono, former political leaders and other public figures.
"Both U.S. and abroad," Daley said of where he will likely give speeches, though he does not have any specific engagements in place. "I'll talk about leadership, talk about government, talk about decision-making."
Daley has long said he planned to include public speaking among his post-mayoral activities when he leaves office in May.
The mayor said he does not know how much he will get paid, but his spokeswoman, Jacquelyn Heard, noted that other speakers at the agency can receive in the neighborhood of $50,000 per appearance.
The mayor has a uniquely Chicago speaking style and has earned a reputation for inserting a malapropism or two during his 22 years in office. But Daley pointed out he has already traveled the world speaking to audiences about his time in office, giving any fees he received for the speeches to charity. Now he'll simply get paid to continue advocating for Chicago, Daley said.
"I've done it already, traveled quite a bit on behalf of the city, I continue to do that," he said at a news conference to announce a Target store will open in the Sullivan Center that formerly housed Carson Pirie Scott on State Street. "Born and raised here, I love this city. It's a passion that I have for this city to grow, and it's a global economy. You're not going to exist as a Midwest city, you're not going to exist as a city in America. This is a global city. If you don't reach out to it, you'll be lost in history."