VIP Tickets to Emanuel’s Inauguration: $50,000

A lot of mayors take their oath of office down at City Hall and then just get down to work. But Chicagoans can apparently expect something much more grandiose from Rahm Emanuel – if they’re willing to pay up to $50,0000 for it.

For a $50,000 donation to Emanuel’s inaugural committee, you can call yourself a “co-chair” of the big event and score four tickets to a concert, special reception and dinner as well as the inauguration itself.

Emanuel has said the festivities will all be paid for by private donation. Details of the mayor-elect’s inauguration plans have been kept under wraps, but the Chicago News Cooperative got a hold of an invite – complete with price list.

The actual swearing-in will be held on May 16. But the $50,000 will get you into a concert at Grant Park, an evening reception at Venue 1 on the West Side and a dinner on May 14, as well as prime seats at the inauguration itself, the CNC said.

There are less expensive options available. A $25,000 “sponsor” donation will also get you four tickets to the concert, reception and inauguration, but just two invites to the dinner.

“Supporters” can shell out $10,000 for two concert tickets, four tickets to the reception and two “VIP” tickets to the inauguration.
“Friends” will pay $5,000 for two concert tickets, two reception tickets and two “reserved” tickets to the inauguration.

There’s no word on who will be performing at the concert or whether the dinner will feature rubber chicken.

The invitations don’t say where the inauguration will be held, CNC said. Outgoing Mayor Richard M. Daley took the oath of office for his last term in the City Council chamber on the second floor of City Hall.