Mayor defends Chicago's treatment of Oprah

CHICAGO, June 10 (UPI) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley says he disagrees with Stedman Graham's recent remarks claiming Chicago doesn't respect his girlfriend, media mogul Oprah Winfrey.

Winfrey tapes "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in Chicago but plans to wrap the chat show up in 2011 after 25 years and move to Los Angeles to concentrate on other projects.

Graham told WFLD, Chicago, last week: "I don't think she gets her just due based on who she really is and what she's done for the Chicagoland area. It's home for her and it's just natural for people to kind of take her for granted -- until you leave."

Daley said he doesn't agree with Graham's assessment.

"One thing about Chicagoans -- we respect your privacy. She could be in a restaurant. She could be at the East Bank Club, walking down the street. People don't run up to her. … They respect your privacy. That's unique about Chicago," the Chicago Sun-Times quoted Daley as saying Thursday. "New York, you can't live. LA, paparrazzis are chasing 'em up and down the street -- in their cars, out of their cars, trying to get pictures. Here in Chicago, people out to restaurants… or walking down the street, say, 'Hi, how are you?' But, you're not in her face."

Asked if he thinks Chicago appreciates Winfrey, Daley told the newspaper: "Oh, yes. Definitely. Sure. … Everybody did. Not only here, but let's be realistic -- around the world."