Black and Latino aldermen have long complained about a lack of attention and money from the city to keep up their once-bustling local shopping districts. While the Thrive Zones program might not have enough money to reverse commercial decline in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods, it gives Emanuel a chance to hand out contracts and build alliances in these areas. And it could give him something else to mention to counter criticism that he cares most about the success of downtown and other wealthier neighborhoods.