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CPS CEO featured in new “non-campaign” TV ad

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* From an April 19 press release…

Progress Chicago, a nonprofit issue advocacy organization dedicated to promoting sound public policies for the city’s continued advancement, today officially launched and outlined its spring agenda to counteract potential threats to the equal funding formula for Illinois schools that was reached with bipartisan support during last year’s legislative session in Springfield.

Through a mix of proactive communications, issue advocacy efforts and partnership initiatives, Progress Chicago will counter the faulty and misleading narrative about the city that disregards significant gains in recent years, particularly in education, with independent reports showing Chicago Public Schools are leading nationally on several fronts.

* From the group’s mission statement…

Progress Chicago will not participate in any political activity on behalf of or against any candidate for office.

* Check out its funders…

* IBEW Local 134
* IUOE Local 150
*LiUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council
* Michael J. Sacks

Michael Sacks, eh? Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s favorite billionaire? The same guy who just hired the former Chicago Federation of Labor president who is expected to help Emanuel with his reelection campaign?

* Anyway, the group just purchased $83,000 in cable TV ads to run this new spot featuring Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this…

Clever. Very clever.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 9:29 am

Comments

Smart move that could counter all the haters bangin’ how bad Chicago is.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 9:53 am
Hopefully some reform/CTU-allied group runs an ad reminding everyone that Rahm handpicked the CPS board and they are not elected.

and then runs another ad featuring Rahm’s handpicked CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett with an update on how she’s adjusting to prison.

Comment by Edison Park Sam Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 9:58 am
Now all the Mayor needs to do is get Sacks to make like a dozen more job offers

Comment by Sue Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 10:00 am
Very positive. Nice change of pace from all of the negative (although JB ads are not entirely negative).

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 10:04 am
The overall basis for Republican calls for turnaround, and drastic change has been a narrative of overwhelming disaster in illinois. Fear and desperation are the emotions called for by political messaging. To a great and unfortunate extent, this messaging has had broad impact.

A general counter by Democrats will increasingly be creating positive views of Illinois, and messaging pointing to strengths and assets upon which we can build.

The reality of Illinois is neither the disaster some claim, nor the easy path forward others pretend. Identifying strengths and assets that can be leveraged, before getting lost in problems, is the beginning of a standard change management tactic.

Comment by walker Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 10:26 am
I love it. Be as cynical as you want about this being part of the election strategy. You’re obviously right. But it is also true that this type of message is badly needed (and accurate) in Chicago. There are a lot of parents that love their CPS school and choose to send their children there. They need more positive rallying points like this one.

Comment by Lurker Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 10:29 am
This isn’t smart and shouldn’t be lauded. Chicago could be a great city and instead, due to our elected leaders’ malfeasance, it is merely a good city.

Comment by Chris Widger Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 10:40 am
This is just totally wrong. Rahm and his funders using a public employee to engage in preemptive politics. I am sickened

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 10:45 am
Nice try, Rahmpraganda machine.

Two disgraced CEOs, one in prison. Dirty schools at the hands of private contractors. Oh, and one strike, along with a day long walkout and a second strike averted at the last possible second.

After watching this, one wonders what Troy Laraviere was fired for. Oh yeah, I know. Because he was in a political ad for Bernie and he endorsed Chuy.

Rules are for you, not for me, said the Mayor.

Comment by Anon35 Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 11:35 am
We need more positive messages like this to help attract the Amazons.

Comment by Grandpa2 Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 12:15 pm
After watching that, I’m headed out for a slice of apple pie. Who’s with me?

Good Ad, true, and about time it gets some air time.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 1:42 pm
Public schools have made great strides under this Mayor. It is only right that that message gets out. I know a lot of people who are now sending there kids to CPS. It was only ten years ago that people would move to the burbs before they would subject there kids to a CPS school.

Comment by Groucho Tuesday, May 15, 18 @ 2:13 pm