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* Greg Hinz looks at Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot’s inner circle and who she might bring with her to city hall…
Politics being politics, an eclectic mix of names has begun to leak out. Included: a former candidate for lieutenant governor, Ra Joy; municipal consultant Lisa Schneider Fabes; longtime government colleague Maurice Classen; and Tyrone Fahner, a former Illinois attorney general and previous chairman of law firm Mayer Brown. […]
Lightfoot’s transition team will be run by Fabes, who reportedly knows Lightfoot from a stint when Fabes was an executive with the Chicago Housing Authority and, perhaps, a second post as a project manager with Chicago Public Schools. Fabes is married to Brian Fabes, CEO of the Civic Consulting Alliance. But while transition officials often end up in government, Fabes just two years ago ran for a school board seat in Wilmette, which might limit her potential Chicago role. […]
I’m told Lightfoot talks with some frequency to Joy, who, with her, is a veteran of the Chris Kennedy gubernatorial campaign and Change Illinois, a reform group. Ditto U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, who certainly can share some advice about how to succeed in the business of politics as a black woman, and reform Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, who could now find himself with a bigger role in the new City Council.
One other name that may strike some as unlikely to be in her kitchen cabinet: Fahner. He’s a leading Republican, a former president of the big-business Civic Committee of the Commercial Club. But it’s Fahner who took Lightfoot under his wing as a young associate at Mayer Brown a couple of decades ago and has served as her mentor through the years.
Ra Joy was on stage with Lightfoot last night and was part of her campaign kickoff event. But Fahner? Hoo-boy. I suppose having Mr. Pension Reform around will placate the Tribune editorial board.
* Speaking of Fahner and his ilk, here’s an excerpt from a joint statement issued last night by the CTU and SEIU Local 73 entitled “Our militancy is not dictated by who sits on the fifth floor of City Hall”…
Rahm and Rauner are gone. Their policies must go as well. We hope Mayor-elect Lightfoot separates herself from the dubious interests that funded her campaign, and governs like the progressive she claims to be by ending the funding of #NoCopAcademy and the Lincoln Yard TIF. We expect her to fight for an immediate $15/hr minimum wage in the city, for real and meaningful criminal justice reform, and for equitable investment in all of Chicago’s communities—especially those that have been habitually overlooked and underfunded.
We will also demand that Mayor-elect Lightfoot use her authority to make sure that Chicago is a city of unions for all, and that everyone has the opportunity to join a union no matter where they work.
If not, she will face immediate pushback. Elections are moments. We are a movement. See you at City Hall on April 9.
The CTU is planning a rally on April 9. Click here for more info.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:28 am
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So much for the olive branch.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:33 am
I don’t know how much advice she is providing but there is a connection between the Mayor elect and Mary Dempsey.
Comment by City Guy Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:34 am
Our militancy….demand….she will face immediate pushback…
One would think only being able to gather 26% of the vote for their candidate (and ignoring several local races) would show that city voters are not squarely in their court. Jeez.
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:40 am
CTU and SEIU - You backed the loser, maybe you shouldn’t start things off with demands. What are you going to pushback with, the about 25% of the about 30% of the people who voted?
Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:44 am
I have never been a Farmer fan but good for her. Her maturity in seeking different opinions speaks volumes and as to the demands of a sore loser please remover the vote totals. Perhaps cooperation might get more than demands
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:46 am
Before we get into all that, let’s acknowledge: given all the institutional and personal racism that has existed in Chicago since its founding, its a great day for the city of Chicago.
The city has definitely changed for the better.
Comment by lp Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:47 am
The CTU leadership is up for re-election before the end of the school year. They need a villain to point to in order to fire up membership. They probably wish they still had Rahm to beat up.
Comment by TNR Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:50 am
CTU and SEIU really taking that L in stride.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:51 am
The day after, CTU and SEIU are coming off like the Black Knight in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
“Tis but a scratch…. come on then, I’m invincible…”
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:57 am
Not mentioned at all during the campaign by any candidate was what to do with the city’s financial problems. She is going to have to figure that out, and just raising more taxes is not the solution.
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:57 am
Think it is going to be harder to portray her as a villain vs Rahm, but the CTU is going to try for sure.
But with all the advantages Preckwinkle seemed to have had, this result isn’t a good look for them.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 9:59 am
I’d leave Fahner in the kitchen cabinet if I was Lightfoot. Chicago is very Democratic, and Fahner is no Democrat.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:00 am
Fahner isn’t even an attractive Republican. Not to call Paul Vallas a Republican (I know others have), but I would have applauded bringing him into the fold. As much as I dislike CTU, I don’t draw too much optimism from this election: had this been Preckwinkle vs. Daley I think turnout would have been higher and CTU’s influence felt. There’s a reason Lightfoot gave teachers a shout-out in her speech.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:04 am
-We will also demand -
The CTU is making demands. That’s pretty amazing since Lori Lightfoot just won one of the biggest victories in Chicago electoral history. Lori won all 50 wards. Lori won all races and creeds. Lori has a mandate from the voters. Yet, some group who lost big is making demands.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:07 am
The CTU and SEIU hopefully will be a dying movement. Nice way to start the work toward rebuilding Chicago. These unions demonstrate in spades that their agenda is all about them not the welfare of Chicago residents
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:08 am
Thanks for that visual wordslinger. I needed the laugh this morning.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:13 am
– “Tis but a scratch…. come on then, I’m invincible…”–
We won some of our Aldermanic races…
“Alright, we’ll call it a draw”
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:19 am
CTU currently pays 2% towards their pension (average is approximately 9%). I understand this will need to be negotiated, not mandated higher, but it is a tough sell to the citizens to protect a group that only pays 2% towards their pension.
The MEABF and other pension ramps get very steep very quickly also.
Comment by James the Intolerant Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:26 am
Wow, what a classless statement from CTU and SEIU. You guys got smoked, maybe you could be conciliatory for a moment??
Comment by Raising Kane Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:29 am
Sounds like the first Republican mayor since Bill Thompson.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:30 am
Since we’re quoting movies today, I’m reminded of the response of that learned jurist Elihu Smails to the demands of his grandson Spaulding: “You’ll get nothing and like it!”
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:38 am
Lightfoot showed that she doesn’t need CTU or SEIU’s support. She got almost 75% of the vote. Those two union don’t have any leverage. After going all in on Chuy and Toni with disastrous results, maybe they need to reexamine their place in the political landscape.
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:47 am
= Elections are moments. We are a movement.=
Not a very good threat. When you get hammered in the biggest blowout I have ever heard of you don’t make the rules. Maybe try and work with the new mayor instead of making it easy for the mayor to not have to work with you. CTU has long had poor leadership.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:47 am
*unions
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:48 am
Just because CTU and SEIU opposed Lightfoot does not necessarily mean that Lightfoot has a mandate to weaken CTU and SEIU. Lightfoot never made weakening CTU/SEIU a central part of her campaign, and voters never voted on that issue.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:56 am
you stay classy, CTU and SEIU.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 10:59 am
What Lightfoot does have is a mandate from voters not to give away the store, which is apparently what they thought their pal Toni would do. Not weaken the unions, but just to say no to them once in a while.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 11:01 am
==CTU and SEIU Local 73==
Real graciousness in the face of an historic moment…ugh.
Good Luck Mayor-elect. Be everything you were meant to be. Cheering for you from the burbs.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 11:17 am
Well, with an elected school board and other changes coming soon, I’d say ctu isn’t doing quite so badly.
With an elected board L2 can just stay above the fray, and say it’s for CTU and the board to negotiate it out
Comment by Fav human Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 11:30 am
The real question is, how many aldermen are looking at those precinct (!!) Results and thinking ” I need to play ball or I’m getting a primary”?
Comment by Fav human Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 11:32 am
Wow, I’m pro-union but the tone of the joint statement gives me insight as to why some people are anti-union. Great job there, CTU and SEIU.
Comment by Bourbon Street Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 11:41 am
The CTU statement was more about reminding their members that CTU is still relevant and this loss shouldn’t be taken as a fatal blow. They were the primary audience, not Lightfoot.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 11:54 am
Two words come to mind regarding SEIU and CTU- Clueless and classless- don’t know which is more applicable
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 1:41 pm
==They were the primary audience, not Lightfoot.==
Then send an internal memo. I think we may disagree here. This is totally a high inside pitch.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 1:45 pm
The CTU and SEIU only know one speed - ram down the throat. And burn bridges. And create a new villain that they can rally around. This time around, I doubt voters will allow them to vilify this new mayor.
Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 4:05 pm
CTU is serving notice. Good for the union. The union is strong in Chicago, and if Lightfoot strays and becomes Rauner-like, that probably won’t fly here. Voters wanted change with Rauner, but most clearly not what he brought. Lightfoot ran as a liberal, as far as her stated policy positions. Moving far from those positions is done at a big political risk.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 4:09 pm
CTU is strong? Mayor Preckwinkle might have different feelings. Couldn’t even carry her own ward.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Apr 3, 19 @ 5:13 pm