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* UPDATED x1 * Local 150 backs Chuy Garcia for mayor

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* This is big. This means money, this means people, this sets up a battle between trades and the CTU…

This evening, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 announced its endorsement for Jesús “Chuy” García in the upcoming Chicago mayoral race. Local 150 President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney issued the following statement:

The upcoming election will be a pivotal moment for the City of Chicago. Chicago is a world-class city with potential for enormous success and prosperity, but getting there will require a leader with experience bringing people together, facing difficult challenges, and delivering results.

Jesús “Chuy” García is the right leader to move Chicago forward, and on behalf of the 23,000 members of Local 150, I am proud to give him our endorsement. Chuy has spent the past 40 years as a public servant, and during his time as committeeman, alderman, state legislator, and today as a Congressman, he has brought people together to find solutions.

As a Congressman, he has been a leader in a caucus that has accomplished more in the last two years than many thought possible, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. In his service on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he has fought to bring good jobs to our communities and to rebuild the economic backbone of our nation. The Chicago skyline, once crowded with tower cranes, is eerily quiet today as development has failed to rebound in the wake of the pandemic. Chicago needs a leader who knows how to fire up our economy.

I am a lifelong resident of Chicago, and I have never seen so much anxiety in the neighborhoods. It is no secret that crime and safety are among the most pressing problems facing all of us who live and work in Chicago. Residents don’t feel safe, and when our communities need economic growth more than ever, concerns about crime have stalled development. Chicago needs a leader who brings people together rather than dividing them. Chuy will rebuild the partnership with law enforcement to solve the problems that plague our communities and threaten growth Downtown.

We believe that Jesús “Chuy” García is the leader to bring Chicago into a prosperous new era of growth, safety and optimism, and we have committed significant resources to his campaign for Mayor.

The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 is a labor union representing 23,000 working men and women in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Local 150 represents workers in construction and related industries, including material production, heavy equipment operation, concrete pumping, steel mill service, slag production, public works and others.

*** UPDATE *** From US Rep. García…

“As we begin this journey towards a more fair, more prosperous Chicago for all, I’m honored to have the support of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 and the 23,000 hardworking men and women they represent.

“As the son of Teamsters and a former Teamster and Retail Garment Worker Union member, I know first-hand the difference good-paying union jobs make for working families. I’ve organized alongside my union brothers and sisters to secure better wages, work conditions, and benefits. That’s why I’m proud to have Local 150’s support as we continue fighting for a brighter future for all of Chicago’s working families.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 6:41 pm

Comments

===…this sets up a battle between trades and the CTU…===

If Chuy didn’t have your attention before, he should have it now.

It’s at “11”, the number filed.

How many of the “11” make it past the petition challenges?

If Lightfoot hadn’t realized that this will be a campaign won on the street quite yet… it’s already too late.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 6:48 pm
Nobody seems to like Lightfoot all that much. Hard to see her winning outright or avoiding a runoff with Garcia.

But yes, this is big news. Good news for Garcia.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 6:55 pm
Glad to see 150 jump out early on this one. It matters…

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:14 pm
Chuy may be adding Victor Reyes too. This is very unprogressive of him. Dilutes his brand a bit maybe. But cash and bodies are two key metrics of successful campaigns and this is that.

Does FOP go with Vallas? Figure CTU and SEIU go back to Garcia after Brandon Johnson misses the run off. That’ll be a little awkward, but still a good problem to have.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:17 pm
===Does FOP go with Vallas?===

“Even Money” or better.

How could they not?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:24 pm
- battle between trades and the CTU… -

From my very much outsider perspective I have to wonder if CTU leadership is secretly thankful they’re not betting everything on Johnson.

Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:29 pm
This is a very different type of election, and the Chuy folks are the only ones getting that right now.

He needs to get up on the air before the holidays so he can lay down the marker at 20% in the polls to fundraise in Jan.

Comment by Ok Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:38 pm
47th Ward is correct. This is quite unprogressive of Chuy, and off his brand. He is clearly playing to win.

I’m curious what promises were made to gain this support, and what it says about how he would govern as mayor.

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:46 pm
Victor Reyes is not on the ballot. Except for a few cognoscenti, he’s not a factor in this race. But rest assured, he’ll be running the show in a Garcia administration.

Comment by Anon 7:55 Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:55 pm
Considering the changing demographics of Chicago it feels like the right time for a changing of the guard and Garcia seems particularly qualified by his resume as well as the ground work he’s been laying all along. I think he could get the other demographic groups on board with the right agenda and platform. I had high hopes for Lori but she’s had a lot of problems without enough progress to excuse them.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 7:55 pm
Not my fight by any means but good for Chuy. and I guess this shows my age but why doesn’t FOP realize what is going on and the changing demographics and cut whatever deal they can with Chuy to protect whatever interest they have?

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 10:35 pm
LOL at the idea that Chuy taking support from a large labor union is somehow not progressive.

Comment by SaulGoodman Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 10:59 pm
150 going with Chuy ends the oh why will he do now that CTU and SEIU bailed.

The fact is 150 wins elections. Full stop. Maybe they do what CTU couldn’t do in 2015.

Comment by Peoples Republic of Oak Park Tuesday, Nov 29, 22 @ 11:13 pm
I frankly wouldn’t read much into the Reyes thing as to governance. Chuy lost his state senate seat because he didn’t watch his right flank. He’s not making that mistake again. FDR had unsavory allies wuch worse than Reyes and was the most progressive POTUS we’ve had regardless. Beyond that though, if the trades follow 150’s lead, Lori is toast.

Comment by Ari Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 2:07 am
Trouble for lori, rightfully so considering she has no accomplishments to run on. They only problem for all these candidates, chuy included is the run off. If you re bot top two youre out, and with so many candidates the votes will be scattered

Comment by Jump Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 6:40 am
Well that is big and surprising. If he gets the Bernie endorsement, this might be over before it started.

Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 9:16 am
Reading this…

===“As the son of Teamsters and a former Teamster and Retail Garment Worker Union member, I know first-hand the difference good-paying union jobs make for working families. I’ve organized alongside my union brothers and sisters to secure better wages, work conditions, and benefits. That’s why I’m proud to have Local 150’s support as we continue fighting for a brighter future for all of Chicago’s working families.”===

… the idea that this endorsement takes anything away from any bona fides of Chuy, progressive or not, misses the entire point why this endorsement matters… and why both 150 and Chuy see this as a match far greater than organizing wards and precincts come February.

As perfect of a crafted quote as one could write.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 9:26 am
My precinct of lakeshore liberals went hard for Lori in 2019. Chuy is the only other big name in this race (sorry Paul Vallas) and I’m truly curious to see how my neighborhood will respond.

Comment by Nazono Sakana Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 9:35 am
==LOL at the idea that Chuy taking support from a large labor union is somehow not progressive.==

I don’t get this either. I know a lot of the 150 rank and file leans right on social issues, but the leadership is pretty radical on economic issues.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 9:45 am
==Maybe they do what CTU couldn’t do in 2015==

Or 2019. One must consider that in citywide elections, CTU endorsements might be toxic.

The endorsement is a smart move by Local 150. No other candidate can match Garcia’s current reach. Why put your money behind a mid-level county manager or state rep when you’ve already got both those institutions wrapped around your finger? If Chuy loses, he’s still in Congress.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:08 am
====Chuy lost his state senate seat because he didn’t watch his right flank.====

I think that right flank was Victor

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 12:22 pm