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Harmon uses formerly CTU-backed bill against a CTU-backed candidate

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* Tina Sfondeles on November 8 of last year…

The CTU, which has always supported a fully elected [Chicago school board], prefers [Rep. Ann Williams’ hybrid, half-elected half-appointed House plan], in part because it would give the union more time to choose candidates and raise campaign funds. The union would only have to find 10 candidates, as opposed to 20, under the House Democrats’ plan. And the union’s political action committee will have to play catch-up after contributing a hefty $2.46 million to Johnson’s mayoral campaign.

In other words, as I wrote in a subsequent newspaper column, why spend precious dollars on 10 extra elections if the mayor you elected will appoint your people for free?

* But Greg Hinz reported this week on another aspect to this fight. As you know, Senate President Don Harmon moved a fully elected school board bill during veto session which he said (accurately) was done at the behest of the CTU. There’s more to it, however…

Amid that standoff, a fight for a state Senate seat now held by appointed Harmon ally Natalie Toro has turned red-hot. Toro was named by Democratic ward committeemen to replace Cristina Pacione-Zayas, who resigned to take a top job with the Johnson administration, where she has, among other things, overseen the city’s migrant response. Now that her Senate seat term is ending, progressives badly want the position back. They’re backing CTU organizer Graciela Guzman in the March primary. There also are two other candidates in the race, physician Dr. David Nayak and former radio account executive Geary Jonker.

CTU has made the race a top priority, with progressive groups stepping up precinct work and big checks from teachers unions beginning to arrive in Guzman’s warchest. Harmon in turn dropped $500,000 into Toro’s campaign earlier this week — and according to Guzman is responsible for an internet push poll that asserts, “Guzman’s political organization is attempting to stall Natalie Toro’s plan to fully elect the school board now and wants to keep the school board out of the hands of voters.”

Harmon, in a phone interview, said he’s not familiar with the internet item but that campaigns “often test out different messages.”

Harmon termed “baloney” charges from CTU insiders that he is using the Toro seat as leverage, offering to finally approve the hybrid school board bill if the union will drop its opposition to Toro, who also is a CTU member but has a poor relationship with union leaders. “We’re committed to a fully elected school board,” Harmon said. The only reason he supported a hybrid bill a few years ago was that it was the most that CTU could get out of the Legislature given the opposition to a totally elected board by then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Harmon said.

Heh.

Toro’s Senate Democratic advertising campaign has positioned her as a progressive CTU member. So, Sen. Toro votes for a fully elected school board, which has been politically popular (and likely still polls well if they’re using this tactic), then blasts her primary opponent for conspiring to obstruct the beloved reform.

It’s almost like the Senate Democrats used the entire chamber last fall to weaponize an issue on behalf of a single appointed member facing a tough primary challenge.

Maybe more than almost.

…Adding… From Senate President Harmon’s spokesperson John Patterson…

“’Baloney’ was the one-word take on this theory, and “baloney” is about as profane as Don Harmon gets. The legislation we passed is our attempt to best ensure the most diverse representation of all voters of the City of Chicago. That’s the only motivation.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 1:22 pm

Comments

=They’re backing CTU organizer =

That has worked out so well in the mayor’s office what could go wrong? /s

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 1:29 pm
As someone who ardently supported Ann Williams during her bid for speaker(still a huge supporter of hers), having appointed incumbents to kick off the establishment of the elected school board is absurd.

Comment by Macon Bakin Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 1:31 pm
Fully elected is the correct path. Harmon is right on this one.

Comment by wowie Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 1:39 pm
How fitting that ISDF A-1 today shows payroll for numerous foot solider political operatives on behalf of Toro. On top of $700k already given (and more to come). Harmon means business. My money’s on Toro.

Comment by Suburban Operative Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 1:46 pm
I wonder why there are crickets from the Mayor’s Office on such a major issue affecting the City that he was so passionate about previously.

Comment by Wobblies United Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 2:34 pm
The unions (including CTU) ask legislators to be consistent in their support of key issues; that should go both ways. CTU should accept a fully elected school board and move on.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 2:56 pm
So is Guzman being paid to be an organizer as in organizing her campaign? sn/

Do they have her doing door-to-door with the Bring Home Chicago ordinance then maybe adding her literature to that handout as well? That’s how CRR and UWF were doing it this weekend.

CTU the new Streets and Sans. You got a nephew that needs a job? We’ve got a spot. A trusted Precinct Captain? We’ve got a spot. A sign stealing/placement juggernaut? We’ve got a spot. A relentless poll watcher who will stand outside with palm cards in any weather? We’ve got a spot.

Come inside all paid for by Union dues. To the

Comment by Frida's boss Friday, Jan 12, 24 @ 3:24 pm