CTU Disses Teacher Activists on South & North Sides
By Jim Vail
When it comes to politics, we all want to win.
The Chicago Teachers Union has been spinning the PR wheels furiously after nemesis Rahm Emanuel was re-elected mayor last month.
CTU President Karen Lewis said after the recent local elections, "We have changed the political climate."
According to the CTU, the positive outcome was that a number of new progressive aldermen were elected, the current progressive aldermen retained their seats and Rahm had to campaign another six weeks in an historic mayoral run-off election.
The biggest news of course was Susan Sadlowski Garza making history by being the first CTU member elected to the Chicago City Council as alderman on the far south side.
This is what was written then on the CTU news blog:
"Garza was one of three CTU members who ran for alderman in the 2015 Municipal Election, joining Tim Meegan in the 33rd Ward, and Tara Stamps in the 37th Ward.
Well, this is simply not true. Lindbloom delegate and Core activist Ed Hershey ran and was endorsed by the CTU for alderman in the Pilsen/ Chinatown district. He was endorsed by the delegates, not the political action committee, probably because they didn't think he could win.
Then there was another teacher and Core activist Tammy Vinson who fought hard to be elected alderman on the southside by was another victim of dirty politics and was unceremoniously thrown off the ballot.
Not to mention CTU member Diane Daleiden ran one hell of a campaign against machine mummy Pat O'Connor.
I understand the CTU wants to go with a winner who will represent our interests in the political field. But completing ignoring the other valiant teachers who made the sacrifice to run for office after president Karen Lewis implored members to run is simply crass.
CTU would do well to issue a follow up on its blog and congratulate all the members who ran for office.
If it's only about winners and losers in the political field, we have a real bleak future ahead of us.
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By Jim Vail
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| CTU delegate Ed Hershey ran for alderman but was not recognized for this by the CTU. |
The Chicago Teachers Union has been spinning the PR wheels furiously after nemesis Rahm Emanuel was re-elected mayor last month.
CTU President Karen Lewis said after the recent local elections, "We have changed the political climate."
According to the CTU, the positive outcome was that a number of new progressive aldermen were elected, the current progressive aldermen retained their seats and Rahm had to campaign another six weeks in an historic mayoral run-off election.
The biggest news of course was Susan Sadlowski Garza making history by being the first CTU member elected to the Chicago City Council as alderman on the far south side.
This is what was written then on the CTU news blog:
"Garza was one of three CTU members who ran for alderman in the 2015 Municipal Election, joining Tim Meegan in the 33rd Ward, and Tara Stamps in the 37th Ward.
Well, this is simply not true. Lindbloom delegate and Core activist Ed Hershey ran and was endorsed by the CTU for alderman in the Pilsen/ Chinatown district. He was endorsed by the delegates, not the political action committee, probably because they didn't think he could win.
Then there was another teacher and Core activist Tammy Vinson who fought hard to be elected alderman on the southside by was another victim of dirty politics and was unceremoniously thrown off the ballot.
 |
| CTU member Tammy Vinson ran for alderman but was also not recognized by the latest CTU blast. |
Not to mention CTU member Diane Daleiden ran one hell of a campaign against machine mummy Pat O'Connor.
I understand the CTU wants to go with a winner who will represent our interests in the political field. But completing ignoring the other valiant teachers who made the sacrifice to run for office after president Karen Lewis implored members to run is simply crass.
CTU would do well to issue a follow up on its blog and congratulate all the members who ran for office.
If it's only about winners and losers in the political field, we have a real bleak future ahead of us.
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Susan Sadlowski Garza Makes History as First CTU Member Elected to Chicago City Council
BY CTU COMMUNICATIONS | 04/22/2015
CHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) today congratulates dedicated union member Susan Sadlowski Garza on her victory for alderman of Chicago’s 10thWard. Garza, a CTU delegate and area vice president, defeated incumbent alderman John Pope by a margin of 20 votes in the April 7 run-off election. The Union is pleased to have one of its own joining an influx of new aldermen to help bring much needed change and an independent, progressive agenda to the Chicago City Council.
“We are absolutely thrilled that our sister Sue Sadlowski Garza is a new member of the Chicago City Council, which means she can be a watchdog for all citizens,” said CTU President Karen Lewis. “Sue is a warrior like no other, and a vibrant activist who has fiercely advocated for improving the quality of life on the far Southeast Side and who will bring the same passion to the City Council that she’s brought to our battles to preserve fairness and equity in public education.”
Garza is currently a counselor at Jane Addams Elementary and a 20-year veteran of Chicago Public Schools. The daughter of revered union leader Edward Sadlowski, she is a community activist and lifelong 10th Ward resident with an extensive record of public service. Garza has worked with thousands of families throughout the 10th Ward to create award-winning after school programs such as “Safe-Kids” and “Bully Patrol,” and has been instrumental in the fight against air pollutants on the Southeast Side of Chicago.
Garza was one of three CTU members who ran for alderman in the 2015 Municipal Election, joining Tim Meegan in the 33rd Ward and Tara Stamps in the 37th Ward. Stamps, the daughter of late Chicago community activist Marion Stamps, pushed incumbent 37th Ward alderman Emma Mitts to a run-off in April, while Meegan narrowly missed that mark in the 33rd Ward, but has recently launched efforts to start a new independent political organization in the area.
For nearly a year, each of the CTU candidates and hundreds of community volunteers and fellow members have been circulating petitions and reaching out to thousands of Chicagoans on such issues as an elected school board, crime prevention, pension protection and raising the minimum wage. The feedback they have received in the community has been tremendously supportive, as Chicagoans are voicing their desire for change on the 5th floor of City Hall and among the mayor’s rubber stamp City Council aldermen.
“All of our candidates are winners and hardworking leaders with a strong vision for the city and its future,” Lewis said. “They represent the strength of the CTU and we’re proud of them all.”
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