CTU Moves Aggressively to Boost Will Guzzardi

Teachers Union Sends Early $7,500 check; More Support to Follow

ABOVE THE FOLD: In the rematch between State Rep. Toni Berrios (D-Chicago) and ex-Huffington Post/Chicago Associate Editor Will Guzzardi, the Chicago Teachers Union is making an early, aggressive move to push Guzzardi over the finish line. In the 2012 campaign, the CTU support came late - March 13 - with a $3,000 contribution. But in the 2014 iteration, the teachers union this week sent Guzzardi a $7,500 check and more cash may be on the way, according to a CTU source. In fact, the CTU has already sent $15,000 to the opponent of State Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago), Jay Travis. In addition to the cash, the CTU source said the union is expected to kick in direct mail and polling support. And CTU teachers are already canvassing precincts for Guzzardi. Simultaneously, the source says "conversations are taking place" among other labor unions to boost Guzzardi's support. The CTU said that their repeat backing of Guzzardi rested on the accumulation of bad votes - despite a recent turnaround - and the lack of vigorous advocacy by Berrios. "She has taken quality votes that our members respect - recently," said the source. "But there is more than being present for a vote. The question is to what extent would she push issues forward." HAND ACROSS THE AISLE: Governor Pat Quinn greets State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington) after delivering his State of the State speech on Wednesday. On Thursday, McSweeney quickly announced his support of House Speaker Michael Madigan's business income tax cut plan.

Berrios' refusal to back an elected Chicago school board, support for charter school growth, and past support for pension reform legislation while Guzzardi swings the other way on those issues weighed heavily on CTU's decision making. "Members liked what Toni brought to the table, but they liked Will's advocacy more," said the source. "We have considerable respect for Berrios; so, it was a tough decision." Guzzardi attributed his community organizing on education issues as a key to the CTU endorsement. "I've been organizing for several year around public education for an elected school board and against school closures," Guzzardi told The Insider. "So, local teachers were calling their union delegates and telling them to be for that Guzzardi guy." Guzzardi says his organizing and his 2012 volunteer base are powering the 2014 run. He said that at his first neighborhood canvass on September 19 there were 55 volunteers who hit the streets that day, and that 40 to 50 people - college students, public employees, retirees, Latinos, - turn up every Saturday for canvassing.

Guzzardi, who knocks on approximately 80 doors each week day and 120 on the weekend, estimates that his operation has already knocked on nearly 30,000 doors in the near-west side district. And Guzzardi's ground game and bank account will soon expand further thanks to other key labor endorsements obtained last week: SEIU Healthcare Illinois-Indiana and the Fraternal Police Lodge Local 7. "They are going to support us according to their capacity," Guzzardi said obliquely. With SEIU that means lots of bodies and cash. Guzzardi, who is expecting more labor support in the next couple weeks, attributes the SEIU endorsement to Berrios' embrace of "corporate interests." "She has consistently taken the side of corporate interests," Guzzardi said. "My opponent has simply not been on the side of working people." But Berrios did snag a powerful endorsement from the Illinois AFL-CIO a couple weeks ago, backing that will boost her "working people" credentials. Additionally, the gay rights PAC Equality Illinois endorsed Berrios last week, a step that will help her with the progressive, hipster voters that form Guzzardi's base. And then there is money. Berrios and her powerful father, Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, have a lot of money. Gobs. At the end of the fourth quarter, Toni Berrios had $156,778 in the bank. In his personal political committee Joe Berrios had $551,418 and his 31st Ward committeeman account, $513,558. Additionally, House Democrats have already started paying for direct mail, and Berrios is on Madigan's "critical list" being circulated to other House members soliciting cash for top targets. In contrast, at the end of the fourth quarter, Guzzardi had just $40,307 in the bank. But Guzzardi's shoe leather is something that money can't buy. Stay tuned. PAGE TWO: MCSWEENEY BACKS MADIGAN TAX MOVE... In a move that is sure to give Bruce Rauner fits, one his prominent legislative allies is giving a full-throated endorsement to House Speaker Michael Madigan's business income tax cut plan. "I strongly support Speaker Madigan's legislation that would cut the all-in corporate income tax rate from 9% to 6%," the wealthy businessman and first term State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington) told The Insider. McSweeney, who backed Madigan's first version of pension reform but reversed course and voted "no" in December on the final version opposed by Rauner, has demonstrated an independent streak in the GOP caucus, a tendency which Madigan has encouraged by favoring some of Barrington Republican's bills. Meanwhile, State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), who has said that he can work with Madigan, issued a statement saying, "As for the Speaker's proposal, it's great to see the Democrats finally recognize that Illinois has a horrible business climate and is a major reason why Illinois ranks dead last in job creation". Not exactly McSweeneyesque.

BACK PAGE: RUTHERFORD TRAVELS REDUX... In November, the Associate Press' Kerry Lester featured Treasurer Dan Rutherford's mix of official state travel to promote his office's "I-Cash" events and political events that were scheduled simultaneously. Lester reported that Rutherford racked up 2012 travel expenses totaling $8,319 and $4,614 in first six months of 2013. In contrast, Quinn spent $4,469 and Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, $6,919. In those first six months of 2013, Rutherford spent twice as much as Simon and almost four times as much as Quinn. Rutherford's high-profile travel has now ignited an expanded probe of those expenses by the Chicago Tribune, The Insider has learned. The Tribune has cast a wider net on Rutherford's travel costs. The paper wants Rutherford's travel records stretching back to his inauguration on January 9, 2009 through December 31, 2013, according to documents from the Comptroller's office. Additionally, the Trib wants the travel records of all Rutherford's current and former top staff, including: Kyle Ham, Lori Ann McCabe, Curt Conrad, Bridget Byron, Lori Tinsley, Maureen Lydon, Mary Francis Bragiel, Matt Butterfield, Roxanna Hollenstine, Ed Michalowski, Pat Carlson, Josh Lanning, and Grant Hammer. Given the Trib's kid glove handling of Bruce Rauner so far, the Rutherford investigation is the kind of thing that makes one go - Hmm. Stay tuned. CAMPAIGN CASH REGISTER... State Senator Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) reported $21,000 from labor unions on Thursday for his Treasurer campaign, including $5,000 from United Food & Commercial Workers Local 881. Frerichs, who also banked $10,000 from the Associated Firefighters of Illinois on January 9, at the end of the fourth quarter had $833,165 in the bank... State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (DAurora) picked up $1,000 on Thursday from the Illinois Broadcasters Association... 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke disclosed $13,500 on Thursday, including $1,000 from the Illinois bankers. In the fourth quarter, Burke raised $367,830; spent $158,114; and had $4,902,609 in the bank and $3,304,785 in investments... Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chicago Committee showed $21,000 on Thursday, including $10,500 from Satter Investment Management chief Muneer Satter of Winnetka... The GOP Senate Campaign Committee reported $20,000 on Wednesday, including $10,000 from State Senator Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) and $5,000 from Chicago Speedway... The Illinois Insurance Association banked $10,759 on Wednesday, including $6,510 from American Family Insurance. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Insurance PAC had $33,833 in the bank... In addition to the $1,000,000 from his own checkbook on Thursday, Bruce Rauner also snagged $42,500 on Wednesday from other donors, including $10,000 from Gerald Putnam of Kenilworth... The Cook County Democratic Party snared $47,500 on Wednesday, including $15,000 from Justice John Simon...The Yes for Independent Maps PAC disclosed $79,000 on Thursday, including $50,000 from Water Saver Faucet Company President Steve Kersten and $25,000 from Henry Crown & Co. President James Crown... CAM-PAINS & ELECTIONS: Central Illinois' only real primary among Democrats has all the markings of both a drama and a nail nibbler, including Senate Democrats opposing the incumbent House member. As everyone knows, former Department of Public Health official and small business owner Gina Lathan is attempting to take out freshman State Rep. Sue Scherer of Decatur. Lathan's fundraising has been feeble, but her real strength lies in her community activist grassroots network. Lathan, an African-American, has loaned herself $9,000 so far and has raised an extra $2,000, including prominently $500 from senior African-American State Senators Donnie Trotter (D-Chicago) and Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

If Lathan can prove she is viable, it's likely additional black caucus money could flow. Running in a seat that includes the state capitol, at a time when the legislature will be in session, will give her a chance to get noticed by some other black caucus members who are otherwise hard to reach in Chicago. But if other incumbent Democratic lawmakers, including House members, move to oppose Madigan's incumbent, it risks setting off a clash with the powerful House Speaker and dividing the House caucus. Deputy House Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) this summer gave Scherer $1,000. For a self-funded upstart running a grass-roots effort, Lathan is burning through her own money quickly. She has already spent $8,500. But that might be a good sign. Her reports show Lathan is spending her money on "contractual" employees for her campaign. If those are real field organizers pushing her name door-to-door, it is a wise investment. At the end of the fourth quarter, Scherer had $58,000 in the bank and already has some top House Democratic staff running her shop. She recently reported $6,000 in labor cash and has the full support of local and statewide labor interests. However, insiders fear Scherer is weak is with African-American voters - Lathan's base. Ever since her slash and burn victory over Springfield Alderman Sam Cahnman and Wintson Taylor in the 2012 primary, Scherer has had an awkward relationship with black voters. She had to call on black supporters to help mend the fences. But now that she is in a one-on-one contest with a respected black woman, some of Scherer's lingering weaknesses with the community could be exposed. Moreover, Scherer is handcuffed on defining Lathan too harshly. Another slew of negative attacks could backfire. And her sometimes conservative voting record can be problematic for her. Because of her money and House Democratic staff support, Scherer is probably a 3 to 1 favorite to win here, but the game is just getting started. This is also one of the few districts that has two television markets that will strongly focus on a state legislative race, which may give Lathan a shot of getting some much-needed earned media. Additionally, there is a locally-known conservative radio host in Decatur who has made a habit of using Scherer as a punching bag, frequently calling out her connections to Madigan. If Scherer winds up buying TV ads in February or early March, it is a clear sign that her polling is showing that she is in trouble. Stay tuned. 2014 ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS... Starting with the 2012 elections, The Illinois Observer launched its "Illinois Endorsement Project", offering endorsements in contested state legislative primary and general election contests. In 2014, we will again issue endorsements. And this time it include constitutional officers. The Editorial Board's seasoned observers of Springfield will draw on the questionnaires and endorsements of legislative candidates from other media and special interest groups and our own independent observations. And we will reach our own conclusions. The Illinois Observer will publish the endorsements first in The Insider for the benefit of our subscribers before they our posted on our Web site. For candidates who wish to send The IO additional information, they can e-mail us at: editorialboard@illinoisobserver.net.

IN BRIEF: SOCIAL WORKER PICKS... The NASW Illinois Chapter PAC announced its legislative primary endorsements on Thursday. They are: State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park); State Reps. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago), Thaddeus Jones (D-Dolton), Toni Berrios (D-Chicago), Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove), Sandy Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn), David Leitch (R-Peoria), Kathy Willis (D-Villa Park), and Sam Rosenberg (DChampaign). NEW PLATE... State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), Dr. Gregory Brandt, associate professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and representatives of the Children's Oncology Network and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital unveiled yesterday the design of the new Curing Childhood Cancer license plate. WHAT'S A WEEKEND?... On Friday, Governor Pat Quinn and AT&T President Paul LaSchiazza will make a jobs announcement; AT&T Michigan Avenue Flagship Store; 10:30 a.m. In the afternoon, Quinn will address the Franklin Park Business Appreciation Lunch; Villa Brunetti Banquets; 12:15 p.m... On Saturday, Treasurer Dan Rutherford has a "meet and greet"; Legion Hall, 9701 S. Kedzie, Evergreen Park; 9:00 a.m.