'Big Box Ordinance' weighs heavily on elections

February 16, 2007 (WLS) -- The Big Box battle is behind Chicago-- but some aldermen are facing the toughest election of their careers because of the fallout from the controversial living wage ordinance.

For the first time, the Chicago Federation of Labor has decided not to endorse the incumbent mayor and is actively working ward-by-ward to unseat aldermen who crossed labor on the living wage issue. There are about a half-dozen aldermen who are now labor's top targets.

"This is probably my most difficult election," said Ald. Danny Solis, 25th Ward.

After 11-years in office, one of Mayor Daley's most reliable supporters in the City Council may very well find himself in a run-off after Election Day. Last fall Alderman Danny Solis was among those who sided with the Mayor and killed the living wage ordinance.

Solis regrets a taunt made in September 2006: "If you want to go against me, bring it on!" Now, organized labor is after him. They are flooding his Southwest Side ward -- and several others -- with mailings, manpower and money.

Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon knows it's risky to go against entrenched incumbents -- not to mention the mayor. Still, his group is sinking more than half-a-million dollars into this strategy. They're supporting challengers to aldermen including Danny Solis, Burton Natarus, Dorothy Tillman and Bernie Stone.

"At the end of the day, we can't be a paper tiger. We can't sit here and talk about it and not do it," said Dennis Gannon, Chicago Federation of Labor.

The money will buy each challenger at least one mailing -- some will get five. Labor also helps by manning weekend phone banks, sending 80-to-100 foot soldiers into each ward to knock on doors and talk-up candidates, and of course, writing checks.

"If I can reach somebody 3 to 4 times, they can help me reach them 6 to 7 times, that just doubles our effect," said Greg Brewer, 50th Ward Candidate.

Greg Brewer is on the receiving end of the union support in his race against 33-year-council veteran Bernie Stone... who claims to be amused by "most" of the attacks.

"The latest one is comparing me to Richard Nixon -- that was a good one," said Ald. Bernie Stone, 50th Ward.

On the flip-side of the big box battle... the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is working to unseat those who pushed for the boost for the big box workers. Chief among them: Sponsor Joe Moore.

"We're not seeing any precinct workers in three-piece suits, but we are seeing some money," said Ald. Joe Moore, 49th Ward.

On the ward level, the union's foot soldiers may prove more effective than money alone -- with their ability to go door to door. The question is: Will they convince residents that this one issue should determine how they vote?

"We're going to find out exactly how good we are on election day," said Dennis Gannon, Chicago Federation of Labor.

There is a huge risk in labor's strategy. If they pour and money and manpower into these races -- but don't manage to influence the outcome of the election, they may be perceived as weak. But the Chicago Federation of Labor believes it can no longer count on Mayor Daley for support. He basically controls the council, so they had to quite literally put their money where there mouth is.

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