Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Asked CPS Teachers to Push Students to Help Reelect Her

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Asked CPS Teachers to Push Students to Help Reelect Her

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign thought it was a great idea to ask Chicago Public School Teachers (CPS) teachers to encourage their students to help her campaign for extra credit and reelect her.

The students would participate in an “externship program” and earn class credit if they volunteer 12 hours a week.

CBS News published the text of the email:

“Hello!

“My name is Megan Crane, and I work on Mayor Lightfoot’s re-election campaign. As the race heats up, we’re looking to enrich our office through what we call our externship program. Could you please share this opportunity with your students? I’ve included more information below:

“Lightfoot for Chicago is seeking resumes from any volunteer interested in campaign politics and eager to gain experience in the field. The ideal volunteer will be efficient, well organized and enthusiastic about joining a dynamic team. A strong commitment to Democratic ideals is essential. Folks can apply through this form.

“Externs are expected to devote 12hrs/wk to the campaign. Students are eligible to earn class credit through our volunteer program.

“Volunteers will join an experienced team of staff and consultants, providing a unique opportunity to learn the field, finance, and communications aspects of a campaign. Volunteer tasks include voter contact, attending events, and more. We are very flexible with student schedules.

“No prior campaign experience is required, nor is a major or minor in political science. We’re simply looking for enthusiastic, curious and hard-working young people eager to help Mayor Lightfoot win this spring.”

Lightfoot’s campaign issued three statements. From WTTW:

A spokesperson for the Lightfoot campaign told WTTW News in an inital statement that the effort was designed “to provide young people with the opportunity to engage with our campaign, learn more about the importance of civic engagement and participate in the most American of processes” and “done using publicly available contact information.”

After WTTW News published details about the emails, generating a wave of criticism from other candidates in the race, Lightfoot’s campaign put out a second statement that said the campaign would “cease contact with CPS employees” out of an “abundance of caution.”

Less than two hours later, Lightfoot’s campaign issued a third version of the statement:

“All [Lightfoot for Chicago] campaign staff have been reminded about the solid wall that must exist between campaign and official activities and that contacts with any city of Chicago, or other sister agency employees, including CPS employees, even through publicly available sources is off limits. Period.”

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates described the email as “unethical.” She has concerns the mayor would retaliate against teachers or students who decline the program.

The union already endorsed Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, “a paid staff member of the union.”

The Chicago mayor “appoints not only the superintendent of the Chicago Public Schools but also the members of the Chicago Board of Education.”

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