The latest N'Digo column

Take aim at the union muscle being used in black wards in the upcoming run-off this month. And Hermene Hartman, N'Digo publisher is taking some issue with it. And let's us know who she wants to stay after the April 17th runoffs. Its starts with...

On April 17, voters will go back to the polls to vote for aldermanic run-offs. Run-off elections haven’t been so plentiful in Chicago history for nearly 60 years, and unions are the reason.

The unions are exercising muscle in the races, with lots of money, troops, and a united front. They are targeting aldermen they consider to be anti-union, and putting millions behind their chosen candidates.

Some of the unions have practiced racism, and as the politicians stand up for the unions, it should be noted how many Blacks are in particular unions. Not all unions have open arms for Black union members. Ask the carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other tradesmen for starters.

Unions are using the Black community, and I resent that. They are not qualified to run our communities. It puts the Black community in an interesting position. I hope the people stand up and strike, and that the Black community sends the unions a strong message, which is: go back to the suburbs.

You know this has been brought up. Ald. Howard Brookins (21st Ward) came out swinging on this himself knowing the unions were going after him because of his vote against the living-wage. And he brought up that black have been discrimination against when they attempted to get a job or join a union. As a result Hartman comes out swinging herself.

She talks about the third ward race. And mentions how Tillman has developed the 3rd Ward. For Tillman this is one positive I can note for her, but she has taken hits on the Harold Washington Cultural Center to name one issue. Still she has her opinion on this race and the fact that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has endorsed Tillman's challenger Pat Dowell...

Congressman Jesse Jackson is supporting Tillman’s opposition Pat Dowell. But the face of this race is not about Dorothy and Pat, it is really about union versus the people. Dorothy is a traditional civil rights politician. She supports Black causes without doubt, and does not waiver. Sometimes you agree with her, sometimes you don’t. Her history is steeped in the civil rights movement, dating back to being a schoolgirl marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and following the movement from the south to Chicago. She and the late Marion Stamps fought for better schools for children, and thus a political career was born. Tillman was among the leadership for school reform and voter registration drives that led to the election of Mayor Harold Washington.
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Congressman Jackson could have stayed out of this race. But he has united the traditional Black movement types behind Dorothy — Congressman Bobby Rush, Bishop Arthur Brazier, Dr. Leon Finney, Congressman Danny Davis, Senator Barack Obama, Bishop Horace Smith, Reverend Charles Jenkins, as well as Minister Louis Farrakhan. A ministerial coalition has been organized, and they’ve thrown their hats in the ring behind her. Hopefully this election will broaden Tillman’s scope and encourage advice for the third to move forward progressively. Unions should not rule the third, and if the choice is Tillman versus union, vote Tillman.

And then she mentions some other races. She is talking up incumbents Ald. Haithcock of the 2nd ward, Ald. Brookins, and Ald. Shirley Coleman. They all have seen some improvements in their wards and they should see another term because of it. Out of this group I'd really like to see Howard Brookins re-elected because I have been able to see some of his handiwork. This is what she says about Brookins...

The unions are also punishing Howard Brookins of the 21st ward for his big box support. He is a lawyer, and as he develops his vacant land community, he should not be penalized for wanting big box properties in his ward to spur economic development.

Brookins’ ward has more development going on outside of downtown. He is an alderman with an eye for economic development, and has brought Best Buy, Starbucks, and Staples to the 21st ward, and most recently, Lowe’s Home Improvement broke ground. Old Navy, The Gap, Office Depot, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Bank of America are also online for the ward. These stores have had Black professional services and labor, from construction to legal work to workers in the stores. Brookins has a promising career, and deserves community support rather than the union threat.

What about Shirley Coleman?

And lastly, there’s Shirley Coleman’s 16th ward in the Englewood community, where development is underway. Real estate is becoming valuable, Kennedy King College will open by year’s end, and franchises, retail outlets, and restaurants are on the way. Coleman is deserving of another term to complete the build of Englewood.

Honestly I don't know about Ald. Coleman. I tend to think that she was only along for the ride. Probably as much as Dorothy Tillman. I can't wait to see what comes out of this runoff.

Let me just bring this column by Russ Stewart. He has this great column about the "high attrition rate of black aldermen". Having it saved in my del.icio.us links, it makes prediction about those Aldermen who are going to lose their re-election bids.

Tillman, Coleman, Haithcock, and 24th Ward Ald. Michael Chandler are likely to lose. With Ald. Brookins being the only winner among this group. All I can say on that is we shall see.