[Politics & City Life] It's the day after Election Day, and most of the analysis undoubtedly will center on what exactly happened that forced Rahm Emanuel into a runoff election against Jesus "Chuy" Garcia on April 7. And while that may be the biggest headline, one other shade to this year's municipal elections is just how much the Chicago Teachers Union flexed its muscle.
This morning I called Jesse Sharkey, the 45-year-old former high school teacher who took over as head of the CTU when Karen Lewis was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last fall. (She has since returned to work.) For more on who Sharkey is and what drives him, read my interview with him from last November (part 1 here, part 2 here).
Sharkey was on his way to work and tired--out late at Garcia's victory party--but exalting in Garcia's victory, not to mention the slew of victories (or at least forced runoffs) of CTU-backed aldermanic candidates. Garcia will be the next mayor, Sharkey says, adding that politics in Chicago has changed forever.
I'd have to see that to believe it. |