Lori Lightfoot, who took office as mayor of Chicago in 2019, came under widespread scrutiny for a questionable request she asked Chicago Public Schools employees.
Her Campaign Finding ‘Hardworking Young People’ Volunteer 12 Hours a Week
The incident happened Wednesday after teachers received emails asking them to encourage students to volunteer for Lightfoot’s reelection campaign in exchange for class credit. These emails are largely attributed to Megan Crane, who has been identified as Lightfoot’s deputy campaign manager.
Based on WTTW Newsparticipants in the “internship program” will have to volunteer 12 hours per week.
“We are simply looking for enthusiastic, inquisitive and hardworking young people eager to help Mayor Lightfoot win this spring.”
In a statement to the outlet, Lightfoot’s campaign initially stated that the effort was designed to “provide young people the opportunity to participate in our campaign, learn more about the importance of of civic engagement and participation in American processes.”
We should also add that, in addition to the Chicago Public Schools teachers, the email is said to have been sent to faculty members at the City College of Chicago.
Check out what some Twitter users have to say about the issue below.
Imagine you got knocked on the door and there were 10 kids on leash wearing hi-vis asking you to vote for Lori Lightfoot https://t.co/ieyi8iNu3V pic.twitter.com/yZ40rkj0b9
– Segway Batman (@Segway_Batman) January 12, 2023
when the CPS teacher reads that email from lori lightfoot: pic.twitter.com/RrmAac1wlx
— El Chuy (@AirmanSandoval) January 12, 2023
don’t think about the kids why is lori lightfoot trying to use literal kids as political pawns https://t.co/o8512FVs15
– Ash (@mxash_) January 12, 2023
In the face of public outrage, her campaign released a statement and acknowledged that “contacting any city of Chicago, or employees of another sister agency” is “outrageous.” beyond the limit”.
“All of [Lightfoot for Chicago] campaign staff were reminded of the strong wall that must exist between the campaign and official operations and contact with any city of Chicago, or other sister agency, employees, including CPS employees, even through publicly available sources, are restricted. Stage = Stage.”
Lightfoot also called the move an “intentional mistake.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the emails to CPS teachers were an “intentional mistake” that shouldn’t have happened. @wttw
– Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone) January 12, 2023
ACLU Calls Move ‘Inappropriate Coercion’ as Inquiry Launched
However, Lightfoot and her campaign were not entirely successful. In fact, Chicago Public Schools Inspector General Will Fletcher launched an investigation to “determine which policy was violated,” WTTW News report.
Colleen K. Connell, executive director of the ACLU of Illinois, also addressed the issue in a statement sent to the store by saying it “is inappropriately coercive and raises concerns Concerned about the First Amendment.”
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that government officials cannot use their position or power to coerce participation or punish them for not participating in political campaigns. Because the mayor has ultimate authority over Chicago schools, teachers may feel compelled to make this request from the mayor’s campaign or fear the negative consequences of a lack of participation.”
The Chicago Board of Ethics is expected to discuss the situation on January 23.
Chi Public Sch and the city’s inspector general said they are gathering information on whether an email from Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s re-election campaign to Chicago teachers soliciting student volunteers violates any policy. any or not. The Chicago Board of Ethics will discuss it at its next meeting.
– Sarah Karp (@SSKedreporter) January 12, 2023
What do you think about the situation?
