Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s Campaign Asks Teachers to Urge Children to Work for Her Re-Election in Exchange for Class Credit
January 14, 2023 | Illinois
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s re-election campaign’s move to send an email to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teachers asking them to urge their students to volunteer for the mayor’s campaign – in exchange for class credit – is drawing fire.
The report of the email letters sent to teachers has evoked strong reactions from various corners, including Parents Defending Education (PDE), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), and CPS.
WTTW News first reported Wednesday the email reportedly sent to CPS teachers from Megan Crane, named in the report as deputy campaign manager for Lightfoot’s campaign.
According to WTTW:
It was unclear how many Chicago teachers received the email from Megan Crane, whose LinkedIn page identifies her as the deputy campaign manager for Lightfoot. The message was sent to teachers’ official work email accounts, which end in cps.edu.
The email asked the teachers to urge their students to volunteer to help Lightfoot win her re-election bid and earn class credit simultaneously.
“Hello! My name is Megan Crane, and I work on Mayor Lightfoot’s re-election campaign,” begins the partially reported email featured in the WTTW News story.
“As the race heats up, we’re looking to enrich our office through what we call our externship program,” the reported email continues. “Could you please share this opportunity with your students? … Externs are expected to devote 12 hrs/wk to the … campaign. Students are eligible to earn class cre … through our volunteer program.”
On Thursday, WTTW News reported the Lightfoot Campaign also sent “identical emails” to City Colleges of Chicago instructors, urging them to encourage their students to help the mayor win re-election in exchange for class credit….(Excerpt from The Virginia Star)
