Alderman Ed Burke Is Against Cook County Jobs

July 29, 2009 by CookReformer
Filed under: Economic Growth, Reform, Spending, Uncategorized

Union-sponsored blog Progress Illinois crows today about a Sun-Times article in which Ald. Ed Burke states his opposition to building a new Wal-Mart in Chicago.

For a primer/refresher on Ed Burke, please read here.

In short, Burke said he’s withholding support for a new Wal-Mart until the company backs the Big Labor-backed “Card Check” bill pending in Congress. That bill would rob American workers’ right to a secret ballot in union organizing elections.

In addition to being undemocratic, that bill would no doubt cost good-paying jobs.

Of course, at the same time unions attack the job-producing Wal-Mart … they outsource their “picketing” work lowly-paid temporary workers.

But, mind you, Burke’s motivation is anything but high-minded. It’s purely political. He is the uber-insider on the Chicago City Council (who has worked hard to unseat Tony Peraica, the host of this blog) who works hard to take care of his political contributors…even if its at taxpayer expense.

According to State Board of Elections reports, his semi-annual campaign finance report for only the last half of 2008 shows $17,000 in campaign contributions for labor. The Burnham Committee, of which Burke is an officer and which contributed $150,000 to his campaign committee in 2008, received about $9,000 in labor contributions during 2008.

Burke has obviously decided to stand with his labor backers — rather than these Chicago citizens who know that Wal-Mart will bring much-needed jobs during an economic crisis.