The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

Willie Wilson Set To Endorse Garcia In Runoff Election

By Lisa White in News on Mar 11, 2015 10:20PM

After much public waffling and private meetings with both candidates, businessman and former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson has decided to endorse Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the April 7 runoff election. Wilson will be announcing his decision at an upcoming news conference, but spoke to the Sun-Times in an interview about his reasons why he has chosen to endorse Garcia over Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Before backing Garcia, Wilson took into consideration the feedback he received from his supporters. He also met with both candidates to discuss and make demands regarding issues dear to him, including reopening some of the record 50 schools closed by Emanuel, looking at the red-light camera situation in the city and issues regarding "fairness" in awarding city jobs and contracts. Wilson had the following to say to the Sun-Times about some of these issues:

“Those red-light cameras on the backs of the poor. Eliminating 50 of them was not enough. They want `em all gone. Not enough fairness in terms of contracts and jobs. And the school situation is a dagger. The school situation is a major, major, major, major,” Wilson said.

“Kids walking through gang territory 2 and 3 miles” to get to new schools. Eighty-eight percent of them were in the African-American community. They felt that was wrong. They felt he totally ignored the community when they’re the ones who put him in office.”

Wilson finished third in the Feb. 24 election. That said, his 50,960 votes represented 21.9 percent of the vote in wards that are predominantly black. Wilson considered himself the "tipping point" and that he had been told whichever way he would go, his supporters would follow. It's a somewhat different stance than the one he took earlier this month when he publicly announced he would be voting for Garcia, but might endorse Emanuel.

It is still not clear what role Wilson will have with the Garcia campaign during the final weeks leading up to the April 7 election. Wilson did say that Garcia promised to get rid of the red-light cameras and promised equal opportunity in regards to hiring for city jobs and contracts. Garcia will have to do with support and endorsement only, since Wilson did make the issue of money very clear:

"...I do not intend to give him any money. I’ve spent enough money on my own campaign. He should be giving me money. But, I haven’t asked for anything for myself.”

It's been a fun ride, Willie. Thanks for the memories.