A secretive political action committee seeking to be a major player in Chicago aldermanic races has released its endorsements for the Feb. 22 election.

For A Better Chicago PAC has raised $865,000 for aldermanic candidates. The PAC plugs itself as “an issue advocacy organization, working to ensure taxpayers and their families, businesses and the entire city are engaged and educated on the issues shaping the future of Chicago.” 

For A Better Chicago PAC isn’t telling who its donors are, and, under state law, it doesn’t have to. The chairman is Greg Goldner, founder of Resolute Consulting, a communications and public affairs firm. He managed Mayor Richard M. Daley’s reelection in 2003. He also managed mayoral contender Rahm Emanuel’s first congressional campaign. That’s fueled speculation that Emanuel is stealthily behind For A Better Chicago. Emanuel’s campaign says he isn’t.

According to state elections filings, the PAC has so far given $10,000 each to Ald. Deborah Graham, 29th; Ald. JoAnn Thompson, 16th; Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th; Ald. Latasha Thomas, 17th; and Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th.

Meanwhile, labor and business have also thrown their weight into aldermanic races that have several open seats. The Service Employees International Union plans to spend millions in the election cycle. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce PAC has also endorsed aldermanic candidates. Of the candidates endorsed by For A Better Chicago PAC, SEIU didn’t endorse Beale, Thompson or Austin. The chamber did not endorse Graham or Thompson.

In the 3rd and 4th wards all three groups endorsed Pat Dowell and Will Burns. But in another South Side ward, the 7th, Sandi Jackson only received an endorsement from For A Better Chicago PAC. The group did not endorse candidates in uncontested races such as in the 14th Ward, where Ald. Ed Burke has long served. In the 50th Ward, For A Better Chicago PAC and the SEIU endorsed challenger Debra Silverstein. The chamber chose longtime incumbent Bernard Stone.  

For a Better Chicago PAC endorses the following candidates for the February 22^nd municipal election:

1^st Ward          Proco “Joe” Moreno

2^nd Ward          Genita Robinson

3^rd Ward         Pat Dowell

4^th Ward          William “Will” Burns

5^th Ward          Leslie Hairston

6^th Ward          No endorsement at this time

7^th Ward          Sandi Jackson            

8^th Ward          Michelle Harris                       

9^th Ward          Anthony Beale                       

10^th Ward        John Pope                               

11^th Ward        James Balcer                          

12^th Ward        No endorsement at this time

15^th Ward        No endorsement at this time

16^th Ward        JoAnn Thompson                   

17^th Ward        Latasha Thomas

18^th Ward        Lona Lane

19^th Ward        Matt O’Shea

20^th Ward        Willie Cochran

21^st Ward        Howard Brookins

22^nd Ward        No endorsement at this time

23^rd Ward        Michael Zalewski

24^th Ward        No endorsement at this time              

25^th Ward        Danny Solis                

26^th Ward        Roberto Maldonado

27^th Ward        Walter Burnett

28^th Ward        Jason Ervin     

29^th Ward        Deborah Graham                    

30^th Ward        Ariel Reboyras

32^nd Ward        Scott Waguespack                             

34^th Ward        Carrie Austin

35^th Ward        No endorsement at this time                          

36^th Ward        John Rice                               

37^th Ward        Emma Mitts                           

38^th Ward        Timothy Cullerton                  

39^th Ward        Margaret Laurino                   

41^st Ward        No endorsement at this time

43^rd Ward        No endorsement at this time

45^th ward         No endorsement at this time

46^th Ward        No endorsement at this time

47^th Ward        Tom O’Donnell

48^th Ward        Harry Osterman

49^th Ward        No endorsement at this time                          

50^th Ward        Debra Silverstein