CHICAGO, October 23, 2026 – The announcement on Tuesday of the formal endorsement came as no surprise to many close watchers. The progressive alliance in Chicago, which helped elect Mayor Brandon Johnson to his position, is clearly splitting down the middle as the Nov. 3 election approaches.
Here’s the rub: SEIU Local 1 and Local 73 decided to split off and lend their union support to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Meanwhile, the 30,000-member Chicago Teachers Union is standing firmly by Johnson’s reelection campaign.
This split didn’t emerge out of thin air. Representing roughly 50,000 workers in schools, airports, and public offices, the two SEIU locals have been locked in a bitter turf war with the CTU over who gets to represent certain school staff, including tutors and recess monitors. Tensions finally boiled over.
Financial reality is driving an even deeper wedge. State records show Giannoulias—who is also running for reelection as secretary of state in the upcoming Nov. 3 election—holds a staggering campaign treasury of nearly $19 million as of Sept. 30. Johnson’s account? It’s sitting under $380,000.
The difference reaches even the key down-ballot elections. In terms of the next presidential election on the Chicago Board of Education, the SEIU locals endorse Jessica Biggs, while the CTU endorses Hilario Dominguez.
It is unclear how this difference in endorsements will affect the voters in the end. According to some experts, the difference might result in dilution of the influence of progressives. Others consider it quite natural and characteristic of a mature and diverse trade union movement. The thing is clear – the days of Chicago labor movement giants endorsing one candidate have passed for sure.
