Mayor race heats up with battle for Latino vote

CHICAOG (WLS) -- The race for Chicago mayor heated up Sunday as candidates battled for the Latino vote and while some came out in support of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, others stood together in protest.

The mayor picked up the endorsement of several prominent Latinos, as one of his opponents picked up the endorsement of a former candidate.

Dozens of Latino elected officials, business and community leaders came together to show their support for Mayor Emanuel's bid for re-election.

"What we do in the next 2-3 years will determine what Chicago will look like 20 to 30 years from now," Emanuel said.

United States Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a one-time foe of Emanuel joined others at the endorsement event which was held at a family owned and operated business in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.

"Together, we work to make Chicago the most immigrant-friendly in the nation," Gutierrez said.

Supporters included Illinois State Board Chairman Gery Chico who ran against Emanuel unsuccessfully in 2010.

"What's best for my community is probably going to be good for the entire city," Chico said.

Latinos are around 15 percent of the city's registered voters.

A group of community activists accused the mayor of using the dedication of a new park on the city's Southwest Side to grab full credit for closing two area coal plants, when they say it has taken years of work.

"We can't believe Rahm is coming into our neighborhood trying to act like he's a friend of our community," protester Rebecca Martinez said.

Meanwhile, Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia was endorsed by former City Clerk and mayoral candidate, Miguel del Valle Sunday afternoon at von Humboldt Elementary School, which is one of the schools closed by the administration.

"This is the time to put Chicago on a new course that puts neighborhoods first. Neighborhoods now several years after the recession can begin to recover if they are high on a list of priorities that emanate from City Hall," Garcia said.

Recent polls have shown that the mayor's favorability rating is hovering around 35 percent, down from the 50 percent rating he had this time last years. Experts say that is an indication that the Latino vote is not solidified behind any particular candidate.