Critics question union support of Rahm Emanuel

CHICAGO (WLS) -- In the race for Chicago mayor, incumbent Rahm Emanuel has picked up the support of dozens of labor unions.

But Emanuel's critics say the endorsements will not help the mayor where he needs help the most: among African American voters.

"The mayor who is changing lives for the better, Rahm Emanuel," said Karen Kent, Unite Local 1.

The mayor's campaign wanted to showcase its candidate as the new champion of organized labor, including the trade unions that control the jobs on most Chicago construction sites.

"We're making sure that everybody has a chance to succeed in the growth that's going on in the City of Chicago," Emanuel said.

"These trade unions do not include African Americans and other minorities in a meaningful way," said William "Dock" Walls, a candidate for mayor.

But challengers Walls and businessman Willie Wilson criticized Emanuel for accepting the endorsement of trade unions that Wilson said have an "abysmal" record for including African Americans.

"Just produce the number and you will find right there, there is something wrong with this situation," Wilson said.

"The unemployment rate for minorities is much too high," said Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Last week, Rauner signed an executive order to investigate the apprentice programs of trade unions that work on state projects.

"There's more to be done, but we're not done, we're not resting until we've made a fundamental break with past practices," Emanuel said.

Earlier in a speech to the City Club, the mayor said the CTA's Red Line re-construction project was an example of his administration's effort to make sure neighborhood residents were hired.

But Wilson says his "eyeball" survey says that's not the case on most public as well as private projects.

"If you drive down the African American community and you look at the construction, you don't see us there," Wilson said. "I challenge them. I'm having fun, guy. Because I'm getting a chance to call out the people for what they are."

Also on the campaign trail Thursday, lots of buzz surrounded the Chicago Tribune poll showing Mayor Emanuel leading his four opponents at 42 percent, still well below the 50 percent plus one majority needed to avoid a runoff.