Oct. 31--The statewide election hasn't even arrived yet in the close contest for governor and other county, state and federal races, but one local labor organization already is trumpeting its public support for Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a prominent billboard along a Chicago expressway.
The pipe fitters union has a billboard up thanking Emanuel along the southbound Stevenson Expressway near Cicero Avenue.
Many unions have said in recent days that they are focused on next Tuesday, when the race between Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican challenger Bruce Rauner headlines a full slate of elections. The Feb. 24 city elections for mayor and aldermen will take center stage after that.
Emanuel has a rocky past with several local unions because of moves to privatize some city services, change work rules for union employees and cut worker benefits. But the pipe fitters have had a strong relationship with the mayor. They were one of a handful of unions to endorse Emanuel during his 2011 mayoral run, and political funds tied to the pipe fitters and plumbers unions have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Emanuel's campaign organizations in recent years.
As part of his 2012 budget, Emanuel pushed through a plan to more than double water and sewer fees over four years. The mayor has used those fee increases to pay to replace many more miles of underground water pipes than would otherwise have been possible.
Union officials did not respond to request for comment.
jebyrne@tribune.com
Twitter @_johnbyrne
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