Teachers Union Fuels Center Cass Hopefuls

DARIEN, IL – The state's largest teachers union late last week donated to a committee that is raising money for three candidates for the Center Cass District 66 board and a candidate for the Darien City Council.

On Thursday, the Illinois Education Association, which has a Center Cass chapter, contributed $12,000 to the Stronger 66 committee, according to the state Board of Elections.

The committee is supporting school board candidates Edson "Tripp" Burton III, Nicoletta Giancola-Shanks and Tiffany Watson and City Council candidate Rachel Lazich.

The other school board candidates are Megan DuPass and Doug Wiley. Three seats are available in the April 4 election. None of the incumbents are running again.

Lazich is facing Ward 6 Alderman Eric Gustafson. He is a rare municipal candidate facing a campaign that is largely funded by a teachers union.

Last year, Gustafson publicly spoke against a nearly 20 percent increase in property taxes for the Center Cass part of the tax bill. Tax backers warned he would face an opponent given his stance. That candidate is apparently Lazich, a tax hike supporter.

In a recent email to Patch, Gustafson said he was funding his campaign with his own money and not taking contributions from others.

In a comment to Patch, Elizabeth Uribe, Stronger 66's chairwoman, said the Lazich campaign's expenses were entirely paid before the committee received the union's money.

"Her entire campaign has been funded by generous family members, friends, and supporters who believe in her vision for Darien and are eager for ethical, meaningful representation at the City level," Uribe said.

Patch has asked Uribe for financial documents demonstrating what she has said.