'Ald. Burns likes to negotiate behind closed doors.'

Ald. Will Burns fronts for the mayor.

I've posted previously about David Axelrod's old firms, ASKG and AKPD (A as in Axelrod) and their role in attacking the Chicago Teachers Union and in managing the campaigns of anti-CTU candidates. Hanna Hayes writes here about these companies' connections to 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns who has been fighting against community activists trying to save Dyett High School. Burns is running for re-election with big support from the mayor's machine, against progressive Norm Bolden. I wish Norm the best of luck.

Dear Mike,

I thought you might be interested in this information from the 4th Ward. I remember you wrote about Rahm's conflict of interest with David Axelrod's firm during the teacher's strike. However, Alderman Burns still lists himself as a managing director for ASKG on the most recent city council disclosure statements filed in May 2014. And guess who is one of ASKG's clients? The University of Chicago Medical Center. People in the 4th ward constantly scream that he pushes the University's agenda, yet no one has brought up this relationship. (Incidentally, AKPD also ran Will's campaign in 2011.)

Burns repeatedly says that he likes to negotiate behind closed doors - he says this in forums and in a recent Chicago magazine interview. So how can his constituents be assured that he is not giving payback by servicing requests from the University of Chicago for the company where he still lists himself as a managing director? The Washington Park giveaway is just the most recent example.

Here are some relevant links:
http://webapps1.cityofchicago.org/efis/view_statement.html?statementId=185922&searchFlag=Y
Client list for AKPD http://akpdmedia.com/clients/

Client list for ASGK http://www.asgk.com/clients-campaigns

I'd be interested to hear if you have any thoughts on this. Keep up the good work!

All the best,
Hannah

Hannah Hayes
Communications Coordinator
hannah@electnormanbolden.org

Citizens to Elect Norman Bolden
1013 E. 43rd St
Chicago, IL 60653
773-285-9225