Chicago shakes

This morning at Darwin Elementary. 

At a rally and presser this morning at Darwin Elementary in Logan Square. Chuy and a host of parents and community leaders are calling us to stand up against Rahm's devastating austerity policies, school closings and privatization. Biggest applause came when Chuy laid out his plans to undo Rahm's toxic stock-swap deals with banker friends and his support for an elected school board.

Chuy patiently (bless his soul) tried to explain his strategy to reporters, many of whom seem to believe that there's a magic bullet out there to undo the damage done to city finances over the fast few decades. One even asks him for a "guaranteed fix."

Rahm to his appointed department heads: "Get the f*^k out of Dunkin Donuts and find a precinct to work. And don't give me any of that Shakman crap or you'll be back pouring coffee at Dunkin for $8.82 an hour."

Sneed's column this a.m.

Early voting bodes well... Buried in this story about departing Election Board Chairman Langdon Neal, is this bit of good news for the Garcia campaign.

Some of the biggest percentage increases in early voting from Feb. 24 until now are in Hispanic wards, which bodes well for mayoral challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. But the highest overall numbers are in the 41st Ward (5,522 early votes), the 19th Ward (5,233), the 45th Ward (3,502), the 47th Ward (3,222), the 18th Ward (3,215), the 34th Ward (3,094) and the 43rd Ward (3,035). 1.4 million registered voters citywide, up 1.4 percent from Feb. 24 and by 5.3 percent since November 2014.