March 12, 2014
"BIG DADDY" BERRIOS, MADIGAN BATTLE UNIONS, LIBERALS IN 39TH DISTRICT

ANALYSIS & OPINION BY RUSS STEWART

by RUSS STEWART

The combatants in the March 18 Democratic primary for state representative in the Northwest Side 39th District are not the candidates – 12-year incumbent Toni Berrios and repeat challenger Will Guzzardi.

Instead, it's county Assessor Joe Berrios' vaunted political machine, supplemented by over $100,000 in postage and printing provided by Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's political operation, versus the combined wrath and money of the unions, particularly the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

The issue differences between Berrios, age 36, daughter of Joe Berrios, who is the county Democratic chairman and 31st Ward Democratic committeeman, and Guzzardi, a 26-year old North Carolina transplant and Internet journalist, are slight, but significant. And the contest has become mean, nasty and expensive.

First, there is "pension reform": Guzzardi subscribes to the CTU/Karen Lewis position: No change. Not now. Not ever. Berrios opposed Madigan's bill, which mandated givebacks by retirees, cost-of-living hike caps, and a later retirement date. Nevertheless, in early March, the SEIU Illinois Council PAC pumped $90,000 into Guzzardi's campaign for mailings and overhead. And Madigan is matching them dollar-for-dollar. "(Berrios) mailings are coming almost every day," said Guzzardi.

Second, there's "tax reform," which essentially means raising the state personal and corporate income tax. Both candidates support HR 25 and SB 296, two pending versions of the so-called "Fair Tax Plan," which eliminates the current flat tax, and replaces it with a "progressive" and "graduated" tax rate, capping at 7.5 percent for individuals. It is currently five persent, and is supposed to revert to 3.75 percent in 2015.

"Those who are wealthy need to pay more," said Guzzardi. Berrios is a co- sponsor of HR 25. Guzzardi, however, thinks Berrios is being disingenuous: "She supports (Madigan's) proposed corporate tax break. She's on the side of the politicians and the special interests."

Third, there's the issue of charter schools and vouchers, both vehemently opposed by the unions. "Toni is against charter schools anywhere in the (House) district," maintained Manuel Galvin, Berrios's press spokesman. Not true, responded Guzzardi, who said Berrios supported expanded state voucher payments to private schools, and "opposed a 90-day delay in (Chicago public) school closures, and opposed increased state school funding.. She has a clear record of defunding public education." Guzzardi has been endorsed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Illinois Education Association.

Berrios responds fiercely: "I co-sponsored legislation mandating a moratorium on all CPS school closings. I worked to keep Brentano School open. I advocate using TIF funds to keep schools open." According to Galvan, Berrios is "generally opposed" to vouchers. A recent Madigan-paid mailing ripped Guzzardi for not opposing state funding for charter schools, claiming he will "cheat our kids out of an education."

"Public schools are woefully underfunded," Guzzardi said, adding that "every dollar spent on charter schools is a dollar less for public schools." He opposes additional state funding for charter schools, and any expansion in the number of Chicago charter schools.

Fourth, there is the matter of clout. The 39th District, with a significant Puerto Rican population, was 56 percent Hispanic after the 2011 remap. But the voters were 55 percent white. Madigan moved the district from westward from Logan Square, extending it into the south Portage Park area. That created a near- upset situation in 2012, when Berrios eked out a 4,021-3,896 win over Guzzardi.

The question for 2014 is whether 2012 was an anomaly, whether Berrios was simply caught unprepared? Or whether she is no longer a good fit for the district?

"It was a new district," said Berrios. "Thousands of voters didn't know me." Retorts Guzzardi: "She can't run away from her record. She can't just make a few cosmetic or rhetorical changes. She is on the side of politicians, special interests, and big business."

Make no mistake: The credibility and prestige of Joe Berrios rests on the outcome. In 2012, turnout was 7,917. On March 18, it will be a quarter lower, in the realm of 6,000. The districts contains 82 precincts scattered throughout all or part of 7 wards. Joe Berrios dominates the 31st Ward, where Toni Berrios won with 63.6 percent in 2012, and Alderman Ariel Reboyras (30th) delivered 62.1 percent. But Toni Berrios fared poorly in the Logan Square 35th Ward (getting 41.1 percent), which is Guzzardi's base, and also trailed Guzzardi in the 45th, 38th, 26th and 1st wards. Aldermen John Arena (45th) and Proco Joe Moreno (1st) have endorsed Guzzardi.

Each side will spend upwards of $250,000, with the goal of capturing 3,000 votes. According to Guzzardi, "over 6 mailings" have attacked him for allegedly favoring the coddling of sexual predators. In a 2006 college newspaper submission, Guzzardi questioned whether the post-conviction and post-imprisonment registration and monitoring of sexual offenders was "double jeopardy."

"I support the state law," Guzzardi insists.If turnout is under 6,000, and Toni Berrios doesn't win, it will be an abject humiliation for Joe Berrios – and a great triumph for the unions..