Failed Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been under fire in recent weeks for questionable practices during her reelection campaign.
This week, the inspector general for Chicago Public Schools launched an investigation into e-mails sent to Chicago Public School teachers encouraging them to provide class credit to students who volunteer for her campaign.
In a city already engulfed in violence, it appears police resources are also being abused. Non-union officers have been told to go door-to-door to ask voters about issues related to crime rather than actually fighting crime.
In addition, some non-union Chicago police officers have been ordered to go door to door to ask registered voters about issues related to crime and police response.
Lightfoot opponent Paul Vallas calls it an improper mixing of police and politics.
“And I just think that given the shortages that we’re experiencing in the police department, that the exempt ranks would be better used on actual policing,” Vallas said. “And so at the end of the day, whether it’s the schools or whether it’s the police department, she appears to be politicizing both institutions.”
Meanwhile, Roderick Sawyer’s campaign accused Lightfoot’s campaign of sending similar recruiting e-mails to city employees, using their government e-mails.
On Thursday afternoon, Lightfoot reiterated the idea that there has to be a wall between government and campaign work. But she defended police going door to door, saying they are providing a good public service.