Packing the meeting

Campaign workers for recently defeated 46th Ward Aldermanic candidate Helen Shiller “packed” a 1978 IVI interviewing session for Governor and voted overwhelmingly to endorse State Comptroller Michael Bakalis, the Democratic candidate against incumbent Republican Governor Jim Thompson, whom IVI had supported in the previous election.

Even though a majority of Board members (who had the final say) favored Thompson, they followed the committee’s recommendation and endorsed Bakalis.

Interestingly, Bakalis ran television commercials in which he said, “If you support welfare cheaters, vote for my opponent.” Another said, “If you support abortion, vote for my opponent.” Many progressives supported Thompson, despite the IVI endorsement, and he was re-elected.

Excerpted from “Chicago Political Stories” at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/994143