The Illinois American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is calling on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to “renounce” an “inappropriately coercive” email sent from her campaign to public school teachers, encouraging them to give students “credit” for volunteering on the mayor’s re-election campaign.
A campaign staffer reportedly emailed the request to Chicago Public School teachers Wednesday, encouraging them to offer students “credit” for volunteering through the campaign’s “externship program.”
“We’re simply looking for enthusiastic, curious and hard-working young people eager to help Mayor Lightfoot win this spring,” according to the email, which was obtained by WTTW News.
The ACLU took issue with the campaign’s actions, saying it raised First Amendment concerns.
“The Lightfoot campaign’s email to Chicago Public School teachers urging them to offer extra credit to students as an incentive to volunteer on the Mayor’s re-election campaign is inappropriately coercive and raises First Amendment concerns,” the nonprofit organization …