Study by individual board member incorrectly attributed to organization.
UPDATE: On Thursday, March 22, the Sun-Times published a
clarification
as
follows:
The Metropolitan Planning Council is a nonpartisan organization
that played no role in the post-election analysis that showed organized labor
pumped over $1 million into just five aldermanic races. The study was done by an
MPC board member in his role as a private businessman.
It appears on page 2 of the paper.
***
(Chicago) … An article in today’s Chicago
Sun-Times incorrectly identified the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) as
author of a study analyzing organized labor’s contributions to Chicago
aldermanic campaigns.
MPC
did not produce or issue the study and was not contacted for the
story.
“The
Metropolitan Planning Council is a nonprofit organization that advocates for
policies and plans that promote sensible growth and development. We’re not a
political watchdog,” said MPC President MarySue Barrett. “We did not and would
not author a study analyzing campaign contributions.”
Bernard Loyd, president of Urban Juncture, Inc.,
authored the study. Loyd is affiliated with several civic organizations in
Chicago and is a member of MPC’s board; however, Loyd clearly stated to the
Chicago Sun-Times
that the study was
conducted by him as an individual, and was not a product of MPC.
For comment from MPC, please contact Mandy Burrell ,
communications associate, at 312-863-6018 (office), 773-640-1206 (cell), or mburrell@metroplanning.org; Kim Grimshaw Bolton,
communications director, at 312-863-6020 or kbolton@metroplanning.org; or MarySue Barrett, at 312-863-6001
or msbarrett@metroplanning.org.