The final round of aldermanic elections in Chicago will take place tomorrow. In the first round two months ago, Mayor Richard Daley and 38 aldermanic candidates gained a majority and avoided a run-off. As with the first round of voting, big-box stores and Wal-Mart are amazingly the big issue--the unions want to keep them out of Chicago, and they're spending heavily by donating to their favored candidates.
Oh, cutting taxes, reducing crime, getting more city services for Chicagoans are also issues, but they are always issues, as they are in any local race.
Wal-Mart is spending money, but not as much, in the aldermanic contests.
No matter what happens, the unions will spin Tuesday's results as a victory. But a perceived defeat by organized labor in Chicago--a big union town--will be catastrophic for them.
If they can't win here, people will surmise, they can't win anywhere. So even if you don't live in Chicago, tomorrow's elections bear watching and will have an effect on next year'r presidential race.
As for the big-boxes, they'll somehow struggle along, particularly Wal-Mart, the world'd largest corporation. Target will be fine, too.
Amazingly--even in Chicago this is little-known--but the city's chief anti-box-warrior is also facing a run-off; Ald. Joe Moore of the 49th Ward is paired with Don Gordon tomorrow in his fight to keep his seat.
For more on that race, head to Rogers Park Bench.
Chicago 
Joe Moore 
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