SEIU-ACORN To Endorse Alexi Giannoulias

Thursday, 24 September 2009 11:19

In the News

WASHINGTON - The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) today called on Illinois Democrat Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias to demand the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) sever all financial ties with ACORN before accepting the union’s endorsement for U.S. Senate.

Following the release of hidden-camera videos showing ACORN employees helping a fake prostitute and pimp illegally secure housing, the Senate voted 83-7 last Monday to cut off the organization’s federal funding. On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted 345-75 to cut off ACORN’s federal funding.

Earlier this week, the NRSC called on Alexi Giannoulias to tell the people of Illinois where he stood on the issue - and he told reporters he would have voted to cut off ACORN funding.

"If Alexi Giannoulias opposes funding for ACORN, then why is he accepting the endorsement of one of ACORN’s biggest sponsors?" National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh said. "Alexi Giannoulias cannot have it both ways. If SEIU does not promise to sever its financial ties with ACORN, Alexi Giannoulias should refuse their endorsement."

SEIU has supported ACORN to the tune of at least $4 million. SEIU national president Andy Stern serves on ACORN’s advisory board. Wade Rathke, the founder of ACORN, served on SEIU’s national executive board, co-founded and still serves as president of the SEIU Southern Conference, and founded a major SEIU local in New Orleans.

Less well-known is the crucial role ACORN played in the creation of Illinois SEIU Local 880. On its Web site, Local 880 claims it "was founded over 20 years ago as an independent union with the guidance of our sister organization, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)."

In a 2000 IRS filing for Local 880’s political action committee, the contact email was listed as This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Until recently, ACORN operated its national headquarters out of that address. In the 2006 end-of-year report issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Local 880 recounts working with ACORN to reelect Rod Blagojevich and again refers to ACORN as its "sister organization."

Local 880 rents office space from the "Chicago Organizing and Support Center", an ACORN affiliate, and both Local 880 and ACORN have offices at 209 W. Jackson Blvd in Chicago.

"The House of Representatives passed legislation to prohibit federal funding to any organization that shares directors, employees or has a financial stake in ACORN," Walsh said. "Illinois voters should know that Alexi Giannoulias is endorsed by an organization that could soon be prohibited from receiving federal funding."