Alderman Says Cubs' Owners Are Trying To Push Him Out Of Office

CHICAGO — The Ricketts family, who own the Chicago Cubs, has helped to fund a neighborhood organization that's launched a campaign against Ald. Tom Tunney (44th Ward). The organization has sent mail to residents that slams the alderman for high residential property taxes, and suggests that he's allied with assessor Joe Berrios.

The group Neighbors for a Better Lakeview has sent out more than a dozen mailers criticizing Tunney.

A spokesman for the Ricketts family said that Tunney has stood in the way of many North Side developments, according to the Chicago Tribune.

For years, Tunney has said he's a Cubs fan, but puts the neighborhood first.

Tunney has been the alderman in the Lake View ward for 16 years, and hasn't had a serious challenger. While the Ricketts family hasn't backed a challenger yet, Tunney told the Tribune that the family is looking for another candidate to support.

Candidates Elizabeth Shydlowski and Austin Baidas, who are running against Tunney in the upcoming election, have not received funding from the Ricketts, according to a report by ABC 7.

File photo by Amber Fisher