RIVER NORTH — Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis "has a serious illness," a top union official said Thursday, but he declined to give more specifics on her condition.
In a brief press conference Thursday afternoon in the CTU offices at the Merchandise Mart, Jesse Sharkey, vice president of the union, said Lewis had undergone surgery Wednesday night.
"That was successful. She is recovering well," he said.
Ted Cox reports after the press conference:
Sharkey said he had visited her in the hospital and that she was "both alert and comfortable."
Sharkey said he was taking over the leadership of the union in the interim.
"Karen will need time to recover," he said. "We wish her the best."
Sharkey added, "I must decline to answer more detailed questions about her health, out of respect for the wishes of her and her family and their privacy.
"I'm not privy to the detailed information between her family and her doctors, and her family has been very explicit and extremely clear about their desire to keep the details of her health matters out of the public eye."
In response to a question about whether she had a brain tumor, Sharkey said: "I can't respond to the rumors."
Sharkey also said he "can't answer" if she'll pursue a mayoral campaign.
"I'm not commenting on her health," added Emma Tai, Lewis' political spokeswoman. "In terms of the exploratory committee, we're continuing to circulate petitions ... and we're moving forward."
The CTU chief has been hospitalized since Sunday.
CTU spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin initially said Lewis had been "experiencing discomfort" before going to the hospital, but Gadlin ruled out a stroke. CTU officials have been quiet on her condition this week until tweeting about the news conference on Wednesday.
Lewis has said repeatedly she's "seriously considering" a run for mayor against Rahm Emanuel, but has not formally declared her candidacy. She has, however, formed a campaign committee, loaning it $40,000 of her own money, and has circulated petitions to get on the ballot, while attending events on what she's called a "listening tour" to connect with voters.
In May, in remarks at a City Club of Chicago luncheon, she promised only that Mayor Emanuel's re-election race in February would be "contentious."
A "Jam for Justice" fundraiser for Lewis remains scheduled for Saturday night in Bridgeport. Other supporters, led by the group Grassroots Illinois Action, planned what they called a "Rally in Demonstration of Love" for Lewis at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at King College Prep, 4445 S. Drexel Blvd.
Emanuel and Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd), who has formally declared himself a mayoral candidate, both issued statements wishing Lewis a "speedy recovery," and they echoed that after Thursday's announcement.
"Karen Lewis is a passionate advocate for her beliefs and has always been willing to speak up for her view of what's best — not only for the teachers that she represents, but also for issues critical to the future of our city," Emanuel said in a statement. "Along with all Chicagoans, we will keep Karen and her family in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope to see her on her feet very soon."
"My thoughts and prayers are with my friend Karen and her family," Fioretti said. "She is a fighter and I know that she will bounce back, stronger than ever. Her voice adds to the debate in Chicago and we all get better results when there is a full and spirited dialog. But right now, we should all respect Karen’s privacy and give her the space she needs to get better."
Well-wishers were asked to send cards and any other messages to CTU, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60654, and they'll be forwarded to Lewis.
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