Mell Campaign Ad on School Site Removed by CPS as Ethics Violation

IRVING PARK — Cleveland Elementary ran afoul of Chicago Public Schools' ethics policy when someone at the school posted a "vote Deb Mell" ad to its home page.

The ad touting the incumbent alderman from the 33rd Ward for the upcoming election was removed Monday after CPS was made aware of the violation.

"Upon discovering this activity, CPS took immediate steps to remove the information from the school's site," CPS spokesman Bill McCaffrey told DNAinfo in an emailed statement.

Political activity during work hours or with the use of CPS property is prohibited, according to McCaffrey. CPS ethics guidelines specifically forbids "soliciting contributions or votes on behalf of a candidate or political organization."

It was unclear who posted the ad on the school site. Cleveland Principal Debra Ward could not be reached for comment.

Mell said she learned of the post Monday morning, when friends alerted to her Twitter chatter about the ad.

"I immediately called CPS and said, 'This is what's happening, take it down immediately,'" Mell said. "I think it was supporters who got carried away. But it's not helping me. That's not what I want."

McCaffrey said a CPS "investigation into this matter has been launched, and pending the outcome, personnel may be disciplined for violation of policy."

The Board of Elections has jurisdiction over candidates and their campaigns' behavior at polling places, but school policies regarding elections are determined by CPS, according to James Allen, spokesman for the Board of Elections.

Tim Meegan, a Mell challenger in the 33rd Ward race along with Annisa Wanat, is also a teacher at Roosevelt High School.

"Teachers have received three emails from CPS legal department regarding prohibited political activity," Meegan said. "CPS employees cannot walk into a school with so much as a political button."

Chicago's municipal elections are scheduled for Feb. 24. If none of the three candidates in the 33rd Ward receives 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held April 7.

Early voting is already underway at various sites across the city.

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