For A Better Chicago, which raised $855,000 in anonymous donations last year, posted its aldermanic endorsements online today. In several races, the selections suggest a battle brewing between labor organizations and business interests.

In the 2nd Ward, for example, current Ald. Robert Fioretti has support from the the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 and the Service Employees International Union (whose state council sponsors this website) while the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and FBC are backing Genita Robinson. The chamber and FBC are also with Ald. Howard Brookins, a vocal advocate for Wal-Mart's expansion, in the 21st Ward but SEIU is backing Sheldon Sherman there. The 25th Ward, which covers much of Pilsen and other parts of the Near West Side, breaks down with the chamber and FBC backing long-time Daley ally and current zoning chair Ald. Danny Solis and SEIU endorsing Ambrosio Medrano Jr.

The Chicago Federation of Labor, AFSCME, and SEIU all backed council progressives Ald. Toni Foulkes in the 16th, Ald. Ricardo Munoz in the 22nd Ward, Ald. Rey Colon in the 35th, and Ald. Joe Moore in the 49th, while neither the chamber nor FBC have selected a candidate in those races. The three labor groups also are supporting Marina Faz-Huppert in the 45th Ward, while the chamber and FBC have not endorsed anyone in that Northwest Side ward. FBC is endorsing 11th Ward Ald. James Balcer; none of the other organizations chose a candidate there.

Elsewhere, there appears to be more consensus. In the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 19th, 27th, 28th and 30th wards, the chamber, FBC, Chicago Labor Federation, SEIU, and AFSCME are endorsing the same candidates.