Ruling Expected on Free-Speech Issue in Chicago Mayoral Race

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge is expected to decide whether the Chicago Transit Authority must allow employees to distribute leaflets in break rooms opposing Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election bid.

Judge Robert Dow says he’ll rule Thursday at the latest on a request for a temporary restraining order forcing the CTA to permit the materials in advance of the April 7 runoff election.

The Amalgamated Transit Union raised the issue in a lawsuit filed in Chicago federal court.

It accuses the CTA of violating workers’ free-speech rights by prohibiting the distribution of campaign fliers. It claims the CTA allowed the practice until the union recently endorsed Emanuel’s challenger, Jesus `Chuy’ Garcia.

The CTA denies that. It says state laws bar political activity at state-agency workplaces.

The ATU represents around 10,000 CTA workers.

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