Chicago City Wire

Anthony Driver, an official with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Chicago, has been receiving a transportation perk typically reserved for high-ranking city officials, raising questions about the appropriateness of such a benefit for someone in a part-time position.

City records show that since November 2022, Driver has received $38,750 from the city for car services.

Currently, Driver is allotted $1,250 per month for this benefit, which is not common for individuals outside of high-level government positions.

Notably, SEIU affiliates donated over $4.5 million to Mayor Brandon Johnson's campaign, helping the then little known candidate win the mayor's office. 

Driver, the executive director of SEIU in Chicago, also holds the position of president of the Chicago Community Policing Association (CCPSA), a police accountability board tasked with overseeing public safety and police operations in the city. The CCPSA role is not a full-time job.

The voucher, which was used by Driver to either lease or purchase a car, is seen by some as a glaring example of privilege that contradicts the expectations of how taxpayer dollars should be allocated. 

CCPSA is not considered a full-time city position, which may lead some to wonder why Driver would receive a benefit usually given to full-time city employees or high-ranking officials. 

The revelation comes months after Chicago Board of Education President Sean Harden faced backlash after requesting a taxpayer-funded Ford Expedition and personal driver, sparking questions about the fairness of such perks amid Chicago Public School's projected $500 million deficit. The request fueled criticism, especially as the district grapples with significant budget challenges.

Driver was named Executive Director by the SEIU Illinois State Council in 2022. At the time SEIU noted Driver’s experience in municipal, state and federal politics as well as his active involvement in community organizing. 

Driver, a political strategist and labor leader from Chicago, previously worked as the political and legislative coordinator at SEIU Healthcare Illinois, where he led campaigns to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and create a Civilian Oversight Board for the Chicago Police Department.