Sweet blog extra: Obama camp picks up endorsement of African-American Chicago aldermen.

By Lynn Sweet

WASHINGTON–White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is announcing Thursday the backing of all the African-American members of Chicago’s City Council.

RELEASE FROM OBAMA CAMPAIGN….

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSE BARACK OBAMA

CHICAGO, IL The Chicago City Councils African American members today unanimously endorsed Barack Obama for President today, citing his two decades of service to Illinois as a community organizer, State and U.S. Senator. The aldermen committed to translating the strong grassroots support for Obamas candidacy throughout Chicago and Illinois into an expansive organization ready to turn out the vote on February 5th and to boost the campaigns efforts in the early states.

Barack Obama has served our communities for two decades, empowering people in poor communities to change their lives, and building coalitions to unite Democrats, Republicans, and the disenfranchised to get things done, said Alderman Isaac Ike Carrothers. Because of Barack Obama, thousands more of our children have health care coverage, our justice system is more fair, and people who never thought change was possible have been inspired to participate in the political process. Its our turn to deliver for our Senator who has delivered so much for our families, by building an organization that will turn out voters on February 5th and educate early state residents about Barack Obamas leadership in Illinois.

As voters around the country to get to know Barack Obama, theyll find out what we in Chicago already know hes a leader who stands up to special interests and gives a voice to underrepresented communities that rarely get a seat at the table, said Alderwoman Toni Preckwinkle. We know Barack Obama will bring change we can believe in because we have seen him bring opportunity to communities that have little and hope that together we can make a difference. Were asking Chicagoans to come out in force for Barack, not only to make sure their friends and neighbors vote on February 5th, but to send a message so that voters across the country know he is the president who will bring about change.

The Chicago Alderman that today endorsed Barack Obama are:

Ald. Pat Dowell

Ald. Toni Preckwinkle

Ald. Leslie Hairston

Ald. Fredrenna Lyle

Ald. Sandi Jackson

Ald. Michelle Harris

Ald. Anthony Beale

Ald. Toni Foulkes

Ald. Joann Thompson

Ald. Latasha Thomas

Ald. Lona Lane