CTU President Karen Lewis Has 'Serious Illness,' Vice President Will Replace Her For Now
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Teachers Union president and potential mayoral candidate Karen Lewis has a "serious illness" and remains hospitalized, says the union official who will take her place temporarily.
"She has a serious illness. She required hospitalization and surgery," CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey said at a Thursday news conference.
Sharkey said he will assume Lewis' duties for the time being, as she recovers. He characterized her surgery as "successful," but declined to answer further questions, citing privacy concerns.
"There's a limit to what I can share about the details of her health," he said.
Lewis, 61, was hospitalized Sunday after feeling "discomfort," but the union had been tight-lipped about what is ailing the potential mayoral candidate. A union spokesman told WBBM earlier this week that Lewis was still waiting for test results.
According to a broadcast report, Lewis underwent emergency surgery on Wednesday, but union personnel and representatives of the committee exploring Lewis' potential run for mayor have not returned repeated phone calls and text messages asking for details on her condition.
The union has denied rumors Lewis suffered a stroke. A broadcast report said she suffered stroke-like symptoms.
Lewis has been on a "listening tour" of Chicago as she contemplates a run for mayor. It's unclear if her illness will affect her decision whether or not to run for mayor.
Second Ward Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti has declared he will challenge incumbent Rahm Emanuel.
Emanuel, who has not had a good relationship with Lewis or the CTU, issued a statement Thursday afternoon, wishing her a speedy recovery.
"Karen Lewis is a passionate advocate for her beliefs and has always been willing to speak up for her view of what's best -- not only for the teachers that she represents, but also for issues critical to the future of our city," the mayor said in a prepared statement. "Along with all Chicagoans, we will keep Karen and her family in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope to see her on her feet very soon."