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Monday, May 1, 2017

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Rauner’s Failure Hurting Pre-K and Elementary Schools

Chicago, IL — Today, the Southern Illinoisan reported that thanks to Bruce Rauner’s manufactured budget crisis, schools in Williamson County may not be able to continue offering Pre-K next school year. Rauner claims he’s an advocate for education, but continues to starve our schools of funds in exchange for an agenda that doesn’t benefit students. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:

“As a national leader in early childhood education, I’ve fought to help children and their families build better lives and it’s shameful that Bruce Rauner has allowed early childhood programs across the state to languish while he puts politics above governing,” said JB Pritzker. “Because of Bruce Rauner’s inaction, our state can’t pay its bills and many elementary schools lack the state funding needed to pay for quality early learning programs, and could be forced to close their doors. This is disgraceful and it’s time for Rauner to do what is constitutionally required of him – propose a balanced budget.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 27, 2017

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Summers says JB is the Right Choice to Take on Bruce Rauner

From ABC 7 Chicago:

From CBS 2 Chicago:

From NBC 5 Chicago:

From Fox Chicago:

From WGN:

From WTTW:

From CLTV:

From Chicago Tribune:

“I met with every candidate and asked them what their commitment was to those who are most in need. That’s who we’re supposed to work for in government, that’s who we serve. J.B. had the combination of the best vision and the greatest capability to deliver,” Summers said at an art gallery in Bronzeville, the neighborhood where he grew up.

From Chicago Sun-Times:

Summers said he is endorsing Pritzker, whom he has known for more than a decade, because of the billionaire’s “values, his expertise and his relentless passion for helping others.”

From Crain’s:

The field of potential candidates for governor got a little smaller today. Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers announced he’s not running and threw his support to the man who’s probably the front-runner for the Democratic nomination: investor and hotel scion J.B. Pritzker.

Summers’ announcement came at a South Side event at which he was accompanied not only by Pritzker, but four African-Americans who also announced they back Pritzker: Alds. Pat Dowell, 3; Rod Sawyer, 6; Mike Scott, 24, and Emma Mitts, 37.

From NPR:

Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers says he will NOT run for Illinois governor. Instead – he’s endorsing one of the Democrats hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner. He endorsed billionaire venture capitalist JB Pritzker, saying Pritzker would best serve the African-American community as governor.

SUMMERS: JB is the person to lead Illinois, prioritizing those who are most vulnerable.

From Mark Brown, Chicago Sun-Times:

That makes the Summers’ endorsement a huge breakthrough for Pritzker, who has been trying since his announcement three weeks ago to differentiate himself from the rest of the multi-candidate field that now is very unlikely to include an African-American.

“I know that with J.B. Pritzker we have a seat at the table. Our voices will be heard. We have a friend and a partner who understands the needs and the desires of our community that have been misunderstood or not listened to for so long,” Summers said.

From Lawndale News:

On Wednesday, Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers announced his support for JB Pritzker for Governor at Gallery Guichard in Bronzeville. Joining Kurt in endorsing JB were Alderman Pat Dowell (Ward 3), Alderman Roderick Sawyer (Ward 6), Alderman Mike Scott (Ward 24), and Alderman Emma Mitts (Ward 37). “JB is the right candidate to lead the fight against Governor Rauner and to clean up the mess that’s been created in Springfield and across our state,” said Kurt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 26, 2017

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Summers and Community Leaders Stand with JB, Share Priorities for Economic Stability

Chicago, IL — Today, Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers announced his support for JB Pritzker for Governor at Gallery Guichard in Bronzeville. Joining Kurt in endorsing JB were Alderman Pat Dowell (Ward 3), Alderman Roderick Sawyer (Ward 6), Alderman Mike Scott (Ward 24), and Alderman Emma Mitts (Ward 37).

During the event, Kurt and JB shared their priorities to restore economic stability and vibrancy to the hardest hit communities in our state. Click here for more information.

“JB is the right candidate to lead the fight against Governor Rauner and to clean up the mess that’s been created in Springfield and across our state,” said Kurt Summers. “I’ve known JB for over a decade. I’ve seen up close his values, his expertise and his relentless passion for helping others. JB understands that the best way to lift up our communities is through job creation and real investment, and I trust that he will bring back stability to Illinois.

“JB’s past experiences prove he is the most committed and the most capable person to govern our state and deliver on the promise to improve the lives of working people and low-income communities. He is the person we need to lead Illinois, prioritizing those who are most vulnerable among us. I know JB will fight every day for the people of this state, especially for black and brown communities that have suffered from disinvestment and have been disproportionately affected by Governor Rauner’s lack of leadership. JB will work hard to earn every single vote – and truly represent us all as governor.”

“Today, I am honored and humbled to accept the endorsement of Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers,” said JB Pritzker. “Kurt is someone who shows up every day and fights for all our city’s children and families, especially for communities that are too often left behind. And, unlike Governor Rauner, Kurt gets results and we’re all better off because of it. We’re just twenty days in to this campaign, and I’m thankful for the strong showing of support we’re receiving from leaders across Illinois.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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Chicago, IL – Today, JB Pritzker released the following statement in response to the Senate’s action on HB40.

“I applaud the Illinois Senate for standing up for women’s rights and passing HB40. I have been fighting to protect women’s healthcare and reproductive rights my whole life and will do the same as Illinois’ next governor,” said JB Pritzker. “It’s unfortunate that Bruce Rauner continues to fail our state and our families. In 2014, he lied to voters when he claimed that he cared about a woman’s right to choose and should take some time to reflect on his broken promise. Too many rights are already under attack by the Trump administration, and it’s time for Rauner to be a leader and stand up for the principles he claims to believe in.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 25, 2017

CONTACT:
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JB Calls on Illinoisans to Resist Rauner and Trump’s Hurtful Agenda

Springfield, IL — Today, JB Pritzker joined hundreds of Illinoisans at the Women’s March on Springfield. Speaking in the Capitol Rotunda, JB rallied a large crowd, sharing his progressive priorities and commitment to fighting the Rauner-Trump agenda.

“You want to know why I’m running for governor? Because everything we care about is under siege by Bruce Rauner and Donald Trump,” said JB Pritzker. “And you want to know why I’m here marching with you? Because as your governor, I will wake up every day fighting for a progressive agenda and a responsible budget for all. Today and every day we will resist Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner until both are defeated. We stand together in solidarity, fighting for our shared values, like protecting women’s healthcare and passing House Bill 40.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 24, 2017

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JB Tours Childcare Center in Carterville and Meets with Jackson County Democrats in Carbondale

Chicago, IL — On Friday, JB Pritzker made stops in Southern Illinois where he toured TLC Child Care Center in Carterville to see the direct impact of Bruce Rauner’s budget failures on the award-winning childcare center. JB then met with Jackson County Democrats to talk about his vision for the state of Illinois.

From WSIL:

From WSIL:

From WSIL:

From the Southern Illinoisan:

Candidate for governor billionaire entrepreneur and investor J.B. Pritzker, a longtime Democratic fundraiser, speaks at the Jackson County Democrats’ Dinner held at Pagliai Pizza in Carbondale Friday. Standing behind Pritzker is Jackson County Democratic Chairman Mike Barone and Dr. Glenn Poshard. Pritzker also toured TLC Child Care and Therapy Center in Carbondale.

From the Southern Illinoisan – Letter to the Editor:

Pritzker is the candidate Democrats should be begging for… The ideal Governor is someone who will put the right people into the right situation, while supporting the people to the best of his ability.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 21, 2017

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Carterville, IL — This morning, JB Pritzker stopped by WJPF Radio to discuss the need for leadership amid the state’s growing budget crisis created by Bruce Rauner. JB talked with host Tom Miller about the importance of creating jobs and getting Illinois back on track.

“We’ve got to focus in this state on job creation, on raising wages because people have stagnated wages for too many years now,” said JB Pritzker on WJPF. “We’ve got to focus on making a better education system, and that means not just universities, which are an economic engine, but on K-12 and pre-school.

“The best way to raise wages in this state is to create more jobs. If you have a competition for labor, that’s how you get wages up. When two companies or three or four are competing for you, Tom, or somebody else, they’re gonna have to pay a little bit more to get you. And that’s how they get wages up.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 20, 2017

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Chicago, IL —  Just days after Moody’s downgraded some state universities, S&P has followed suit to downgrade the credit of most state universities, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The credit agency also downgraded Southern Illinois University to junk status.

JB Pritzker released the following statement in response to the downgrades:

“State universities are the backbone of our state and help us attract talent for the next generation,”said JB Pritzker. “It’s downright wrong that students are paying the price for a political fight and failed leadership. Bruce Rauner should be ashamed that his political agenda is preventing thousands of students from getting a world-class education right here in Illinois. For years, I have stood up for quality education and I will do the same for every Illinois student as governor”

State universities have gone without full funding for almost two years thanks to the budget impasse engineered by Governor Bruce Rauner.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

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Chicago, IL —  Today, JB Pritzker released the following post on Medium to highlight Bruce Rauner’s broken promise on HB 40:

Bruce Rauner should be ashamed of himself. He told voters in 2014 that he was “pro-choice” and that he would protect women’s access to healthcare, but last week he proved he didn’t tell voters the truth when he said he would veto House Bill 40.

HB 40 would provide safe access to healthcare for women on state employee health insurance and Medicaid, and it would also remove a “trigger provision” from state law that would make abortions illegal in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned.

Let me explain. Anti-choice laws in Illinois that were on the books were never removed. Instead, they were simply invalidated by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the famous Roe v. Wade case upholding privacy rights and a woman’s right to choose. Due to a trigger provision inserted into Illinois law in 1975, if federal laws protecting a woman’s right to choose are ever overturned by a conservative Supreme Court, our state anti-choice laws would make abortion illegal in Illinois.

With Donald Trump in the White House and the unfortunate reality that a string of anti-choice Supreme Court judges could continue to be nominated, the likelihood of Roe v. Wade getting overturned is becoming more real every day.

HB 40 also repeals the harmful discriminatory Illinois law that prevents low-income women from access to healthcare due to the source of their health insurance. And, HB 40 repeals the outrageous Illinois law that denies insurance coverage for female state employees while male state employees have access to both vasectomies and Viagra in their state and Medicaid health insurance plans. That’s simply not fair.

This is a time when a true “pro-choice” Governor would provide leadership to protect the women of Illinois.

Unfortunately, Bruce Rauner is more committed to playing politics than fighting for Illinois women and families. Rauner either lied to the voters about being pro-choice in 2014, or he has decided to capitulate to the right-wing Republicans in the legislature. Either way, Illinois is once again suffering a setback because of a failed promise by Bruce Rauner.

This is not just about access to healthcare, this is about a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her body. That’s not a decision that Donald Trump or Bruce Rauner or any other politician should make. It’s a decision that should be left to a woman, her family, her faith, and her doctor.

Governor Rauner’s decision is deeply distressing to me and to women across this state. I have been fighting to protect women’s healthcare and reproductive rights for decades. HB40 protects and respects women and their families, and it affirms that a majority of our state supports choice. As your governor, I will always fight for Illinois women and families, and I’ll stand up against Donald Trump’s effort to limit women’s healthcare. Unlike Bruce Rauner, I’ll champion women’s health and sign HB 40.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 18, 2017

CONTACT:
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Chicago, IL —  Yesterday, JB Pritzker made stops in Springfield and Champaign to highlight his progressive agenda for Illinois families and discuss the need for a state budget and renewed focus on creating jobs.

JB first stopped in Springfield at the Illinois Coalition for Community Services to learn about how their summer lunch program has been reduced without a state budget.

Then, JB toured EnterpriseWorks and Research Park, a startup incubator and technology innovation campus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. JB has been a strong supporter of the startup community, founding 1871, a non-profit small business hub that helps small tech companies get started.

JB ended the evening with University of Illinois College Democrats, where he introduced himself and touted the need to create jobs for future generations.

From FOX Champaign:

From CBS Champaign:

From ABC Springfield:

From the State Journal-Register: 

J.B. Pritzker, a Democratic candidate for governor from Chicago, said in Springfield Monday that a progressive tax system is ultimately needed to pay for state services in Illinois.

“You’ve got to ask yourself this question: How are we going to pay for the things that we really want?” Pritzker told reporters at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. “And if you ask me, we’ve got to start by saying, before we ever get to raising taxes on the middle class, we’ve got to ask millionaires and billionaires, people who can afford to pay it, and that includes corporations, to step up to the plate.” …

Pritzker said Rauner is holding up the budget for “an agenda that has nothing to do with a budget,” and telling lawmakers, “If you give me this agenda, I’ll let you figure out how to get a budget. That’s not leadership.”

Pritzker was at the church because it is where the Illinois Coalition for Community Services has a summer lunch program for children. While the food is federally funded, a reduction in the coalition’s staff during the state budget impasse has dropped locations for that program from 70 across the state to seven, said Jason Gyure, executive director.

From the News-Gazette:

Pritzker also said he wanted to work to “make sure that people who are seeking to have a future in higher education have the ability to get it.”

“Tuition has gone way up in this state,” he said. “It’s become harder and harder for middle class families to put their kids through school. College is not affordable in this state when you don’t have (Monetary Award Program grants for low-income students) — and we don’t fund MAP grants.

“So we’ve got to step back up to the plate here, and we’ve got to make sure that people who are seeking to get a degree in higher education have the ability to get it.”

He hit Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner for two years of budget gridlock, including major budget cuts to higher education.

“Our universities are being decimated under this governor. The professors are leaving because they don’t know when the funding is going to be there next year for them to survive,” Pritzker said. “Students are choosing to leave the state because they can get more funding by going to another university, the University of Missouri or other places.

“We’ve got to make sure we can step up and have our kids and our professors stay in Illinois.”

From Illinois Public Media:

J.B. Pritzker brought his campaign for governor to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana Monday. The billionaire venture capitalist is trying to establish himself as the progressive choice for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Pritzker told about 40 students gathered by the Illini Democrats at a local pizza restaurant that he knew some had doubts about supporting another billionaire for governor, given their dislike for the current billionaire governor, Republican Bruce Rauner. Pritzker argues not all billionaires are alike.

“This election isn’t about money, it is about values,” said Pritzker. “It is about standing up for progressive values. It’s about standing up and saying that millionaires and billionaires ought to pay a higher rate of tax than people who make 20 and 30 and 50 and $50,000 a year.”

Pritzker referred to a graduated income tax, which he says should be part of any tax increase in Illinois.