Slams Rauner and Trump in Speech with Rep. Gutiérrez in Front of Trump Tower

Chicago, IL — In a major speech in front of Trump Tower today, JB Pritzker unveiled a five-point plan to resist Trump as Illinois’ next governor. JB was joined by Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, a fierce advocate for Illinois families and leader of the resistance in Washington. Read the full plan here.

JB’s proposal, which lays out how a governor can stand up to Donald Trump on several fronts, follows six tumultuous months of the Trump presidency that has threatened the livelihood of the people of Illinois — all while failed governor Bruce Rauner has remained silent. Unlike Rauner, JB has a plan to protect the people of Illinois from Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda:

• PROTECTING HEALTH CARE: JB will work to expand access to care, increase patient choice, and keep costs down by providing a public option health insurance plan. JB will also sign HB 40 into law and defend women’s health and the right to choose.
• FUNDING EDUCATION: JB will invest in a public education system — from early childhood through higher education — that improves the well-being of every child and prepares them for the jobs of tomorrow. He will also oppose school vouchers and charter school expansion.
• RESTORING OUR ENVIRONMENT: JB will ensure Illinois upholds the Paris Climate Agreement, expand clean energy production, and invest in green jobs. JB will also fully fund Illinois conservation programs and fight to maintain full funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
• FIGHTING FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM: JB will enhance funding for immigrant and refugee services, increase health care options for undocumented adults, improve the U-Visa certification process for victims of violent crimes, provide access to financial aid for undocumented students, and oppose a federal registry program based on race, religion, and country of origin. He will also sign the Illinois Trust Act.
• STANDING UP TO INTOLERANCE: JB will expand access to capital for small business job growth in underserved communities, fully fund after-school and anti-violence programs, and declare that transgender individuals are welcome to serve their state as state troopers. He will also stand against LGBT bullying and intolerance in our schools.

“Six months ago, President Donald Trump took office and immediately began assaulting the state of Illinois. Since then, we have seen a resistance and a grassroots movement take hold in this country that is unlike anything I’ve seen in my lifetime,” said JB Pritzker. “It’s the resistance movement that flooded phone lines and town halls and beat back attempts to dismantle the ACA, and it’s the reason we will win in 2018 and defeat Donald Trump in 2020. I’m proud to be a part of this movement. I’m proud to stand with people across our state to fight for our progressive values and to tell Donald Trump that he may have won the election, but this is still our country, and his values are never going to win.

“With our country in turmoil, our state needs a real leader, but Bruce Rauner is asleep at the wheel. This failed governor remains silent in the face of the harmful, hateful, and downright horrifying agenda that Donald Trump is trying to force on Illinois families. When I am governor, we’re not going to be silent like Bruce Rauner. We’re going to make this state a firewall against Donald Trump. With community leaders and families across this state – we are going to resist every single day.”

Chicago, IL — Yesterday, Bruce Rauner sent out a member of his “superstar” team to obfuscate and mislead Illinois taxpayers about his latest exercise in hostage taking — this time with Illinois schoolchildren.

During a radio interview, and again in the Chicago Sun-Times, education czar Beth Purvis made it clear she does not understand that the biggest threat to education in Illinois is Bruce Rauner. After causing a 736-day budget crisis that reduced money going to schools for mandated categorical payments, Rauner vetoed all school funding, and is now threatening to veto SB1 — the bill that would allow schools to open on time. But in classic Rauner administration fashion, Purvis refused to take responsibility for her boss’ hostage taking and disingenuously blamed Comptroller Mendoza, suggesting that she was somehow at fault for Rauner’s manufactured education crisis.

“Another day, another exercise in finger pointing from the Rauner administration,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Bruce Rauner blames everyone but himself for the current school funding crisis, but in reality he’s the one holding funding for Illinois schoolchildren hostage and pitting communities against each other. If Rauner really was interested in letting schools open on time, he would sign SB 1 and work to guarantee equitable school funding for every child in Illinois.”

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Chicago, IL — Yesterday, the US Senate rejected a “skinny repeal” of the Affordable Care Act. JB Pritzker issued the following statement in response:

“While I’m proud of the bipartisan group of legislators and activists on the ground who worked tirelessly to defend the Affordable Care Act, the fight isn’t over and we must keep calling on Bruce Rauner to stand up for Illinois,” said JB Pritzker. “Rauner has remained silent even as other Republican governors across the country stood strong in rejecting this callous bill. Our state needs a governor who will stand up to Donald Trump and his ongoing attacks on our health care system. Unlike Rauner, I’ll fight every day to expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Illinoisans.”

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Chicago, IL — Rep. Peter Breen is reportedly taking over as House Republican floor leader, a move that solidifies Illinois Republicans’ dramatic shift to the right under failed Governor Bruce Rauner. Breen will replace moderate Rep. Steven Andersson who was exiled following his leadership in overriding Bruce Rauner’s reckless budget veto.

The new floor leader will have the opportunity to make his radical social conservative views priorities for House Republicans. Here are just a few of the extreme right-wing stances that Breen has taken recently:

• Defended a new Rauner hire that compared abortion to Nazi eugenics.
• Fought against a bill strengthening the Illinois’ Equal Pay Act, calling it “the stupidest bill we’ve considered.”
• Lied about the potential risk Illinois women face in maintaining access to reproductive healthcare.
• Opposed marriage equality.

“Peter Breen’s ascension to House leadership is another sign of the radical right-wing takeover led by Rauner and his team of ‘superstars’ who are desperate for a political win,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “The damage he’s done to Illinois so far is unconscionable. Bruce Rauner continues to line his administration with ideologues eager to help him hold children and families hostage to his political agenda—a move that means more damage is coming.”

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Chicago, IL — Today, Illinois Painters District Councils No. 14, No. 30, and No. 58 joined together to endorse JB Pritzker for governor. As members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, they represent 36 different craft trades collectively across Illinois. This endorsement comes as labor support for JB Pritzker continues to grow, with support from the Illinois AFL-CIO and seventeen unions across the state of Illinois, including the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881, and the United Steelworkers Union.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of Painters District Councils 14, 30, and 58 and the working families they represent across our state,” said JB Pritzker. “As governor, working families and the labor movement will always have a seat at the table as we work together to protect collective bargaining rights, oppose right to work, and enforce prevailing wage laws. With Bruce Rauner doubling down on his radical agenda to dismantle organized labor in this state, it’s more important than ever that we stand united. I’m humbled to have the support of the IUPAT and appreciate the hardworking men and women who will provide essential boots on the ground as we get out the vote for this campaign.”

“The IUPAT District Council 14, representing Chicago, Cook and Lake Counties, is proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor,” said IUPAT DC 14 Business Manager John Spiros. “JB believes in the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain. He will be a partner with the IUPAT to rebuild Illinois using the highest skilled and most qualified workforce. There is too much at stake for working families in Illinois to sit on the sidelines in this election. IUPAT DC 14 will be working hard to elect JB Pritzker the next governor of Illinois.”

“Things could not be clearer for our union,” said Ryan Anderson, IUPAT DC 30 Business Manager, representing the collar counties to the Iowa border. “We need to act decisively and early to signal our intention to work hard to elect a new governor in 2018, and JB Pritzker has distinguished himself over many years as a strong supporter of working families and an advocate for what is best for Illinois.”

“IUPAT District Council 58 is proud to stand with JB Pritzker in the fight for working families in Illinois,“ said IUPAT DC 58 Business Manager Gregg Smith, representing southern Illinois. “JB is a regular guy whose vision for Illinois will bring economic security to the members of the IUPAT. He understands how to stimulate the economy of southern Illinois and fight for working people. IUPAT DC 58 is ready for the challenge that lies ahead in unseating the corporate interests that have poisoned the economy and left construction workers behind.”

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Chicago, IL — Today, the Pritzker campaign released the following statement in response to a new poll showing Bruce Rauner’s poll numbers underwater after failing to do his job, vetoing the state budget, and causing lasting damage across our state.

“Bruce Rauner is the most vulnerable governor in the country and it’s clear that Illinois voters are ready for a real leader like JB,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “While Rauner continues to blame everyone but himself for his failures, Illinois families know the truth. Rauner created a 736-day budget crisis, drove the bond rating to the edge of junk status, and is now holding funding for schoolchildren hostage to force his reckless, special interest agenda. Our campaign is committed to holding Rauner accountable for his callous disregard for the people of this state. This should be a wake-up call for anyone who thinks it’s politically wise to follow the governor’s polling numbers off a cliff.”

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ILGOP Repeats Tired Talking Points In Predictable Press Release

Chicago, IL — In response to the ILGOP’s talking point-ridden review of the debut of JB & Me Live, a Facebook live conversation where JB highlighted the importance of signing SB 1, the Pritzker campaign released the following statement:

“As JB outlined in his Facebook live event today, Bruce Rauner is willing to say just about anything to distract voters from that fact that when it comes down to it, he’s not looking out for Illinois children and families. And his partner, the Illinois GOP, trots out the same tired talking points to paper over their governor’s callous disregard for children and families.

“Bruce Rauner doesn’t seem to care about anything other than his personal political agenda. This is the man who vetoed the entire Illinois budget, including literally every single program that gives children and families the tools they need to build better lives.

“If Rauner had his way, Illinois wouldn’t have funding for public education, agriculture and vocational training, child care, higher education, MAP grants for low-income college students, roads, bridges, clean water, community care for seniors, mental health and substance abuse treatment, job training, adult literacy programs, HIV/AIDS prevention, state parks, breast and cervical cancer screenings, small business incubators, immigrant integration services, homeless youth services, heating assistance for seniors, or meals on wheels – to name a few.

“What sort of man tosses the best interests of children and families across this state aside in favor of a radical right-wing agenda, and then places blame on everyone but himself?” — Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh

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Chicago, IL — Today, JB Pritzker kicked off a series of live streamed policy discussions called “JB & Me Live.” The debut livestream focused on education funding, with JB urging Bruce Rauner to sign Senate Bill 1 – legislation the governor agrees 90% with. If Rauner doesn’t agree to sign the bill, Illinois schools may not be able to open on time. JB also discussed his own priorities for education and his over two decades of advocacy for early childhood education in Illinois and across the country.

Watch JB Pritzker talk about education funding and Senate Bill 1 HERE.

The ongoing series —streamed live on Facebook—will feature conversations with experts, elected officials, and those most deeply involved with the policies that impact Illinois families and communities. Stay tuned for more.

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Chicago, IL — As Senate Republicans voted to begin debating a bill that would strip healthcare from millions of Americans, JB Pritzker released the following statement:

“It is difficult to think of a vote in recent history that was as callous and lacked as much transparency as what just took place in the U.S. Senate,” said JB Pritzker. “This negligent attack on healthcare was cobbled together behind closed doors without the public scrutiny a bill of this magnitude deserves. While our own governor stands idly by, Senate Republicans blindly voted to proceed without a plan other than the underlying mean-spirited House Republican proposal that would strip coverage from more than 20 million Americans. There is no vision or purpose to what Senate Republicans are doing anymore. Under Donald Trump, Republicans are desperate to call anything a victory, with no regard for how many millions of working families will get hurt along the way.”

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Chicago, IL — Bruce Rauner has made it clear he intends to pit schoolchildren and communities against each other by issuing a yet to be revealed amendatory veto to SB 1, a bill that lets school districts across the state open their doors on time. In response, JB Pritzker issued the following statement:

“The only person driving an ‘artificial crisis’ is Bruce Rauner. Rather than working cooperatively with lawmakers, advocates, families and school districts, Rauner has once again decided to approach school funding with his arrogant and dismissive ‘my way or the highway’ style,” said JB Pritzker. “It’s simply unconscionable that Bruce Rauner cares more about pushing a right-wing agenda than he does about making sure children get a quality education. Unfortunately for our children and families, it looks like Rauner still hasn’t figured out that being governor means coming out from behind the desk in his office to work with other people. If he follows through on his threats to hold children and families hostage to his political agenda, Rauner will be responsible for preventing schools across Illinois from opening on time.”

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Chicago, IL — This week, the Rauner administration fell apart. As Illinois families continue to suffer from the damage done by his manufactured budget crisis, Rauner took it upon himself to clean house. In place of loyal staffers, Rauner brought on a team of untested, and seemingly unvetted radicals. It hasn’t gone well. Between hirin’ and firin’ new staff, ignorin’ a natural disaster, and takin’ Illinois public schools hostage, Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership captured the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Let’s take a look at Rauner’s week in review:

MONDAY

Monday began with Bruce Rauner hiring, and subsequently firing, a body man he personally interviewed after his homophobic, sexist, and racist tweets were discovered.

From Politico, Rauner fires staffer with history of homophobic tweets:

‘I’d f— her teeth straight,’ said one. ‘To the Indian people in the library: SHUT THE F— UP!,’ said another by the Twitter account belonging to Ben Tracy, who was hired to serve as the staffer who travels with the governor, handle scheduling and other duties. […]

He repeatedly used the word “faggot” and in one, says “I bet you liked that #fag,” responding to someone who tweeted: “saying insanity bent me over and raped me would be an understatement.”

TUESDAY

Tuesday, Rauner’s freshly-fired body man ended up the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times. That story is here: ‘Body’ slam: Rauner aide fired for ‘unacceptable’ tweets—on first day

Possibly distracted by an administration in chaos, Rauner neglected to respond to flooding that had been ravaging northern Illinois. When he finally chose to make an appearance days later local Representative Sam Yingling wasn’t having it.

From Rep. Sam Yingling’s op-ed in the Chicago Tribune, Bruce Rauner doesn’t care: 

After I publicly requested that he declare Lake County a disaster area and called on my constituents to urge him to take action, the governor acquiesced.

But by then, the damage had been done, and people of my district had had a front-row seat to a phenomenon I’ve seen play out so many times since Rauner took office: When we need real leadership, Bruce Rauner displays callous disregard for people across Illinois, including those in my district. Rauner should leave the job of governing this state to someone else if he’s unable to focus on the needs of Illinois’ communities.

Later that day, criticism of the Governor shifted to his unyielding desire to create crisis, most recently by planning to veto the school funding bill.

From Eric Zorn’s Chicago Tribune column, Rauner lurches from crisis to crisis:

But neither joy nor heartbreak have evidently altered the governor’s enthusiasm for brinkmanship. He’s now threatening to veto key elements of an education funding bill — a bill that gave him 90 percent of what he wanted, according to his education chief — because he feels it’s too generous to the teetering Chicago Public Schools.

As long as that appropriation is in limbo, local districts throughout the state won’t get their general education aid from Springfield and fall school openings and long-term operations will be in jeopardy.

Ominously, in the past week he has fired or accepted the resignations of many of his more politically moderate foot soldiers and, through a series of new hires, transformed his administration into an arm of the rigidly ideological Illinois Policy Institute. It’s a signal that he still thinks it better to seek leverage than compromise, and that crisis will serve him better than resolution.

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday, Rauner’s staff problems continued when it was discovered a new communications staffer compared a woman’s right to choose to Nazi eugenics.

From the Chicago Sun-Times, New Rauner hire compared abortion to Nazi eugenics in blog post:

One of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s new communications aides has argued that abortion is being used “to rid the world of disabled and other ‘unwanted’ persons” — comparing it to Nazi Germany.

Communications specialist Brittany Carl has also taken on organized labor in her on-line posts, contending that teachers unions should be dissolved.

But that wasn’t the only staffer under fire Wednesday. Yet another member of the Rauner administration ran into trouble for some strongly-worded tweets.

From Politico, New hires create minefield for Illinois governor: 

A second newly-hired communications specialist, Meghan Keenan, deleted her Twitter account just after she was hired Monday as a $45,000-a-year communications specialist for Rauner’s office. But POLITICO has obtained screenshots of her tweets questioning climate change, calling for defunding the Affordable Care Act, and seeming to support the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, saying “religious objections can actually expand access to abortion, birth control, etc.”

THURSDAY

By Thursday, Rauner was facing mounting criticism for the social conservative takeover of his administration. Between his plans to veto HB 40, his assault on women’s healthcare, and his defense of his radical staffers, Rauner’s claim to have “no social agenda” was exposed as a lie.

From Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s letter in the Chicago Sun-Times, ‘Rauner hoodwinked moderates’:

In 2013 Bruce Rauner introduced himself to Illinois voters as a moderate, pro-choice Republican with no social agenda. Rauner hoodwinked moderates by flip-flopping and announcing he’d veto House Bill 40 on abortion, showing the pro-choice people of Illinois his true anti-choice colors. If lying to women weren’t enough — in just one week, Rauner’s newly minted right-wing staff managed to insult Jews, women, the LGBTQ community and people of color.

FRIDAY

Bringing the week full circle, Bruce Rauner got flustered when asked about the firing of his body man and blamed his staff for the whole ordeal.

From Capitol Fax, Rauner professes ignorance, shifts blame for one-day body man to staff:

He didn’t know his own body man’s role? He’s only had a body man since the campaign. Perhaps he just doesn’t want to admit that he has a taxpayer-financed valet. And, by the way, there’s nothing wrong with having a body man. They play an important role.

Also, reporters have claimed, including myself, that sources have said Rauner interviewed Tracy. A governor who doesn’t interview his own potential body man is a pretty darned stupid governor. After all, a governor will be with the guy (or woman) hours and hours every day, sometimes seven days a week. So, I find that claim truly difficult to believe.

Also, great move throwing the new staff under the bus on this topic. Same as it ever was. Nothing is ever this man’s fault.

To top it all off, Rauner was then caught lying about interviewing the now-fired staffer.

From NBC 5 Chicago, Rauner Claims He Didn’t Interview Fired ‘Body Man,’ Sources Disagree:

A week after an aide to Gov. Bruce Rauner was fired over “unacceptable tweets” found on his Twitter page, Rauner said he never interviewed him.

Rauner told reporters Friday he met with Ben Tracy once before Tracy was chosen to fill the role as a close assistant or “body man” to the governor but he said last Friday’s meeting wasn’t an interview.

Sources close to the administration tell Ward Room the governor did interview him and any claims to the contrary are false. But the role is a personal one, they said, as he’s required to be with the governor closely.

Indeed, it was a very bad week for Bruce Rauner.

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Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, Sen. Heather Steans, and Ald. Pat Dowell Hold Press Conference on Women’s Rights and HB 40

Chicago, IL — Today, JB Pritzker stood with HB 40 sponsors Representative Sara Feigenholtz and Senator Heather Steans, Alderman Pat Dowell, and Illinois women at a press conference at the Chicago Cultural Center to highlight the need for a governor who stands with them in the fight to protect women’s healthcare. JB also announced a postcard campaign, encouraging women from across the state to hold Rauner accountable for his promise to sign HB 40.

Despite campaigning on protecting women’s healthcare, Bruce Rauner has threatened to veto HB 40, critical legislation to protect and expand the right to choose in Illinois. In a further sign of his hard-right turn on reproductive healthcare, a new Rauner hire compared a woman’s right to choose to Nazi eugenics. Instead of condemning this statement, Rauner remained silent.

“I’m running for governor as a proud feminist,” said JB Pritzker. “For over twenty years, I’ve marched for women’s rights and for the right of women to access healthcare. From marching in Washington with NARAL 25 years ago, all the way to the march in Springfield alongside Alderman Dowell this April.

“In the last week, Bruce Rauner has made it clear that he has fully committed to heading down the same path of bigotry and hatred that Donald Trump paved for him. He brought a staffer into the governor’s office who compared the right to choose to Nazi eugenics. As a feminist, as a Jew, and just as a human being I am appalled.

“Today, I stood with Illinois leaders to talk about how we resist Bruce Rauner and Donald Trump and their attacks on women’s rights. We also signed postcards demanding that Rauner sign HB 40 into law. It won’t be long until he starts receiving thousands of them from women across the state. But we won’t stop there. This fight is too important. The stakes are too high. I look forward to standing with women across Illinois as we continue to resist and fight for what’s right.”

Chicago, IL — The day before JB is set to host a Women’s Rights & Resist Lunch at the Chicago Cultural Center, City Clerk Anna Valencia endorsed him for governor. Valencia has been a staunch advocate for women’s rights and economic opportunity during her tenure as Chicago City Clerk.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Clerk Valencia,” said JB Pritzker. “Anna is a strong voice for women’s rights and economic opportunity here in Chicago and across the state. As governor, I will work with leaders like Anna to protect a woman’s right to choose, support women and minority-owned small businesses, and work to close the gender pay gap. We will also fight the hateful attacks we’re seeing from the Trump and Rauner administrations. Bruce Rauner promised Illinois women he would fight for them, but then he threatened to veto HB 40 and surrounded himself with a team of extremists. We have work to do to clean up Rauner’s mess and I look forward to standing with leaders like Anna to get our state back on track and ensure women always have a seat at the table.”

“Equal pay and investing in small businesses aren’t just economic issues, they are women’s issues,” said Anna Valencia. “Whether it is preparing our state’s workforce for the 21st century or making sure schools across our state have fair and equal funding, JB has what it takes to address these issues head on. I am proud to support JB for governor and to fight alongside him for the future of Illinois.”

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Chicago, IL — After Trumpcare appeared all but dead yesterday, Bruce Rauner decided it was finally time to show “leadership” and comment on the bill. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:

“While Republican and Democratic governors have joined forces to fight against Trumpcare, Bruce Rauner has cowardly sat on the sidelines and left the healthcare of millions of Illinoisans unprotected,” said JB Pritzker. “For Rauner to speak out now is an insult to Illinois families and community leaders across the state who have worked tirelessly to oppose this bill, which would have a detrimental impact on our state. Rauner’s ‘concerns’ are too little much too late and evidence of a politician who cares more about playing politics than governing. This isn’t leadership, this is cowardice.”

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Chicago, IL — Yesterday, after Donald Trump and Senate Republicans again failed to pass Trumpcare, Mitch McConnell announced that the GOP would move to repeal Obamacare first and then come up with a plan to replace it within two years. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:

“If we’ve learned anything from the past few months, it’s that Donald Trump and Republicans don’t have the slightest clue how to make healthcare better in this country,” said JB Pritzker. “Proposing a repeal of Obamacare without any semblance of a plan to replace it is unconscionable. This will cost 32 million Americans their health insurance and lead to skyrocketing premiums across the board.

“It’s the height of irresponsible governing that has a direct impact on Illinois, but Bruce Rauner has been silent. Our cowardly governor won’t even say Donald Trump’s name, let alone take a principled stand for Illinois families against this devastating legislation. Our state should be a firewall against Donald Trump’s devastating agenda, but we are instead being led by a group of people as ruthless and incompetent as the Trump administration.”

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Chicago, IL — Today, Bruce Rauner announced plans to amendatory veto SB1 when it reaches his desk. In response, JB Pritzker issued the following statement:

“After holding this state hostage to force his special interest agenda on Illinois for the last two and a half years, Bruce Rauner has reached a new low as he tries to pit school-children and communities against each other to further divide this state,” said JB Pritzker. “Instead of press stunts and shortsighted attacks, Bruce Rauner should stop treating children and families like political pawns and sign SB1.

“Rauner agrees with 90 percent of the bill, but still refuses to do what’s right for our students. It’s another broken promise from a governor who talks about reform, but can’t deliver and has now surrounded himself with a team of radicals who will do further damage to this state. Students in Illinois deserve a quality education and Rauner won’t let that happen because it’s not politically expedient for him.”

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Pritzker Tours Social Service Agencies on “Damage is Done” Tour

Chicago, IL — This week, JB Pritzker launched a “Damage is Done” tour to highlight the ongoing damage of Bruce Rauner’s 736-day manufactured budget crisis. While a bipartisan group of legislators may have passed a budget over Rauner’s objections, communities across Illinois continue to be devastated by the two-plus years of failed leadership.

Yesterday, JB visited the Tazewell Community Area Project, an organization that provides essential services for at-risk children in the area.

From WHOI:

From WYZZ:

From WMBD:

From Peoria Public Radio

“Unlike the governor, Pritzker has a decades-long philanthropic resume that includes expanding early childhood education and growing the school breakfast program. ‘I think that having a leader in this state who demonstrates that they genuinely care about the wellbeing of people, whether they are middle class families, people striving to get to the middle class or people who have fallen into the safety net. That I think will restore faith in our state.’”

From the Peoria Journal-Star

“‘This election isn’t about money, it’s about values. It’s about what you stand for,’ the Chicagoan said, citing social justice, economic justice and preserving the safety net among those values he’d fight for. Ditto for economic improvements, promising to roll out a downstate revitalization plan during his campaign to create jobs and raise wages.”

‘There’s no competition for labor. So the result is that every community you go to that’s outside of a metropolitan area is dependent on a government institution for jobs, and we need more than that,’ Pritzker said. ‘We need to strengthen our government institutions, but we also need to create prosperity in the communities by helping people start businesses, build businesses, make sure capital is available for small businesses to grow, and to big businesses that have economic development projects across central and southern Illinois.’”

“‘Responding to audience questions, he painted the past two years in state government as a failure to work together collaboratively. This isn’t a one-party state. … If I get elected governor, I will work with Republicans and Democrats,’ he promised.”

From 1470 WMBD:
 
“JB Pritzker sounded off on the state. The democratic candidate for governor visited the Tazewell Community Area Project, blasting the state for not supporting the needy youth. ‘The caring and decent people who live here in Tazewell County are stepping up for the children of Tazewell County, but the state of Illinois is not,’ Pritzker said.”

On Wednesday, JB visited Lutheran Social Services, the largest social service agency in Illinois. They have been particularly devastated by Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis, forced to lay off 750 workers and shut down 30 programs last year.

Tuesday, JB discussed the devastation Rauner’s budget crisis has forced on underserved communities in Chicago when he visited the Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services. Hamdard provides essential healthcare services to women and their families, with a focus on serving South Asian and Middle Eastern communities.

Monday, JB launched the “Damage is Done” tour with a visit to Family Focus Lawndale. Family Focus provides essential services to Illinois children and families, and was on the verge of laying off 100 staff members due to Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis.

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Chicago, IL — United Steelworkers District 7 has endorsed JB Pritzker for Governor. The United Steelworkers are North America’s largest industrial union and a powerful voice for working families in Illinois. USW District 7 represents over 70,000 active and retired steelworkers.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the United Steelworkers and the thousands of hardworking Illinoisans they represent,” said JB Pritzker. “When I’m governor, the labor movement will once again have a seat at the table as we work to protect collective bargaining rights, defend the right to organize, and ensure safe working conditions. With Bruce Rauner filling his administration with anti-union extremists and continuing his attacks on working families, this election could not be more consequential. I’m humbled to have the Steelworkers standing with me in the fight ahead and will always stand with the labor movement as governor.”

“The United Steelworkers District 7 is proud to endorse JB Pritzker for Governor,” said USW 7 District Director Michael Millsap. “JB believes in the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain and will partner with the labor movement to prioritize manufacturing and fight unfair trade deals that hurt Illinois workers. JB is also the strongest candidate to take on and defeat Bruce Rauner in 2018. There is too much at stake for working families in Illinois to sit on the sidelines in this election. The United Steelworkers of District 7 will be working hard to elect JB Pritzker the next Governor of Illinois.”

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Chicago, IL — As schools across the state continue to struggle from Bruce Rauner’s 736-day budget crisis, another crisis may be around the corner. Illinois schools may not open in the fall if Rauner doesn’t sign SB 1. Previously, Rauner has promised to veto the bill, even though he supports 90% of the education funding legislation.

With an influx of new radical staff coming directly from the Illinois Policy Institute, it’s worth taking a look at where the right-wing propaganda machine stands on this bill.

A March 2017 post on their website declares, “evidence-based education funding doesn’t work.” After the bill passed, they posted another article urging Rauner to veto the bill and perpetuating the myth that it is a Chicago bailout.

Rauner and the new far-right members of his administration staunchly opposing SB 1 — legislation that will allow schools to open in the fall — leaves the state on the verge of a new crisis. So what is Rauner’s plan to avert a statewide school shutdown? The latest report from the Daily Herald suggests he has no idea.

“Students and teachers across the state are hanging in the balance while Bruce Rauner threatens to veto an education funding bill that he 90% agrees with,” said JB Pritzker. “With Rauner pulling in new hires from the radical right, it’s clear he has no interest in changing course and attempting compromise. Bruce Rauner and his team of extremists are gearing up for the next crisis and planning to hold Illinois students hostage until they get their way.”

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Chicago, IL — Today, JB Pritzker continued his “Damage is Done” tour with a visit to the Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services. JB highlighted Bruce Rauner’s 736-day manufactured budget crisis, the ways in which social service agencies and Illinois families continue to suffer, and the years of work ahead to clean up Rauner’s mess.

The Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services is a non-profit agency that provides critical support to victims of domestic violence and their families. They focus on underserved South Asian and Middle Eastern communities, providing comprehensive services to families.

“For 25 years, the committed staff at the Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services has worked tirelessly to provide critical services to Illinois families,” said JB Pritzker. “From women’s health care, to vital counseling to domestic violence victims, and substance abuse treatment programs, this organization does so much to support our community. But under Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership, they aren’t receiving much needed support and stability from their state government. Illinois families deserve a leader in Springfield who stands with organizations like the Hamdard Center and ensures our vulnerable communities have access to the services they need to thrive. Bruce Rauner has failed to be that leader for Illinois and it’s clear the damage is done.”

 

New Rauner Hire Perpetuates Extreme Ideology, Comes After Four Bipartisan Veto Overrides

Chicago, IL — Bruce Rauner isn’t shaking up Springfield, but he is shaking up his own administration following four bipartisan veto overrides and a complete failure to accomplish any of his legislative goals during his time in office. Rauner knows the damage is done. Someone had to pay the price for Rauner’s failed leadership, and once again, it wasn’t going to be Bruce Rauner himself.

Richard Goldberg was ousted from the Rauner administration and will be transitioning back to consulting. Rauner’s new chief of staff, Kristina Rasmussen, previously ran the Illinois Policy Institute and will be perpetuating the governor’s extreme ideology.

“The Illinois Policy Institute proposes fantasy budgets that seek to decimate Illinois working families, so this is a perfect choice for Bruce Rauner,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “Last week, after 736 days of crisis, Bruce Rauner’s own party rebuked his special interest agenda. This week, Rauner is doubling down with a new chief of staff who has proposed dramatic cuts to education, raiding local government funds, and decimating unions. This is a failed governor entirely incapable of learning from his many mistakes, seeking compromise, and getting anything done. His new chief of staff will be a partner in his continued damage to Illinois.”

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Chicago, IL — Yesterday, JB Pritzker wrapped up his weeklong tour of central and southern Illinois. Along the way, JB toured social service agencies impacted by Rauner’s crisis, met with community leaders, and celebrated the Fourth of July weekend at parades in Evergreen Park and Champaign.

On Monday, JB kicked off his tour at the Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade:

The Fourth of July started off with breakfast, courtesy of the Rantoul Rotary Club:

And the day wrapped up at a cook out with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois where he discussed his vision for Illinois.

From WCCU:

State’s Attorney Julia Rietz was in attendance, along with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois. Pritzker talked about the state budget saying he would take the state in a different direction.

“Well, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got a progressive income tax in this state so that people could afford to pay a higher rate due,” Pritzker said. “And people in the middle class, striving to get to the middle class don’t get burdened by higher taxes.”

WATCH:

On the third day of his swing through the state, JB learned more about the Center for Youth and Family Solutions in Champaign:

He then met with Coles County Democrats over coffee:

From The Daily Eastern News:

Supporters of the Coles County Democrats packed Jackson Avenue Coffee Wednesday afternoon to hear from with the businessman and venture capitalist, who announced his bid for governor April 6.

Sitting shoulder to shoulder in the cramped venue, tucked in the back of the shop, people listened, cheered and applauded as Pritzker discussed his intentions why he wants the position.

“I think this is about bringing people together to solve problems,” he said. “I’m an independent thinker, an independent leader, so there’s nobody in Springfield to tell me what to believe or what I’m going to fight for.”

And spoke about why he was visiting Danville.

From VCF:

Illinois gubernatorial candidate J. B. Pritzker says he is enjoying traveling around the state and meeting with residents. During a stop in Danville Wednesday Pritzker said he is ‘’trying to understand what are the major concerns across the state – particularly here in Vermilion County. You know, I know that we need to create jobs. Jobs is an enormous challenge across the state. No jobs were created – .5-percent job growth last year in this state – so it’s the job of the next governor to focus on economic growth and jobs.’’

Pritzker stopped by the Vermilion County Democratic headquarters in DanvilleWednesday. As he met with local members and leaders of the party he talked about the issues…including the budget hassles in Springfield.  Pritzker favors having a progressive income tax.  ‘’I think the people who make more money should pay a higher rate than people who make less. So if you make $300,000 a year you should pay a higher rate than somebody making $30,000 a year.  And that’s a problem in Illinois that’s been persistent,’’ added Pritzker.

And the Danville Commercial News:

Introducing himself, Pritzker spoke about his family, his businesses, his past involvement with the Illinois Human Rights Commission and his thoughts on the Illinois legislature’s recent actions on getting a state budget approved. Questions asked by those in attendance included topics such as the current opioid epidemic, local job losses and job training programs, state income and property tax reform and whether Illinois should legalize recreational cannabis use.

To wrap up the trip, JB toured Senior Services of Effingham County:

And rallied supporters in Olney, Mt. Vernon, and Marion:

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How Bruce Rauner’s Manufactured 736-Day Crisis Unleashed Long Term Damage on Illinois

Chicago, IL — Today, after 736 days, a bipartisan compromise budget passed into law. With the state on the cusp of junk status, Rauner continued to cling to his crisis with a desperate and reckless veto. But Republican and Democratic members of the General Assembly overrode the failed governor. Illinois now has a budget, but the damage is done and Bruce Rauner’s manufactured crisis will have long term ramifications for Illinois families.

In response to the override vote, JB Pritzker released the following statement:  

“Bruce Rauner manufactured a 736-day crisis to force his special interest agenda on our state. Today, Democratic and Republican members of the state legislature came together to say enough is enough, but Bruce Rauner’s damage is already done,” said JB Pritzker. “Rauner led the state to $14.7 billion in unpaid bills, interest on state debt continues to skyrocket, and local governments across the state have been forced to raise taxes to compensate for a lack of state funds. Social services agencies closed, impacting countless families across Illinois, students fled to go to college in other states, and we lost opportunities for job creation. The suffering of Illinois families can’t just be erased. It will take years to clean up the mess of this failed governor’s creating and it’s clear that getting our state back on track can only happen with a new governor next November.”

Let’s take a look at Bruce Rauner’s damage to Illinois:

• $14.7 billion dollars in unpaid bills piled up without a spending plan in place.
• $2 billion dollars is owed to Medicaid doctors and hospitals.
• 130,000 students’ MAP grants were jeopardized.
• 37,508 residents fled the state amid historic fiscal uncertainly.
• 20,000 workers’ paychecks were put in limbo after IDOT halted road construction.
• 22 local health departments were forced to reduce services.
• 5 state universities were downgraded to junk bond status.
• Countless social service agencies have drastically cut programs or closed altogether.

While passing a state budget marks an important first step in bringing our state back to fiscal sanity, Bruce Rauner’s damage is done. The wreckage from this over 700-day crisis will take years to address. This is what it looks like when a governor fails and it’s time Bruce Rauner was held accountable for the damage he’s inflicted on the people of Illinois.

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Governor Trump Ramps Up Hypocrisy, Attacks, and Violent Rhetoric

Chicago, IL — The Trump administration has been marked by bald-faced lies, attacks on the press, inciting violence, and unrepentant hypocrisy. Bruce Rauner has not only failed to condemn this destruction of our norms and civility, he’s now adopted many of the same techniques as Donald Trump.

A particularly egregious example came in Rauner’s press conference yesterday. While Rauner used to campaign on the importance of the state having a good credit rating, now, as he finishes his push towards Illinois receiving junk status, he has completely changed his tune. Rauner’s attacks on members of his party for holding him accountable, and violent rhetoric, comparing the bipartisan budget he vetoed to a “two-by-four smacked across the forehead” are simply unacceptable. With Rauner on the precipice of watching his special interest agenda fall apart, the failed governor is getting desperate – Trump style.

“With no real accomplishments and a record of creating devastation, Bruce Rauner is desperately resorting to the Donald Trump playbook of preying on people’s fear and anger,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “This is the lowest form of politics and entirely unbecoming of our state’s highest office. It is evidence of a governor who has failed on every level. Bruce Rauner can continue hiding behind Trumpist tactics of inciting violence and gas-lighting the public, but it won’t change the fact that he has unleashed long term damage on Illinois.”

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Chicago, IL — JB Pritzker released the following statement following the passage of a bipartisan state budget by the Illinois General Assembly:

“For nearly three years, Bruce Rauner has driven our state into crisis and inflicted pain on tens of thousands of Illinoisans,” said JB Pritzker. “Now, as Republicans and Democrats come together to declare enough is enough and finally pass a budget, for Bruce Rauner, not even the threat of a complete meltdown can get him to do his job.

“Bruce Rauner has no intention of letting this crisis end. As he has for 734 days, Rauner will continue using school children, college students, seniors and people with disabilities as pawns in his game to drive this state to bankruptcy and junk status. Rauner is a one track mind with a single goal of ramming through a special interest agenda that leaves most Illinoisans behind.

“Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly did their job. And while the damage caused by Bruce Rauner can never be undone, for the sake of our children and families, I hope Governor Rauner will step up and sign the bipartisan budget plan that’s being delivered to his desk.”

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Chicago, IL — Today, a U.S. judge ordered Illinois to pay Medicaid providers an additional $586 million a month to ensure health care continues for millions of Illinoisans. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:

“We are at the point where the courts are having to do Bruce Rauner’s job for him to ensure 3 million Illinoisans are still able to receive health care,” said JB Pritzker. “With over $14 billion in unpaid bills, Illinois is broke and essential services are at risk. Whether Illinois can continue to provide health care or educate our children is entirely unclear under Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership. This is unprecedented, the people Bruce Rauner is supposed to represent are suffering, and the damage this will do to our state will take years to remedy. Illinois must pass a budget and then come together to clean up Bruce Rauner’s mess.”

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