Monday, February 12, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – After three years of unbalanced budgets and a historic 736-day budget crisis, Bruce Rauner’s gross mismanagement has hurt children and families across the state. This week, the Pritzker campaign is highlighting not just the numbers on spreadsheets, but the real faces harmed by Rauner’s heartless cuts.

The well-being of Illinois children has been decimated by Bruce Rauner’s budget mismanagement:

• 55,000 families were cut from the Child Care Assistance Program by Rauner in 2015.

• 50,000 low-income Illinoisans saw federal funds frozen for the WICS children’s nutritional assistance program when Rauner’s budget crisis began.

• 4,200 children seeking shelter because of domestic violence were turned away in 2016 alone because of the budget crisis.

• Year after year, Rauner zeroes out funding for autism and after-school programs for at-risk youth.

“After years of budget mismanagement, Illinois children have seen their futures decimated by Bruce Rauner,” said JB Pritzker. “From essentially shutting down critical programs to leaving tens of thousands without the support they deserve, Rauner has failed the Illinois children who need him most.”

Read JB’s five-point plan for early childhood education HERE.

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Monday, February 12, 2018

 

New Ad Highlights Statewide Coalition Ready to Take on Bruce Rauner

 

Chicago, IL – Today, the JB Pritzker campaign released a new TV ad, “Only One,” featuring the broad coalition of statewide organizations and leaders supporting JB’s campaign.

The new ad highlights that JB is only candidate backed by numerous statewide organizations and leaders, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Education Association, Illinois AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, Personal PAC, and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.

WATCH: “Only One”

“Statewide organizations, community leaders, and everyday Illinoisans are uniting across the state because they are ready to take on Bruce Rauner,” said JB Pritzker. “I’m so humbled to have the support of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Education Association, Illinois AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, Personal PAC, and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. Together, we’re building a grassroots movement and reaching voters in every county to share our message of creating jobs, expanding healthcare, and improving education. We are ready to defeat Bruce Rauner, win up and down the ticket, and put Springfield back on the side of working families.”

 

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TRANSCRIPT

There’s only one candidate for governor backed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Education Association.

Only one candidate supported by the nearly 900,000 members of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

There’s only one endorsed by both Planned Parenthood and the state’s largest pro-choice PAC.

And he’s the one supported by Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth too.

They all know it’s JB Pritzker who will beat Bruce Rauner and get big things done for Illinois.

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Saturday, February 10, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – While meeting with the Crain’s editorial board yesterday, JB Pritzker laid out his plans to improve the state’s business climate after three years of Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership.

JB highlighted his plans to invest in education, create jobs downstate, balance the budget, and pass a progressive income tax. He also contrasted Rauner’s record of fiscal failures with JB’s own record of creating thousands of jobs.

INVESTING IN EDUCATION:

CREATING JOBS DOWNSTATE:

BALANCING THE BUDGET & PROGRESSIVE INCOME TAX:

RAUNER’S FISCAL FAILURES:

JB’S RECORD OF JOB CREATION:

“JB has a record of creating thousands of jobs in Illinois, and he has detailed plans to create jobs across the state as governor,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “While Bruce Rauner badmouths the state and sends businesses packing, JB will invest in education, create jobs across the state, actually propose a balanced budget, and pass a progressive income tax to get Illinois back on track.”

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Friday, February 9, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – Today, the JB for Governor campaign released a new television ad, “My Choice,” to air in markets across the state. The ad features U.S. Senator Dick Durbin direct to camera highlighting why JB is his choice to bring Illinois together and move our state forward.

WATCH: “My Choice”

“Senator Durbin is fighting for our families every day in Washington and it’s time he had a partner in the governor’s office,” said JB Pritzker. “I know that we can unite Illinois and bring people together to put Springfield back on the side of working families. I’m so proud to have him standing with me in this campaign as we work to tackle the challenges that communities across our state face and build a better future for Illinois.”

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Friday, February 9, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – Yesterday, JB Pritzker and State Representative Juliana Stratton spoke with voters at a community event on Chicago’s West Side hosted by Pastor Marvin Hunter.

Watch JB’s speech here:

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Thursday, February 8, 2018

 

Crain’s Editorial Board Question: “Why Did You Choose To Not Have Affordable Housing In Some Of Those Developments When You Could Have?”

 

Chicago, IL – While meeting with the Crain’s editorial board yesterday, Chris Kennedy was asked to explain why he chose not to include affordable housing units at his Wolf Point development – and his answer was puzzling.

Kennedy claimed that the River North location of the development is “not typically where you’d find affordable housing…it’s just not where it ends up.” Kennedy invoked the luxury quality of the physical buildings when he concluded, “trying to build affordable housing 700 feet in the air in a steel and glass building is very difficult to do.”

WATCH:

 

“Chris Kennedy made a conscious decision to keep affordable housing units out of the Wolf Point development he manages,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “It seems that Kennedy is hypocritically contributing to the same ‘strategic gentrification’ he decries from the campaign trail.”

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TRANSCRIPT

Crain’s: “So the most popular question without a doubt is about your developments in River North. Why did you choose to not have affordable housing in some of those developments when you could have?”

Kennedy: “Thank you. Um, the, the, the towers that are being built on Wolf Point, those apartment towers, have some of the highest construction costs in the city of Chicago, maybe in the United States. That’s not typically where you’d find affordable housing, in high construction cost environments; it’s just not where it ends up. I’ve, I’m in the middle of developing affordable housing in Massachusetts. And it’s a different type of construction, it’s what they call ‘stick-built,’ maybe four-story maximum, generally out of wood frame construction. You can drive the cost down making the, uh, affordable nature of that project actually affordable and economic at the same time. But trying to build affordable housing 700 feet in the air in a steel and glass building is very difficult to do.”

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Wednesday, February 7, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – Yesterday, Equality Illinois PAC, the state’s oldest and largest LGBTQ rights organization, endorsed JB Pritzker for governor. The endorsement comes as JB has received support of LGBTQ leaders like State Representatives Greg Harris and Sam Yingling and progressive organizations like Citizen Action/Illinois, Personal PAC, and Planned Parenthood.

“Equality Illinois has been at the forefront of expanding and protecting LGBTQ rights in Illinois for decades, and I’m so honored to have their support,” said JB Pritzker. “The passionate advocates at Equality Illinois continue to forge real change and improve the lives of LGBTQ Illinoisans across the state. I’ve been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights my entire life, and I will be an unwavering ally to our LGBTQ community as governor. I will fight tirelessly to protect the civil rights of every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer person in Illinois until we achieve true equality.”

“JB Pritzker has been a strong and public champion of the LGBTQ community since long before support for LGBTQ equality was the norm among Democratic political leaders,” said Equality Illinois PAC Board Chair John Litchfield. “Going back decades, he has marched in Pride parades, worked to elect LGBTQ people to office, and supported civic organizing efforts of LGBTQ community groups to broaden support for LGBTQ equality. There are few leaders in our state who have served as courageously and consistently for LGBTQ equality over recent decades as JB Pritzker.”

“As a co-founder of Equality Illinois 27 years ago, I am proud that the Equality Illinois PAC has endorsed such a long standing champion for LGBTQ civil rights as JB Pritzker,” said Equality Illinois co-founder Art Johnston.

Read more about JB’s commitment to LGBTQ rights here.

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Wednesday, February 7, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle endorsed JB Pritzker for governor. President Preckwinkle joins U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, Secretary of State Jesse White, State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, and Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers in supporting JB’s campaign to defeat Bruce Rauner.

“Toni Preckwinkle has worked tirelessly for Cook County and I’m so proud to have her endorsement,” said JB Pritzker. “From strengthening the county’s healthcare system to reforming its criminal justice system, she has shown a deep commitment to serving the people. While Bruce Rauner slashes funding for critical services and tries to pit communities against each other, I will be Toni’s partner in the work ahead to invest in our communities and lift up Illinois families. I will be a governor who listens, brings people together, and moves our state forward and I am so proud to have Toni Preckwinkle’s support in this campaign.”

“I’ve seen JB’s record and I know what’s in his heart,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This is a leader who has been there for our communities. From expanding early childhood education and providing school breakfasts to low-income students, to supporting critical organizations like the Center on Wrongful Convictions, the DuSable Museum, and After School Matters, JB has done the real work to build opportunity in our communities. Right now, the only question our community should be asking is who has a record of showing up for us, and I truly believe that JB is that leader.”

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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – Today, JB Pritzker apologized for nine year old comments made on an illegally leaked tape published by the Chicago Tribune. At an event on the West Side of Chicago, JB was joined by Secretary of State Jesse White, City Treasurer Kurt Summers, Alderman Pat Dowell, Alderman Michael Scott, Alderman Walter Burnett, Elzie Higginbottom, John Hooker, Larry Huggins, and Everett Rand.

“I’ve been longtime friends with Jesse White for more than 35 years. He is one of our great statesmen and one of the most respected public servants in the history of Illinois. I think now as I did then that he would have made a great United States Senator,” said JB Pritzker.

“Today, I want to be clear about one thing. I wasn’t my best self on that call, and I apologize for that. I regret some of the things I said and some of the things I didn’t say, but that is not what is in my heart and those are not my values. In my life, I have tried to live up to the values that my parents have taught me – the values of fighting for equality and inclusion, fighting for civil rights and social justice. That means creating jobs, providing school breakfast, and expanding early childhood education.

“I believe to my core that we are in a fight for the future of Illinois. I’m fighting every day to do the right thing for the people of this state. I think voters have seen throughout this campaign the things that I’ve done for decades now to try and lift people up and it’s that record and that vision that I hope to bring to the governor’s office.”

State Representative Juliana Stratton said, “I joined this campaign because of JB’s values, his record of helping people, and his compassion. All along, JB and I have had countless frank conversations about race, the challenges we face as a state and a country, and the path forward. He is someone who really listens and seeks to understand.

“I know JB wishes he had pushed back more on that call and I know he wishes that certain things were not said. While I am in Springfield and was unable to join him at today’s press conference, I remain proud to be on this ticket with someone I know is a better man than who he was on that tape. This is a critical election for so many of our communities and the question in front of us is who can we trust to show up for us, who has the record of lifting people up, and who has demonstrated a commitment to equity and justice. I am confident that leader is JB and I look forward to continuing our work together to move this state forward.”

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Monday, February 5, 2018

 

Rock Island, IL – Yesterday, JB Pritzker continued his four-day, 20-stop, statewide bus tour. On the third day, JB was joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos at events in Springfield and Rock Island to discuss JB’s plans to create jobs, improve education, and expand healthcare for Illinois families.

JB and Senator Durbin began the day at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church:

They then continued to Word and Spirit Church:

On their third stop, JB and Senator Durbin visited Union Baptist Church:

They wrapped up their church visits at Emmanuel Temple Church of God:

To close the day, JB stopped by a Super Bowl party with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos to speak with voters in Rock Island:

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Monday, February 5, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – On Friday, Dan Biss was grilled by the Crain’s editorial board where he faced a barrage of tough questions on his unconstitutional pension reform bill and his campaign rhetoric that is entirely at odds with his record. Here are some of the questions Biss was forced to address:

• You supported an unconstitutional pension bill and since have effectively repudiated it and said you regret it. Why?

• If the Supreme Court hadn’t objected, would you come back to something like that? Is it appropriate? Or, do you also have a moral objection now?

• What I’m asking is a character question: if you could so completely change your opinion of something you spent so much time and energy on, what can people trust you not to change your opinion on, on other things?

“Dan Biss has spent this campaign rewriting his record and misleading voters on the facts,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “While Biss claims to be a progressive on the campaign trail, his record in Springfield tells another story and working families deserve to know the truth.”

Learn more at DanBiss.Net

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Sunday, February 4, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – Yesterday, JB Pritzker continued his four-day, 20-stop, statewide bus tour. On the second day, JB and State Representative Juliana Stratton made stops in Belleville, Collinsville, Springfield, and Chicago to discuss their plans to create jobs, improve education, and expand healthcare for Illinois families. At the stops, they were joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and supporters and volunteers from across the state.

JB and Juliana began the day in Belleville with Senator Durbin to kick off a JB for Governor canvass:

They continued the day at a lunch with Collinsville voters:

JB, Juliana, and Senator Durbin then traveled to Springfield to launch a second JB for Governor canvass:

From WICS:

JB and Juliana then wrapped up the day at the Equality Illinois Gala in Chicago:

From WFLD:

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Saturday, February 3, 2018

 

Clinton, IL – Yesterday, JB Pritzker kicked off his four-day, 20-stop, statewide bus tour. On the first day, JB and State Representative Juliana Stratton made stops in Bloomington, Champaign, Monticello, and Clinton to discuss their plans to create jobs, improve education, and expand healthcare for Illinois families. At the stops, they were joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, and supporters and volunteers from across the state.

They kicked off the second “Think Big” bus tour at the Local 99 Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center with Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs and union members:

From WEEK:

From WGLT:

Democratic candidate for governor JB Pritzker stopped in Bloomington on Friday to deliver a fiery stump speech exclusively targeting Gov. Bruce Rauner, looking past the Democratic primary just 46 days away.

Speaking to a packed union hall, Pritzker reiterated his platform for helping “working families” across Illinois. If elected, Pritzker said he’d work with everyone—including Republicans—even while pledging to protect organized labor. Pritzker’s biggest applause came when he said “Illinois will never be a right-to-work state.” […]

Pritzker was joined in Bloomington by his running mate, state Rep. Juliana Stratton, and State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, who endorsed him.

“When Bruce Rauner chooses to spend his own money involving himself in the Democratic primary, sticking his nose into our tent, how does he choose to spend it? Does he spend it attacking Chris Kennedy? Does he spend it going after Daniel Biss? No, he spends it going after this team, because this is the team that really frightens him,” said Frerichs.

From Bloomington Pantagraph:

“(You) provide the vision and the leadership, and then you drive toward the goal, bringing people along with you. I think there’s been too little of that in Springfield,” said Pritzker. “We’re looking for ways to make it easier for working-class and middle-class families in this state to stay.”

That includes a wide range of initiatives, including promoting small business, making college more affordable, adding a public option for health care, instituting a progressive income tax and legalizing recreational marijuana use.

“As Democrats, we need to address the fundamental issues … job creation, trying to raise wages through job creation for our labor unions, but also a quality education for every child no matter where they live in the state and universal health care,” said Pritzker. “I don’t think that message has been core enough for the Democratic party for too many years.”

JB and Juliana were then joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Treasurer Frerichs at the second stop in Champaign where they spoke to volunteers at a JB for Governor phone bank:

From WCCU:

Gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker kicked off his second statewide Think Big Bus Tour Friday with a stop in Champaign.

He was joined by US Senator Dick Durbin and Illinois Treasurer Michael Frehrichs.

Pritzker will make 20 stops across the state in four days.

At the third stop, JB and Juliana were joined by Senator Durbin for a meet and greet with Piatt County Democrats in Monticello:

To wrap up the day, JB and Juliana traveled to Clinton for a meet and greet with DeWitt County Democrats:

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Friday, February 2, 2018

 

Biss Asked “Can People Trust You Not to Change Your Opinion On Other Things?” at Crain’s Ed Board

 

Chicago, IL – While meeting with the Crain’s editorial board today, Dan Biss gave a flailing response to questions on his 2013 bill to cut pension benefits for 467,000 Illinoisans.

In a heated back and forth, Biss was pressed to answer an important question: “If you can so completely change your opinion on something you spent so much time and energy on, what can people trust you not to change your opinion on, on other things?”

WATCH:

“Dan Biss is flailing as he continues to be pressed on his unconstitutional efforts to cut pension benefits for 467,000 downstate teachers, university workers, and state employees,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “Biss can try and ramble and deflect now, but this is someone who needed the Supreme Court to step in before he ‘learned his lesson’ that working families deserve the pensions that were promised to them.”

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TRANSCRIPT:

If the Supreme Court hadn’t objected, if there was not a legal reason, a constitutional reason to do this, would you come back to something like that? Is it appropriate, or do you also have a moral objection now?

No, I think the Supreme Court was right. I think the Supreme Court was right. Um, I think that these pensions were promised to people, and they were told they were promised, and they were told that it’s a guarantee. And, I don’t think it’s appropriate then to go back and change it, and I…um…like I said, that was a long learning process for me, and I wish I’d learned that lesson differently. But I think that it’s a really, really important lesson.

Why this total mindset transition?

Well I think you have to ask the question: was the Supreme Court right or wrong?

What I guess I’m asking is a character question: if you could so completely change your opinion of something you spent so much time and energy on, what can people trust you not to change your opinion on, on other things?

Thursday, February 1, 2018

 

Chicago, IL – New national polling by Morning Consult shows that Bruce Rauner is the least popular Republican governor running for reelection, with a net approval rating of -24.

The new polling comes as Bruce Rauner is facing a strong challenge from his own party, with primary opponent Jeanne Ives holding him accountable while he dodges responsibility. As Rauner flails in his re-election bid, he has desperately attempted to defend his nonexistent record, earning him the title of the Worst Republican Governor in America.

“Bruce Rauner can’t defend his own record, can’t name a single real accomplishment, and has mismanaged the state government with fatal consequences,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “The most vulnerable incumbent in the country is under water as Illinoisans prepare to end his reign of crisis and devastation across Illinois.”

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Thursday, February 1, 2018

 

Carbondale, IL – Yesterday, JB Pritzker was endorsed by a group of Jackson County leaders, including State’s Attorney Michael C. Carr, County Sheriff Robert Burns, County Clerk and Recorder Larry W. Reinhardt, Regional Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Graff, County Coroner Dr. Thomas W. Kupferer, Circuit Court Clerk Cindy R. Svanda, County Treasurer Sharon Harris-Johnson, PHD., and County Supervisor of Assessment Maureen Berkowitz. They join Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, the Illinois AFL-CIO, and over 30 individual unions endorsing JB’s campaign.

“I’m so proud to have the endorsement of leaders and public servants in Jackson County,” said JB Pritzker. “Together, we’re going to put Springfield back on the side of working families by investing in education and creating jobs in all of our communities. This is a statewide, grassroots campaign and I am thrilled to see leaders and working families in every corner of Illinois coming together to defeat Bruce Rauner.”

“I know JB Pritzker will be a champion for children and families across the state. He is committed to education and has put forward real proposals to invest in our communities. With JB as governor, I know we can get all students in Illinois the quality education they deserve,” said Regional Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Graff.

“JB has the vision necessary to build an economy that works for every community in Illinois. He will be a strong advocate for the entire state in Springfield, with real plans to invest in education, expand healthcare, and grow jobs. JB has demonstrated that he is the leader our state needs and I look forward to helping elect him our next governor,” said Jackson County Clerk and Recorder Larry W. Reinhardt.

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