Saturday, December 9, 2017

Largest Public-Sector Union, Both U.S. Senators from Illinois Make Endorsement in Democratic Primary

Chicago, IL – The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth endorsed JB Pritzker for governor this past week. They join Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, the Illinois AFL-CIO, and over 30 individual unions in supporting JB’s campaign.

Here’s what Illinoisans are reading and seeing in the news about the big endorsements:

ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

From WFLD:

From WSIL:

From WGEM:

From Chicago Tribune:

J.B. Pritzker on Saturday won the backing of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the largest public employees union to issue an endorsement so far in the Democratic governor primary.

The endorsement by the executive board of the 100,000-member union represented a further coalescing of core elements of the Democratic Party behind the candidacy of Pritzker, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and an investor and entrepreneur.

ITF President Dan Montgomery said Pritzker’s historical support for education and vow to back organized labor and a graduated income tax were important factors in the endorsement, which he said came after months of candidate interviews and questionnaire reviews.

Montgomery said that unlike Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has a history of opposing organized labor, particularly teachers unions, “J.B. respects workers and wants to work together to find solutions to our state’s problems.”

“While Rauner made deep cuts and caused a crisis, J.B. believes that to increase funding for our schools and services fairly, Illinois needs a progressive income tax where the wealthy pay at a higher rate than those who can least afford it,” Montgomery said in a statement.

From Chicago Sun-Times:

A day after receiving endorsements from Illinois’ U.S. senators, Democratic primary front-runner J.B. Pritzker joined state Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, businessman Chris Kennedy and former CeaseFire director Tio Hardiman for their latest forum, this time focusing on women’s issues Saturday afternoon at the Chicago Temple.

The candidates squared off as Pritzker notched his latest major endorsement, this time from the 100,000-member Illinois Federation of Teachers.

From LCBC Radio:

Illinois Governor-hopeful JB Pritzker picked up the endorsement Saturday of the 100,000 member Illinois Federation of Teachers. In their statement, IFT says it likes his commitment to strengthening public education, respect for workers’ right, support for a progressive tax system and ability to undo the damage done by Governor Bruce Rauner.

They added that while Rauner made deep cuts and caused a crisis, JB, a Democrat, believes that to increase funding for schools and services fairly, the state needs a progressive income tax where the wealthy pay at a higher rate than those who can least afford it. Pritzker said he was proud to receive their endorsement and to support the IFT’s rights to collectively bargain and retire in dignity.

SENATORS DURBIN AND DUCKWORTH

From WMAQ:

Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker picked up two huge endorsements on Friday, as Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth both added their support to his campaign.

“I will be in charge,” Pritzker said at the campaign event. “I won’t standby mealy-mouthed.”

Pritzker, considered one of the frontrunners for the Democratic nomination to take on incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner, held an event Friday afternoon to announce the endorsements, which are the biggest ones he’s added to his campaign during the primary season.

From WQAD:

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth endorsed JB Pritzker for Illinois governor at a campaign event in Chicago today.

“I’m proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor because he will be a strong partner and an effective leader for our state,” Durbin said. “I’ve spoken with all the Democratic candidates and heard their visions for our state, and JB has emerged as the clear choice for governor.”

Pritzker previously received endorsements from Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.

“With JB, I know I’ll have a partner in the governor’s office who will work to create good jobs, help give veterans the support and opportunity they deserve, and make sure every child gets a quality education,” Duckworth said.

From WICD:

From WGN:

From State Journal-Register:

“I’ve spoken with all the Democratic candidates and heard their visions for our state, and J.B. has emerged as the clear choice for governor,” Durbin said in a statement.

“J.B. has traveled across Illinois, hearing from people in Rockford and Cairo, Macomb and Danville, and everywhere in between,” Durbin added. “He has thoughtful and comprehensive policy plans on the issues that matter to Illinoisans. He has shown continued support for immigrants and the Dream Act, protecting health care for all, and creating new and good paying jobs in Illinois.”

At an event in Chicago where both senators announced their backing of Pritzker, Duckworth said that especially with Republican President Donald Trump in the White House, Illinois needs a governor who will “choose people over politics.”

She also said the state “needs a governor who is in charge and takes responsibility” for the power of his office.

GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner earlier in the week told reporters he is “not in charge,” […]

From Chicago Sun-Times:

“From Chicago to Cairo, J.B. has been listening and talking about how best to address the challenges facing our communities every day,” Duckworth said. “He has fought for our state and our families and now it’s time for us to fight for him.”

The move deals a blow to candidates Chris Kennedy and State Sen. Daniel Biss, who are the other top fundraisers for the March primary. […]

“We need a governor who will put behind us the tragedy of that budget crisis that hurt us all across this state,” Durbin said. “We need to stand together in this campaign.”

In his speech, Pritzker continued to rail against Rauner — mocking Rauner’s comment earlier this week that he doesn’t control the state.

“As candidates, as elected officials, of all the things we owe you, the most important thing is acknowledgement of our responsibility to you,” Prizker said. “If I’m elected, when it comes time to pass a budget I will work with every elected official in Springfield and all the concerned citizens and social service agencies that make this state run.”

From WMAY:

More top Democrats are lining up behind governor candidate J.B. Pritzker. At an event in Chicago, Pritzker picked up the endorsement of both of Illinois’s U.S. senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.

Pritzker has been consolidating support among top statewide officeholders in an effort to squeeze out the rest of the crowded Democratic field for governor.

From Illinois Public Media:

Illinois’ two Democratic U-S senators are taking sides in the primary for governor Friday. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are both endorsing businessman J.B. Pritzker.

According to a Pritzker campaign news release, Durbin said at a news conference Friday that Pritzker “will be a strong partner and an effective leader,” and was the “clear choice” among the Democratic candidate for governor.

The same release quoted Duckworth as saying Pritzker was “ready to fight for working families” and also work to help veterans and for children’s education. […]

Meanwhile, it’s a different story on the Republican side. Four congressmen have declined to endorse incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner. He’s being challenged from the right by state Rep. Jeanne Ives.

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