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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