Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Chicago, IL – Today, JB Pritzker held a press conference with Illinois educators who have been failed by Bruce Rauner. They highlighted Rauner’s attacks on public education and the impact it has had on Illinois students as part of the #RaunerFailedMe series. Their stories and more can be found on the campaign’s website: www.RaunerFailedMe.com.

“Bruce Rauner has failed teachers, education support professionals, and students in every corner of this state,” said JB Pritzker. “This governor forced a school funding crisis on Illinois. He vetoed critical school funding legislation, stuck a backdoor school voucher program onto the bill, and then he vetoed another school funding bill. Rauner has taken every opportunity to jeopardize funding for our schools, destabilizing our education system and dividing our state. I’m running for governor to put our state on a new path, and I’m ready to put Springfield back on the side of our hardworking teachers and the students they represent.”

“During the budget crisis, we didn’t know if we could open in the fall or how long we could stay open,” said Gina Harris. “We were scared for our students and whether or not they would be able to get their education. My district already does not have the same resources as more affluent districts, so dealing with Bruce Rauner’s cuts and instability has been really damaging to us. I support JB because he understands this and has a proven record of expanding quality education. What he did with early childhood education shows me that he cares. He’s there, he listens, and he’s supportive of what our students need. That’s the kind of leadership that will go a long way to help students like mine.”

“Bruce Rauner’s failed policies have had a great deal of impact on my district,” said Paul Gamboa. “We don’t know how much money we’re getting year to year. Bruce Rauner says he understands what us and our children are going through, but it’s just lip service. I’m with JB because he understands the needs of our school districts and our teachers.”

“The teacher shortage in Illinois is a real concern,” said Katrina Anthony. “Before Bruce Rauner became governor, we had a large amount of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. Now, if I’m sick, I have to think about how that is going to affect my students. They can’t always find a substitute right away and it’s especially hard to find a substitute who understands my students and has the skills to make them comfortable. I support JB because of his commitment to education, his core values, and especially what he’s done to get children school breakfasts. That really stood out. I fully believe he has the children at heart and I know that will be central to him in Springfield.”

###