Support Builds for JB and Juliana in Homestretch of Primary Campaign
Monday, February 26, 2018
Unions, State and Community Leaders, and Newspapers Endorse JB for Governor
Chicago, IL – With 22 days until the primary election, support continues to build for JB and Juliana’s campaign. In the past week alone, the Chicago Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, the Illinois Nurses Association, ATU Local 308, State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, State Rep. Mike Halpin, 14 Rock Island County elected officials, 50 suburban mayors, and Chicago City Council’s Veterans Caucus have all announced their support.
This kind of future-focused approach to economic development is precisely what Illinois sorely needs right now. It is also reflective of what seems to be Pritzker’s philosophy for trying to make a difference in this world: work it from the bottom up.
That’s the common thread — start at the beginning — running through Pritzker’s many years of public service, whether he was supporting new technology, working to expand childcare services and early-childhood education, or simply trying to provide every child with a good school breakfast.
Pritzker saw the promise and nurtured it.
Illinois could stand more of his positive and inclusive approach to leadership, as well as his ability — as witnessed in this campaign — to build broad coalitions.
Still, he’s running on a credible business track record as a dealmaker, compromise-seeker, business community cheerleader, successful venture capitalist, committed philanthropist and a prime backer of Chicago tech startup incubator 1871. What Pritzker did with 1871 was take the initiative to both see and solve a problem that needed solving, winning Chicago’s tech scene some critical mass by focusing resources and increasing its visibility. He got VCs and universities, which traditionally don’t cooperate, and state government all to get on board. He assembled a capable team to do the heavy lifting, cajoled the Merchandise Mart into going along (while putting up a chunk of his own money to guarantee the lease), and eventually found the right leader to keep the grand vision from becoming an empty pipe dream.
That’s the sort of coalition-building that ought to give us confidence that Pritzker can pull together Springfield’s warlords and bang out the hardheaded deals needed to reform pensions, pay down state debts, balance the budget and put Illinois on course for growth after four years of failure.
“INA proudly endorses JB Pritzker for governor. Society can depend on him to support maintaining healthcare when he is elected governor.” — Lorraine Wade, Director of the Illinois Nurses Association
“JB understands that the people of Illinois need safe healthcare and he understands that means having enough nurses to provide safe care.” — Doris Carroll, Vice President of the Illinois Nurses Association
“ATU Local 308 Political Committee is proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor. JB has real plans to put Springfield back on the side of working families and end the all-out assault Bruce Rauner has launched on workers’ rights. With JB in Springfield, I know workers will always have a seat at the table and a staunch advocate in the state capitol. We look forward to getting out the vote for JB Pritzker at a critical time in this race.” —ATU Local 308 President Ken Franklin
“I’ve spent the last few months getting to know JB. Asking hard questions of him and his campaign staff. I took my time in endorsing him because I wanted to be sure. I’m proud to endorse JB and Juliana because I believe that they are the team we need to turn this state around. The challenges we face are too big to think small. That’s why I’m here and that’s why I am standing with JB and Juliana who will fight to get us back on the right track.” — State Senator Toi Hutchinson
STATE REP. MIKE HALPIN AND 14 ROCK ISLAND COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
“I’ve spent the last few months considering which candidate I would support for governor. As I went door-to-door to hear directly from the people I serve in the State Legislature, the thing that I heard the most is that people want a governor that they can count on to be on the side of working men and women. I’m proud to stand with JB Pritzker and my colleague Juliana Stratton in the fight to put Springfield back on the side of working families. I know that they can bring Democrats together to beat Bruce Rauner in November.” — State Representative Mike Halpin
“JB Pritzker is the only candidate in this race with the leadership and vision to move our state forward. I’m confident he will work collaboratively with local elected officials and give us all a seat at the table as we work to expand healthcare for Illinois’ working families and build an economy that works for every community.” — McCook Mayor Jeff Tobolski
“I decided to support JB early on because he understands the challenges that the southland region faces regarding economic development and realizes more has to be done to move us forward. He is a man that listens and someone I trust to be our next governor of Illinois.” — Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin
“As Mayor and past Democratic committeeman, I strongly believe that JB Pritzker is the most qualified candidate and will be best for thriving municipalities. JB is the only Democratic candidate who can beat Bruce Rauner in the general election and I’m proud to support him.” — Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo
“JB Pritzker will be the governor for Veterans. He understands the challenges that Veterans face and is ready to step up and help our community. He will lead the change when it comes to making Illinois the best state for Veterans.”— Veterans Caucus Chair Gilbert Villegas
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