Illinois AFL-CIO Endorses JB Pritzker For Governor

CHICAGO, IL — The executive board of the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed J.B. Pritzker's candidacy for governor Tuesday. The other declared candidates for the Democratic nomination responded with statements in support of organized labor containing varying degrees of criticism of the endorsement.

"An early endorsement is necessary in order to achieve our top priority in 2018 – defeating Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose anti-worker proposals and refusal to compromise on a budget are destroying Illinois," said President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, Michael Carrigan. He said the executive board reviewed issues questionnaires and met with candidates. "Pritzker has the vision and background to put Illinois on the right track by empowering working families, not shifting more power and wealth to corporate class."

Pritzker said he was honored to received the endorsement of the union, which claims nearly 900,000 members in Illinois.

"As governor, the labor movement will always have a seat at the table and will be a partner in our work ahead," Pritzker said, promising to stand up for collective bargaining rights, pensions, safe working conditions and pay equity. He criticized Governor Bruce Rauner for the budget crisis, which he said has left social services and public education on "the brink of collapse."

"The AFL-CIO and the working families it represents deserve a real leader in Springfield who will always stand with them to get our state back on track," Pritzker said. "I look forward to being that governor for Illinois working families.”

Pritzker's opponents responded quickly to news of the union's decision, downplaying its impact on the race.

"I have always been, and will always be a steadfast supporter of organized labor and collective bargaining rights," 47th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar said.

"As a Chicago alderman, I partnered with labor organizations to pass paid sick leave, raise the minimum wage and combat wage theft," Pawar said. "If elected governor, I will bring that same commitment to supporting labor and working families across Illinois. Endorsements or non-endorsements won’t change that."

Chris Kennedy's campaign praised the members of the AFL-CIO but, "Unfortunately, today's endorsement isn't about the members. It’s about Springfield establishment insiders who cut deals and circumvented the normal endorsement process."

Kennedy's campaign promised to support labor movements and to "take his message of radical change directly to members of the AFL-CIO and the people of Illinois because they should determine who the Democratic nominee is— not political insiders who are cutting deals behind closed doors."

The statement from state Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) was the most sharply critical of Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune.

“The working people of Illinois deserve better than being told they have to support a billionaire whose family fortune was enriched by anti-union behavior," Biss said. "As Governor of Illinois, I will always put the interest of the working men and women of Illinois ahead of money and the machine.”

Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood), who announced his candidacy Tuesday, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the AFL-CIO endorsement.

According to the Capital Fax, the endorsement vote was 19 votes for, seven votes against, two abstentions and three unmarked.

Despite the organizations considerable clout, AFL-CIO endorsements have not always been decisive in the past. In the 2004 U.S. Senate race, it endorsed then-Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes over the eventual winner Barack Obama.

The Democratic primary is scheduled for March 20.

Top photo: J.B. Pritzker | Photo by Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images