Illinois Education Association joins state AFL-CIO, 31 other unions endorsing JB Pritzker for governor

By CARL GREEN

Illinois Correspondent

Chicago, IL – The Illinois Education Association (IEA), representing over 135,000 educators and education support professionals across Illinois, has endorsed JB Pritzker for governor.

The IEA joins the Illinois AFL-CIO, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and 31 unions, locals and labor councils supporting Pritzker for governor.

IEA President Kathi Griffin said Pritzker’s strong commitment to funding K-12 education, his promise to invest in higher education, his pledge to protect collective bargaining rights and his willingness to enact a progressive income tax matched IEA’s goals for public education in Illinois.

“I am so proud to receive the endorsement of the Illinois Education Association and the over 135,000 educators and education support professionals they represent,” Pritzker said.

“Every child in Illinois deserves a quality education, no matter their zip code and as governor I will partner with the IEA to make that a reality in our state. Our educators will have a seat at the table as we fight to fully fund public schools and ensure equitable school funding in Illinois.

“With the IEA on our team, I’m confident we can continue to grow our statewide, grassroots movement, defeat Bruce Rauner, and get public education in Illinois back on track so every child has the tools they need to reach their full potential,” he said.

OTHER UNION ENDORSEMENTS

Pritzker has also been endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO as well as:

• Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

• Boilermakers Local 1

• Bricklayers Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois

• Chicago Federation of Labor

• Chicago Laborers District Council

• Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

• Heat and Frost Insulators Local 17

• IATSE Local 2

• IBEW Local 134

• IFT Local 1211

• Illinois Federation of Teachers

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers State Council

• International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 2

• Ironworkers Chicago District Council & Vicinity

• Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504

• Midwest Region of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)

• Northwestern Illinois Building Trades

• Operating Engineers Local 150

• Operating Engineers Local 399

• Painters District Council 14

• Painters District Council 30

• Painters District Council 58

• Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 502

• Roofers & Water proofers Local 11

• Sheet Metal Workers Local 73

• Teamsters Joint Council 25

• UA Plumbers Local 130

• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 431

• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881

• United Mine Workers

• United Steelworkers District 7