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* Press release…
Union members and leaders from up and down the state met on Wednesday to vote on Illinois AFL-CIO endorsements for the 2016 Primary Election.
Nearly 150 delegates representing regional organizations, fire fighters, teachers, construction workers and medical professionals, among many other workers gathered to make candidate recommendations to the state federation leadership.“One year to the day after Bruce Rauner was sworn in as Governor, we began the work of defeating Rauner’s allies in the General Assembly. Labor is united and ready to mobilize,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan. “We endorsed against a Democrat that stood with Rauner and his anti-worker agenda and we supported one of the only Republicans to stand up to the Governor. It’s not about political parties, it’s about who is willing to invest in middle class working families. The delegates understood the clear choices in front of them.”
In December, the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed Juliana Stratton in the 5th State House District against incumbent Democrat Ken Dunkin, who has sided with Rauner on multiple issues and prevented veto overrides by not voting on key measures. On Wednesday, the state federation endorsed Sen. Sam McCann in the 50th District Senate GOP Primary. After publicly sparring with Rauner on labor issues, McCann now faces Republican opposition from a Rauner-backed opponent.
“We expect Rauner to continue poisoning progress with his obsession on passing his so-called Turnaround Agenda,” Carrigan added. “He will give money to candidates. We will knock on doors and talk to our co-workers and neighbors. Rauner has a fat checkbook to buy TV ads, but workers and their unions have thousands of volunteers that will visit neighbors and call friends and co-workers to discuss why his plans only benefit those in the boardroom, not families around the kitchen table.”
The Illinois AFL-CIO, which represents unions with 1.5 million registered voters, endorsed statewide candidates Tammy Duckworth for U.S. Senate and Susana Mendoza for Comptroller in September.
The full list is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:05 pm
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===“One year to the day after Bruce Rauner was sworn in as Governor, we began the work of defeating Rauner’s allies in the General Assembly. Labor is united and ready to mobilize,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan. “We endorsed against a Democrat that stood with Rauner and his anti-worker agenda and we supported one of the only Republicans to stand up to the Governor. It’s not about political parties, it’s about who is willing to invest in middle class working families. The delegates understood the clear choices in front of them.”===
Ball Game… ball game.
It’s sbout Raunerite ideals versus Party Loyalties.
Local races, different faces, but it’s Rauner vs. Unions, there’s no mistake there.
(Tips cap to the AFL-CIO)
Now?
Now, it’s up to the Labor Movement, all of Labor, to recognize that snipit as their reality, and failing to understand that reality is on them, and no one else.
Happy Hunting, now get to work.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:10 pm
=== We will knock on doors and talk to our co-workers and neighbors. Rauner has a fat checkbook to buy TV ads, but workers and their unions have thousands of volunteers that will visit neighbors and call friends and co-workers to discuss why his plans only benefit those in the boardroom, not families around the kitchen table. ===
The words are there, now comes the deeds. That’s your mission. You need to accomplish this mission if you are to remain a viable entity.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:16 pm
As an aside, for me…
Very, very torn on McCann
Very torn.
I respect the AFL-CIO. They have a sincere responsiblity to the membership and the Labor Movement to make quite clear Sam McCann is the candidate best for them, and for what they, and all of Labor are battling.
However, is hope Labor would understand my misgivings for my own… selfish… reasons.
When McCann gave his word to Leader Radogno, McCann was not where he needed to be, well before Rauner, well before the Raunerite assult on Labor too.
Of all the races, that is the only one I’m torn. I’d hope the AFL-CIO could understand my misgiving, as I completely and unequivocally understand why they must be where they are.
It’s a “local” matter for me, with McCann, but I will shed no tears either way that the McCann race falls.
Happy Hunting, AFL-CIO, go to work…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:19 pm
“…I hope Labor…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:20 pm
What a surprise. To quote Borat, “……………………………………………………………………………………………….NOT!”
Given who he ran against in 2010 and given his initial pledges/stances, this is certainly a 180 for Senator Sam.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:21 pm
OW, I hope I don’t regret this but I’m going with the other guy, all due respect to the AFL-CIO. I like his energy and think his profession deserves representation in the GA.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Looking forward to the primary…
Comment by There is power in a union... Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:31 pm
Unins, even public employee unions, do have members who are or lean Republican. The unions need to better identify those members and try to work with them in order to work with more GA Republicans.
Whenever this can be done the working people of the unions will be better off.
Comment by Federalist Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:31 pm
It sure was nice of Gov. Rauner to drive all private and public sector unions into the camps of solely Dem GA legislators, save one.
That was something the Dems were never able to achieve on their own.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:35 pm
=== I hope I don’t regret this but I’m going with the other guy, all due respect to the AFL-CIO. I like his energy and think his profession deserves representation in the GA. ===
AA, we’re almost always in sync, but I prefer someone who represents my interests and that of much of the district rather than someone of an underrepresented profession. Rauner’s purchase of the GOP caucus has been so successful and complete, I can’t accept the chance that the replacement of a proven proponent of the district’s interests will be anything but another shill for the governor.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:47 pm
Federalist - trust me that there are unions who are searching for more members of the GOP who are labor friendly. Not necessarily ones who agree on everything, but those who will work with working people on making sure there are safe, well paying jobs and benefits for a fair day’s work to care for their families. But with the Raunerite invasion, it is hard to find them. Some that have been willing are leaving the GA.
Comment by Flatlander Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:49 pm
“One year to the day after Bruce Rauner was sworn in as Governor, we began the work of defeating Rauner’s allies in the General Assembly.”
Why’d they wait so long? Sounds like 364 days were wasted.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:55 pm
While I think I understand -AA’s- and -OW’s- reservations, I’ll be supporting the guy I know: McCann. He’s generally been supportive of a number of my interests, including non-political ones.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:56 pm
After Rauner spends $20 million, the mix in th d GA remains the same.
Comment by Hedley Lamarr Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:58 pm
- Norseman - and - RNUG -
You know how torn I have to be if a no-brainer Non-Raunerite leaves me wanting in my own Primary.
I’m glad I don’t have to choose, on a ballot, in that very specific, very lone race.
It will be up to Labor to get “in there”, in March, and make the case.
I’d hope my first comment to the broader scope is quite clear to my overall feelibgs and emotions.
I respect you both, very much so, and I’m glad I’m not deciding where my vote lies in that race.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:09 pm
McCann is toast.
Comment by Georg Sande Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:21 pm
Norseman, I hear what you are saying and this is a tough call. I honestly may change my mind before I get to the polls.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:47 pm
- Georg Sande - Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:21 pm:
McCann is toast.
Why is this? I know nothing about that district.
Comment by Federalist Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 6:58 pm
-Federalist-,
The current district is a combination of McCann’s original district and Bomke’s original district. It covers quite a span, both in terms of geography and idealogy. And McCann has his share of baggage (mostly having to do with some of his past business problems). He does work his district and listen to his constituents but he is only a partial match with his voters. And since he is the only R to somewhat oppose Rauner, McCann is a target for not conforming to the Raunerite party line.
I don’t agree he is toast, but he doesn’t have a cake walk.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 8:15 pm
McCann voted against sb1!
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 10:04 pm
McCaan has integrity, the other guy, not so much. I dought many in his profession (FOP members) want to be represented by Bruce’s boy.
Comment by GOP Extremist Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 11:52 pm
This may well save McCann, depends on voter turnout and if the AFL-CIO runs a good ground game. As of late, AFL-CIO has been on coffee break when it comes to the ground game. Let’s just hope Raunerbots instilled the fear of God into their rank and file.
Comment by Tumbleweed lines Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 7:23 am
Since the Dems bounced Skip Saviano out of his suburban district back in 2012, are they now gunning for Michael McAuliffe this time?
I don’t recall the unions ever endorsing his Democratic rival prior to this.
Comment by train111 Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 8:28 am
McCann has integrity?! Mr. or Ms. Extremist - you might want to read some of Bernie S’s columns and articles. And to call his opponent “Bruce’s boy” is a bit of hyperbole.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 8:51 am
One can either strive to fix the financial crisis in Illinois or one can support unions, you can’t do both - they are mutually exclusive. Of course the treasury has not been totally sacked yet, so the AFL CIO still circles Springfield like a vulture.
Comment by Peoria Tom Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 8:54 am
===One can either strive to fix the financial crisis in Illinois or one can support unions, you can’t do both===
LOL, says who?
(Banned Word)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:17 am