* The Pantagraph’s endorsement of Sen. Daniel Biss favorably compares him to Barack Obama…

When you cast your vote on March 20, the name not on the ballot is the name that counts: House Speaker Mike Madigan.

The race for governor — particularly the primary election — is more about who can work with Madigan than who has the best ideas to clean out the state’s monetary septic tank. […]

With a couple of terms under his belt as state legislator, he knows how Springfield works. He readily admits he’s part of a state government that has failed its citizens, which is why, he says, he is running for the top job.

He’s made friends; he knows where people stand. He knows how to get things done in a quiet, efficient way. He’s smart but accessible, explaining concepts in a way easily understood by students or — ahem — the middle class.

But he also is smart enough to weed out the half-truths and look solely at the numbers to reach his own interpretation.

Sort of like another state senator from Illinois who went on to great things.

* This one might be better…

The fact that he’s competing against a billionaire with a 50 - 60 million (and counting) war chest - tells you we still have a pulse https://t.co/ZfJYAsiGtu

— John Cusack (@johncusack) February 24, 2018

Rauner is a disaster - https://t.co/NudmkPZ9ne

— John Cusack (@johncusack) February 26, 2018

* Meanwhile, from a press release…

Gov. Bruce Rauner is attending the National Governors Association dinner at the White House this year, a reverse in course from previous years where he went to great lengths to distance himself from Donald Trump. Rauner hardly mentioned Trump by name during the presidential campaign, he skipped the Republican National Convention in 2016 when Trump was nominated, and has rarely stood up to Trump since he was elected despite the vast number of Illinoisans who are negatively impacted by Trump’s policies.

“Bruce Rauner boycotted the National Governors Association dinner last year because he didn’t want to be associated with Trump,” said Daniel Biss. “Now, after a year of Donald Trump reducing access to healthcare, rolling back environmental protections, destroying net neutrality, terrorizing immigrant populations, and attacking working families, Bruce Rauner just couldn’t resist the opportunity to join a fellow billionaire businessman for dinner.

Bruce Rauner is more interested in protecting the billionaire class at the expense of the working class. And instead of taking responsibility for his failures as governor, Bruce Rauner is now trying to cozy up to Donald Trump as political cover in a contested primary against Jeanne Ives.”

* Press release…

Bruce Rauner’s continued war on working people and organized labor advances today as the United States Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Janus v. AFSCME. The key labor relations case, which Rauner has made a centerpiece of his reelection campaign, will determine whether the labor union who bargains on behalf of all government employees is legally entitled to collecting dues from non-members, despite the benefits they receive from collective bargaining on their behalf.

“I’m proud to stand with working families,” said Daniel Biss. “Bruce Rauner came in to office with one goal: to reduce the power of organized labor to negotiate on behalf of working families, and to clear the way for billionaires and corporations to continue making record profits at our expense. And now his only crowning achievement as governor has made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court in the Janus v. AFSCME case. In the face of growing economic inequality in this country, we must ensure employees have the power to negotiate for fair pay and scheduling, good benefits, and for safe working conditions. To rule against collective bargaining is to rule against middle-class workers and the backbone of our economy, and to permanently enshrine protections for already powerful employers.”

Daniel Biss has made protecting workers a priority. He fought to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, passed bills to crack down on wage theft and close the pay equity gap, and as chairman of the Senate labor committee Daniel supported legislation that expands workers’ rights to negotiate for better pay and working conditions, sponsored the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, and fought against Rauner’s continued attacks on labor.

Bruce Rauner and the Republican Party have made weakening worker protections a key plank in their platform, from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to President Donald Trump. JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy also have poor histories when it comes to union rights - Pritzker made his billions from the notoriously anti-union Hyatt, while Kennedy had a tumultuous relationship with labor while on the board of trustees at the University of Illinois.

* Press release…

Daniel Biss released the following statement as members of the Graduate Employees Organization at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign go on strike in pursuit of a fair contract.

“Graduate student workers, and all workers everywhere, deserve a voice in their workplace and the security of fair wages and working conditions—and going on strike is a crucial tool in securing these fundamental rights. I’m proud to stand in solidarity with the Graduate Employees Organization today, and I urge University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to bargain in good faith and reach a fair contract.”

* Related…

* State Senator Daniel Biss: “We need to pass sensible gun safety legislation”

* SJ-R Candidate Questionnaire: Daniel Biss

* Ald. Pawar dissed Biss for holding news conference near Pritzker’s home

* Rich Candidates Square Off in Democratic Party Primaries - Party looks to build on sentiment against Trump, but slate of contenders may be hard for some voters to relate to