* Greg Hinz…

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is scheduled to announce her presidential endorsement at a 1:30 p.m. press conference today, and it looks like U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will join her in endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden.

A Lightfoot press advisory says only that the mayor and Durbin, D-Ill., will endorse a candidate for president. But it also says they’ll be joined by U.S. Reps. including Robin Kelly, Mike Quigley and Bill Foster, all of which are with Biden.

* The CTU is not amused, but the union itself has taken a pass on an endorsement so far…

…Adding… From the mayor…

Friend,

We need a leader who will use his power and influence to heal the divides and bring us together. That’s why I am proud to endorse Joe Biden for President.

As I have said from my first day as a candidate for this office, equity and inclusion must be our north star. Unfortunately, for the last three years we have seen these values completely trampled. Our Department of Justice is in a state of crisis, with fealty to the president more important to some than fairness or the rule of law.

By contrast, Joe Biden has a plan to strengthen our criminal justice system by reducing incarceration rates and rooting out racial and gender-based disparities.

I know President Biden will make Chicago a partner, not an adversary.

Joe is committed to rebuilding our middle class and expanding access to affordable health care, and I know he shares our vision for a stronger country where poverty is eradicated.

I believe that he can build a coalition – from small towns like Massillon, Ohio, where I grew up, to big cities like Chicago – that will unite people who want a better path forward. I believe he can win.

While our primary continues, I hope we’ll all be focused on the ultimate goal - victory in November. Because as Senator Sanders himself has said, “Donald Trump is the most dangerous President in American history.” And in the end, our party is united in understanding that threat.

I urge Democrats everywhere to join Joe Biden’s campaign and sign up at joebiden.com. I urge Independents and even Republicans to support Joe Biden for President. This election is about the future of our country and we don’t have a moment to waste.

Thank you,

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot

…Adding… IEA…

Today Jill Biden, Ph.D., wife of Presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden (D), talked with education leaders from across the state at the Illinois Education Association (IEA) Representative Assembly (RA). The IEA RA is the largest gathering of teachers, higher education faculty and support staff, education support staff, student educators and retired educators in the state.

“Public education matters. The primary in Illinois is a little more than a week away, and our educators are serious about voting for candidates who support public education,” IEA President Kathi Griffin said. “Our vote is our voice.”

More than 1200 educators are wearing red today in support of #RedforEd day at the IEA RA. #RedforEd is a grassroots movement that is inspiring large groups of educators to wear red in support of their students, schools and public education. All the democratic presidential candidates were invited to speak or send a surrogate to the IEA RA. After Biden addressed members during the official IEA RA, she, along with Griffin, visited with small groups of educators from across the state.

“There is nothing more important to our Democracy or the future of our nation than giving our children the kind of quality schools they deserve,” Biden said. “Educators, we are on the frontlines every day. We know what our kids need to grow, to be creative and inspired, to become the best versions of themselves.”

“Nearly everything that happens in our schools and on our college campuses is determined by a decision made outside of it,” Griffin said. “Our advocacy for our students can’t end with our work in the classroom. We need to make sure all our elected officials from school boards to the White House are people who support, value and advocate for the needs of public educators and our students.”

The video is here.