National
Republican
Congressional
Commiittee
March 18, 2014
MEMO: ILLINOIS PRIMARY RESULTS
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: MARCH 18, 2014
SUBJECT: ILLINOIS PRIMARY RESULTS
Illinois was ground zero for political mischief in 2012 when national
Democrats disrespected the will of the voters with their political
gerrymandering efforts. While Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats had
to cheat the system with gerrymandering to even the playing field for
them on the House level, the stark reality of the political climate for
Democrats across the country cannot be denied.
Unfortunately for national Democrats this cycle, not only are voters
frustrated with government’s overreach in Washington but also coupling
that with their frustration with Democrat Governor Pat Quinn, Democrat
Members of Congress are walking into this cycle badly wounded. The tide
is looking to turn against Democrats on the state level and that
distrust in local Democrats will surely effect the national races in
the state.
On the other hand, Republican incumbent Rodney Davis has strongly
navigated his first term in Congress and is known for being a
hardworking member who has a strong fundraising prowess. Davis
continues to frustrate Washington Democrats with his flawless first
term and will be a great example to the new challengers taking on
Democrat members in Southern Illinois and the suburbs of Chicago.
Adding in rematches from two of the strongest candidates from the 2012
cycle, Illinois once again looks like a competitive battleground state
where Democrats will be forced to spend big money to defend their
members.
INCUMBENTS
IL-13: Rep. Rodney Davis, R vs. Ann Callis, D
Illinois 13
th District was a huge disappointment for
national Democrats after the 2012 cycle. Not only did the DCCC’s
handpicked candidate Matt Goetten lose his primary challenge to David
Gill, but their expectations of winning this seat during the
presidential cycle failed to happen. That was even after the Democrats
gerrymandered the state’s districts in order to multiply their Democrat
Members of Congress.
Now, Nancy Pelosi and her campaign arm have decided to try again in the
13
th District which is home to Rodney Davis, a prolific
fundraiser and popular freshman Member of Congress in what Rothenberg
rates as a Toss Up/Tilt Republican District.
While Ann Callis was forced to spend a huge portion of her campaign
fundraising totals to survive her primary, she will now be forced to
play catch up in order to compete with Davis’ fundraising capabilities
and campaign war chest. National Democrats might have been able to get
their handpicked candidate over the finish line in this cycle’s
primary, but Callis is seen as a flawed candidate with a judicial
history which will be carefully scrutinized over the next eight months.
The primary challenge from Gollin has left Callis very wounded with
attack ads airing on TV
hitting her for being a “political insider” who wants to “cut Social
Security.” Callis has also been criticized by local newspapers for her
inability to discuss the issues and explain where she stands.
The Chicago Tribune noted: "Callis sticks to safe talking points,
occasionally name-checking Durbin. Her answers to our survey are
carefully scripted, heavy on promises to protect seniors and
middle-class families without explaining what she'd actually do.”
Davis is well-equipped for victory in this seat that Cook Political
Report says “Toss Up/Tilt Republican.”
Geography: PVI: Even; Romney 49%. The district covers the
western central area of Illinois, including portions of Greene,
Champaign, Jersey, Madison, Montgomery, Christian, Macon, De Witt, and
Piatt counties.
CHALLENGERS
IL-10: Robert Dold, R vs. Rep. Brad Schneider, D
In 2010, Bob Dold quickly proved himself as a political force to be
reckoned with as he represented the most Democratic district in the
country held by a Republican Member. While 2012 was a tough year for
Republicans running is similar districts to Dold’s, the freshman
lawmaker was able to keep within a very close margin to Brad Schneider
who rode President Obama’s coat tails to victory. Dold had such a
strong performance in 2012 that he outperformed Mitt Romney by 8 points
in the 10
th District.
After narrowly defeating Dold, Freshman Congressman Brad Schneider has
been viewed by many as a do-nothing member on Capitol Hill. Mainly
sticking to Nancy Pelosi’s voting record, Schneider has yet to distance
himself from his party leaders even though his district has a very
fiscal conservative streak. During the 2012 cycle, Schneider was known
as being the country’s smallest small businessman for his what seemed
to be fabricated business career and now Schneider seems to be just as
unimpressive as a Member of Congress.
Democrats might have drawn the districts in their favor last cycle but
make no mistake, Bob Dold is a force to be reckoned with this cycle.
Dold is a
real small business owner who gained the reputation of being an
independent voice in Congress and is going into this election as a
strong fundraiser who has hit the campaign trail running.
The
National Journal ranked Dold as one of the few members who
is “closest to the ideological” center of Congress. Dold has also been
recognized for his efforts to protect the environment and for his
commitment to Israel's long-term security.
Geography: PVI: D+8; Dold outperformed Romney by 8 points in
2012. The district covers the northern suburbs of Chicago, including
portions of Cook and Lake counties.
IL-11: Darlene Senger, R vs. Rep. Bill Foster, D
Rep. Bill Foster is a failed politician who has been rejected by
Illinois families before for his massive spending plans, not to mention
his vote for the President’s health care law which even has his
former staffers
upset with the congressman.
Foster’s record in Congress this go around is very similar to the same
record he held once before when he was fired by voters. His
job-destroying record will be a huge albatross around his neck for the
next eight months. Darlene Senger is a strong candidate and more
importantly a strong alternative to Bill Foster’s reckless spending.
A product of the
NRCC’s Project Grow,
Senger brings to the table her many years as a State Representative
serving the communities of the 11
th District in Springfield.
Fighting for what’s right has always been a top priority for Senger and
she will continue that fight in Washington.
When you consider the national tone is strongly against the President’s
health care law, which Foster voted for, Senger’s prospects are strong
in this midterm election.
Geography: PVI: D+8; This suburban Chicago district covers parts
of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties.
IL-12: Mike Bost, R vs. Rep. Bill Enyart, D
Southern Illinois families are ready for a change and IL-12 is a prime
pickup opportunity for Republicans in the 2014 cycle. In his time in
Congress, Bill Enyart has quickly proven that he is no Jerry Costello,
who was seen as a clear independent leader in Washington. Southern
Illinois families are now left with the partisan political style of
Bill Enyart who sides more with Nancy Pelosi then with Southern
Illinois families.
Republicans have a strong candidate this cycle in State Representative
Mike Bost. The longtime state house member is a community leader who
has spent the majority of his life serving the people of the 12
th
District. Not only does Bost go into this competition with high name
recognition, but he also has years’ worth of service dedicated to the
area which has left him with high praise from his community.
Enyart, who has been hidden from his constituents shortly after being
elected, will have to defend his pro-Pelosi voting record to this
working-class southwest district. In the past few years, the Southern
Illinois district has been trending more and more Republican and
identifies more with rural Missouri than Obama’s home state.
Considering the national mood towards the President’s health care law
and Democrat Members of Congress who have continued to push the law on
the American people, Bill Enyart goes into this election cycle at a
disadvantage.
Contrasting Bost’s strong record of service to Enyart’s last year as a
partisan politician in Washington will give the voters a clear vision
that Mike Bost is the only one ready to fight for them in Congress.
Geography: PVI: Even; Kirk 51%. This southwest district covers
parts of Madison county, and all of Alexander, Franklin, Jackson,
Jefferson, Monroe, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, St.Clair, Union and
Williamson counties.
IL-17: Bobby Schilling, R vs. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D
In Illinois’ 17
th District we will see the second rematch
from the 2012 cycle. Bobby Schilling, a pizzeria owner and union
member, was an effective voice in Washington for the people of Western
Illinois. On the other hand, Cheri Bustos has been a rubber stamp for
Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats and won’t have the luxury of
running as an challenger without a voting record in 2014.
Sen. Dick Durbin might have handpicked Cheri Bustos in 2012 and
gerrymandered a district in her favor, but now Bustos will have to own
her votes for supporting ObamaCare and explain her missed votes to fund
our troops.
Bobby Schilling’s experience of running a business and employing
Illinoisans stands in stark contrast with Congresswoman Bustos’ record
of higher taxes and more government spending.
Geography: PVI: D+7; The district covers northwestern Illinois with
potions of Jo Daviess, Winnebago, Carroll, Whiteside, Henderson, Rock
Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Knox and Fulton counties.
STATEWIDE ROUNDUP
The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary
election in Illinois. These results are unofficial and incomplete.
*Indicates Winner determined by AP
IL-11 –GOP Primary
|
|
403 of 417 Precincts
Reporting – 97% |
|
Darlene Senger* |
38% |
Chris Balkema |
32% |
Bert Miller |
26% |
Ian Bayne |
03% |
|
|
IL-13 - DEM Primary
|
|
337 of 605 Precincts
Reporting - 56% |
|
Ann Callis* |
59% |
George Gollin |
28% |
David Green |
13% |
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
March
18, 2014
DCCC Chairman Steve Israel’s Statement on Ann Callis Primary Win in
IL-13 and Illinois Races
DCCC
Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement regarding ‘Red
to Blue’ candidate Judge Ann Callis winning the Democratic nomination
in Illinois’s 13th Congressional District, along with Democrats’
strong
position in Congressional races around the state.
“Democrats across Illinois are strongly
positioned to succeed in
November because they are on the side of middle class families while
their Republican opponents are stacking the deck for special interests.
Democratic incumbents have been fighting to protect good jobs, raise
wages and grow the economy – and the people of Illinois now have an
excellent opportunity to send another Democratic problem-solver to
Congress from the 13th Congressional district.
“I especially congratulate Judge Ann
Callis on her convincing
primary win because she demonstrated her commonsense appeal and record
of accomplishments like standing up for our veterans and families
facing foreclosure. Congressman Rodney Davis will find that putting
special interests first, ending the Medicare guarantee and raising
costs on Illinois seniors will put him on the wrong side of voters in
November.”
Republican
Governors
Association
March
18, 2014
RGA
Statement on Illinois Gubernatorial Primary
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Governors
Association Chairman Chris
Christie issued the following statement regarding the outcome of
tonight’s Illinois gubernatorial primary election:
“It’s time to leave behind the days of
high unemployment and job
losses, skyrocketing taxes, unaccountable spending and failing schools
that have blighted the last five years in Illinois under Pat Quinn.
Illinois is ready for a real leader: someone who can’t be bought or
intimidated. Illinois is ready for a governor who is willing to solve
the toughest of problems, not avoid them; for a governor who works to
foster economic growth, not stifle it; for a governor who can balance a
budget without saddling the taxpayers time and time again; for a
governor who refuses to endure the persistent failure of government
that has racked Illinois for years.”
“Illinois is ready for Bruce Rauner. He is
focused, willing and
prepared to do what it takes to bring back Illinois. The Republican
Governors Association congratulates Bruce Rauner on his victory tonight
and proudly supports his campaign to defeat Governor Quinn.”
###
Democratic
Governors Association
March 18, 2014
STATEMENT: In Tight Race, GOP Nomination of Right-Wing
Billionaire Presents Clear Choice For IL Voters
WASHINGTON, DC—Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Chair of the
Democratic Governors Association, tonight issued the following
statement regarding the Illinois gubernatorial primary results:
“Tonight, a small group of Illinois Republicans nominated an
out-of-touch, right-wing billionaire who has spent his entire career
profiting off of the struggles of hard-working people. Despite using
millions of dollars of his personal fortune trying to whitewash his
anti-middle class record, a vast majority of primary voters rejected
Bruce Rauner. In the wake of his poor performance, the choice in
November’s election couldn’t be clearer.
“When Governor Quinn took office, Illinois was in
crisis – two
governors in jail, unprecedented financial instability, and the worst
recession since the Great Depression. The Governor is righting the ship
with a steadfast focus on creating good-paying, middle-class jobs,
getting the state’s fiscal house in order, and making the critical
investments in education, infrastructure, and innovation that will lead
to long-term growth.
“Bruce Rauner has vastly different priorities. He’d slash the
minimum wage, gut core investments in schools and public safety, and
cut taxes for the very wealthiest. Mr. Rauner brags about being in the
top .01 percent of Americans, and that’s exactly who his policies are
designed to help. They’re also why he will be rejected by voters in
November.”
###
MEMORANDUM
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Danny Kanner, DGA Communications Director
DATE: March 19, 2014
RE: After Tight Primary, Billionaire Bruce Rauner Enters General
Election Hobbled & Exposed
Last night, the vast majority of the most hardcore Illinois
Republicans rejected billionaire Bruce Rauner. Even with public polling
that showed Rauner would win by double digits, actual primary voters
decided that his anti-middle class record is not what Illinois needs.
Despite the pre-election punditry, these results shouldn’t come as
too much of a surprise. The past few months have shined a bright light
on the real Rauner: a typical, uber-rich GOP politician who wants
to
slash the minimum wage, gut education and public safety, and cut taxes
for the wealthiest so those at the very top can benefit.
That stands in stark contrast to Governor Pat Quinn.
When Governor Quinn took office, Illinois was in
trouble – two
governors in jail, high unemployment, and the worst recession since the
Great Depression. Now, he’s righting the ship with a steadfast focus on
creating more good-paying, middle-class jobs.
There’s a clear difference in the race
ahead – hurting working
people in the name of profit for himself and his wealthy pals has
been what’s defined Bruce Rauner’s entire corporate career.
In the primary campaign, voters began to learn about Billionaire
Bruce’s Romney-esque career in the private sector, which included a
“corporate fraud” that resulted in the deaths of nursing home patients
and shady financial ties to an imprisoned Blagojevich associate:
Rauner Holds “Similar Background” To Mitt Romney. “With
businessman Bruce Rauner running for Illinois governor, his experience
in the world of private equity is likely to sound familiar to voters.
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney had a similar background,
which became fodder for debate during the 2012 campaign… Rauner, a
Republican, and his former firm, Chicago-based GTCR, aren’t as
well-known nationally as Romney and Bain, but they can expect to be
scrutinized, especially if Rauner’s candidacy gains momentum.” [Chicago
Tribune,
6/16/13]
Jury Awarded $1.1 Billion In Damages After Woman Died At
Understaffed Nursing Home Owned By GTCR.“On
July 22, a Polk County jury awarded $1.1 billion in damages in a case
of corporate corruption and misconduct that ultimately led to the death
of a local woman. A jury agreed that defendant, Trans Health Care, Inc.
(THI), deserved to be punished for such severe corporate greed that it
caused Arlene Townsend to suffer for years in a nursing home that was
short-staffed and under-supplied… Evidence showed the investors — that
included New York real estate investors; financiers General Electric
Capital Corporation (a private bank) and Ventas, Inc. (a real estate
investment firm); and multi-billion dollar Chicago private equity fund
GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC — set out to build their empire through a
series of mergers and acquisitions with the ultimate goal of taking the
company public, cashing out and making a lot of money.” [10News
WTSP,
7/25/13]
Victim’s Attorney: Case About “Corporate Fraud, Corporate Greed.” “The
lawsuit
against
nursing
home
company
Trans
Healthcare Inc. claimed the
company was negligent in [Arlene] Townsend’s death and operated without
adequate staff or supplies… [Isaac] Ruiz-Caruz, one of the attorneys
representing Townsend’s estate, said the case was about ‘corporate
fraud, corporate greed.’” [WFLA,
8/20/13]
Hinz: Rauner’s Firm Contracted With Imprisoned Blogojevich Associate
Stuart Levine. In
March 2013, Crain’s Chicago Business columnist Greg Hinz wrote,
“[I]nvestment moguls like Mr. Romney and Mr. Rauner can get entangled
in all sorts of things in their business careers that don’t play well
on the political stump. Which leads to a tale of Mr. Rauner’s
involvement—perhaps unintentional, perhaps not—with Stuart Levine, the
notorious political fixer, federal felon and corrupt Springfield
insider who helped bring down Rod Blagojevich, whose old job Mr. Rauner
is eyeing. In testimony during the 2008 trial of Blagojevich pal Tony
Rezko, Mr. Levine and others said Mr. Levine had had a $25,000-a-month
contract ‘consulting’ for CompBenefits Corp., an Atlanta-based dental
and vision benefits company once known as CompDent. According to its
website, CompBenefits at the time of Mr. Levine’s contract principally
was owned by four private-equity firms, including GTCR LLC. Mr. Rauner,
a founder of GTCR, is the “R” in the acronym.” [Crain’s Chicago
Business,
3/11/13]
During the campaign, Rauner shockingly laid out a plan to cut the
minimum wage for middle-class families struggling to get ahead:
Rauner Initially Said He Favored Cutting Minimum Wage; Tried To
Backtrack Even As Video Surfaced Of Him Saying He Was “Adamantly,
Adamantly” Against An Increase. “First, Bruce Rauner seemed to
say
he favored cutting the state’s $8.25-an-hour minimum wage. Then, he
retreated from those ‘flippant’ remarks made in December and said this
week he favors increasing pay for Illinois’ poorest workers to as much
as $10 an hour. On Thursday came yet another twist in the Republican
gubernatorial candidate’s confusing and evolving stance on a vital
issue affecting 1.1 million Illinois workers: a September video in
which Rauner said he ‘adamantly, adamantly’ opposes raising the minimum
wage. Got all that?” [Dave McKinney, Voices, Sun-Times,
1/9/14]
He went so far as to brag that he’s in the top .01 percent of
Americans, saying that he’s “rich” and “proud of it,” which is
evidenced by his nine seven-figure properties around the country:
Rauner: “Oh, I’m Probably .01 Percent.” “Within minutes of
sitting for an interview, gubernatorial front-runner Bruce Rauner makes
a bold correction about his personal fortune when asked if he is among
the so-called 1 percent of the wealthiest Americans. ‘Oh, I’m probably
.01 percent,’ said Rauner, who owns nine homes, and made $53 million
last year.” [Chicago Sun-Times,
3/7/14]
Rauner: “I’m Rich And I’m Proud Of It.” According to 89
WLS,
“Some of his opponents say he’s trying to buy the election, but Rauner
has never been embarrassed about being rich. ‘I’m rich and I’m proud of
it,’ Rauner said. ‘I’m a self-made guy. And I didn’t inherit a nickel.
I worked my fanny off and I did great. Since when in America is that a
bad thing?’” [89 WLS,
1/30/14]
Rauner’s Many Properties Include Ranches, Waterfront Villas, $10
Million New York City Penthouse.“[W]hile
Rauner may have a bargain-basement Timex on his wrist, his real estate
portfolio is pure Rolex. There’s the 6,870-square-foot Rauner mansion
on a half-acre lot in Winnetka; two units, including a penthouse, in a
luxury high-rise overlooking Millennium Park; a waterfront villa in the
Florida Keys with a 72-foot-long pool; ranches in Montana and Wyoming;
and a condo in an upscale Utah ski resort. Most carry price tags well
into the seven figures. But topping the list is a penthouse in a
landmark co-op building along New York’s Central Park, which property
records show Rauner bought in 2005 for $10 million.” [Chicago
Tribune,
11/25/13]
For these reasons, former Republican Governor Jim Edgar said that
Rauner would only represent a “bunch of rich Republicans” if elected,
while a Republican opponent argued that Rauner
is unelectable in a
general election:
Former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar: Rauner Would Be Governor For “A
Bunch Of Rich Republicans.” ”‘If
you’re governor for the state of Illinois, you’re governor for
everybody. You just can’t be governor for a bunch of rich Republicans,’
Edgar said in a media availability at the Union League Club Sunday.
‘You have to represent everyone.’” [Chicago Sun-Times,
3/6/14]
Edgar Said Rauner’s Campaign Has Been Divisive, Appealed Only To
Those In Top Income Tiers. ”In
a last-dash, statewide push for state Sen. Kirk Dillard’s candidacy,
Edgar said Rauner’s campaign has been divisive and appealed only to the
top-tiered income getters.” [Chicago Sun-Times,
3/16/14]
Rauner Primary Opponent Kirk Dillard: “You’re Not Going To Beat
Pat Quinn With A Bazillionaire Who’s So Out Of Touch With Working
Families”. ”Dillard took shots at Rauner as well but did not
mention him by name. ‘You’re not going to beat Pat Quinn with a
bazillionaire who’s so out of touch with working families that he sees
nothing wrong with bending the rules that all other Illinoisans have to
live with,’ Dillard said. ‘We can’t let the .01 percent decide what’s
the best for Illinois.’” [Chicago Sun-Times,
3/6/14]
As voters learned more about Rauner, they agreed with Republican
leaders. His unfavorables have more than doubled in the past month
alone:
Rauner’s Unfavorable Ratings Have More Than Doubled In The Past
Month Alone. According
to the Chicago Tribune, “A new Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows Rauner, the
wealthy first-time candidate from Winnetka at 36 percent support —
down
4 percentage points from a month ago amid a blitz of labor union-backed
TV ads attacking his business dealings as a venture capitalist… The
ads, funded by Dillard-allied public unions, may have driven up
unfavorable views of Rauner. While the percentage of voters who
have a
favorable view of Rauner remained largely the same at 47
percent, the
percentage who hold an unfavorable view rose from 10 percent in early
February to 21 percent in the new poll.” [Chicago Tribune,
3/9/13]
Now that the primary campaign is over, a deeply-damaged Rauner
will face an electorate that voted for Barack Obama over Mitt Romney by
17 points. Given that Billionaire Bruce’s record makes Romney look like
a sympathetic fighter for the middle class, Republicans look poised to
lose one of the only pick-up opportunities they have in the entire
country.
###
Illinios Education Association
March 18, 2014
IEA President’s statement on the March 18
primary election results
Statement on the results of the March 18, 2014 primary
election from IEA President Cinda Klickna
It is disappointing, but not surprising, that a candidate who
outspent his opposition so overwhelmingly was able to win a four-way
race.
Despite the outcome, we have no regrets about our support for Kirk
Dillard. Senator Dillard was and is a longtime friend of IEA. He
was
the only electable candidate in the Republican race for governor to
support public education and the rights of working people.
IEA is an advocacy organization. Our commitment to advocacy required
that we do all we could to ensure that the gubernatorial nominees for
both political parties support public education and the rights of
workers.
While the outcome is not what we hoped for, our efforts had an
impact.
We had two goals: Elect Kirk Dillard, and inform the voters as to
who Bruce Rauner is and what he stands for. We wanted it known that
Rauner supported cutting the minimum wage and that he would stifle the
voices of teachers as they advocate for their students.
With the primary over, focus moves to the November general election.
We intend to invite Governor Quinn and Mr. Rauner to meet with IEA
members and leaders, something that Mr. Rauner has previously refused
to do.
Our members want to talk, face to face, with both candidates and
have them answer questions about their respective visions for our state
and for public education.
The 133,000 IEA members throughout Illinois look forward to that
discussion.
The students of this state deserve a governor who supports public
education. We are their advocates, so we will continue our political
advocacy.
SEIU
Healthcare
Illinois
March 19, 2014
SEIU Healthcare Illinois Issues Statement: This Primary Election Is
a Defining Win for Working Families
CHICAGO, March 19, 2014
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SEIU Healthcare
Illinois Indiana (HCII) said that working families won important and
impressive victories in this primary election and applauded the work of
its members and volunteers who turned out the vote today.
HCII's
grassroots operation, along with its community partners, resulted in an
overwhelming majority of the 103 Chicago precincts approving the
non-binding referendum to require major corporations that make over $50
million per year to pay workers a minimum wage of at least $15 an hour.
Community activists and coalition partners
said tonight's
results will help change the conversation about income inequality in
Chicago and Illinois and fuel the growing movement to lift wages for
working families.
HCII also played an instrumental role in
two contested state representative races. In the 39th
district, the union helped carry Will Guzzardi to victory, as he
amplified the concerns of working families. We also helped to raise the
profile of progressive candidate Nancy Schiavone in the 40th
district, who shook up the race and forced the incumbent State Rep.
Jaime Andrade to be more responsive to constituents' concerns about
growing income inequality.
In response to tonight's election
results, April Verrett, Executive Vice-President of SEIU Healthcare
Illinois Indiana, issued the following statement:
"Tonight
was a great victory on behalf of low-wage workers and our families. Our
neighbors and communities sent a clear and definitive message that
major corporations should be held accountable and be required to pay
Chicago's workers a $15 minimum wage.
"We take pride that
this election helped to build our movement and brought people together
who felt like they didn't have a voice – and now they do. Our community
and coalition partners are stronger and more engaged than ever before.
"Our
elected officials and political candidates are finally realizing that
working families will hold them accountable and that our collective
future depends on creating opportunity for everyone and the urgent need
to broaden prosperity in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
"If
there was one clear take away from this election, it's that we must
build an economy that works for everyone, not just for the wealthy few
and large corporations.
"The contrast between the competing
visions for Illinois' future between right-wing billionaires like Bruce
Rauner and low-wage homecare workers, nursing home attendants, hospital
workers, and child care providers has never been starker.
"Bruce Rauner brags about being in the top
1 percent of the 1 percent of Americans, owns
nine
luxury
homes
which
are
worth millions of dollars each, and made
$53
million
last
year alone – yet Rauner wants to cut
the minimum wage from $8.25 back to $7.25 an hour for hard-working
Illinoisans who are struggling just to survive.
"Bruce
Rauner
handed
over
$6
million
of his own money to his campaign and
raised another
$6
million
from
his
rich
donors
while minimum wage workers and families volunteered their time to
mobilize our communities over the last two months in the most brutal
winter in decades just to give Chicago's low-wage workers a raise.
"Our SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana
members are caregivers. Peoples' lives depend on the vital care we
provide.
"Yet,
too many of our members struggle to survive on low wages. We see
firsthand the erosion of our communities due to failing schools and a
lack of jobs. Too many of our brothers and sisters live in unsafe
neighborhoods with scores of foreclosed homes and whole communities in
decline from a lack of investment.
"That's why we
fundamentally believe that now is the time for new and independent
leadership on all levels of government. We will continue to support
candidates whom we believe will strengthen, champion and empower our
communities.
"Tonight's election proved that when
working
families stand up and fight for what we believe in, we can and will
fundamentally change the conversation and lift up progressive
candidates and issues that we care about."
SEIU Healthcare
Illinois & Indiana unites more than 92,000 healthcare, home care,
nursing home and child care workers across two states in the fight to
raise standards across industries, to strengthen the political voice
for working families and for access to quality, affordable care for all
families. Visit www.seiuhcilin.org
for more information.