For Immediate Release Contact: Nick Kaleba (312) 222-1000 office (773) 458-0958 cell
March 2, 2006
Rally Highlights Labor-Endorsed Candidates’ Support for Working Families, New Early Voting Law
Chicago - Thousands of working men and women rallied behind labor’s endorsed candidates in the upcoming March primary election at Plumbers’ Hall on Thursday. The rally, hosted by the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), featured many of the area’s top labor leaders and the CFL’s endorsed candidates, including Cook County Board President John Stroger and Tom Dart, candidate for Cook County Sheriff.
Union members were strongly encouraged to help organized labor increase its turnout at the polls by taking advantage of Illinois’ new early voting law. Under the new law, registered voters can cast their ballots at designated locations between February 27 and March 16. Organized labor, which has always excelled in get-out-the-vote efforts, believes this new law will strengthen its ability to get Cook County’s 500,000 union members and their families to the polls in support of pro-labor candidates.
“For these candidates, their actions speak louder than words,” said CFL President Dennis Gannon. “They have earned our support because each and every one has a proven record of standing up for working families, whether as an elected official or a private citizen.”
The race with the most at stake for working men and women is that for Cook County Board President. The CFL plans to send two direct mail pieces to more than 100,000 union members and make automated calls to them in support of President John Stroger.
“Our choice in the race for Cook County Board President couldn’t be clearer: John Stroger has always stood up for workers and his door has always been open to us,” said CFL President Dennis Gannon. “Forrest Claypool, on the other hand, slashed 350 building trades and 1,100 service jobs at the Chicago Park District, and has promised to balance the county budget on the backs of working families by cutting even more jobs.”
Responding to the impact that judges have on the issues affecting workers both on and off the job, the CFL for the first time in its history conducted a formal endorsement process for appellate and circuit court judicial candidates in Cook County.
A full list of the CFL’s endorsed candidates is attached.
The Chicago Federation of Labor represents over 300 affiliated unions and labor partners with a combined membership of over 500,000 workers in the Chicago and Cook County area.
