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Tuesday, 24 January 2006 |
Chicago Federation of Labor Announces Endorsements for March Primary ElectionCOPE representatives vote to endorse Stroger, Dart for Cook County offices; Make unprecedented judicial selections
The Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) today endorsed candidates in the upcoming March 21, 2006 primary election. Representatives to the CFL’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) voted to endorse candidates for Cook County Commissioner, Treasurer, Clerk, Assessor, Sheriff, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District as well as Appellate, Circuit and Subcircuit Court vacancies in Cook County.
In the race for Cook County Board President, representatives endorsed incumbent John Stroger (D) for re-election. Throughout his long career in public service, Stroger has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the rights of working men and women by creating new jobs, supporting good wages and benefits, and making health care accessible to those who need it.
“It is critical to the well-being of working families that we support candidates who will give them a strong voice in all branches of government,” said CFL President Dennis Gannon. “The men and women endorsed today have a proven record of standing up for our rights, whether as elected officials or private citizens. We will do all that we can to elect them to office.”
For the first time in its more than one hundred-year history, the CFL has implemented a formal endorsement process for appellate and circuit court judicial candidates in Cook County in response to the impact that judges have on the issues affecting the lives of workers on and off the job. Never before has the CFL tapped into the political strength of organized labor in Cook County for judicial races.
On Thursday, March 2, the CFL will hold a rally to build support for the endorsed candidates as well as encourage registered voters to utilize Illinois’ new early-voting law. According to the law, voters can cast their ballots at designated polling places between February 27 and March 16.
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With workers’ rights under assault by the Bush administration, the 2006 election has major implications for the well being of working families in Illinois. In order to protect the rights of workers here at home, the CFL is dedicated to electing candidates who will stand up for workers’ rights, beginning with the March primary election.
Working closely with its affiliated local unions, the CFL has embarked on an unprecedented voter registration drive for union members and their families. With 500,000 members, labor is a significant voting block in Chicago and Cook County and its full participation will have a noticeable impact on the outcome of the upcoming election.
“We are committed to making labor’s voice heard loud and clear during this election season,” added Gannon. “Registering to vote is the first important step; but to have an impact, we must activate our members to go out and vote on Election Day.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 10 July 2006 )
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