Progress Illinois

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Giannoulias Snags More Endorsements

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias racked up a few more endorsements this week, including one from the Illinois Democratic County Chairman’s Association (ILDCCA)  on Wednesday. ILDCCA's President Alan Pirtle explained in a statement why the  local chairs are ready to throw their political organizations behind his Senate primary campaign:

"We feel that Alexi Giannoulias has the vision, work ethic, and skill to lead efforts to invest in American jobs and American workers [and] not give tax breaks to companies that ship our jobs overseas from a seat in the United States Senate. He has shown tremendous commitment to the people of Illinois and their values such that he will serve all of Illinois in an effective and honorable way."

Meanwhile, the executive committee and 48 local affiliates of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) voted unanimously to back Giannoulias as well. In his endorsement, LIUNA Vice President and Midwest Regional Manager John Penn made it clear that labor hasn't forgotten how Giannoulias went toe-to-toe with Wells Fargo when the bank tried to liquidate Hartmarx, Inc. and send its employees packing. From a statement:

"When a bank that does business with our state threatened to pull the plug on 1,000 Illinois jobs, Alexi told them they could forget about managing $8 billion in state money. The bank relented and the jobs were saved because Alexi stood up for Illinois workers. That’s the kind of leader we need in the U.S. Senate."

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Candidates looking to become constitutional officers gathered with party leaders under the Democratic tent at the state fair yesterday. Among the more well-known pols was state Comptroller candidate Rep. David Miller (D-Dolton), who pledged to ensure that "the Democratic values that we stand for are a part of the office." Watch his remarks:

Meanwhile, political newcomer Raja Krishnamoorthi cracked a crowd-pleasing joke during his own introduction. "Everywhere I go in the state people ask 'What does Raja Krishnamoorthi mean?' I tell them, 'Loosely translated from an ancient Indian language, it means Illinois state comptroller.'" Watch the Peoria-born attorney's remarks below:

At the state fairgrounds yesterday, the PI crew also asked numerous attendees why they support the Democrats and what they hope to see from the party in 2010. Watch some excerpts:

At the county chairmen's breakfast yesterday, we also grabbed quick interviews with two candidates that are probably unfamiliar to most readers.  First was Kip Kirkpatrick, who is running against Robin Kelly in the Democratic primary for state treasurer:

And second is Carl Ray, a Democrat seeking to challenge Aaron Schock in the 18th Congressional District:

Yesterday, we posted a brief clip of Gov. Pat Quinn talking to the PI crew at the Democratic County Chairmen's breakfast in Springfield.  Here's a longer discussion with him at the state fairgrounds later in the day, in which he talks about the need for an income tax increase, saying, "I'm the only [gubernatorial] candidate who stood in the arena and said what had to be said -- telling truth to power -- that we've got to use the tax base and ability to pay to get revenue to pay our bills."  Watch it: 

At the Democratic County Chairmen's breakfast in Springfield this morning, we briefly caught up with three of the state's constitutional officers before they took off for the fairgrounds.  Gov. Quinn offered up some folksy charm, saying that the Democrats in Illinois need to be "aggressive and progressive," adding that they represent the "party of hope" fighting against the "party of nope."  Watch it:

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, talked about the types of policies he plans to support in Washington, D.C. if elected:

And Attorney General Lisa Madigan discussed her recent lawsuit against Wells Fargo for discriminatory lending practices (apologies for all the background noise on this one):

It's Democrats Day at the fair and the speeches have begun.  We hope to get you some video highlights later in the day and tomorrow.  In the meantime, Melissa Hahn is live-tweeting, for those who are interested.