Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia endorsed Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) for re-election on Wednesday.

"Now more than ever, local families need Michael Madigan in the State Capitol fighting for them," Garcia said in a statement. "Under Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, families are facing unprecedented attacks on their financial security, students are under threat that their schools will close, and elderly residents are unable to get the medical care they need. Governor Rauner has failed to put the needs of our families ahead of his own personal agenda, which in itself is an attack on the middle class. Michael Madigan has stood up against Governor Rauner's dangerous agenda that endangers our local families and families across Illinois.

"Michael Madigan continues providing the strong leadership that our neighborhoods need to succeed and thrive," Garcia added. "He has been a progressive leader on issues of citizenship, parent mentoring, battling predatory lenders that have forced families into foreclosure, voter protections, and better funding for our schools."

Madigan said he was "honored" to have Garcia's endorsement, adding that he is "proud to work with him to strengthen our neighborhoods and protect our families and what we have worked hard to build."

"At the very heart of that goal," Madigan said, "is fighting against reckless agendas aimed at driving down the wages of the middle class and struggling families and weakening their standard of living, and fighting against dangerous plans that hold up funding for critical programs that our families depend on, like medical care services for the elderly, breast cancer screenings for women at risk, and affordable child care."

Madigan is being challenged by business consultant Jason Gonzales for the Democratic nomination in the state's 22nd district.