Gov. Pat Quinn has picked up a major labor endorsement for his re-election during a campaign that’s already focused on union influence.
SEIU Illinois says it’s backing Quinn because of his stance on the minimum wage and integrity in Springfield. Quinn’s Republican opponent, Bruce Rauner made fighting “government union bosses” a theme during the GOP primary. Unions also made the unusual move of endorsing a Republican in the primary: state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale.
Quinn has traditionally enjoyed union support. However, public employee unions disagreed with his signing of a pension overhaul that cuts benefits for state employees and retirees.