Hundreds of members of Chicago’s organized labor helped kick off the first day of early voting Feb. 9. Photo courtesy Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Office
Fox Valley Labor News
staff reports
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015
CHICAGO — With early voting beginning Feb. 9 in the mayor’s race, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and labor leaders rallied hundreds of workers to get out and vote early.
“I’m honored by the support of these labor leaders, but I’m much more honored by the partnership that we’ve developed over the last four years,” Mayor Emanuel said. “We’re here tonight to tell all Chicagoans that you can make your voice heard in this election — and to get out and cast your ballots early.”
The labor leaders encouraged their members to vote early to make sure their voice is heard in the effort to reelect Mayor Emanuel.
“Four years ago, I was supporting another candidate but since then, our city came back from the Great Recession with a vengeance,” said Jim Sweeney, president and business manager of the Operating Engineers 150.
“Now there’s so much work that it’s not just our current members who are working, but our retirees. Rahm knows how to get things done, and he doesn’t take no for an answer. Rahm has earned our endorsement because he’s worked with us and he’s worked for us — so go out and vote,” Sweeney added.
“We need a guy that is unrelenting and will never stop holding the line or advancing the ball,” said James Ellis, the business manager for the Laborers Local 1001. “It’s too important of a time not to have a true leader as mayor, and Rahm has shown us time and time again he will bring revenue to this city from both capitols Sweeney in Washington and Springfield Sweeney and has brought in corporate headquarters at breakneck pace. He deserves our support, and you can vote for him starting today.”
“Mayor Emanuel knows what working families are going through, and what it means to earn wages that can raise families and pay bills,” said Karen Kent, president of UNITE HERE Local 1.
“This mayor’s leadership has been instrumental for my members Sweeney whether it’s raising the minimum wage or bringing new jobs to Chicago, and that’s why I’m telling all of them to go vote today to give him another four years,” she explained.
More information about early voting is available at ChicagoElections.com. Voters can find polling locations and hours for early vote, which continues through Saturday, Feb. 21.
—Chicago Together