CHICAGO–The following statement was released by SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley on the victory of J.B. Pritzker in the Democratic Primary Election for governor:

“SEIU Healthcare Illinois congratulates J.B. Pritzker as the Democratic Party’s nominee to take on Bruce Rauner in the November general election for governor. Voters would be well served to send J.B. to Springfield.

“J.B.’s track record on service to communities of this state are impressive. Unlike Bruce Rauner, J.B. has invested in making the lives of the middle class and the poor better, not the interests of the corporate rich and the wealthy 1 percent of our state.

“J.B. recognizes the devastation to social programs and the lack of access to healthcare caused by Rauner’s obstructionist failure to pass a balanced budget in several years. He will make restoring the vitality of our services and the creation of jobs a top priority.

“Lastly, we believe that J.B.’s secret weapon is State Representative Juliana Stratton who will serve as his lieutenant governor. In her two years in the state legislature, Juliana has demonstrated her commitment to defending working families from Rauner’s attacks.

“She has been in front of the fight to end the budget crisis, has fought for safer communities, sensible gun control legislation and a $15 minimum wage. J.B. and Juliana can do the job that the Rauner administration has failed to do: Make Illinois a prosperous state.”

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