PEORIA - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin told a crowd gathered Monday at the Peoria Labor Temple that he felt like he was at home as he picked up a key endorsement.

The incumbent Democrat received the endorsement of the West Central Building & Trades Council, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 34, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Peoria Firefighters Local 50.

"This endorsement is very special to me because this endorsement comes from the real people," Durbin said.

He faces Republican challenger and current Illinois state Rep. Jim Durkin in the Nov. 5 election.

Durbin said his campaign focuses on "the economic challenges to working families fighting for economic security and opportunity."

"This election is about economic security," Durbin said. "I will not stand by and watch a lifetime of work disappear."

Durbin was flanked by fellow Democratic candidates for Peoria County and statewide offices, including state Sen. George Shadid, D-Edwards, who is running unopposed for re-election and 37th District state Senate candidate Paul Mangieri.

Mangieri, the Knox County state’s attorney, will be facing retired IDOT district engineer Dale Risinger in the upcoming election.

"We’ve seen too many employees suffer from corporate corruption, and we cannot sit back while their life savings fall victim to corporate greed," Durbin said.

After accepting the endorsement, Durbin was lauded by various labor representatives ranging from electricians to educators for his work in fighting for workers’ rights to organize and his commitment to working families. They cited his 91 percent voting record with the AFL-CIO.

Dan Silverthorn, executive director of the West-Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, said Durbin is a friend of labor and has proven himself through his voting record.

"We are supporting Dick Durbin," Silverthorn said. "He is standing up for safety in the workplace."

Ron Jones of the Peoria Firefighters Local 50 also touted Durbin for his work in lobbying for working families.

Lisa Uphoff of the Illinois Federation of Teachers said her union is throwing their support to Durbin because of his efforts in battling for organized labor.

"(Durbin) has continually stood up for workers trying to organize and has fought against wage discrimination," Uphoff said.

Publication: Peoria Journal Star
Date: October 22, 2002
Author: Staff

More News