Sept. 23--The Illinois State Council of the Service Employees International Union said Wednesday that it has endorsed Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza for state comptroller next year.
The SEIU is one of the state's most politically active unions, and its backing could help Mendoza in a Democratic primary bid against state Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston. The two announced candidates are vying to face Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger in a special statewide election in 2016. Munger was appointed to the post by GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner after the December death of Judy Baar Topinka.
Tom Balanoff, president of the 150,000-worker SEIU Illinois council, said Mendoza would work to "to champion the needs of the most vulnerable Illinoisans by restoring balance, reviving neighborhoods and helping to build an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few."
The SEIU Illinois Council includes security officers, janitors, home care and child care providers, public employees, medical professionals, first responders and social service workers.
rap30@aol.com
