IEA Endorses Quinn/Simon For Illinois

Why is IEA recommending Pat Quinn and Sheila Simon for governor and lieutenant governor?
A more complete answer to that question can be found by watching this video, but as IEA President Ken Swanson stated in the recommendation announcement, "There never has been a more clear-cut choice for governor and lieutenant governor of Illinois."
Some of the reasons for that claim can be found in this brief PowerPoint presentation contrasting the views of Democrats Quinn-Simon versus the Republican ticket of Sen. Bill Brady and Jason Plummer.
The short version is:
Brady-Plummer propose deeper cuts in education and refuse to consider new revenue that would let public schools maintain education quality and smaller class sizes. Quinn-Simon support increasing revenue to meet the needs of Illinoisans, including students.
Brady-Plummer support elimination of state pensions. Quinn-Simon support keeping pensions available for current and future public employees.
Brady-Plummer favor passage of anti-union "right to work" legislation that would eliminate bargaining rights. Quinn-Simon support the Illinois Collective Bargaining Act.
There is much more, but that is why President Swanson calls this election a "clear choice."
Who made this decision?
Recommendation decisions start with the IPACE executive committee, which met and interviewed candidates Brady, Quinn and Simon in June (Plummer declined an invitation to meet with the IPACE committee).
The committee deliberated, debated extensively and eventually concluded that, based on a thorough examination of the platforms and one hour interviews with each of the gubernatorial candidates, a recommendation for Quinn-Simon was in the best interests of IEA members.
That recommendation was delivered to the full IEA Board of Directors, meeting in New Orleans during the NEA RA. It should be noted that there was significant discussion and debate among the board, after which the recommendation was overwhelmingly approved.
Is this because "Unions always support Democrats?"
The charge that unions can be counted on to always back Democrats is not applicable to IEA. For example, in the last five gubernatorial elections, here are the candidates IEA recommended:
2006: No recommendation
2002: Rod Blagojevich (D)
1998: George Ryan (R)
1994: Dawn Clark Netsch (D)
1990: Jim Edgar (R)
And, in the 1980's, IEA was a backer of Republican Gov. Jim Thompson.
Were any third party candidates interviewed?
The rules that guide IPACE recommendations mandate that "electability" is one of the areas that must be considered for those seeking an IPACE recommendation. No third party candidates met that standard, including Green Party nominee Rich Whitney who pulled 10 percent of the vote for governor four years ago.
In current polling, Whitney has received support in single digits, which is not considered "electable."
What if I'm not yet ready to make a decision on the governor's race?
IEA and IPACE want to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Please return regularly to the IEA Website, the IEA facebook page and follow IEA on Twitter.

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Politicians, especially on the right, use state pensions as a wedge to gain a political edge. They fill the airways with BS that anger their base. State pensions REPLACE Social Security benefits. The state(local districts) pays a percentage of gross wages, along with the employee, into a fund similar to SS, but hopefully managed better. Would anyone be complaining if a percentage was paid towards SS? NO, they wouldn't. State pensioners are NOT ENTITLED to SS benefits. They're not double dipping!