Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery released the following statement about Illinois’ General Election results.
“This election was an important one; it was critical to elect lawmakers who share our union’s values and will strive to create an equitable future for all Illinoisans. We have accomplished just that. We thank our IFT members who tirelessly phone banked, canvassed, and volunteered to elect our endorsed candidates.
“We are excited that our friend, Governor JB Pritzker, was re-elected to another term. From the moment IFT members helped to elect him in 2018, he has been a consistent and vocal champion of public education and the working people of Illinois.
“Sadly, this election was fraught with distorted facts and outright lies by the Illinois Policy Institute and Dan Proft, who seek to eliminate our rights, cut our pensions, and suppress Black and Brown votes. We are proud that our members rejected their false arguments and helped elect candidates who will prioritize public education from pre-Kindergarten to college and protect collective bargaining rights and retirement security.
"We thank our IFT members and all who voted for the Workers’ Rights Amendment, which will permanently enshrine the fundamental right to collective bargaining in the Illinois Constitution. Illinoisans sent a clear message - we love our workers.
“We congratulate newly elected Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, along with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, who all won re-election.
“Much was at stake in state supreme court races. In Justices Mary K. O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford, Illinois can rest assured that we have elected dedicated public servants to the Illinois Supreme Court who will protect women’s reproductive rights and collective bargaining and defend public education.
“We are proud to have helped elect labor-friendly, public education allies to Congress. Congratulations to Congresswoman-elect Nikki Budzinski and to Congressman Sean Casten on his re-election. A special congratulations to Congresswoman-elect Delia Ramirez, the first Latina in the Midwest to serve in Congress. She will be a staunch supporter of working families and public education. We are thrilled that U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a friend of labor and education, won her re-election overwhelmingly.
“We look forward to partnering with the elected officials who have demonstrated a commitment to championing public education and public services and a desire to work with us to achieve our shared goals on behalf of students, educators, staff and the communities we serve."