Coalition of Cook County Leaders Rallies Behind Preckwinkle
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky calls Preckwinkle the “only reformer” in the raceÂ
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Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky announced her official endorsement of Alderman Toni Preckwinkle in the Democratic primary race for Cook County Board President. She was joined by elected officials from across Cook County who have united together in a broad coalition to support Alderman Preckwinkle.
Schakowsky praised Preckwinkle for her ability to unite people from different communities throughout Cook County. “Since announcing her candidacy last January, Toni has forged a broad, diverse coalition of support, crossing the racial, ethnic and geographic lines of the County. Today, she stands as the only candidate who can bring together and fully represent all communities as the next Board President,” said Schakowsky.Â
“I am honored by Congresswoman Schakowsky‘s support,” said Preckwinkle. “She has been a prominent leader fighting for the rights of women and working families in her district and the state.” Â
Congresswoman Schakowsky has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. She represents the 9th congressional district, which includes many of Chicago’s northern suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Rosemont as well as a large portion of the North Side bordering the lake.Â
Preckwinkle said that building broad support across the County was an important part of her plan to reform Cook County. “One of the failings of the current Administration has been Todd Stroger’s inability and unwillingness to build coalitions. His approach is divide first and unite last. During the past four years there has been a lot of division in the County and almost no uniting. Meeting the many difficult challenges facing Cook County will require a leader who can bring people together around common goals. I am that leader,” said Preckwinkle.
Schakowsky continued, “As alderman for almost 20 years, she has successfully represented a diverse constituency with independence, transparency and accountability. Toni is the only progressive in this race, the only reformer. She is the only person who can end the status quo and bring real, responsible change to Cook County. I have worked with Toni throughout the years and, as my colleague Congressman Gutierrez has said, she is the person we need at the helm of the County Board.”Â
Preckwinkle also made a pledge to cut her own salary as County Board President. “In addition to bringing people together I will lead by example. To raise the revenue needed to repeal the remainder of the Stroger sales tax, belt tightening will have to occur at every level. That is why today I announced that I will take a ten percent pay cut as County Board President effective the day I am sworn into office.”
