from the Dillard for Governor campaign
(Chicago, IL) – Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 is throwing its support behind Kirk Dillard for the Republican nomination for Illinois Governor.
“For years, Kirk Dillard has worked with us to support the rights of working men and women in Illinois, and I am proud to offer him the endorsement of Local 150,” said President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney.
“From maintaining existing roads and bridges to building future infrastructure like the Illiana Expressway, we know that Kirk Dillard understands what it takes to keep Illinois moving, and we wish him luck next Tuesday,” Sweeney said. Dillard announced his support of the Illiana Expressway at a press conference at Local 150’s training site in November 2009. The Illiana is a proposed 25- to 30-mile expressway that will connect I-65 in Indiana with I-57 and later I-55 in Illinois.
“I am grateful for the endorsement of the men and women comprising Local 150 who understand the need to make Illinois work again,” said Dillard. “They understand that I am committed to building a strong infrastructure and creating jobs in Illinois. My plan to make Illinois a Destination Economy calls for investing in important projects like the Illiana Expressway to help grow the economy and ease congestion on our roads.”
Dillard is the only candidate who fully supported the state’s first capital infrastructure program in a decade. Dillard is also calling for an annual capital building program as part of his Destination Illinois plan to maintain and expand Illinois’ infrastructure including roads, bridges, schools, airports, waterways, and rail.
Illinois’ unemployment rate of 11.1 percent is the highest rate since August of 1983. There are now more Illinoisans out of work (733,000) now than at any time in our state’s history outside of the Great Depression.
“It is an absolute travesty that more than 1 in 9 Illinoisans is out of work. I applaud Local 150 and its leadership for fighting to make sure Illinois has a capital infrastructure program which is vital to our economy,” said Dillard. “Instead of demonizing employers, I will lead the most aggressive job creation program in our state’s history. As Governor, I will make Illinois work again.”
