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Illinois Chamber 2022 General Election Endorsements
Provided below are the latest 2022 general election endorsements made by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The Illinois Chamber previously endorsed candidates during the June primary. Those candidates endorsed during the Primary are once again endorsed for the Fall.
Further, with few exceptions, recipients of the Champion of Free Enterprise Award received an automatic endorsement in their pursuit of the same elected office. The Champion of Free Enterprise Award is a legislative honor for support of the business community in the General Assembly.
Statewide Endorsements
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Supreme Court 3rd District: Justice Michael Burke (R)
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Secretary of State: Dan Brady (R)
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Treasurer: Tom Demmer (R)
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Comptroller: Suzanna Mendoza (D)
Latest Senate Endorsements
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26th Senate District: Mike Thoms (R)
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48th Senate District: Sandy Hamilton (R)
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56th Senate District: Erica Conway Harriss (R)
Latest House Endorsements
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51st House District: Chris Bos (R)
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54th House District: Michelle Hunter (R)
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62nd House District: Adam Shores (R)
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76th House District: Lance Yednock (D)
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79th House District: Jackie Haas (R)
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91st House District: Scott Preston (R)
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97th House District: Michelle Smith (R)
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111th House District: Amy Elik (R)
Champion of Free Enterprise recipients can be found within this document.
US Chamber and Illinois Chamber Endorse Regan Deering for Illinois 13th Congressional District
Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Regan Deering to represent Illinois’ Thirteenth Congressional District. The US Chamber endorses pro-business candidates for federal office who will vigorously support public policy that will advance economic growth, support jobs, and promote fiscal responsibility.
“As a small business owner and educator, Regan Deering deeply understands the needs of business owners, workers, and families in Illinois,” said Ashlee Rich Stephenson, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Political Strategist. “Regan has demonstrated a commitment to supporting free enterprise and pro-growth solutions to move Illinois and the nation forward. The U.S. Chamber is proud to endorse Regan Deering and looks forward to partnering with her in the next Congress.”
“I am proud to be endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and will honor their support by fighting for our businesses when elected to Congress,” said Regan Deering. “A strong American economy allows for greater success for all, and I am committed to being a partner with the U.S. Chamber to enact the best policies to support growth and innovation.”
“The Illinois Chamber PAC is proud to announce our endorsement of Regan Deering for the IL-13th Congressional District,” said Todd Maisch, Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “Regan’s deep roots in Decatur, the heart of the district, and her commitment to pursuing policies that allow businesses to thrive make her the best candidate for the job. The Illinois Chamber is always excited to welcome another small business owner to Congress who appreciates the daily needs of both employers and workers.”
$3.4 Million Released for Cairo Port Development
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday that $3.4 million has been released through the Rebuild Illinois capital program to continue advancing plans for a new inland port under development in Cairo. The funding, part of a more than $40 million commitment to the Alexander Cairo Port District, will help to complete federal environmental requirements and studies for the project.
Almost 80% of the nation’s inland barge traffic travels past Cairo, where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers converge, with the site served by three major interstate highways and Class 1 railroads. Major logistics and commodities businesses already have committed to using the new port to move crops, container shipments and bulk products.
Previously, IDOT released $4 million to the Alexander Cairo Port District to launch preliminary engineering activities and other related work, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity released a $1 million grant for other related work.
Constitutional Amendment 1 Opposition: President & CEO Maisch Speaks to the Media
Earlier this week, President & CEO Todd Maisch joined Craigh Wall and ABC 7 Chicago for a discussion on the so-called workers' rights amendment. Maisch, just as he has many times in the past year, provided the business community's response as to why Illinoisans should "Vote No" on Constitutional Amendment 1.
During the interview, Maisch said "When most the rest of the Midwest is Right-to-Work...It sends a huge message to the rest of the nation Illinois is just not a very good pro-business, pro-employment place"
Yet, this interview was just one of the "vote no" appearances Maisch made this week.
View the ABC 7 segment here.
In Case You Missed It...Oppose Constitutional Amendment 1: Fact Sheet
The Illinois Chamber Employment Law Council has provided an explanation of why the business community should oppose Constitutional Amendment 1 which will appear on ballots next month. Provided below is a link to that explanation.
The Constitutional Amendment before the voters is framed as a "workers’ rights" issue with the effect of banning right to work laws in Illinois. If approved, its impact will be far-reaching and completely change the landscape of collective bargaining for private employers and their employees in the state. The constitutional question seeks to elevate workers’ rights to collectively bargain to a level not contemplated under federal law and expands the subjects over which employers and unions can negotiate. The Constitutional Amendment creates a significant conflict between federal and state law. The broad, undefined terms used in the Amendment, will create legal uncertainties that will result in costly, piecemeal litigation for workers and employers. We are aware of no other state that provides the constitutional protections this change will provide.
View the Fact Sheet on why the Illinois business community should oppose Amendment 1 here.
If you have any thoughts or questions please reach out to Jay Shattuck at jfshattuck@michaelbeststrategies.com or Aaron Harris at adharris@michaelbeststrategies.com
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