The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) State Council, representing 150,000 Illinois workers in health care, property services and the public sector, have endorsed Democrat Alexi Giannoulias for Illinois Secretary of State in 2022. SEIU State Council is comprised of SEIU HCII, Local 1, and Local 73.
SEIU’s support for Giannoulias is the earliest the labor union has ever endorsed a candidate for statewide office in Illinois. SEIU Local 73 represents 2,600 workers, or more than half of all Secretary of State’s office employees.
The SEIU State Council serves as the union’s political arm in Illinois and includes SEIU locals 1 and 73 and SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana, including many workers who served as frontline essential workers during the pandemic.
SEIU’s endorsement enables Giannoulias to tap into a network of thousands of volunteers, activists and organizational groups which will enhance his grassroots support and target key parts of the state leading up to the March 2022 Democratic primary election.
“We’re proud to stand with Alexi who will champion the needs of working families and won’t back down when it comes to advocating for fair wages and benefits for all Illinoisans,” said SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer. “Our members understand the importance of continuing Jesse White’s legacy under Alexi’s leadership and that we cannot afford to sit this election out.”
