ENDORSEMENT: Jonathan A. “Yoni” Pizer for Illinois House in 12th District Democratic primary

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Endorsement, Jonathan A. “Yoni” Pizer, Illinois House of Representatives, 12th District, 2020 primary election
Jonathan A. “Yoni” Pizer is endorsed by the Sun-Times for Illinois House in the 12th District primary. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

Pizer has given a greater voice to LGBTQ folks, HIV and AIDS activists, and Jewish leaders from his community as a liaison to U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley.

Jonathan A. “Yoni” Pizer was appointed to this seat earlier this month to replace Sara Feigenholtz, who moved up to the state Senate in January. In an impressive field of five candidates, we believe Pizer has the best grip on the issues of most importance to this progressive North Side district.

For more than five years, Pizer has been a liaison between U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and LGBTQ, Jewish and environmental groups in the 5th Congressional District. He has given a greater voice to LGBTQ veterans, HIV and AIDS activists and religious leaders.

Sitting side-by-side with the other candidates during a Sun-Times endorsement interview, Pizer demonstrated the strongest understanding of — and commitment to — the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a key piece of environmental legislation that would commit Illinois to 100% renewable energy by 2050. He’s also an aggressive proponent of ethics reform in Springfield.

It is significant, we believe, that Feigenholtz, one of the more respected lawmakers in Springfield, has endorsed Pizer, as has Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Our endorsement goes to Pizer, a real estate agent, small business owner and Democratic fundraiser. Also running are Margaret Croke, deputy chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; lawyer James “Jimmy” Greenfield; Marty Malone, a former aide to Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, and lawyer Ryan Podges.

Illinois House 12th District map.
Illustration by Caroline Hurley
Illinois House 12th District map.

For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois primary voting guide. Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and, in some cases, politically active investors; for details, see our owner information page.

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February 25, 2020 at 05:08AM

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