Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Credit: Office of the Governor 
Daniel Biss, incumbent candidate for mayor. Credit: Daniel Biss
Gov. JB Pritzker is endorsing Daniel Biss for a second term as Evanston’s mayor, reaffirming support for his former opponent and adding his name to the incumbent mayor’s roster of elected backers.
In an announcement email sent by the Biss campaign Wednesday afternoon, Pritzker is quoted as calling Biss a friend, colleague and “a partner to me in fighting for working families.” Similar to the mayor’s earlier endorsement from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Pritzker cited the need for local leadership to “stand up and fight back” against threats from the federal government under President Donald Trump.
“Daniel has done just that, all while passing policies that have moved Evanston forward,” Pritzker wrote. “Daniel and I have worked together on issues big and small facing Evanston. I’m thrilled to support him for re-election and continue that work.”
The two were previously opponents in the Democratic primary for the 2018 governor’s race, but became closer allies in the years following, including in 2021, when Pritzker supported Biss’ first mayoral campaign against Lori Keenan and Sebastian Nalls. In his current campaign, Biss also lists U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Evanston’s three state legislators and multiple other local elected officials as supporters on his campaign website.
Biss wrote in the announcement email that he’s “honored” and “extremely grateful” to have Pritzker’s support and called it “critical” for the city and state to have a strong relationship.
“As we move forward, I’m excited to keep working with Governor Pritzker to move Evanston forward,” Biss wrote. “From continuing to revitalize our downtown, stabilizing our budget, and continuing to improve day-to-day city services, there’s much more to do and I’m eager to continue the work.”
Jeff Boarini, who is challenging Biss, counts among his supporters Councilmember Clare Kelly (1st Ward), challengers Darlene Cannon (2nd Ward) and Meg Welch (4th Ward), former Councilmember Ann Rainey (8th Ward) and Jack Mortell, president of the city’s firefighter’s pension board. He also has a list of individual supporters on his campaign website. He did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Wednesday afternoon.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Gov. Pritzker backs Mayor Biss for reelection is from Evanston RoundTable, Evanston’s most trusted source for unbiased, in-depth journalism.
Ino Saves New
via rk2’s favorite articles on Inoreader https://ift.tt/bJW85ru
March 19, 2025 at 06:53PM
Illinois Delivered 