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 The IPACE
Executive Committee met with candidates Friday and recommended Anna
Valencia as the Democrat candidate and Dan Brady as the Republican
candidate in the race for Illinois Secretary of State, as well as
Mary Kay O’Brien as its choice for the Illinois Supreme Court.
IPACE is the political action committee for the Illinois Education
Association (IEA). Its executive committee is made up of the three
officers, who are elected by members to represent them, as well as
13 IEA board members from around the state. The committee recommends
candidates based on their stances that are beneficial to public
education, those who work in public education and the students they
work with.
The following quotes can be attributed to Kathi Griffin, IEA
president:
Anna Valencia – ““We are proud to recommend Anna Valencia for
secretary of state in the Democratic primary. Anna grew up in a
union household and is the product of Illinois public schools. We
know Anna will stand with our public educators and our students. Her
track record as Chicago’s city clerk has shown us she understand the
needs of the working class. During her tenure with the city, she
helped reform the ticketing process in Chicago. Anna also worked to
pass the License to Work Act (SB 1786), which ends driver’s license
suspensions for not paying nonmoving vehicle tickets, like parking
tickets. This allows people to still travel to work and afford to
pay their tickets. We believe Anna has the skill set to be secretary
of state and her deep understanding of the middle class will be an
asset to our great state.”
Dan Brady – “The IEA voted to recommend Dan Brady in the
Republican primary for secretary of state. We believe Dan will
modernize services at the department of motor vehicles, making it as
easy to register to vote as possible. “Libraries provide essential
services and a window to the world for students across our state and
his pledge to upgrade our libraries, especially those in rural
areas, with more tehnology and internet is another reason we are
supporting Brady in the primary.” [to
top of second column] |
 Mary Kay
O’Brien - “Mary Kay O’Brien is highly qualified and is the IEA’s
recommendation for Illinois Supreme Court. She has more than 18
years of experience at the appellate level, adjudicated more than
4,500 cases and served in the Illinois General Assembly as member of
the Illinois House of Representatives. During her time as a
representative, she was on the education committee and was a
champion for public education. Even as a jurist, she continued to
show her dedication to public education by serving on the Supreme
Court Education Conference. She has a firm grasp on the
constitutional protections granted to our members’ pensions and
health benefits.”
Griffin said it is important that IEA members have a chance to weigh
in on candidates running for office in Illinois, whether it be in
school board races, legislative contests or for the state’s
constitutional officer positions.
“There is a deep connection between schools and elected officials,
Griffin said. “Nearly everything that happens inside a school is
governed by a decision made outside of it. The laws, rules and
regulations put in place dictate education policy on everything,
including curriculum, safety and even what students eat. Those who
work in public schools and higher education in Illinois need the
ability to listen to candidates and determine who best represents
the cares and concerns of public education in our state.”
To learn more about IEA’s legislative platform click here. [Illinois
Education Association]
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