On Thursday, September 5, 2019, 71st District State Representative candidate, Democrat Joan Padilla, announced an important labor endorsement in her bid to win the seat in 2020. SMART Local 219 (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers) has thrown its support behind Padilla’s candidacy.
“We support candidates who will fight to defend our ability to achieve a modest income, return home from work each night to be with our loved ones, and retire after a fruitful career with dignity….For these reasons and more, we proudly endorse Joan Padilla for State Representative,” wrote SMART Local 219 in its endorsement letter.
“On the heels of Labor Day, I am very grateful to have support from the men and women of organized labor, and specifically SMART Local 219,” said Padilla. SMART members, like unions across Northwestern Illinois, want a Legislator who supports union rights and job creation.
“There are clear differences between my priorities and those of the incumbent (State Rep. Tony McCombie.) She voted against the minimum wage. She voted against the capital bill that will create hundreds of new jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in economic development, said Padilla.
“In the end, this campaign comes down to a very simple question: Do you want a State Representative who will vote to grow the district, or a Representative who is comfortable voting no? In the 71st, do we grow or just say “no?” This district deserves better, said Padilla.
“This district deserves a Legislator who will vote to grow the district, grow the economy and jobs, grow opportunity for our young people.”
The 71st District includes parts of Carroll, Henry, Rock Island, and Whiteside Counties. In addition to her health care nonprofit leadership, Joan Padilla serves on the Sauk Valley Community College Foundation Board.