FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: March 5, 2020 Alejandra Moran 708.715.6495 [email protected] THE LATINO LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ISSUES ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE 2020 IL PRIMARY ELECTION (Chicago, IL) - The Latino Leadership Council (LLC) today issued endorsements of several candidates for public office ahead of the Illinois Primary on March 17th. The LLC invited candidates in several races to appear for interviews with its endorsement committee. The organization then voted to affirm which candidates would be supported by the LLC this election cycle. “Latinos continue to play a critical role in this election cycle as they just did on Super Tuesday,” said Carlos X. Montoya, Chair of the Endorsement Committee. “We are proud of the robust process we have put in place to discuss issues specific to the Latino Community with candidates for office and gauge their commitment to our community.” LLC Chair Juan Morado Jr., stated that “There are many important races for our community during this election cycle. We need to take personal responsibility for Latino voter engagement at the polls. The LLC is endorsing candidates who are committed to improving the quality of life of the Latino community and understand the unique issues important to our community. This election is too important to sit on the sidelines, and we encourage our community to get out the vote.” Morado also said that Illinois has the opportunity make history during this election cycle by electing Justice Jesse Reyes, who would be the first Latino to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, an opportunity that may not be available for another eight years. The LLC did not yet endorse a Democratic candidate for President. The LLC was established in 2018 by civic, business, and elected leaders to work towards increasing Latino/a/x participation and representation in both the public and private sectors. Candidate endorsements listed below. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2020 CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS Senator Richard Durbin – U.S. Senate - IL As the current Senate Majority Whip, Senator Durbin is an experienced and influential voice in Congress advocating for Illinois families. As one of the architects of the original Dream Act almost twenty years ago, Senator Durbin has always been a strong voice for the Latino community. More recently, Senator Durbin has led efforts to release and increase funding for the on-going recovery efforts in Puerto Rico following the tragic storms. The LLC endorses Senator Durbin based on his track record of fighting for the Latino community in Illinois and beyond Congressman Jesus Chuy García- 4th Congressional District - IL The LLC is proud to endorse one of its original founders, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, for his second term as Representative of Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. As a longstanding community leader in Chicago, Congressman Garcia understands the challenges facing the Latino community and the importance of organizing Latino voices in support of our community. In his short tenure in Congress, Congressman Garcia has been a strong voice against the current administration’s immigration policies, and has supported issues like fair housing, infrastructure developments, and the reduction of prescription drug costs. Marie Newman, 3rd Congressional District - IL The LLC strongly recommends Marie Newman as the next Representative of Illinois’ 3rd District. Against a backdrop of prior votes against the Dream Act and the Affordable Care Act, the incumbent has continued to support measures and means that make it more difficult to achieve comprehensive immigration reform, and still others that continue at attempts nullify women's reproductive rights. In 2018, Marie Newman came within a few thousand votes of unseating Mr. Lipinski, despite his previous track record beating-back challengers by margins in excess of 100,000. In what was largely an inherited seat for Mr. Lipinski , it is simply time for a change. State Representative Karina Villa, Candidate for State Senate State Representative Karina Villa is running to fill the vacated State Senate seat of Jim Oberweis. In her first term in Illinois House of Representatives, Villa has led on issues like expanding access to financial aid for all students, increasing protections for immigrant communities, and bipartisan efforts to balance the budget in Illinois. Representative Villa is a balanced, strong, and thoughtful leader for the communities she represents in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, an area that has experienced continued growth in the Latino population. State Representative Aaron Ortiz, 1st District- IL As a young leader in his community, Aaron Ortiz took on the challenge to defeat an establishment incumbent in his first race. In his current re-election bid for State Representative, Ortiz is again being challenged by a candidate backed by establishment figures. The LLC endorses Representative Ortiz because he has demonstrated his will to fight back against entrenched interests, and to promote the issues that are important to the working class families in the communities he represents. As a founding and active member of the LLC, Representative Ortiz’s has demonstrated first-hand a keen political acumen and an ability to collaborate and learn from more experienced community leaders, impressive traits for a young Representative bidding for his second term. We strongly endorse him. State Senator Cristina Castro, 22nd District-IL State Senator Christina Castro is a lifelong residence of the 22nd Illinois District, which includes a dozen distinct communities within the outer reaches of Cook and Kane Counties. Prior to winning election to her Senate seat in 2016, she served on the Kane County Board dating back to her first election in 2008. As a second generation Mexican-American, Senator Castro has shown extraordinary vision and leadership in meeting the needs of constituents, with particular distinction in the areas of Community Development, Government Accountability and Veterans Affairs among others. She is strongly endorsed. Patti Vasquez, Candidate for State Representative, 19th District- IL Patti Vasquez would represent a much needed breath of fresh air within a Springfield political landscape that currently has the latest crop of bad actors practically flying out of the windows of the Statehouse. The incumbent’s appointment is another example of back-room dealings where the community had no input in the process. Vasquez is a small business owner, union member, and mother of two small boys. She has been a strong and effective advocate for the rights of economically and socially vulnerable citizens, the LGBTQ community and people with intellectual disabilities. She exemplifies the dedication and integrity we hope to see in every elected official. She is strongly endorsed. Eva Dina Delgado, Candidate for State Representative, 3rd District- IL Representative Eva-Dina Delgado has hit the ground running in Springfield. She has shown in two short months that she is not only the most qualified candidate in this race but she is the only candidate in tune with residents of the Illinois 3rd Representative District. Her recent efforts to lower property taxes at a time when others are proposing to raise taxes is a breath of fresh air. As an attorney, she is the only Latino elected official in Springfield with the technical background to not only vote on legislation but to actually draft laws that will benefit all Illinoisans. We also met with Ms. Carranza who’s experience as a teacher and prior community service is admirable. However, it’s clear that Representative Delgado is the right choice for Illinois 3rd District. Hon. Eira Corral Sepulveda, MWRD Candidate The LLC endorses the Honorable Eira Corral Sepulveda to be the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner. Sepulveda is the current Village Clerk of Hanover Park, a role in which she has led efforts to diversify and grow the impact of environmentalism. Sepulveda is also an experienced community leader, working in both the public and private arenas to improve the lives of those living in her community and working towards the empowerment of the Latino community in the Chicagoland suburbs. The LLC is most impressed by Eira’s ability to work closely with leaders across different communities throughout the county, all while keeping focused on her obligations to her constituents and community. At a time when Latina Leadership is needed in our community, Eira has answered the call in the past and is the right choice for the future. We strongly endorse her. Bill Conway, Candidate for State's Attorney We believe that it's time for a change at the Cook County State's Attorney Office. A former Naval Intelligence Officer and Assistant Cook County State's Attorney, Bill Conway has articulated a solid plan for reversing the current dismal track record of the office when it comes to Latino inclusion within the senior ranks of the office and recruitment of new attorneys. We do not believe that one mistake defines an administration and State’s Attorney Foxx has taken the rights steps to reform the office and embrace the recent cannabis state-mandated expungements, place less of an emphasis on cash bail, work with the community to protect against collateral immigration attacks. However, her inability to commit to having Latinos in senior leadership positions in her office was disappointing. We also met with Bob Fioretti who was unable to clearly articulate a plan for running the office. Bill Conway has further articulated an effective zero-tolerance for deliberate interference in the upcoming Census Bureau Count, a commitment to include Latinos in the senior ranks of his administration, and to continue many of the criminal justice reforms that benefit brown and black communities. For these reasons he is endorsed. Hon. Justice Jesse Reyes- Candidate for Illinois Supreme Court This year’s election for the Illinois Supreme Court is once in a generation opportunity for the Latino Community to coalesce around an individual who is no doubt the best candidate in the race, Justice Jesse Reyes.