Closing in on Tuesday’s election, incumbent Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is touting state money for Safe Passage routes in Chicago.
A pep rally at a union hall today had multiple intents. Officially, it was for politicians to thank new workers who will patrol safety routes kids take walking to school.
But the pep and the rally was also focused on Democratic Governor Quinn. He got a rousing ovation from the hundreds in the crowd who seemed to know their cue
"I want to thank everyone here who’s part of the movement of Safe Passage. The great things in our country, they don’t come from the top down. They bubble up from the grassroots. That’s a movement."
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel gave Quinn credit for putting state money toward hiring the people in the room.
Afterward, in talking with reporters, Quinn wouldn’t commit to endorsing Mayor Emanuel’s own re-election next year. Quinn also defended today’s event as a genuine rally for student safety. Republican Bruce Rauner’s campaign would not comment on the Safe Passage rally.