Chicago City Wire

Billionaire J.B. Pritzker earned the endorsement of the 900,000-member-strong AFL-CIO in early June, thus also drawing the ire of his Democratic rivals and the Republican Party, according to Illinois GOP spokesperson Steven Yaffe.

"The endorsement comes hundreds of days before the primary, before any debates, and without a proper vetting process," Yaffe said in a press release.

One of Pritzker's party rivals, Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Skokie), spoke out about the endorsement to NBC Chicago.

House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) | By illinoislawmakers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7C51rHSd6w, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30435112

“Obviously the Madigan-Pritzker alliance is powerful, and obviously there’s a wind blowing in a certain direction,” Biss said.

The Illinois GOP contends that the union's backing comes thanks to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D- Chicago) and Pritzker's perceived willingness to work with the “Chicago Machine.”

“The people of Illinois are hurting, and we need to change the system,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said in response to the endorsement, according to NBC Chicago.

According to the station’s report, other unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the Service Employees International Union; and the Illinois Federation of Teachers; are withholding their endorsements until later in the race.