To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here. Reports: AFL-CIO could soon endorse Pritzker, who may be prepared to spend $70 million on the primary Wednesday, May 10, 2017 * Natasha with the scoop… The Illinois AFL-CIO is preparing to endorse J.B. Pritzker for governor, three sources confirmed to POLITICO. It is a major coup for Pritzker, who formally joined the primary race just four-and-a-half weeks ago and is looking to coalesce Democratic support. Two of the sources pegged the timing of the endorsement within the next month. It follows an all-out effort by Pritzker and supporters to secure the early labor commitment. Last week, POLITICO first reported that 14 trade unions were lining up behind Pritzker. An endorsement by the AFL-CIO, which represents nearly 900,000 members and has 1,500 affiliates statewide, could present a considerable blow to opponent Chris Kennedy , who has said he hoped to fund his run through a combination of labor money and his own contributions. The sources said Democrats and labor groups who are eager to oust incumbent GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner from office are hoping to stave off a protracted, bruising Democratic primary. Everybody thought back in December of 2001 that the Illinois AFL-CIO’s endorsement of Rod Blagojevich was early. If this nod does happen within the next month it would be without any precedent in a gubernatorial race. * From Illinois AFL-CIO President Mike Carrigan… “The Illinois AFL-CIO has made no decisions concerning endorsements in the Democratic Primary Election for Governor. “While defeating Gov. Bruce Rauner – one of the most anti-worker governors in the country – is the top priority for 2018, the Illinois AFL-CIO has a process for vetting candidates that we are working through, including face-to-face meetings with candidates and issue surveys. “Until there is widespread and significant support for one particular candidate across the diverse labor movement, we will continue to focus our work communicating with union households about Rauner’s attacks on union members and his destruction of the state by refusing to compromise on a budget solution.” Despite this, it’s pretty obvious to everyone where this is headed. * Things might get a little awkward for Kennedy tonight… Chris Kennedy will give the keynote at the Irish-American Labor Council (IALC) annual James Connolly dinner. IALC is a committee of the AFL-CIO, committed to improving and promoting social and community welfare in Chicago. The IALC is comprised of international unions, district councils, local labor unions, and business organizations throughout the Chicagoland area. Chris will be honored at the event along with John Manley. * And this is one reason why organized labor is pushing Pritzker… A source tells NBC 5 that Democrat JB Pritzker is spending $1.5 million for two weeks as his introductory TV ad called “Think Big” saturates TV markets across the state. As one Democratic strategist noted, “if he keeps this pace, he will spend $50 million on TV alone.” That same source said the billionaire businessman has told others that “he’s prepared to spend $70 million on the primary alone.” Compare that to 2014, when then-GOP candidate Bruce Rauner spent what was a record-breaking $65.3 million on his entire campaign – both the primary and the general elections. Lots of unconfirmed rumors have Pritzker’s general election budget at $150 million. Whatever the case, it’s clear that Pritzker can fund himself, help out the rest of the ticket, and take the pressure off labor leaders to drain their unions’ bank accounts. Kennedy simply can’t make the same case. - Posted by Rich Miller

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