Alexi Giannoulias | Democrat for U.S. Senate

Citing his support for public education, the Illinois Federation of Teachers today endorsed Alexi Giannoulias for U.S. Senate, providing a significant boost to his unparalleled labor support.

"Alexi Giannoulias is an advocate for public education," said Ed Geppert, Jr., president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which represents 103,000 members statewide. "He understands the importance of additional revenue and a strong system of public education, spanning from pre-K to higher education, and he has a strong record as an employer of public workers."

Giannoulias will work to increase funding for early childhood education and supports legislation that would help states and local school districts reduce class sizes and finance school repair, construction and modernization projects. He wants to overhaul the No Child Left Behind law, replacing the current accountability system with one that gives credit for individual progress. With nearly one-third of all teachers near retirement age, he recognizes the need for recruiting quality teachers and improving classroom training.

"I share IFT's commitment to providing a first-rate education for every child in this state and supplying our students with the necessary tools to help them find a good job once they graduate," Giannoulias said. "All our students deserve to have good teachers, and we owe it to them to give those teachers the resources they need to be successful."

The IFT represents 103,000 men and women who are teachers and support staff in public school districts across the state, faculty and staff at Illinois' community colleges and universities, public employees under every constitutional office, and retirees.

The IFT endorsement builds on Giannoulias' overwhelming support from organized labor, as many influential unions have already endorsed his candidacy for the Feb. 2 Democratic primary. His union endorsements, representing hundreds of thousands of voters, include:

• Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241

• Associated Firefighters of Illinois

• Illinois Pipe Trades Association

• International Union of Operating Engineers State Council

• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers

• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

• Laborers International Union of North America

• Service Employees International Union

• The Teamsters Joint Council 25

• United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

• United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters

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