Alexi Giannoulias | Democrat for U.S. Senate

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky today endorsed Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias' bid for U.S. Senate, saying he will stand up to the insurance lobby and protect middle-class families from having their health care benefits capped when they get sick or having their coverage denied because of pre-existing medical conditions.  

"Alexi Giannoulias is the best candidate to retain President Obama's seat because he has the courage to take on powerful interests and stand up for Illinois families," Schakowsky said. "He supports health-insurance reform that will reign in the soaring costs of premiums and protect families from losing coverage during these difficult economic times."

Her words came as Schakowsky and Giannoulias viewed a new television ad from the Foundation for Patients' Rights that criticizes Republican Congressman and Senate candidate Mark Kirk for siding with insurance companies that hike premiums for families and businesses and deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

"Jan and I believe in a simple proposition: if you pay your premiums your insurance company should cover you - no exceptions, no caps, no limits," Giannoulias said. "Mark Kirk disagrees. He believes in protecting insurance companies, not protecting people."

Honored to have earned her endorsement, Giannoulias praised Schakowsky as a tireless advocate for women's rights and working families who has fought to change how Washington works by limiting the influence of special interests, including the powerful health insurance industry.

"Throughout her career, Jan has fought for issues that matter to middle-class families like making sure that all Americans have quality, affordable healthcare coverage. I stand with her in that fight," Giannoulias said.

In the ad, the Foundation For Patients' Rights criticizes Kirk for opposing the healthcare bill that would "that finally keeps insurance companies honest." 

Kirk has accepted more than $320,000 in campaign contributions from insurance companies, and has voted their way. 

Last Saturday, Kirk voted against the health insurance reform legislation that lowers costs for businesses and families by forcing insurance companies to compete with non-profit cooperatives and prohibits insurance giants from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and putting annual and lifetime caps on coverage.  The Republican alternative Kirk voted for on Saturday enables insurance companies to continue to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions and leaves millions of Americans stuck with soaring medical bills and no coverage.

"By taking their money and voting their way, Mark Kirk is carrying the water for the insurance industry, which has gone all out to defeat meaningful health-insurance reform," Giannoulias said. "Unlike Mark Kirk, I refuse to take money from the special interests representing big insurance companies and I won't vote their way." 

Schakowsky also commended Giannoulias for helping to save 1,000 jobs at Des Plaines-based suit maker Hartmarx, located in her district. Giannoulias threatened to pull the state's $8 billion investment portfolio from the custody of Wells Fargo bank if it shut down the 100-year-old plant and lay off its workers.

"When Wells Fargo sought to close the plant and lay off its dedicated workers, Alexi stuck his neck out to keep these jobs in Illinois and ensure they would not get shipped overseas," Schakowsky said. "His principled leadership, record of standing up for Illinois residents and refusing to bow to the interest of big banks and corporations is what we need more than ever in Washington right now."

Schakowsky was one of the first members of the Illinois Congressional delegation to endorse Giannoulias in his bid for Illinois State Treasurer in the 2006 primary against the party's slated candidate.

She joins more than 100 elected officials who have endorsed Giannoulias in his bid for U.S. Senate, including U.S. Reps. Luis Gutierrez, Phil Hare, Bill Foster and Mike Quigley. Polls show Giannoulias beating Kirk in the general election.