Alexi Giannoulias | Democrat for U.S. Senate

SPRINGFIELD - At his home in Springfield today, United States Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin stood with Alexi Giannoulias and announced that he will serve as a Chair of the Alexi for Illinois campaign and do whatever he can to defeat Congressman Mark Kirk in November.

"The United States Senate needs a strong, fresh voice that will join me in fighting to bring good, new jobs to Illinois," said Senator Durbin. "Alexi fought for and saved 600 Illinois jobs at the Hartmarx plant. We need that passion and commitment to help move our country and state forward. Mark Kirk will only take us backwards to the failed economic policies that brought us into one of the worst economic recessions since the Great Depression."

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Democratic Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias kicks off his general election contest today at the Springfield home of Sen. Dick Durbin, who will be the chairman of Giannoulias' campaign.

The selection of Springfield is strategic, since central and southern Illinois will be battlegrounds in the race between Giannoulias, the state treasurer, and the GOP Senate nominee, Rep. Mark Steven Kirk. Giannoulias lives on Chicago's Near North Side and Kirk's home is in north suburban Highland Park.

The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias today, citing his commitment to clean energy solutions and refusal to accept campaign contributions from Big Oil and corporate PACs.

"Alexi Giannoulias understands that instead of spending billions on foreign oil, we should be investing in clean, secure energy sources right here in America," said Tony Massaro, vice president of political affairs at LCVAF, which works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental policies. "Alexi will stand up to corporate polluters who spend millions of dollars every year fighting against clean energy."

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White formally endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias today, voicing support for his plan to renew investment in scientific innovation and improve the American education system so our children are better equipped to lead in the global economy.

Standing with the State Treasurer and school teachers at Ariel Community Academy on Chicago's South Side, White called Giannoulias a strong advocate for education and the party's best choice to retain President Obama's former seat.

Capping off a week of endorsements from leading progressive groups and labor organizations, U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias today earned the support of the Illinois Sierra club, the state's largest environmental protection organization.

"Alexi Giannoulias has been a principled leader on environmental issues as Treasurer and we are excited to be supporting his run for the U.S. Senate," said Jack Darin, director of the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club. "He is the only candidate to promote economic policies that will not only put people back to work, but will create the clean energy jobs of the 21st Century." Giannoulias supports investment in the most innovative companies to deploy clean energy on a large scale. He is committed to creating good, high-paying jobs in the industries of the future, while clearing the air of dangerous pollution.

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.  

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez endorsed Democrat front-runner Alexi Giannoulias for U.S. Senate today, saying the State Treasurer is the only candidate that will move our country forward, put people back to work and get our economy back on track. 

Chicago, IL -- Alexi Giannoulias' campaign for U.S. Senate received a significant boost from organized labor today as four influential unions endorsed his candidacy, the latest in series of high-profile endorsements.

 Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias earned a key endorsement today of his 2010 U.S. Senate bid, adding Congressman Mike Quigley to his growing list of endorsers. Quigley is the third member of Congress to endorse Giannoulias' bid, joining fellow Illinois delegation members Phil Hare and Bill Foster.