President Obama Supports Quinn at South Side Early Vote Rally

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, October 22, 2014

President Barack Obama (pictured right) joins Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn on stage Sunday during Quinn’s Early Vote campaign rally held at Chicago State University's Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center, 9501 S. King Dr., Oct. 19, 2014.
President Barack Obama (pictured right) joins Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn on stage Sunday during Quinn’s Early Vote campaign rally held at Chicago State University's Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center, 9501 S. King Dr., Oct. 19, 2014. Photo by Deborah Bayliss.

Throngs of media from as far away as France, and spectators turned out on Sunday for the Early Vote Rally with President Barack Obama and Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn at Chicago State University’s (CSU) Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center, named for named for former Ill. Senate president, Emil Jones, Jr. and his late wife.

“Fired Up, Ready to Vote” rally drew a diverse crowd estimated at just over 6,000 people, who wanted to see the president and show their support for Gov. Quinn.

Obama’s trip to Chicago on Sunday marks the second time he’s been home this month to rally support for Quinn, who is in a close race against Republican challenger Bruce Rauner. An Oct. 7, Chicago Sun-Times Early and Often poll, showed Gov. Quinn leading 44 to 40 over Rauner.

“Starting tomorrow, you can vote. You've got to grab your friends, you've got to grab your co-workers, you know, don't just get the folks who you know are going to vote, you've got to find cousin Pookie," a somewhat casually dressed Obama told the cheering crowd who waved bright green and blue campaign signs. "He's sitting on the couch right now watching football, hasn't voted in the last five elections, you've got to grab him, and tell him to go vote." 

Quinn took time out of his speech to acknowledge the Jackie Robinson Little League team and his 97-year-old mother Eileen, who also attended the event.

“Our campaign is about everyday people,” Quinn said as he reiterated raising the minimum wage. “My opponent has nine mansions, and he made $60 million in one year, and he thinks we should eliminate the basic minimum wage. The only way we can take on big money is the best way in America, and that’s standing together and voting at the ballot box. I can tell you right now, we’re in the fight of our lives for the soul of Illinois democracy.”

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Reps., Danny K. Davis (Dist.-7th), Bobby Rush (Dist.-1st) and Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle, also spoke at the rally.

“I’m telling you, we are going to raise the minimum wage,” Durbin said adding that requiring voter identification is about voter suppression as he took a political jab at his opponent, Jim Oberweis, who he said wants to privatize social security.

Rush called for a moment of silence for Chicago Teachers Union President, Karen Lewis and urged voters to be clear about their self-interests. “Rauner wants you to eat the wrapper and throw the candy bar away," he said to laughs and cheers.

Davis told the crowd that President Obama and Gov. Quinn are brothers in the struggle who agree on a minimum wage increase and quality affordable health care.

“It’s going to take all of us to make sure that Gov. Quinn goes back to Springfield,” Davis told the crowd who cheered at every pause. “We’ll stand with the President because he stands with Gov. Quinn."

Preckwinkle urged the crowd not to stay home and pass up the opportunity to vote in the Nov. 4 elections.

“We cannot afford to stay home,” Preckwinkle said. “This is the most important election Illinois has ever had. We are not for sale. The future of Illinois is on the line. The president’s name is not on the ballot but his agenda is.”

Quinn’s office made the decision to hold the rally at CSU, the university's President, Dr. Wayne Watson, told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper prior to the rally.

“They rented the facility from us and this is not sponsored by Chicago State. I don’t know why they chose Chicago State but I would think it’s because Chicago State represents the epicenter of a publically diverse community and if you want to get to a diverse community, the best place to be is right here on the Chicago State Campus,” said Watson.

People from all walks of life converged on the south side Convocation Center, 9501 S. King Dr.

“I’m a volunteer for this event and I wanted to see the president,” said Marlene McFadden, a member of the Red Hat Society, an international social group of women, of all ages, dedicated to positively influencing how women are viewed.

Playwright Jackie Taylor, a campaign field organizer, took her turn at the podium to hype the crowd.

“They are trying to buy this but we’ve got to let them know it’s not enough money in the world,” she said as she urged the crowd to take advantage of early voting which began Monday.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

A.L. Smith - Harold Washington Legacy Committee