Governor Pat Quinn, Sheila Simon, and “Matt the Welder” to Star at Dem Rallies on Oct. 11

(Chicago, IL) — October 6, 2010 Governor Pat Quinn and Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Sheila Simon next week will kick off the first in their series of statewide “Putting Illinois Back to Work” rallies.

Quinn and Simon will swing through Chicago, Rockford, Rock Island, Peoria, Decatur, Marion, and Champaign on October 11.

“This election is about jobs, and I’m the only candidate in this race with a record of job creation,” said Quinn. “I’m looking forward to speaking to workers across our state Monday, and continuing to fight for working families every day.

Quinn’s GOP rivals, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and Jason Plummer, are also holding a series of statewide rallies.

Quinn’s plan for economic recovery is focused on public and private investment. The Governor will be showcasing the first capital plan jobs bill in 10 years, a program which he estimates will create or retain 439,000 jobs, rebuilding roads, bridges and schools.

According to Quinn, the new building program has already created 155,000 jobs.

Additionally, Quinn will highlight: a job creation tax credit for small businesses that hire new workers; incentives packages for Ford, Navistar and more than 90 other companies; and the continued funding for Put Illinois to Work, an initiative which has employed and trained more than 26,000 this summer.

The rallies will feature, in addition to Quinn and Simon, local elected leaders, and a champion of working families, Matt the Welder. A Champaign-area United Association Local 149 welder of 15 years, Matt Langendorf gained local notoriety with his self-made commercial for the Quinn/Simon campaign, which will being airing all around the state starting this weekend.

“It’s like I said in the commercial – he’s a good man and an honest man,” said Langendorf. “I’m going to support Pat Quinn, and I want everybody to come out and support him. You know where he stands and he’s putting people back to work.”

The October 11 rally schedule is:

• 9:00am – Chicago (Plumbers and Pipefitters Office, 45 N Ogden)10:30am – Rockford (Rockford Airport, 60 Airport Dr.)
• 11:45am – Rock Island (Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25 Hall, 4600 Blackhawk Rd)
• 1:20pm – Peoria (Labor Temple, 400 NE Jefferson St)
• 2:35pm – Decatur (Main Terminal, 910 S. Airport Rd)
• 4:15pm – Marion (Operating Engineers Local 318 Hall, 3310 Water Tower Rd)
• 6:00 – Champaign (Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall, 1005 N Dunlap, Savoy)