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Campaigns & Elections

Union Workers Rally for Democrats in Rock Island

Michelle O'Neill

A large union wants to make sure Illinois democrat Cheri Bustos is reelected next month. Today, a crowd of UAW local union members welcomed the President of the United Auto Workers to an early voting rally at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall in Rock Island. Dennis Williams and the 17th District Congresswoman stopped in the Quad Cities on their three-city trip. 

Williams grew up in Rock Island and before the rally insisted on having a slice of Harris Pizza with union workers. He says Bustos should be elected again because she'll fight for a jobs bill and investing in infrastructure.

Credit Michelle O'Neill
Marvell Porter right after enjoying a lunch of Harris Pizza

MarvellPorter, from East Moline, is a retired member of UAW Local 8-65. Over the last three weeks, he's been working the phones to ask residents to vote for Bustos and other democrats. 

UAWPorter1.mp3
Democrats won't cut Social Security benefits and support raising the minimum wage.

Bustos says she and her family have strong union roots in the Quad Cities. And this area boasts the most dense concentration of union membership in the country. 

UAWBustos1.mp3
Deere, Caterpillar, and Chrysler plant workers all belong to the UAW, and we're encouraging them to vote

Bustos' campaign manager estimates 80 people attended the rally. When Bustos asked the well-fed crowd how many voted early today, around 20 raised their hands. She also says about 20,000 people in Illinois' 17th district have already voted absentee, and 67 percent are democrats.  

She and Williams also stopped in Rockford and Springfield today.


Campaigns & Elections
Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.