Asian Americans launch drive for Illinois guv’s re-election

Aurora Austriaco, a recent appointment by Gov. Pat Quinn to the Illinois Courts Commission, speaks at the launch of Asian Americans for quinn, in Skokie, Illinois on September 7. CHRISTOPHER DILTS/QUINN FOR ILLINOIS PHOTO

SKOKIE, Illinois – A group of 50 Asian American community leaders endorsed Governor Pat Quinn for re-election in November, and over the coming months will urge Asian Americans across Illinois to join them in supporting the governor.

Governor Quinn also presided over the grand opening of the group’s new campaign office in Skokie, an area with one of the largest concentrations of Asian Americans in the state.

Members of Asian Americans for Quinn include co-chairs Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar (47th ward); Skokie Village Clerk Pramod Shah; Mundelein Trustee Holly Kim; and Indo-American Democratic Organization President Ashish Sen.

“Governor Quinn has always been dedicated to making Illinois a better place for the people of this state – including the Asian American community,” Alderman Ameya Pawar said. “We proudly support him for re-election in November and undoubtedly know that his leadership will continue to move our state forward.”

Throughout his time in office, Quinn has been strongly committed to supporting Illinois’ growing Asian American community, working to make sure Illinois is one of the most welcoming states in the nation, supporters said.

Quinn signed into law the Asian American Employment Plan Act to create stronger representation of the Asian American community in the state workforce and appointed 11 community members to the Asian American Employment Plan Advisory Council.

His diverse administration also includes several Asian Americans. It has been increasing outreach to the Asian American community to increase participation in Minority Business Enterprise programs, Affordable Care Act enrollment, the Welcome Home Illinois Program providing mortgage assistance to first-time homebuyers, employment assistance for people with disabilities and several other state programs.