Illinois: Obama snags major labor support

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A powerful state government employees union has endorsed Democrat Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama's bid to become a U.S. senator.

The union, Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, represents nearly 100,000 state and municipal workers throughout Illinois. The AFSCME local threw its support to Obama just days after the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed state Comptroller Dan Hynes in the March 16 Democratic primary.

Other Democrats running for the nomination include businessman Blair Hull, health care executive Joyce Washington, former Chicago schoolboard head Gery Chico and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

On the Republican side, Jack Ryan, Steven J. Rauschenberger and Jim Oberweis are the leading candidates.

The seat is currently held by U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill., who is retiring after just one term.

Former Vice President Al Gore carried Illinois in the 2000 presidential election by close to 500,000 votes out of more than 2.5 million cast.