Republican candidate for Illinois governor Darren Bailey was invited to march in the Waukegan Fiestas Patrias Parade. He was also invited into the city chamber to pose for a picture with the official city logo appearing in the background. Among the group standing in the photo with Bailey was part time Alderwoman Lynn Florian who currently occupies the 8th Ward seat.
Bailey, who is a far right republican, is running against Governor JB Pritzker. Bailey vehemently opposes women’s rights, worker’s rights, public safety and public health.
Florian can be seen in photos taken in the city council, which is not supposed to be used for campaign purposes, smiling ear to ear with Bailey. Darren’s campaign staff was sure to use the photo featuring the Waukegan logo on his Facebook page. Waukegan is a hard working Democratic multi-lingual community and Bailey opposes its values.
The use of the city council chamber is certainly improper. Though Bailey is an Illinois legislator, he does not represent this district and came to campaign. Whomever arranged the use of the chamber ignored this clear consideration of taxpayers. The same applies to all of those such as Florian who smiled for the camera with him.
At two city council meetings, part time Alderwoman Florian was called out by members of the public for using city resources to support the candidacy of Bailey. Each time, Florian did not respond and issued no comment.
At one of those meetings, a resident said to Florian, “Any politician knows you can be polite and walk away from being in photo who’s views you don’t agree with but your grin was so big it would go all of the way from here to Lake Michigan. This photo is an official endorsement for Darren Bailey right here in the city hall chambers.”
Our community deserves a full time Alderman who protects our shared values and knows that city resources should not be used for political campaigning. Lynn Florian’s backing of Darren Bailey fails that very basic test.
