In what’s being called an “October surprise” by the media, ten Democrat staffers working on Illinois gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker’s campaign have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Pritzker’s campaign has engaged in “discrimination” and “racism” against black and Latino campaign staffers. The lawsuit specifically alleges that Pritzker’s campaign packs “black and Latino campaign workers…in unsafe working conditions, and are denied benefits and advancement opportunities available to their white colleagues.”
This isn’t the first time J.B. Pritzker has been accused of engaging in appalling behavior. In February, Pritzker was forced to apologize over “racially insensitive” remarks he made on FBI wiretaps during a conversation with convicted former Governor Rod Blagojevich. On the call, Pritzker can be heard making “insensitive remarks about black politicians,” calling one longtime black leader “crass” and labeling another the “least offensive” African-American option.
Saying the Illinois gubernatorial frontrunner’s campaign has routinely “herded” and “marginalized” its workers of color, a group of African American and Latino workers for Illinois Democratic gubernatorial nominee JB Pritzker has sued Pritzker’s campaign organization for discrimination and harassment.
“JB Pritzker for Governor has a serious race problem,” the lawsuit said. “Contrary to the candidate’s many public avowals, rather than working to meaningfully address discrimination, racism is perpetuated, condoned and ratified by the Campaign.”
The lawsuit, filed Oct. 16 in Chicago federal court, specifically alleges the black and Latino campaign workers are packed into majority minority neighborhoods, often in unsafe working conditions, and are denied benefits and advancement opportunities available to their white colleagues.
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