The Illinois Retail Merchants Association on Monday endorsed Gov. JB Pritzker for governor, citing his record of working to strengthen the state's retail industry.
The Springfield-based trade group pointed to Pritzker's partnership with the industry to grow investment, jobs and opportunity.
"Retail is the state's largest private employer, serving as the cornerstone of communities large and small. It is also the leading generator of tax revenue for state and local governments – the primary source of funding for the vital services and programs Illinoisans rely on every day," said Rob Karr, president and CEO of IRMA. "Gov. JB Pritzker understands the importance of retail and has worked in partnership with the industry to grow investment, jobs and opportunity, and we're proud to endorse him for another term in office."
Karr said Pritzker partnered with IRMA on a promotional program highlighting independent retailers, backed workforce development initiatives including apprenticeship and scholarship programs, and worked to preserve SNAP benefits, eliminate grocery and pharmacy deserts and provide tax incentives for equipment upgrades.
He also credited the Pritzker administration with seeking balanced solutions to the state's unemployment insurance shortfall and dedicating resources to combat organized retail crime.
"While we may not always agree, he has demonstrated a consistent willingness to listen and seek compromise where possible – valuable traits for an effective and engaged leader," Karr said.
About IRMA
According to the release, IRMA is one of the largest state retail organizations in the United States. Founded in 1957, it represents more than 23,000 stores of all sizes and merchandise lines and serves as the voice of retail and the business community in state government.
According to IRMA's website, the group is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Illinois that provides advocacy before state, Cook County and Chicago policymakers, and Karr has led the association as president and CEO since 2014.