An alderman from Chicago is the first democrat to announce he's running for governor of Illinois. Ameya Pawar is serving his second term representing the city's 47th ward. But he grew up in Des Plaines and has co-written a book about emergency management.
Pawar says the state needs a vision to rally around, what he calls "a new deal for Illinois" to bring people together. He wants the state to stop relying on property taxes to pay for education, and he would provide universal day care. Both will require new revenue.
He also wants to reform the criminal justice system and pass a jobs and capital bill.
Former Governor Pat Quinn appointed Pawar to serve on two panels - the Illinois Innovation Council and the state's Asian American Employment Plan Council.
The title of his book is, "Emergency Management and Social Intelligence: A Comprehensive All-Hazards Approach."
While in the Quad Cities, the alderman from Chicago is also participating in a union rally at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall in Rock Island.
(And just in case you were wondering, Ald. Pawar pronounces his name "uh-MAY-yuh puh-WAHR.")
