Lake County Gazette

Jay Swidler, chairman of the Vernon Township Republicans, said Governor J.B. Pritzker's veto of House Bill 2547 was a betrayal of Illinois workers. Swidler shared his concerns with the Lake County Gazette on April 16, emphasizing that the veto prioritizes technicalities over employees' basic rights.

"Gov. JB Pritzker's veto of House Bill 2547 is a betrayal of the working class of Illinois," said Swidler. "He ignored the urgent, unified demands of labor unions like the Teamsters—people fighting every day for basic dignity and safety on the job. Instead of standing with warehouse workers facing grueling quotas and the threat of punishment for taking a bathroom break, he hid behind excuses about timing and technicalities. His decision makes it clear: when it comes down to it, Pritzker protects power and profits over people."

According to a press release on the Teamsters union's website, the organization condemned Governor Pritzker for vetoing House Bill 2547, known as the Illinois Warehouse Worker Protection Act. The bipartisan legislation aimed to regulate warehouse quotas and prevent companies like Amazon from exploiting their workforce. Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said that "in light of the governor’s reckless act, Illinois clearly needs stronger leadership that has the backbone and compassion to put hardworking families first."

Capitol News Illinois reported that Pritzker vetoed House Bill 2547 due to concerns about its rushed passage during the lame-duck session and insufficient input from his office or state agencies. Although he supports worker protections, Pritzker cited legal and operational issues with the bill. The proposed legislation would have required written job quotas for warehouse workers and prohibited penalties for taking breaks. While the House passed it with enough votes to override a veto, the Senate fell one vote short. Labor unions supported the bill.

Swidler, a resident of Buffalo Grove, was first elected as Chairman of the Vernon Township Republicans in 2024. According to the organization's website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Vernon Township voters."