By Dave Dahl

CHICAGO – When the Democrat running for governor took the microphone at the City Club of Chicago Friday morning, mental health was on his mind.

For much of JB Pritzker’s childhood, his mother was a widow and an alcoholic. But her illness, he adds, did not define her.

“When she was sober, she was fantastic,” Pritzker said. “She was brilliant. She stood for progressive values and instilled those in me. She was a fighter, and she is why I am the man I am today. And that is why you can rely upon me in the fight to address mental health and addiction – and to discuss these issues without shame or stigma.”

And he said it’s past time to make mental health a spending priority.

“You’d think mental health would be a priority in our state; one that would be talked about openly and honestly at home, and in our schools, and in the workplace.. For far too long, politicians from both parties have been too timid when it comes to shining a spotlight on and addressing mental health.”

Gov Rauner’s campaign responds, that’s Pritzker’s problem – more spending.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].