Former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton debuted two television ads Saturday in Illinois
The ads will start airing Saturday in the Chicago, Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Peoria-Bloomington and Rockford media markets.
One of the ads, titled “Breaking Barriers”, features voice narration by actor Morgan Freeman.
The ad claims Clinton has been a beacon of equity and a champion of the disenfranchised for her entire political career..
“Her life’s work has been about breaking barriers, and so would her presidency,” Freeman says in the ad.
The ad claims Clinton will stand up for the underpaid, the debt-ridden and those held back by “a system tilted against them."
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“There are far too many of you,” Freeman continues. “She understands that our country can’t reach its potential unless we all do, together.”
A release provided by the Clinton campaign claims the candidate “has called for coming to terms with the hard truths about race and injustice in America, and has outlined an agenda to break down all barriers.”
A second ad, titled “Johnson Controls”, accuses the eponymous automotive parts company of “moving profits to Ireland so they can avoid paying taxes ” The ad states that the company received a bailout from the federal government during the automotive industry crisis that began in 2008.
“It’s an outrage,” Clinton says in the ad. “If I’m president, when companies walk out on America, they’ll pay a price.”
Johnson Controls disputes the ad's claim that they received bailout money, saying in a release that the then-COO in 2008 testified before Congress on behalf of the auto supplier industry in favor of the bailout, but they received no financial aid.
According to a release provided by Clinton’s campaign, “the 30-second ads are part of an initial six-figure ad buy in Illinois.”
Illinois Clinton supporters will also host a series of “grassroots organizing activities” this weekend.
The “Weekend of Action” will include supporters ranging from “Illinois union workers to students to Latinos.” Supporters will discuss Clinton’s candidacy and encourage voters to participate in early voting, which runs until March 13.
“From the beginning, Hillary for Illinois has been building a diverse, grassroots coalition of supporters who share Hillary Clinton’s commitment to raise wages for hard working Americans, make college affordable, and tear down the barriers that hold Illinoisans back,” Clinton’s Illinois State Director Jason Houser said. “This weekend, our supporters will be mobilizing their neighbors, friends, and others to vote for Hillary Clinton, the only candidate who can deliver results for them.”
Clinton opened two Chicago campaign offices, located at 5401 S. Wentworth Ave. and 1543 N. Wells St., in February.
Clinton also held a get-out-the-vote rally at the Parkway Ballroom in Bronzeville last month in an effort to gain the support of African-American voters. At the event, Clinton slammed Gov. Bruce Rauner and his Turnaround Agenda.
“The governor has refused to start budget negotiations unless his so-called ‘turnaround agenda’ gets passed, first,” Clinton said during her speech. “Now, his plan will turn Illinois around, all tight. All the way back to the time of the robber barons of the 19th century.”
During the same trip, she attended a private “host reception” for donors who have raised more than $27,000 for her campaign.
Clinton will face Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in the Illinois’ March 15 Democratic Presidential primary.
