Despite many years as a political outsider, Gov. Pat Quinn continues to line up crucial institutional support for his 2010 campaign. Two weeks after receiving signficant endorsements from the SEIU Illinois State Council (which sponsors this website) and the Teamsters Joint Council, UNITE HERE Local 1 announced today that they will formally endorse Quinn on Friday morning. In doing so, President Henry Tamarin took a not-so-subtle swipe at challenger Dan Hynes. From a press release:

“Governor Quinn has fought for our members, and not just when it was the easy thing to do,” said Henry Tamarin, President of UNITE HERE Local 1. “Whether it is issues on the job, promoting the tourism industry or on the critical issues facing the state, Governor Quinn has always stood for the hardworking people of Illinois.” [Emphasis added]

Here's the background: After recently refusing to process $43 million worth of state payments for tourism advertising programs -- arguing that they represented an "extremely questionable priority" given the state's finances -- Hynes agreed to pay the bills Friday.

The UNITE-HERE endorsement isn't too surprising, given Quinn's outspoken support for the workers striking at the Congress Hotel. It's unclear, however, whether his recent consolidation of labor support will influence AFSCME Council 31, who remains uncommitted and is currently in a dispute with Quinn over proposed layoffs. Hynes has so far received the backing of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and the Laborers' International Union of North America.