The union decided to endorse Quinn even though it is not happy with Quinn's pension reform plan.
Surrounded by janitors, home health and daycare providers and others in the 170 thousand member strong SEIU, Governor Pat Quinn, the self-styled working man's hero was endorsed for re-election.
''He knows the struggle of working families, he is a man who we trust,'' said Faith Arnold, a day care operator.
''We're the government of the many, that's what I believe in. We're going to run against somebody who believes in government of the money,'' Quinn said.
A spokesman for Quinn's republican opponent Bruce Rauner wrote of Monday's SEIU endorsement:
''Springfield special interests again lining up to endorse Pat Quinn is just more of the same. The status quo under Quinn means fewer jobs, lower incomes and more poverty."
Last week, Senator Mark Kirk questioned the legality of SEIU's involvement in state politics.
''The fundamental center of power in Illinois has been a corrupt union called the SEIU. If you think SEIU is doing well. The SEIU is a total disaster for Illinois,'' Kirk said.
''I think that was a poor choice of words, indeed,'' Quinn said.
The governor defended taking SEIU money and political support and said the union is not run as Rauner says by ''bosses''.
More of a challenge for Quinn will be getting endorsements from unions representing teachers and state workers, those public employees are fighting pension reform legislation, which was signed by Quinn in 2013.
