Sen. Durbin endorses re-election of Mayor Emanuel

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Rahm Emanuel picked up an endorsement Sunday afternoon from Senator Dick Durbin in the mayor's bid for re-election.

Durbin made the announcement at Harrison Park in Chicago's Lower West Side community at an event highlighting the Start Scholarship Program, which offers qualified students free admission to city colleges.

"An important election is always about the future, and this is an important election," Durbin said. "And that's why I've come forward today to endorse Rahm Emanuel's reelection as Mayor of the City of Chicago."

"If we do what we're supposed to do then the future of a the city of Chicago is bright because the decision we make in the next two to three years will determine what Chicago looks like in the next 20 to 30 years," said Emanuel.

Early voting for the February 24 election begins Monday.