Unions endorse Jackson Jr.

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has picked up endorsements from two big labor unions in his re-election bid.

The Service Employees International Union in Illinois included Jackson on its list of endorsements for the March 20 primary this week. He also received an endorsement from the AFL-CIO in Illinois.

Jackson was first elected in 1995. He faces a primary challenge from former one-term U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson. She lost her seat in another district in 2010 to Adam Kinzinger.

In a statement Thursday, Jackson says he’s grateful and that he’s worked hard to create an environment to protect workers’ rights.

The 2nd District now stretches further south of Chicago than before and abuts parts of the Indiana border.