CHICAGO — Hillary Clinton vowed to a crowd of supporters at the Chicago Plumbers Union Hall that she would "defend people who need a champion" and support workers in the trades to help rebuild the middle class.
"I've been told I should talk in a calm and measured voice, that I should not get carried away by intense feelings," Clinton said softly to the crowd, who laughed. "But I'm so worried about our country if we don't band together."
At the rally at 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Clinton was introduced by several speakers, including Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who encouraged voters to choose Clinton at the polls Tuesday.
Madigan called Clinton an "exceptional leader" and "fierce figher."
The former U.S. secretary of state and Democratic presidential hopeful touted her plans to protect and strengthen labor relations to a union-heavy audience, who cheered her on.
"I will defend people who need a champion ... [and] stand up for people who have the odds stacked against them," Clinton said. "We need to put people together in trades that help build the middle class, help build America.
"I'm going to fight for American unions."
Clinton said part of her plans to keep companies and manufacturers in the U.S. would be by imposing an "exit fee" for those looking to move their business to another country. The fees would go "back into the community they're leaving behind."
The presidential candidate said she would pay particular attention to women and minority-owned businesses and young people who want to become entrepreneurs — as well as raising the minimum wage. She said she would work to overturn the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court that ruled corporations were "people" when it came to campaign contributions.
Clinton also alluded to ongoing contract negotiations between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, without directly referencing Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"I want every child to have a good teacher in a good school regardless of the zip code that you live in," Clinton said to major applause. "To get our kids off to a good start, we need early childhood education, universal pre-K and paid family leave.
"I want us to apply some TLC to our schools: Teaching, learning and community support — it's time we stop all of the arguing and focus on how we support our teachers and give them the tools that they need to do their job."
Though neither Clinton or opponent Bernie Sanders are due to meet with Emanuel, Clinton has caught some flack from the public for being endorsed by the controversial mayor after the scandal over the Laquan McDonald shooting. Emanuel formerly served as a senior aide to former President Bill Clinton.
Clinton said under her tenure she would ensure women were paid equally for the same work performed by men, and would make sure women had access to necessary health care options.
Clinton also slammed the Republican party for "wrong-headed, dangerous" rhetoric being used on the campaign trail, particularly from candidate Donald Trump.
She harkened to a recent interview in Ohio where she was asked to explain why she'd make a better president than Trump, to which she explained Monday that aside from "being on the right side of the issues," she was a candidate who would unite, rather than divide Americans, and knew "what's at state for American leadership around the world."
She said her campaign was more focused on "building — not walls — but breaking down barriers."
Clinton said though she represents both the "struggling and successful," she would always be more focused on those "struggling and surviving," than already successful.
"I believe with all my heart the most important job of being president is making sure all Americans can have a chance, especially children, to live up to their God-given potential," Clinton said in her closing remarks.
Many supporters in the crowd represented trade unions, as well as a large number of families with children.
Ava Limacher, 9, was there with her mother Hillary and sister Audrey, 7, and said she believed it was time for a woman to be president because "there hasn't been one yet."
"Most people think, 'Oh no a woman can't do it,'" Limacher said. "Girls go Hillary, boys go Trump or Bernie."
Their mother said her girls are talking about politics often in school and at home, and she felt it was important to show her daughters what the political process is like while supporting their preferred candidate.
Marcos Muñoz, a retired farm worker, said he was voting for Clinton because "farm workers are better off with Hillary. Trump seems like he doesn't understand us at all."
Laina Stillwell, a Wheaton resident, was selected to stand on stage with Clinton and said she represented a group of about 50 women in the conservative suburb who regularly meet to discuss liberal politics.
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