* Press release…

As violent crime continues to rise in Chicago, gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine says people need to look beyond the statistics and see the impact the crime wave is having on real people.

“It is easy to get lost in the numbers because the numbers are astonishing,” Rabine said. “But the real story is the impact violent crime is having on the everyday life of people. The victims of these crimes have friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. These people are the ones bearing the losses in their communities as part of their daily life.”

Rabine has been meeting with people impacted by violent crime in the City of Chicago. Just recently, he sat down with Bella Luna Café owner Danny Alberga, who has made the decision to close his business at 10 pm to keep his employees and customers safe.

“This decision was made because violent crime has increased in areas in close proximity to the Bella Luna Café,” Rabine said. “The violence is hitting close to home for a lot of people, and they are having to make some big decisions as a result. It is not something that is happening somewhere to someone else – it is happening directly to them in their neighborhoods.”

Rabine noted that homicides have increased 33 percent compared to this time in 2019. During the recent Fourth of July holiday in Chicago, there was a record-breaking weekend for violence as more than 104 people were shot with 19 fatalities. At least 13 of the people shot were children.

“Children should not be shot in the streets,” Rabine said. “Murders should be on the decline – not on the rise. Business owners like Danny Alberga should be able to keep their usual business hours to serve their customers. Chicago is a world-class city. It should be safe. Honest people are living in fear. This has to change. I am calling on Gov. Pritzker to take immediate action to get the violence under control. The safety of Illinois residents should be the highest priority for our state’s leaders.”

* Press release…

Today, organizer, activist, and nationally-recognized gun violence prevention advocate Kina Collins’ campaign for Congress announced it more than doubled incumbent Rep. Danny Davis’ fundraising haul, raising $130,154 to Davis’ $52,212. The announcement makes it clear that Rep. Danny Davis faces a hotly-contested primary challenge in IL-7, one far more serious than any he has faced in previous cycles.

While over 90% of Kina Collins’ donations came from contributions under $200, her opponent received the majority of his donations from PACs. The contrast makes it clear that Collins’ grassroots base is fired up — and that Rep. Danny Davis is losing his hold on the voters of a district he’s long taken for granted.

Davis has about $300K in the bank and universal name recognition.

* Press release…

U.S. Representative Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) announced today that he raised over $473,000 in the second quarter of 2021, raising close to $1 million total in 2021. LaHood’s report shows financial support throughout Illinois and the 18th District with over $3.5 million cash on hand.

*** UPDATE *** I’ve been telling subscribers about this for several days, and there’s a whole lot more to the story than this news item reveals…

State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, is considering a bid for state Senate District 37 after remapping of the state House districts would force her to primary a fellow Republican in the 2022 election.

McCombie is serving her third term in the Illinois House. Rather than challenge State Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport; or State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon; McCombie said she is exploring the new 37th State Senate District.

If McCombie decides to run in the 37th District, she would likely have to primary freshman State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, to win election.

“Democrat politicians drew this map behind closed doors and consolidated me with other Republicans, aiming to push me out of office,” McCombie said in a news release. “Rather than challenge a House colleague, many community leaders I represent are encouraging me to run to continue to represent them in the state Senate in District 37.” […]

“The transparency, work ethic and perspective I bring coming from the state line region is a unique viewpoint that a legislator from the central part of the state likely has not experienced.”