* The Lens…

New Orleans City Councilwoman Helena Moreno has sent a subpoena to a senior member of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration on Monday demanding he hand over a wide array of documents and appear before the council for questioning related to a potential multimillion-dollar “smart cities” project and contract-fixing allegations regarding a Chicago-based consultant called Ignite Cities. […]

Moreno has previously complained about the lack of public information and the administration’s refusal to share details about the project — a sprawling plan that includes creating a “city-directed” but privately run internet service to compete with existing internet providers like Cox Communications and AT&T. The project would also install thousands of “smart” devices throughout the city to collect data that the city could use to improve services and sell to private companies. […]

The subpoena also comes days after Ignite Cities became embroiled in another controversy in Chicago that sheds new light onto the contract-fixing allegations in New Orleans, and pokes big a hole in the Cantrell administration’s central justification for dismissing those allegations. […]

The reporting from Illinois TV station WCIA-TV centered on Ignite Cities’ managing director, Reyahd Kazmi, and his wife, City Clerk of Chicago Anna Valencia. The station reported on emails from Valencia, a public official, showing how she used her position to advance government projects that involved Kazmi and Ignite Cities.

Vitally, the report revealed that Kazmi is also a registered lobbyist for IKE Smart Cities — a WiFi kiosk manufacturer that, unlike Ignite Cities, is an official member of the Smart+Connected NOLA consortium that would be responsible for installing dozens of kiosks around New Orleans. Kazmi was also present at the recent “WiFi for All” events in New Orleans to promote the smart cities project. […]

In her subpoena, one category of documents that Moreno requested in her subpoena is “any and all communications with George Burciaga, Anna Valencia and Reyahd Kazmi.”

I fully admit that I’m not quite understanding this yet. But it sure does look like Valencia has been providing help to her husband’s business through her city office, which wouldn’t be good.

* Meanwhile, we’ve talked about how the People’s Coalition Map crowd has been hammering away at the Chicago United Map group for its Madigan connections. Well…

Supporters of the Chicago United Map today called on the political committee supporting the “People’s Coalition Map” to return a $10,000 contribution Victor Reyes’ law firm made to the political committee supporting the Latino Caucus-backed map that flies in the face of City of Chicago ethics rules.

The law firm, Reyes Kurson, was hired to advise the Latino Caucus in the city remap process and is headed by attorney and lobbyist Victor Reyes. Reyes is named as “Lawyer A” in the federal criminal indictment case against former House Speaker Michael Madigan and Reyes Kurson is named as “Law Firm A” in the indictment. Reyes’ firm has billed the city nearly $150,000 for work on the remap from the end of May to the end of November, according to a recent media report.

An advisory opinion issued by the City of Chicago Board of Ethics in Feb. 2022 found that the city’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance limits certain contributors, including those “seeking to do business with the City,” to $1,500 in political contributions per calendar year to a candidate or the “candidate’s authorized political committees.” The Reyes Kurson contribution to the Chicago Coalition Map to Redistrict Chicago may be in violation of this ethics rule.

The Chicago United Map is supported by the majority of the Chicago City Council. Supporters of the Chicago United Map are calling on the Chicago Coalition Map to Redistrict Chicago to return the campaign contribution immediately.

* Irvin…

J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats did nothing to clean out corruption in government prior to adjourning session last Friday, even as it was announced the very same day that a state legislator was being investigated by the federal authorities for misusing campaign funds and that former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis was charged for taking bribes in return for favorable ordinance rulings on the City’s Zoning Committee.

The Deferred Prosecution Agreement between Solis and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that was unveiled yesterday showed he had been wearing a wire since December 2018 in his cooperation with the feds, which ultimately resulted in the takedown of former House Speaker Mike Madigan. Solis is being arraigned in federal court this morning.

“J.B. Pritzker’s record when it comes to cleaning out corruption in government is nothing but words and no actions,” said Irvin for Illinois spokesperson Eleni Demertizis. “Pritzker’s continued denial of his connection to Madigan and his criminal enterprise goes hand in hand with his refusal to enact meaningful ethics reform that would prevent any further corruption and misuse taxpayer dollars.”

* Casten…

Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) announced he has been endorsed by the NRDC Action Fund. This endorsement comes on the heels of the League of Conservation Voters endorsing Rep. Casten and adds to the growing list of pro-environmental groups backing him over his opponent in his re-election campaign.

“It’s never been more important for lawmakers to help lower energy costs for American families by standing up to the fossil fuel industry and securing a clean energy future,” said Kevin S. Curtis, executive director of the NRDC Action Fund. “We’re proud to support Congressman Sean Casten because he is in the thick of that fight, working to build a better future for his constituents by growing clean energy jobs, cutting fossil fuels pollution and working to solve the climate crisis.”

“I have spent my entire life working to combat the climate crisis,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The evidence is overwhelmingly clear - this is the greatest existential threat we face as a species. I’m proud to be endorsed by the NRDC Action Fund as we continue our work together to create clean energy jobs and pass a livable planet on to our children and grandchildren.”

Since coming to Congress, Rep. Casten has passed critical legislation to address the climate crisis. In December, President Biden signed into law legislation from Rep. Casten to reduce the carbon footprint of the federal government. Rep. Casten has also passed legislation to invest in clean energy storage technologies and protect the US financial system from the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.

* Foster…

Today, scientist and businessman Bill Foster announced that his re-election campaign raised over $620,000 in the first quarter of 2022. Foster currently has $4.59 million cash on hand, a clear sign of the strong and broad-based support for his campaign.

“I am so grateful for everyone who has supported our campaign,” Foster said. “When I left my career in physics to run for public office, I didn’t know if we would succeed but I was humbled by the widespread and grassroots support for my campaign. I continue to be honored by everyone who chooses to support me and I look forward to serving the new Illinois’ 11th District next Congress as the only PhD physicist in Congress.”

* Pekau…

Mayor of Orland Park and 6th Congressional District candidate Keith Pekau released his first official campaign video and digital video ad, which focuses on how politicians like Marie Newman, Sean Casten, Nancy Pelosi, and Kim Foxx have put special interests, party politics, and extreme far-left agendas ahead of doing what’s best for the people they’re supposed to represent, and how he will put people over politics in the 6th District.

View Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QmNnuGtldw

Video Script:
Politicians like Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx are letting violent criminals run free, putting our families’ safety at risk. I didn’t put my life on the line to defend our country in the Air Force, including three tours in Iraq, so families would feel unsafe in their homes. Here in Orland Park, we’re fighting back. We’ve reduced crime to the lowest rate in 27 years and we’re rated the safest city in Illinois.

Our economy is struggling. Workers are especially hurting in Illinois, where unemployment remains among the highest in the nation. As a successful small business owner, I will fight to bring economic growth and prosperity back to our country, especially right here in the 6th District. That’s what we’ve done here in Orland Park, where our businesses are thriving and creating good-paying jobs for our residents.

But with the highest inflation since 1980, working families are struggling to keep up. Gas, groceries, utilities, and even eating at restaurants costs more now. This is because Washington politicians keep spending and printing money like drunken sailors. It needs to stop. I’ve led by example in Orland Park. I’ve cut spending, paid down debt, and lowered taxes.

While the other Republican candidates talk about solving challenges like crime, inflation, and the economy, I’ve actually done it. This is the common sense leadership we need to take on the failed far-left politics of Marie Newman and Sean Casten. Join me and let’s put people over politics.

* Lightfoot…

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s political operation announced its fundraising efforts will be chaired by civic leaders Laura and Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Charles Smith and Sam Sanchez.

“I am grateful to these four incredible civic leaders for believing in this campaign, and for being willing to step up and lead this effort,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Charles, Brooke, Laura and Sam have spent this pandemic doing all that they can to help Chicagoans in communities across the city. I’m humbled to have their support.”

“From refocusing more than $1.4 billion in public investment into our historically underserved South and West Side neighborhoods through the INVEST South/West program, to raising the minimum wage to $15 for hundreds of thousands of Chicago workers, Mayor Lightfoot has stayed focused on her mission of equity and opportunity for every Chicagoan,” said Smith. “That’s why Brooke, Laura, Sam and I are already hard at work, and we’re confident that we will have all the resources we need to ensure Mayor Lightfoot can continue her crucial work to guide our city back onto solid ground following this unprecedented time.”

In the first quarter of 2022, the campaign had its strongest fundraising quarter since her election, raising more than $800,000, and reporting more than $1.7 million in cash on hand.

* Politico…

Abdelnasser Rashid raised nearly $115,000 in less than three weeks of his campaign for state representative in the 21st District. Rashid is also first out of the box with a timely digital ad targeting incumbent Rep. Mike Zalewski for legislation he introduced that would allow cities to raise the gas tax. […]

— Republican Kathy Salvi has been endorsed by the Republicans of Wheeling Township in her bid for the U.S. Senate. […]

— Kina Collins has been endorsed by the Sunrise Movement, a grassroots network of youth climate advocates, in her bid for the 7th Congressional House seat.

— Fernando “Sergio” Mojica, a former Chicago Public School principal, has been endorsed by state Rep. Lamont Robinson, Equality Illinois co-founder Art Johnston, and former Midwest Regional Director at Lambda Legal Jim Bennett. Mojica is running to replace retiring Rep. Greg Harris in the Illinois 13th District. Full list

Rashid’s total included a $25K loan from a retired relative. Zalewski has not been reporting many large contributions, but he had $338K on-hand at the end of last year.