* Justin Laurence at Crain’s…

As Willie Wilson pumped free gasoline into cars at gas stations around the Chicago area last month, many of those same stations pumped money into the campaign account of one of his political advisers who is organizing a high-profile electoral run of his own. […]

Eighteen gas station owners who participated in Wilson’s second giveaway on March 24 donated a total of $34,154 in contributions ranging from $1,000 to $5,654 to the Friends of Richard Boykin committee, according to campaign finance reports filed with the state Board of Elections at the end of March.

Boykin helped coordinate the gas giveaways, including meeting with some of the owners of the participating stations with Wilson at his high rise-condo to coordinate logistics ahead of the second giveaway. Wilson directly paid $1 million to nearly 50 stations in the second giveaway, allowing people to fill up to $50 in gas until the money ran dry.

Boykin said Wednesday the contributions were in “no way connected to their participation in the gas giveaway.”

Yeah. No connection whatsoever. Nothing to see here. Move along.

* I’d go one step further with this and a whole lot of other laws that these GOP candidates are railing against and ask if they are prepared to shut down state government or create some other crisis in order to force legislative changes. DPI…

Over the past year, extreme restrictions on the right to choose have swept across Republican-held states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Idaho. Now, these far-right attacks are creeping closer to Illinois. Yesterday, Kentucky GOP legislators overrode the Democratic governor’s veto, enacting a law that will “effectively end” abortion access in the state. This comes in the wake of a Missouri proposal that specifically targets Illinois abortion providers and Iowa’s Republican governor indicating she would seek further restrictions if Roe is overturned.

Meanwhile in Illinois, GOP gubernatorial candidates have made it clear they would not hesitate to follow suit and strip abortion rights from Illinois women if given the chance. Extremists like Darren Bailey have even suggested that there should be no exceptions for abortion even in cases of rape or incest.

The GOP’s alarming agenda has no place in Illinois. Every single candidate for governor should answer whether they would seek to implement a harsh abortion ban in Illinois if elected.

• Darren Bailey has failed Illinois women at every turn. He called equal pay for equal work “controversial” and signed on to an amicus brief in support of Mississippi’s lawsuit to overturn Roe. He even said he opposes exceptions to abortion in the cases of rape or incest.
• Richard Irvin called Planned Parenthood “bad for Aurora” and compared it to a “strip club or asbestos company.” His running mate Avery Bourne voted against the state’s Reproductive Health Act and does not believe in exceptions for abortion, even when a mother’s life is threatened.
• Jesse Sullivan wants to enact a near-total ban on abortion and called legislation to protect reproductive rights “despicable.”
• Gary Rabine promises to emulate Donald Trump’s disastrous policies, pledged support for problematic crisis pregnancy centers, and has denounced early childhood education funding that supports new parents.
• Paul Schimpf voted against a bill that would protect access to abortion if Roe were overturned.

Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats enacted one of the strongest pieces of abortion protection legislation into law in 2019 to protect Illinois women against the potential overturning of Roe. The Pritzker administration has worked tirelessly with Illinois Democrats to ensure women have the right to choose if and when to start a family with whom they want and when they want, free of any political interference.

* Marie Newman…

Today, three Democratic elected officials in DuPage and Cook County government announced they are endorsing Congresswoman Marie Newman for re-election in Illinois’ 6th District.

“As chair of the Environmental Committee for DuPage County, I know we have to work quickly to address climate action in everything we do,” said DuPage County Board Member Sheila Rutledge. “I am proud to endorse Marie because she is a proven fighter for sustainable policies and will continue to deliver real results for the people not only in DuPage, but all across the area.”

“Illinois needs someone in Congress who can effectively address the climate crisis. Since Marie took office, she has consistently championed sustainability, equity, and community voices. When re-elected, I am confident that she will continue to fight for our working families in Congress,” said Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda.

“We need someone in IL-06 committed to building coalitions to address our neighbors’ concerns, and in her first term, Marie Newman is already doing that work,” said DuPage County Recorder Kathleen Carrier. “I know she will continue working in close partnership with all levels of government to deliver for the middle class and working families.”

Congresswoman Marie Newman has secured the endorsements of two dozen local leaders across Cook and DuPage County, including the endorsements from mayors of Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, and La Grange. Through partnership with other levels of government, Newman has reduced train delays by up to 100% on Chicago’s Southwest Side, cut postal delays, and is actively working to address flooding in areas around the district.

* Kina Collins…

Today, People’s Action endorsed gun-violence prevention activist and Democratic congressional candidate for IL-07, Kina Collins. People’s Action is a powerful national network of 40 state and local grassroots, power-building organizations fighting for justice. The endorsement is part of People’s Action’s Movement Politics strategy to help progressive candidates win against corporate Democrats. With the endorsement, People’s Action joins their member organizations, The People’s Lobby and Reclaim Chicago, in supporting the campaign.

“This race is about shifting power back into the hands of the people and having a true representative democracy,” said Kina Collins. “People’s Action has been in the trenches building power for working people, and I am proud to have their support in our fight to give the people of IL-07 representation that understands the daily struggles of working people and acts with urgency to address them.”

“Voters in Illinois’s Seventh have the chance to reject corporate control and choose people power,” People’s Action Director of Movement Politics Brooke Adams said. “Kina will build a government that works for us. We must elect her, secure this district, and save the Democratic majority in Congress.”

* CD13…

Regan Deering, Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois 13, received the endorsement of former Congressman Tim Johnson who stated the following:

“As a former Congressman who has represented this area, I understand the concerns of voters in central Illinois. Regan’s work locally has given her an up-close and personal look at the issues facing our communities today. A wife, mother, proud gun owner, former school teacher, and small business owner; Regan shares our conservative values. Further, I am convinced she will work diligently to tackle the everyday issues of the citizens she represents. I believe Regan is the best person to represent and fight for the citizens of the 13th district in Washington, DC.”

* Politico…

Watch for Rep. Chuy Garcia to endorse Jonathtan Jackson, in the 1st Congressional race. Jackson is the national spokesperson for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and a co-owner of a beer distributorship. And he’s the second son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The younger Jackson is one of 20 candidates vying for the seat that Rep. Bobby Rush is leaving at the end of this term. […]

— Also in the 1-D race: Karin Norington-Reaves raised $290,000 in the first quarter of the year and has $237,000 cash on hand in her bid for the open seat in the 1st Congressional District. Norington-Reaves has been endorsed by Rep. Bobby Rush who has held the seat for some 30 years, but 19 others also are vying for the seat.

* It’s been kinda fun watching this primary, but I’m not sure either one of them has a great shot at winning the general. Two very good candidates have been rolling out endorsement after endorsement to run in an Illinois House district that Bruce Rauner won by 9 points, Mark Kirk won by 10 and Leslie Munger won by 26…

Today, Nabeela Syed announced that her campaign has raised over $115,000 in the first quarter of 2022. Since announcing her campaign late last year, Syed has raised over $215,000. Syed is projected to have at least a $100,000 cash-on-hand advantage over her Primary and General Election opponents combined.

Syed released the following statement: “Since the start of this campaign in October, I continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support from everyday people who just want a public servant that works for them and their families. I will be an unapologetic voice that always puts working families first, fighting to reform an unfair property tax system and keep our communities safe. This campaign is continuing to demonstrate the ability to raise the resources needed to compete in June and beyond.” […]

Nabeela Syed has been endorsed by State Senators Ann Gillespie (D-Palatine), Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), State Representatives Theresa Mah (D-Chicago), Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights), Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan), Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines), Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago), and Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. (D-Chicago), 8th District Democratic State Central Committeeman Mike Cudzik, Rolling Meadows Mayor Joe Gallo, Indo-American Democratic Organization, Run for Something, and Indian American IMPACT.

She reported $180K cash on hand. Chelsea Laliberte Barnes is the other Democratic candidate. The winner faces Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich).