* Tribune…

The Republican primary for Illinois attorney general pits a loquacious southern Illinois civil attorney who approaches folk hero status among some on the political right against a soft-spoken North Shore attorney making his third bid for statewide office.

Thomas DeVore entered the public consciousness early in the coronavirus pandemic as he launched unrelenting, if largely unsuccessful, legal challenges to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive orders.

Steve Kim, a partner in a boutique international law firm based in Chicago, has little name recognition outside political circles after two failed bids for statewide office, including a 33-point loss to incumbent Democrat Lisa Madigan in the 2010 race for attorney general.

Not mentioned very often is this Kim side-gig…

Mr. Kim is the General Counsel and a Principal at Global Business Ventures, a Chicago-based international development firm formed to assemble the global alliances that have proven capabilities and experiences to launch world-class community developments that fulfill the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 master plan.

So, he works with the Saudis? The master plan’s mastermind is Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, or MbS, who was linked to the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

* Politico…

Trump could visit Quincy on or near June 25 to vouch for [US Rep. Mary Miller], according to Republican sources.

Tom DeVore seems quite excited…

June 25 is going to be YUUUGGGE

Posted by Thomas DeVore on Saturday, June 11, 2022

* Press release…

Today, Congresswoman Marie Newman and Iymen Chehade called on Sean Casten and his backer Democratic Majority for Israel PAC (DMFI PAC) to remove their misleading attack ad and halt all deceptive messaging targeting Congresswoman Newman in Illinois’ new 6th Congressional District. The ad produced by the right-leaning DMFI PAC, and subsequent communications produced by Congressman Casten’s campaign, promote a false narrative intended to mislead voters ahead of the June 28th Democratic primary election.

“I will not remain silent while a conservative super PAC encouraged by my opponent spends hundreds of thousands of dollars pushing a contrived narrative meant to tarnish my name and reputation,” said Congresswoman Marie Newman. “I am calling on DMFI PAC to pull its dishonest ad from the air and on Sean Casten to immediately stop pushing this deceptive narrative in paid digital advertisements, on social media, and in email solicitations to his donors.”

“More than a year ago, a complaint meant to derail my candidacy was lodged with the Office of Congressional Ethics by a right-wing organization, and now my opponent and his backer, DMFI PAC, are willfully doing the bidding of the far-right group who initiated this spurious charge.”

“My opponent has a history of bending the rules and distorting the truth to silence progressive women. Enough is enough. I will not be silent.”

During a recent forum hosted by WTTW, Iymen Chehade directly addressed the right-wing complaint and ensuing Congressional Ethics review, affirming that the complaint was baseless.

“I was never a candidate for Congress. I never declared candidacy. I never hired anybody. I never fundraised. I never did any of those things. Did Marie and I sign a contract? Yes we did. Was it for me to drop out of the race? Absolutely not. I was not in the race. This is an issue that was brought on by a right-wing organization that the media has latched on to,” said Iymen Chehade.

“Marie and I have had our issues in the past but I can tell you this is a hit job on her, and I’m collateral damage for it. So read the facts. Take a look at the reality of the situation. I think the facts are going to come out after the primary, and you will see this is just what it was, just nothing but a hit job…”

Very lawyerly explanation. And does she mean this Iymen Chehade?…

Someone please collect this dude. pic.twitter.com/Qrm6yoAhS0

— anne emerson (@pielebowski) June 10, 2022

And she’s still paying him?

* Rodney Davis…

Mary Miller is facing an ethics complaint submitted to the House Ethics Committee over misuse of public resources for campaign purposes. Miller used official video footage of House floor proceedings in a campaign ad, which is a clear violation of House rules. Punishment for a founded ethics violation against Miller may include a fine or censure by the House of Representatives.

“It’s no surprise that Mary Miller’s false ads against Rodney Davis have landed her an ethics investigation. Whether it’s having a convicted child sex predator serving as her campaign driver, being repeatedly fined for not paying taxes, or hiding from the local media in her basement just like Joe Biden, Miller’s personal and political habits are not on the up and up. Miller should take down her false ad and come clean to voters about her shady record.” - Davis campaign spokesperson Aaron DeGroot

* CD1…

TODAY, June 13, Jonathan Jackson, candidate for Congress, will host the “Jonathan Jackson Town Hall Meeting” at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 754 E. 77th St., from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Jonathan Jackson for Congress Ministers Committee is sponsoring the Town Hall meeting.

The topic of the Town Hall centers on Jackson’s vision of progress, improvement, and revitalization for the 1st District.

Santita Jackson will serve as moderator of a panel of journalists who will pose questions to Jackson about issues affecting the residents of the 1st congressional district. The journalists include Erick Johnson of the Chicago Crusader, Hermene Hartman, Publisher of N’digo, Lady Red from WSRB 106.3, and Sonya Tompkins of WVON radio.

“I am eager to share the points of my platform for the 1st District with the residents,” Jackson said. “I am very interested to hear from the people and engage in meaningful dialogue about how we can work together for the benefit of the region once I am in Congress.”

The next day, Jackson will participate with other candidates in the Illinois 123GO – Democratic Party Town Hall on Tuesday, June 14, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., at Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St. This forum features a “Coffee with the Candidates” segment from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by the Town Hall Meeting from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

* CD7…

Today, the Chicago Tribune’s Editorial Board announced their endorsement of Kina Collins in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District. The Tribune, the largest newspaper in Chicago, endorsed Collins over 25-year incumbent Danny Davis for the first time in his career, citing her leadership on gun violence prevention in Chicago and the Biden administration, reproductive rights, and the time for a new generation of leadership in IL-7.

“It’s a tight decision and Davis’ decades of public service have our respect, but we think the time has come for new blood, and we endorse Collins,” said the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board. “Collins’ strong suit is fighting gun violence. She is one of Chicago’s leading anti-gun violence activists, and served on the Biden-Harris transition team’s task force on gun violence prevention. Though Collins supports universal background checks, raising the legal age to purchase firearms to 21, and banning assault-style rifles, she knows that the gun lobby’s influence in Washington dooms any hope of passage of those measures. “So people need to start electing candidates and folks who will reject this corporate PAC money,” she told us. “I think the only way we will move these elected officials is we have to move the people.

“We have admired Congressman Davis for many years, and endorsed him in the past. But we also admire Collins’ energy, passion and activism, particularly for an issue so urgent in the 7th District — gun violence.”

“I am so proud to have the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune in this race to bring a new generation of leadership to our community,” said Kina Collins. “It’s time we build on the work and legacy of those who came before us to deliver the needs of our district with the urgency that the ongoing crises of gun violence, climate change, healthcare, housing, and reproductive rights demands. I am ready to take on corporate power in Washington and truly fight to deliver for the working families of Illinois’ 7th Congressional District.”

* Politico…

Sen. Dick Durbin is endorsing Lauren Beth Gash for the Democratic State Central Committee seat in the 10th District. “I’ve known Lauren for decades and I’ve watched what she’s done to change what had been considered a solidly Republican area into a mostly Democratic one,” Durbin said in a statement.

The endorsement is the latest move in a battle to control the Illinois Democratic Party. Gov. JB Pritzker is endorsing Gash’s opponent in the race, outgoing state Sen. Melinda Bush.

We’ll see if Durbin puts in any money like Pritzker already has.

* Supreme Court…

Today, the Teamsters Local 916 announced its endorsement of Judge Elizabeth Rochford for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Second District. The union represents over 4,000 individuals throughout the state of Illinois in a range of professions including highway maintainers, truck drivers, security guards, warehouse employees, manufacturers, road and bridge engineers, food technicians, security guards and others.

“I am humbled to receive the endorsement of the hardworking men and women of Teamsters Local 916,” said Judge Elizabeth Rochford. “I am grateful that they believe in my qualifications to serve the people of the Second District as an Illinois Supreme Court Justice, and will bring my lifelong commitment to equity and fairness under the law that I’ve upheld in my decades-long career to this position.”

The endorsement from Teamsters Local 916 builds on Judge Rochford’s strong union support, which includes the Illinois State AFL-CIO, Local 881 UFCW, LIUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council, Plumbers Local Union 130 United Association (UA), the Lake County and McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Councils and their affiliates, which together include 44 local affiliate trade unions.

* DCCC on CD13…

It’s been nearly two years since President Joe Biden was elected to the White House, but that hasn’t stopped IL-13 candidates Regan Deering and Jesse Reising from refusing to acknowledge that reality.

The State Journal-Register reported this week that Deering and Reising are digging their heels into the Big Lie conspiracy that fueled the deadly attack on our nation’s Capitol – which led to the deaths of 5 police officers and injured nearly 150 others. In recent public appearances, Reising “did not directly answer” and Deering “wouldn’t commit” to the basic truth that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

“Regan Deering and Jesse Reising are so desperate to make it through their wide open Republican primary they’ll say whatever it takes, even if it means lying about the results of the 2020 election and casting doubt on the democratic process,” said DCCC spokesperson Helen Kalla. “Clearly Deering and Reising care more about peddling disinformation to cozy up to their party leaders than focusing on the everyday issues that matter to Illinoisans.”

* House primary…

Illinois’ longest-serving Democrats, US Senator Dick Durbin and Secretary of State Jesse White have endorsed Jeff Deppe for State Representative in Illinois’ 72nd District, the campaign has announced.

“I am proud to support Jeff Deppe for State Representative because Jeff will fight for good jobs and an economy that works for everyone,” said Sen. Durbin.

“As a lifelong volunteer in his community, Jeff has put his own sweat equity to work building ramps for seniors and the disabled, repairing and rebuilding homes for those struggling, and giving his time working with children in need.

“In Springfield, Jeff will continue that mission of putting the people of his community first because that is just who he is,” Sen. Durbin concluded.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White was equally enthusiastic about Deppe.

White, the Democrats’ top vote getter since 1998, said, “I endorse Jeff Deppe for State Representative because he will do a great job. I appreciate the work he does helping aging and disabled veterans and keeping at-risk young people out of harm’s way.

White continued, “These are issues close to my heart and are a testament to Jeff’s character.”

Deppe is up against Gregg Johnson and Thurgood Brooks in an open-seat Quad Cities-area primary.

* Another oppo dump from People’s Fabric…

In her campaign for state representative, real estate broker Tina Wallace touts her small business experience—but records show she hasn’t brokered a real estate transaction in four years, which is roughly when she inherited approximately $8 million worth of rental properties. […]

In April of this year, Wallace filed a lawsuit alleging legal malpractice against the attorneys who represented her in court against her brother. During the probate case, Wallace went through five different law firms and often disputed her attorneys’ fees. Wallace is currently represented by The Gooch Firm, suing her former attorneys with Levin Ginsburg.

Wallace has two liens against her personal residence from contractors who claim she failed to pay them in full for services rendered. One of these contractors wrote a Yelp review for Wallace Properties, which currently has an overall rating of 1.5 stars. Jerry B., who says he installed siding on her house, wrote:

“She never paid me balance of 7000 dollars. As far as I’m concerned she owes money to everyone there working at her house. Everyone [has a] mechanical lean [sic] on her house…she’s not a human being.”

Emails obtained by People’s Fabric show Wallace lobbied Ald. Raymond Lopez in September 2021 to support a change to the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) which would create additional hurdles for tenants seeking legal recourse against landlords who improperly withhold security deposits. Wallace wrote, “Chicago should be a place where landlords do not live-in fear of a frivolous lawsuit for a simple clerical mistake.”

Wallace has been sued at least twice by tenants alleging she improperly failed to return security deposits—neither involved simple clerical mistakes.

As previously reported by People’s Fabric, when Wallace was sued after her dog mauled a kennel worker, she unsuccessfully attempted to get Lopez to change the law to prohibit kennel workers from suing dog owners if attacked.

When Wallace wasn’t able to stop a brewpub from opening near her home, she used her connection to Lopez to dispatch city inspectors, demanding that the city revoke the business’ liquor license.

I don’t know who those people are at People’s Fabric, but, man, they sure do produce a lot of entertaining research about that part of the world. However, it’s not yet being used in this particular primary race.

* Speaking of that part of the world, Republican Cook County Board candidate Matt Podgorski is trying to play in the Democratic primary…

From what I gather, Podgorski would rather face Trevor than her well-funded primary opponent Sam Kukadia. So, he sent that text to Dem voters.

You may remember Trevor, who ran for the House twice against GOP Rep. Tom Morrison and lost. She lost her first House race by a razor-thin margin.

* More…

* Mark Brown: Mike Madigan has left the building — but the former House speaker’s shadow clouds the campaign trail - Attacks on Madigan’s influence over state government have been part of the Republican campaign playbook going at least as far back as Bruce Rauner’s election in 2014. There’s no reason to think that’s going to let up now that Madigan has been charged with racketeering and bribery.

* Secretary of State candidates field questions from disability rights group: “One of the areas we need to improve when talking about accommodations in Springfield, where I worked on getting our daily calendar to have more access for the visually impaired with not only larger print but also a brail standpoint,” Brady said.