* The late embargo on this meant it couldn’t be included in this morning’s subscriber edition, which goes out at about 5 o’clock every morning…

EMBARGOED
May 12, 2025, 7AM

Announcement from Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison

Today, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison announced his candidacy for Congress in Illinois’ Eighth Congressional District. He released this statement on his historic candidacy:

“As the grandson of immigrants and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I never saw people like me in leadership growing up. That is why it means so much to me to announce I am running for Congress.

I’m running for Congress because I believe that if you work hard, you should be able to earn a living wage. I believe in advancing policies that support families, and that everybody deserves a fair shot to get ahead. These are the principles that have guided my work in public service, and the principles that will drive my campaign.

The race ahead won’t always be easy, but I’m ready for the challenge. It is an honor to rise to the occasion and fight for the community I care so deeply about. Growing up in the Northwest suburbs of Illinois has given me so much, and I look forward to continuing the conversations about the issues that matter most to all of us”

Kevin Morrison is a Cook County Commissioner and candidate for Congress. In 2018, he made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ and youngest-ever Commissioner, as well as the first Democrat to represent his district. As Chairman of the Technology and Innovation Committee, Human Relations Committee, and Emergency Management and Regional Security Committee, as well as the Vice Chair of the Forest Preserve Finance Committee, he has been a leader on mental health, small business, the environment, public safety, and tenants’ rights. Kevin has delivered results for working families and marginalized communities.

Kevin was raised in Elk Grove Village, where he attended public schools before graduating from DePaul University in 2013 and UIC Law School in 2024. He brings years of public service experience, including as an Edgar Fellow and a former member of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Board, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ candidates. Kevin Morrison is running for Congress to fight for working people in Illinois and our shared values.

Kevin Morrison has received endorsements from the following leaders in the IL-08 Congressional District:

Maggie Trevor – Cook County Commissioner
Nicolle Grasse – State Representative
Bill McLeod – Mayor, Hoffman Estates
Paula McCombie – Mayor, South Barrington
Daniel Hebreard – President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Rob Martwick – State Senator
Adriane Johnson – State Senator
Ted Mason – Elk Grove Township Democratic Committeeman

More to follow.

That district is currently represented by US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running for Senate.

* A 6 o’clock embargo on this one meant it also wasn’t included, and allowed someone else to claim they had it “first”…

**EMBARGOED UNTIL Monday, May 12th at 6:00AM CT**

Today marks the launch of Illinois Blue PAC, the first federal political action committee organized for Illinois’ 2026 U.S. Senate race, in support of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.

Formed to support a candidate whose story, record, and leadership have sparked early enthusiasm across Illinois, Illinois Blue PAC aims to help elevate Stratton’s message and ensure voters across the state hear from a leader who brings both lived experience and statewide impact to the race.

A proud daughter of Chicago’s South Side, Stratton’s path into public life was shaped by her role as the primary caregiver for her mother during her battle with Alzheimer’s — an experience that deepened her understanding of the health care system and continues to inform her approach to leadership. She began her career as a professional mediator and later served in the Illinois General Assembly before becoming the state’s first Black woman elected Lieutenant Governor.

Since taking office in 2019, Stratton has helped lead the Pritzker-Stratton administration’s efforts to raise the minimum wage, eliminate the grocery tax, expand access and make Illinois a safe haven for health care, and pass one of the strongest gun safety laws in the country.

Before entering elected office, Stratton built a career focused on uniting communities, solving problems, and changing how the law impacts vulnerable populations. She served as an administrative law judge, mediator, and restorative justice practitioner, and was a founding board member of both the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and the Council on Criminal Justice. A lifelong advocate for young people and underserved communities, Stratton’s work has always centered on dignity, fairness and healing.

“I’ve spent the last six years serving as Lieutenant Governor of the great state of Illinois, and I’ve seen firsthand the progress that’s possible when we treat the needs of middle-class families as a focal point, not just a talking point,” Stratton said in her campaign announcement.

Her campaign has already earned the endorsements of Governor JB Pritzker and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. A recent poll conducted by the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association shows a wide open field with Stratton leading once voters hear more about each candidate and their background.

“Juliana Stratton understands what Illinois families face because she’s lived it — as a caregiver, a mediator, and a public servant,” said David Lobl, Chair of Illinois Blue PAC. “She brings compassion and clarity to every room she’s in, and she knows how to build coalitions that actually deliver. That’s the kind of leadership we need in the U.S. Senate.”

Illinois Blue PAC is chaired by Chicago native David Lobl, a seasoned health care and political consultant who has previously advised the Governor of New York and the Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Mark Kalish, a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives and a leader of the Health Care Council of Illinois PAC, joins as Senior Advisor, with a background in advancing legislation and building cross-sector support on health care issues.

Alex Hanns, founder of the public affairs consultancy StrategyA and former communications advisor to Governor JB Pritzker, leads the PAC’s messaging and media relations efforts, bringing experience in advocacy, electoral, and public sector campaigns across Illinois.

Stephan Miller, founder of media firm CreoStrat and former Chief Brand Strategist at Chicago-based Kivvit (formerly ASGK, now Avoq), leads paid media efforts, drawing from experience on candidate and issue-based campaigns in the U.S. and abroad.

The PAC has received early support from health care leaders and advocates across the state. Its first federal filing will occur in July.

About Illinois Blue PAC
Illinois Blue PAC is a federal political action committee supporting Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s campaign for U.S. Senate. We believe in expanding access to care, advancing economic dignity, and electing leaders who deliver results. Juliana Stratton has spent her life fighting for Illinois families, and we’re proud to support a campaign fueled by compassion, credibility, and momentum.

* Someone else claimed to have a “SCOOP” on this story. But, because of the 5 am embargo, I was able to include it in this morning’s Capitol Fax. I’m told that everyone who received this release was informed that it was not exclusive…

Embargoed until 5 AM ET tomorrow — Rep. Kelly to Announce 18 CBC endorsements

Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced that 18 Members of Congress of the Congressional Black Caucus have endorsed her campaign to succeed Senator Dick Durbin in the United States Senate. The members include Representatives Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05).

“I’m honored to have the support of so many colleagues who I have worked closely with in Congress to deliver for families,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “We are in a moment that demands tough leaders with proven experience, who can stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and MAGA Republicans and fight back as they target Illinoisans’ Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and drive up costs. I never back down from a fight, and I’m proud to have the support of my colleagues who know that I can get the job done.”

Robin’s House of Representatives colleagues endorsing her today have seen up close her proven record of delivering results from Illinoisans. In Congress, Robin has been a relentless advocate for gun violence prevention, leading a sit-in on the House floor to protest inaction on gun violence and co-sponsored landmark legislation protecting victims of domestic violence. Her efforts helped pass the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years. Robin has also championed closing gaps in maternal health care, passing a law to dramatically expand Medicaid postpartum coverage to a full year. In the Senate, Robin will continue fighting to make Illinois safer from crime and gun violence, lower costs for families, and tackle health inequities.

For the most part, I think these embargoes are goofy.

* Also, click here for an impressively long list of endorsements lined up by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl in her bid for 10th District Democratic State Central Committeewoman.