* Subscribers were told earlier. Press release…

Democratic State Senator Robert Peters announced his candidacy for Congress in Illinois’ 2nd District on Tuesday, pledging to be a champion for working people and a fighter against the Trump agenda.

Peters, a South Side native, was a community organizer before becoming a state senator, where he has led efforts for criminal justice reform and workers’ rights.

“I’m running for Congress to take on the billionaires in charge of Washington and to build a government that delivers for the people,” said Robert Peters. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk are taking a wrecking ball to our fundamental rights, and we need a proven fighter in Congress to stand up to them and their extremist followers.

“This moment demands that we stand up for the freedoms of not only ourselves, but also our neighbors. We need leaders in Congress who will protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and our fundamental rights. We must come together to make government work for everyone — not just the wealthy and big corporations. I’m ready to organize with communities across the district to advance that vision together.”

In Springfield, Peters serves as majority whip and chair of the Labor Committee, and is the former Senate chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. He’s spearheaded groundbreaking legislation, including the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, which reformed the broken bail system in Illinois in favor of more equitable and data-driven approaches, and has championed policies that will help Illinois families succeed, like raising the minimum wage, expanding workplace protections, and investing in affordable housing. He helped lead the charge to pass the Healthcare Protection Act, which took on greedy insurance companies and brought more fairness and transparency to our system to put patients first.

Robert graduated from Mount Carmel High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from Kansas State University. Robert lives on the South Side, just blocks from where he grew up, with his wife, Grace, a nonprofit leader. Robert’s Jewish faith guides him in his commitment to social justice. He is an active member of KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue.

For more information about Robert Peters and his campaign for Congress, visit robertpetersforcongress.com

* Sen. Peters is not up for election next year, so he’ll get a free swing at the seat. His launch video…

* More…

* WGN | Rep. Kelly takes campaign for Durbin’s seat to City Club of Chicago: Hours after announcing the endorsement of more than a dozen of her congressional colleagues, Rep. Robin Kelly on Monday took her stump speech to the City Club of Chicago for lunch with political movers and shakers. Kelly, 69, last week launched a campaign to replace Sen. Dick Durbin, who announced in April his intention to not seek a sixth term in office. “I know I would bring effective leadership,” Kelly told those gathered. “I have a proven history of being successful, effective and solution oriented on every single job that I’ve had.”

* Windy City Times | Gay Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison announces congressional bid: 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.

* Tribune | Who will fill Dick Durbin’s US Senate seat in Illinois? Here are the candidates: The election is expected to be hotly contested, with statewide officeholders and congressional leaders vying for the treasured post. The winner of the Democratic primary will likely have an advantage given how blue Illinois’ electorate is, but several Republicans also are weighing a run. Durbin’s retirement means U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth will become Illinois’ senior senator.

* WCBU | A Rockford Democrat wants to offer a ‘different vision’ in Illinois’ 16th Congressional District: A lifelong resident of Rockford is joining a growing field of candidates from both the left and right looking to unseat Illinois U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood in 2026. Democrat Paul Nolley describes himself as coming from a working class family with a working class background. His father was a mechanic and his mom worked several jobs, both of them without a college education.

* Tribune | Democratic digital creator likely facing field of local politicians to succeed US Rep. Jan Schakowsky: Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old newcomer to the Chicago region who is banking on her blunt messaging and massive online following to earn her a place on Capitol Hill, might have been the first to announce she was running for the congressional seat — even before the 80-year-old Schakowsky said she wouldn’t run again. But Abughazaleh won’t be the last. One state legislator, state Sen. Laura Fine of Glenview, joined the race within hours of Schakowsky’s announcement. Other local politicians are expected to follow soon, setting up a confrontation between candidates employing new media savvy and those relying on grassroots support and old-school organizing.

Thoughts?