* Sun-Times…
Federal prosecutors in Chicago are being asked to turn over “White House communications” by attorneys defending six people — including four Democratic politicians — charged with a conspiracy tied to protests outside an immigration holding facility in Broadview.
A defense attorney for congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, one of the six charged, also told a judge Thursday that a “selective prosecution motion” could be on the way in the case that’s one of the most high-profile to result from the feds’ “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Defense attorneys have yet to file any motions, and U.S. District Judge April Perry made no rulings during a brief status hearing in the case Thursday. It’s not even clear if any relevant communications exist between the White House and Chicago’s U.S. Attorney’s Office. […]
Charged along with Abughazaleh are Cook County Board candidate Cat Sharp, who is chief of staff to Ald. Andre Vasquez; Oak Park village trustee Brian Straw; 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson Michael Rabbitt; Andre Martin and musician Joselyn Walsh.
Evanston Now…
Federal prosecutors argue in the indictment, unsealed in late October, that the defendants “conspired with one another and others … to prevent by force, intimidation and threat,” federal agents from entering the ICE facility on Beach Street in Broadview.
The agent, who is not named in the indictment, was able to enter the facility in his vehicle early on the morning of Sept. 26, but “was forced to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring any of the conspirators” in doing so.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri H. Mecklenburg told Judge Perry Thursday that she had taken the defendant’s counsel to the “garage” earlier this week, presumably in Broadview, to view the vehicle the government alleges was damaged in the encounter.
Although a key piece in the indictment, pointed out by [Abughazaleh’s attorney, Josh Herman,] last month, is that prosecutors don’t allege the six defendants are directly responsible for damaging the car itself, but rather it was part of a larger “conspiracy.”
* Also in the 9th CD, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss announced a new endorsement from U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal. From the press release…
Today, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) announced her endorsement of Daniel Biss in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Since taking office in 2017, Rep. Jayapal has become a national leader on progressive issues and currently serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
“Daniel Biss is a bold, thoughtful, progressive leader who has been deeply rooted in the district, organizing people and challenging corrupt systems,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “He brings vision, compassion, and a deep understanding of the communities he serves. I’m supporting Daniel Biss for Congress because he will be a powerful partner in the fight for justice, economic fairness, and a democracy that works for everyone.”
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, chaired by U.S. Rep. Jayapal, endorsed Biss last month.
* Press release…
Congressional candidate Bushra Amiwala welcomed nearly a hundred volunteers into Bushra for Congress headquarters on Tuesday night to celebrate the momentum her campaign has built so far.
It was the largest volunteer gathering any candidate in the district has held to date.
“Look around this room. Every age, race, gender, ethnic background and geographic part of the district is represented,” Amiwala, an elected school board member, told the crowd. […]
Amiwala was joined by Miracle Jenkins, a former IL-09 candidate and lead organizer for Bernie Sanders. Jenkins recently endorsed Amiwala for Congress.
“I’m happy to endorse Bushra,” Jenkins told the attendees.
“Bushra understands, much like Zohran Mamdani, that the core issue of our day is affordability.
Amiwala is participating in a Skokie candidate Town Hall tonight at Skokie Sketchbook Brwery at 6:30. The event is hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America’s Chicago Chapter.
* Another 9th CD candidate, Sen. Mike Simmons announced a couple of endorsements this week…
State Senator Mike Simmons’ campaign for Congress has been endorsed by ATU Local 308 and their 4,000+ members. Mike has been a leader on investing and improving public transit in the State Senate, and will bring a much-needed voice for transit workers and services to Congress.
“Mike Simmons has always stood with train and transit workers, and we are proud to stand with him in his campaign to represent Illinois’ 9th District,” said ATU Local 308 President Pennie McCoach. “We need his authentic leadership and proven record of results in Congress, and Local 308 is ready to support him in every way.”
Sen. Simmons was also endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.
* Politico…
In IL-07: State Rep. La Shawn Ford has been endorsed by fellow state Reps. Michael Kelly, Rita Mayfield, Justin Slaughter and Debbie Meyers-Martin in his bid for Congress.
— In IL-08: Junaid Ahmed has been endorsed by Unrig Washington, a national group advocating for getting big money out of politics and protecting the right to vote.
— In IL-06: Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich, a Democrat challenging Congressman Sean Castin in the primary, has been endorsed by DuPage County Board member Lynn LaPlante.
…Adding… Press release…
Laura Fine’s campaign for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District announced new endorsements today from local leaders, including former Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith, and Buffalo Grove Trustee David Weidenfeld.
“Laura Fine has been a strong stalwart in the Illinois General Assembly for progressive values. She’s thoughtful and reliably effective,” says Mayor Van Dusen. “She will follow in the great tradition of Sidney Yates and Jan Schakowsky. We need her brand of leadership in Congress today.”
…Adding… Press release…
This week, 6th Ward Alderman William Hall and 3rd District Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry endorsed Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin in her campaign for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, noting her record of delivering for communities across Chicago and Cook County.
The endorsements come on the heels of Conyears-Ervin announcing the support of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and sitting Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, joining the dozens of elected and community leaders across the 7th Congressional District supporting her run.
* More…
* Aftermath | Instead Of Relying On Wealthy Donors, Congressional Candidate Kat Abughazaleh Is Using A Twitch Stream To Raise Money – And Fight A Federal Indictment: “We did a big recap and looked at our [livestream] numbers as opposed to call time, but also specifically what stream segments were good, which were bad,” Buerk told Aftermath. “We got a lot of positive feedback from our audience and from constituents of not only how good a tool it was for soliciting donations, but for community connection and constituent connection as well.” Call time, Buerk said, is also only really an effective use of time if people are donating the maximum amount, which is $7,000 from an individual.
* Intelligencer | Seven questions with Senate candidate Robin Kelly: Kelly, who sat down with The Intelligencer for an interview on Oct. 4, believes she has what is needed to take on the job. “I’ve been an effective leader on every level of government — from municipal, to state representative, to chief of staff for the state treasurer, to chief administrative officer for Cook County,” she said. “I love my job. I love representing Illinois, and I know that I’m very ready and very able to move to this next level.”
* Intelligencer | Seven questions with Senate candidate Juliana Stratton: Stratton, a Democrat, was serving as the primary caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s when she decided to run for a position in the State House of Representatives in an effort to oppose state health-care cuts. Just six months into that role, she was tapped to be the lieutenant governor candidate during JB Pritzker’s successful campaign for governor in 2018. Now in her second term as lieutenant governor, Stratton says she sees another urgent need — a federal government she believes is failing to meet people’s everyday concerns.
* Intelligencer | Seven questions with Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi: Krishnamoorthi has represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District for five terms, gaining a reputation for bipartisanship on issues, including U.S.-China competition. He said he’s seeking “a promotion” to the Senate to expand the effects of his core mission — ensuring that the opportunities his family found in the United States remain accessible to future generations.
