* Sun-Times…

At least five candidates are hoping to spoil efforts by Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García’s hand-picked successor to win a congressional seat this November.

The deadline is May 26 for independent candidates to file at least 10,816 valid petition signatures with the Illinois State Board of Elections. That hefty number is required in Illinois for independent bids — and the state is seeing plenty of challengers who say García’s last-minute decision to help his chief of staff get on the ballot as the Democratic nominee for the 4th Congressional District was a key factor in efforts to enter the race. The congressman said his health factored into the decision.

For her part, Patty García — no relation to the congressman — has been running full steam since the fall and has picked up the support of established Democrats, like the backing of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Democratic Senate candidate Juliana Stratton and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. She also has the support of labor unions, including the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Illinois AFL-CIO. […]

“I’ve been knocking on doors since November. I’ve yet to hear from a single person about the process, or about anything like that,” Patty García said. “The only thing that I hear from people is struggling to pay for rent, struggling to pay for medicine, afraid about immigration coming back. And the main question that I get, I’ll be honest, the question that I get is, ‘Are you a Democrat?’ Yes. ‘Alright. That’s all I need to know.”

* Lindsay Church, a veteran who runs a nonprofit serving minority veterans, has dropped out of the race…

During this campaign, my health caught up with me. The battery for my spinal cord stimulator shifted out of place while I was collecting petitions; I need yet another surgery and time to recover.

There’s heartbreak in that, but there’s also clarity. Service doesn’t end because a campaign does. […]

This Memorial Day, I leave this race grateful for every volunteer who stood in the cold collecting signatures, of every voter who stopped to talk, and knowing that people across the district I call home believe democracy is worth fighting for.

The campaign ends here.

My service does not.

* Church has endorsed fellow Independent Mayra Macìas. Press release…

Mayra Macías today was endorsed by her former fellow candidate, Lindsay Church, a day after Church dropped out of the race. The endorsement is part of a growing independent movement to build a united front against anti-democratic corruption in Chicago and provide an alternative to the handpicked, uncontested establishment nominee this November.

“I entered this race because I believe democracy only works when people have real choices and leaders willing to fight for ordinary people, not political machines or backroom deals,” said Lindsay Church. “As a veteran, I took an oath to defend this country and the freedoms at the heart of it, and I believe those freedoms are being chipped away by corruption, unchecked power, and a political system that too often shuts people out. I believe Mayra Macías is prepared to stand up to those forces, protect our communities, and fight for the resources and dignity our neighbors deserve. I’m proud to endorse her, and I hope the people who believed in my campaign will continue showing up for the future of this district alongside her.”

“I am deeply grateful to receive Lindsay’s endorsement today,” said Macías. “Lindsay has devoted their life to our country and our community — from serving as a Navy linguist to fighting for the rights of veterans, LGBTQ+ families, and healthcare equity. Their voice and dedication to free and fair elections brought immense value to this race, and their decision to support my campaign underscores what is at stake this November. Chicagoland voters are tired of political insiders deciding their fate behind closed doors. With Lindsay’s support, I look forward to providing voters with a real choice and representing the issues that our community truly cares about.”

Lindsay Church is a veteran, nonprofit executive, LGBTQ+ leader, and parent raising their family in Berwyn, Illinois. They entered the race for Illinois’s 4th Congressional District to ensure democratic choice in the election and provide accountable leadership in Congress. In stepping down, Church joins a powerful and rapidly growing coalition backing Macías, which includes Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Moms Fed Up PAC, Nuestro PAC, and End Citizens United.

* Press release…

Independent candidate Byron Sigcho Lopez will file petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections on Tuesday, taking the next step in giving voters in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District another choice in a race shaped by insider politics and backroom deals between incumbent Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García and his chief of staff Patty Garcia. Illinois imposes some of the toughest ballot access requirements in the country for independent candidates – requiring more than 10,000 signatures compared to just 697 for the unopposed Democratic candidate.

WHERE:
Illinois State Board of Elections
2329 S. MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, IL 62704

WHEN:
4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026

* More…

* WGN | Lyons Mayor Chris Getty launches independent bid for 4th Congressional District: The race to replace retiring Congressman Jesus “Chuy” García is getting more competitive this week. Lyons Mayor Chris Getty is the first Independent candidate in the contest to file petitions to get on the ballot this November. “Across the district, time and time again, people were saying they were upset. They believe the political system is rigged against them,” Getty told WGN-TV Political Editor Tahman Bradley on The Point.

* Press release | Patty García Endorsed by Rep. Ro Khanna: “I’m proud to endorse Patty for IL-04 because she has stood with immigrant families facing detention and deportation, fought to keep housing affordable, and helped deliver resources to communities that have been overlooked for far too long,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. Rep. Khanna is a leading progressive voice on removing dark money from politics, holding Big Tech accountable, and reducing costs like housing and healthcare for working Americans. He has also worked across ideological lines with lawmakers like Thomas Massie on issues including congressional war powers and government transparency, including efforts to push for the release of records related to Jeffrey Epstein.