* As I’ve told you before, the DCCC has been posting opposition research and raw tracker videos online this cycle. The idea is to let other groups, PACs etc. who are running “independent expenditure” campaigns have access to stuff that could be useful in their TV ads.

That appears to be what’s behind this Illinois Review story, headlined “DCCC threatens Congressman Schilling with chilling drive-by videos”…

A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) staffer is publishing creepy videos of the homes of Congressman Bobby Schilling, his family members, neighbors, and supporters (see videos below) …the Schillings are understandably concerned about their family and friends’ privacy and safety — especially after a YouTube stalker incident just a year ago.

Last October, Congressman Schilling was the victim of a cyber death threat. A YouTube that went viral offered $75,000 for the congressman’s assassination or for the rape or murder of a member of his family (see video HERE).

With those memories still fresh in the Schilling family’s minds, the congressman’s sister-in-law visited Schilling’s Democrat opponent’s office and asked them to take the videos down. Staffers at Cheri Bustos’ headquarters said they would look into it, but the videos are still viewable.

“Frankly I am sickened by someone creeping around my sister’s house and our neighborhood, videoing homes,” Christie Schilling, the congressman’s wife, told Illinois Review. “I don’t want to sound like an alarmist. I’m sorry, but I don’t like not feeling safe.”

The videos of the homes have since been taken offline. But they were for houses that also appeared in the DCCC’s opposition research book.

For instance, Schilling owned a house on Ponderosa Drive in Colona that, according to the OR book, had some tax liens on it. A house in Silvis was bought and sold quickly, indicating it was flipped. A house in Geneseo was bought and sold within five years.

* Why is this important at all? Well, according to the OR book, Schilling earned no income from his now-legendary pizza restaurant in 2009 and earned just $1,750 in 2010. So, the idea is, apparently, to encourage somebody else to tell voters that Schilling ain’t much of a pizza guy. Instead, he’s… I dunno… something else.

Whatever. I suppose this is somewhat relevant because the Republican Party is making a big deal out of Democratic congressional candidate Brad Schneider’s lack of income from his consulting business.

But I’ll bet the DCCC doesn’t post video of Schilling’s house ever again. And that’s a good thing.

Sheesh, people. Take it easy out there.