The three Democratic front-runners vying for the U.S. Senate in the March 17 primary focused on core issues like affordability, improving health care and standing up to President Donald Trump at a Wednesday debate. […]
[US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi] also wants to make “sure people feel they’re on the path of the American dream.” That includes properly funding a law he authored that assists Americans without a four-year degree obtain a “world-class post-secondary education.”
[US Rep. Robin Kelly] platform is “people over profits,” which involves taxing millionaires, billionaires and corporations. “They need to pay their fair share so we can invest in affordable housing, so we can invest in health care, so we can invest in child care … so we can invest in economic development.”
[Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton] was asked about the war in Ukraine. “Ukraine is our ally, and we should always stand with them. (Trump) tells our allies America can’t be trusted. Then he talks to our adversaries and tries to cozy up with them. We need sturdy leadership and that’s the kind I’m going to bring,” she said.
Over 20 leaders from Champaign County have endorsed Juliana Stratton in her bid for U.S. Senate. Champaign County has become a major Democratic stronghold in the state, and Juliana’s support includes County Democratic Party Chair Mike Ingram, mayors of both Champaign and Urbana, Deborah Frank Feinen and DeShawn Williams, and 13 county executives. […]
- Champaign County leaders endorsing Juliana:
- Mike Ingram - Chair, Champaign County Democrats
- Deborah Frank Feinen - Mayor, Champaign
- DeShawn Williams - Mayor, Urbana
- Steve Summers - Champaign County Executive
- Susan McGrath - Champaign County Clerk of Circuit Court
- Laurie Brauer - Champaign County Coroner
- Byron Clark - Champaign County Treasurer
- Jennifer Locke - Chair, Champaign County Board 9
- Emily Rodriguez - Vice Chair, Champaign County Board 8
- Jenny Lokshin - Champaign County Board 4
- Elly Hanauer-Friedman - Champaign County Board 4
- Matt Sullard - Champaign County Board 5
- Bethany Vanichtheeranont - Champaign County Board 5
- Dennise Arres - Champaign County Board 6
- Eric Thorsland - Champaign County Board 7
- Stephanie Fortado - Champaign County Board 8
- Kathy Shannon - Champaign City Council
- Leah Taylor - Champaign Township Supervisor
- Cedric Stratton - President, Urbana Park District Board of Commissioners
- Ashley Withers - Urbana Park District Board of Commissioners
- Kevin Sage - President, East Central IL Building Trades
Illini Democrats at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Today, a coalition of elected officials and community leaders in Jackson County announced their endorsement of Raja Krishnamoorthi for U.S. Senate. Their endorsements join the long and growing list of downstate supporters backing his Senate bid, reflecting Raja’s broad appeal and growing momentum statewide. They join former Lt. Governor Sheila Simon of Carbondale, who backed Raja’s bid for Senate earlier this month. […]
Today’s Jackson County endorsements include:
- Former Jackson County Board Chairman & Current Member John Rendleman
- Jackson County Board Member Christine Snyder
- Carbondale City Council Member Dawn Roberts
- Carbondale City Council Member Nathan Colombo
- Makanda Township Supervisor Michael Holub
- Makanda Township Highway Commissioner Ed Hoke
- Former Jackson County Treasurer Sharon Harris-Johnson
- Former Jackson County Board Chair Gary Hartlieb
- Former Carbondale Township Supervisor Karen Hartlieb
- Former Democratic State Central Committeeman Kathy West
- Former Jackson County Board Member Frank Riley
- Former Jackson County Board Member Tom Redmond
- Former Jackson County Board Member Paulette Curkin
- Community Activist & Leader Mary O’Hara
Scoop — Daniel Biss is out with a list of new labor endorsements this morning in #IL09, from IBEW Local 134, LiUNA Chicago Laborers District Council, Mid America Carpenters Regional Council and Painters District Council 14
Today, Greg Bovino and Customs and Border Patrol returned to Evanston, Chicago and the surrounding area to terrorize and abduct residents. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, confronted Bovino on two separate occasions, once at a gas station and again at a Home Depot, demanding that he leave Evanston and ripping him for his racist, violent actions.
Daniel Biss released the following statement regarding the incidents:
“Greg Bovino and his thugs need to get the hell out of Evanston. I said it straight to Bovino’s face: the violence, racism, and brutality that his agents are inflicting on the Chicago area are unacceptable and un-American. Bovino’s agents tried to intimidate me, but I won’t back down, and I won’t stop fighting against this fascist reign of terror.”
On Thursday, March 17, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continued their raids in Evanston at a gas station and a Home Depot parking lot. They allegedly abducted two people.
Agents reportedly manipulated local business owners near Green Bay Road and Oakton Street by asking if they could enter to use the restroom and purchase refreshments. Outside, a group of protesters urged border patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino to leave Evanston.
Bushra Amiwala, elected Skokie School Board member and candidate for Congress in IL-09, released the following statement:
“Agents of chaos are once again in our midst. They’re here with a mission: to make life miserable for minorities and anyone who opposes Trump. My neighbors are snatched indiscriminately from the streets, their businesses and even their own homes.”
“This is our horrific new normal. Children go to school each day not knowing whether their parents will be there when class lets out. People can’t go to work, go shopping for groceries or even go for a walk without the fear of being violently captured at gunpoint.”
“ICE is notoriously secretive, but we know what happens to people who are abducted. There is no due process and no mercy. They are kept in inhumane conditions without adequate food, water or sanitation. Then they are shipped to prisons hundreds of miles away, deported to foreign nations and even subject to torture.”
“I call on every ICE agent to save your conscience and quit your job. You are working for an evil force. And to everyone else: stay vigilant and know your rights. This assault on our neighborhoods is not over yet.”
* The New Democrat Coalition Action Fund has endorsed 8th CD candidate Melissa Bean…
Today, the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund endorsed Melissa Bean in the race for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District seat. Melissa previously served as a New Dems Vice Chair.
Statement from NDAF Chair Greg Stanton:
“New Dems are proud to support Melissa Bean, an experienced lawmaker with an exceptional track record of delivering for the people of Illinois. As a former Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, Melissa knows better than anyone how to campaign on commonsense policies, earn the trust of hardworking Illinoisans, and deliver real solutions to lower costs and grow the economy in Congress. Now with 10 endorsed candidates, New Dems will continue to ramp up our work to support the strongest candidates in the toughest races to take back the House in 2026.”
* Justice Democrats have endorsed Junaid Ahmed…
Justice Democrats, the national grassroots organization dedicated to electing bold progressive leaders to Congress, announced their endorsement of Junaid Ahmed in Illinois’ 8th district.
In endorsing Junaid’s campaign, Justice Democrats recognized his unwavering commitment to affordability, universal healthcare, and climate action. Like the progressive leaders Justice Democrats has helped elect across the country, Junaid is building a grassroots, people-powered campaign that does not accept corporate PAC money.
“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of Justice Democrats and thrilled to stand alongside a movement that believes our government should work for working people, not corporate donors or political insiders,” said Junaid Ahmed. “Justice Democrats represents the kind of honest, people-driven politics our district deserves and together we will win the fights for affordability, justice, and a livable future.”
* More…
* Press Release | Congressman Sorensen Slams Trump Administration for Plans to Break Up the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado: “The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado is one of the most important organizations for the understanding of atmospheric science in the world,” said Congressman Sorensen. “In my previous career, I’ve worked at NCAR to learn from some of the most brilliant minds in Meteorology. But now the administration’s attack on science may put this in jeopardy, sending these important researchers to other countries. This is not how we put America first. Instead, it puts us dead last as we fail to develop strategies and policy to combat man-made climate change. As the only meteorologist in Congress, I will lead the charge against this radical anti-science agenda which puts the lives of my neighbors and our national security at great risk.”
U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino led a caravan of SUVs through Chicago and into the suburbs Wednesday morning, making at least one arrest after making a surprise return to the city a day earlier and targeting immigrant communities.
A caravan of SUVs with out-of-state license plates were seen traveling near Midway International Airport, then continuing through the North Side of Chicago and into Evanston.
Border Patrol agents arrested at least one man at a Mobil gas station in the northern suburb, 1950 Green Bay Road. Bovino then held what amounted to an impromptu news conference, telling a crowd that he couldn’t provide a reason for the arrest because his agents were “still running checks.” […]
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, a Democrat who is now running for Congress, was among the crowd that gathered at the gas station. He demanded that an agent show him “evidence” tied to the arrest.
At least eight agents, including Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino, were present outside the Home Depot located at 2201 Oakton St., according to multiple photos and videos posted on social media and verified by The Daily. Mayor Daniel Biss, who was present at the scene, said he saw at least two people taken by the agents in a video posted on Instagram at 12:40 p.m.
At least one CBP-operated Black Hawk helicopter was also seen circling overhead the Home Depot, according to a video sent to The Daily.
Black Hawk helicopters were also seen circling near Ryan Field, according to an employee who works at a nearby Central Street business. The employee said they last heard the helicopters at 12:15 p.m.
…Adding… Speaking of wasting money, here’s the Tribune…
The 300 Illinois National Guard troops under Republican President Donald Trump’s control since early October — despite Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s objections — will remain federalized until mid-April, even though the Guard members have carried out no significant operational missions and have spent most of their time stationed at a northern Illinois base. […]
The Illinois Guard members in question have been staying at an Illinois Army National Guard training site in Marseilles, a state-owned military base about 75 miles southwest of Chicago, and have never deployed for the Trump administration’s stated purpose of protecting federal officers and assets.
* Bovino told the Tribune today that Mayor Biss “asked why we were there, and when I told him it was to make his city a safer place, I saw just a brief instance of enlightenment on his face, but then he sank back into the usual tired rhetoric that causes violence. So unfortunately, that’s what some of those leaders have come to do. But we’re here to do a legal, ethical and moral mission. We’re going to continue that.” You can hear much of the conversation in this video…
* Bovino also praised the Evanston PD for its recent assistance. “I think they’re probably learning a little bit from Louisiana how an orderly, safe enforcement action works.” A spokesperson for Biss said the assistance was “Traffic enforcement.” Click the pic to see the video…
* Evanston Now | Immigration raids return to Evanston: The station manager told Evanston Now’s Jeff Hirsh that the agents came into the station to buy snacks and asked to use the bathroom. He said that as far as he could tell nobody was arrested during the event. Evanston Police Cmdr. Ryan Glew says it was not immediately clear whether anyone had been taken into custody at the gas station. The federal agents then moved to the Home Depot on Oakton Street in Evanston where Evanston Now’s Matthew Eadie reports at least one or possibly two people were taken into custody and the window of a truck was smashed by agents as they tried to make an arrest.
*The Daily Northwestern | Live: 2 people reported taken at Oakton Home Depot amid continued federal immigration presence in Evanston: Black Hawk helicopters were also seen circling near Ryan Field, according to an employee who works at a nearby Central Street business. The employee said they last heard the helicopters at 12:15 p.m. At least one CBP-operated H125 helicopter was also seen flying over Evanston, according to photos and videos verified by The Daily as well as flight transponder data. One H125 helicopter circled over the Northwestern campus for over 30 minutes before it stopped transmitting position data around 11:50 a.m.
* Crain’s | Border Patrol returns to haunt Chicago’s economy before holidays: Immigration raids have left their mark not only on communities but also in pockets of Chicago’s economy. Businesses in Little Village, known as the Mexico of the Midwest, saw sales drop as much as 50% to 70%, according to Jennifer Aguilar, the executive director of the neighborhood’s Chamber of Commerce. Sales tax revenue from the area, home to the city’s second-busiest retail corridor, slumped 32% in October from a year earlier, according to data from the Illinois Department of Revenue analyzed by Bloomberg. Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said workers were missing shifts in both local and restaurant chains due to fear of immigration enforcement. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, which include executives from McDonald’s Corp., Ulta Beauty Inc. and Morningstar Inc., said earlier this year that Trump’s threat to deploy the National Guard to Chicago was hurting their “businesses’ bottom lines.”
* ABC Chicago | Apparent arrest made by federal agents in Chicago area amid concerns of Bovino’s return: One business owner told ABC7 they started locking their doors, again, in an effort to protect their customers. Some tables have stood empty at Nuevo León, since “Operation Midway Blitz” began, the owner says. Although there was a glimmer of hope, of a possible return to normalcy when Bovino seemingly left the area in November, customers never quite fully returned.
* WIRED | Border Patrol Bets on Small Drones to Expand US Surveillance Reach: New market research conducted this month shows that, rather than relying on larger, centralized drone platforms, CBP is concentrating on lightweight uncrewed aircraft that can be launched quickly by small teams, remain operational under environmental stress, and relay surveillance data directly to frontline units. The documents emphasize portability, fast setup, and integration with equipment already used by border patrol. Those requirements build on earlier inquiries that show CBP steadily locking in its operational priorities: drones capable of detecting movement in remote terrain, rapidly cueing agents with coordinates, and functioning reliably in heat, dust, and high winds. Past requests highlighted the integration of cameras, infrared sensors, and mapping software to help agents locate and intercept targeted people across deserts, rivers, and coastal corridors.
I interrupt this City Council budget battle hearing to note that it looks like the lawsuit Paul Vallas brought against his campaign deputy for $680k has ended with a summary judgement for the defendant last week? pic.twitter.com/KawJxxh8ds
Former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing a consultant of defrauding his campaign out of hundreds of thousands of dollars that he allegedly falsely claimed was spent on get-out-the-vote efforts in Black communities the former public schools chief ultimately lost.
The suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges Chimaobi Enyia told the campaign he had effectively been given a “blank check” for $700,000 to do campaign work in those communities ahead of the mayoral runoff in April. Enyia was allegedly unable to account for $680,000 he received over a series of payments, and the Vallas campaign is now pushing to recoup all the money Enyia was paid.
The first sign that something was amiss came when Vallas’ campaign filed its latest financial disclosure Monday showing $480,000 of the $500,000 in payments to Enyia’s company, Ikoro LLC, were being “disputed.” Another contested payment for $200,000 came on April 3, after that reporting period had ended, according to the suit.
That Vallas lawsuit is here. It just about ruined Enyia, whose wife was pregnant at the time the complaint was filed. They’ve since had another kid, while having to spend six figures to fend off these attacks.
Vallas rarely takes responsibility for his failures, and that was the case here as well. Somebody else had to be responsible for his loss. So he sued to prove it.
But a summary judgement means the judge went over the evidence and decided that Enyia would likely prevail at trial. The judge could have simply dismissed the case, but that’s not the path chosen here.
…Adding… From comments…
Slight quibble re summary judgment, it’s more than Enyia would “likely” prevail at trial. It’s after discovery there are no material facts in dispute for a factfinder to decide and applying the law to the undisputed facts the only possible outcome is that Enyia wins. So no need for a trial as the case is so one-sided.
* I reached out to Chima yesterday and he politely refused comment, mainly because he’s too classy to carry a public grudge.
Vallas needs to do the decent thing and apologize.
…Adding… Enyia has now issued a response…
I am grateful for the Court’s judgment after a long and difficult two-and-a-half-year journey. This process stretched me, but as Psalm 119 reminds us, even hardship can become a teacher. My focus now is on healing, my family, and continuing the work I’m called to do with integrity and professionalism. I’m thankful for everyone who supported me and I move forward with renewed purpose.
…Adding… The opinion and order by Associate Judge James E. Hanlon Jr. is here.
