* Press release…
Today, on the 246th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, Alderman Gilbert Villegas of Chicago’s 36th Ward announced his campaign for Congress. Villegas is a Marine and member of the Chicago City Council currently serving his second term. He is the first candidate to enter the race to represent Illinois’ newly drawn 3rd District since the state legislature passed the maps last month.
“As a Marine, an advocate for working families, and a member of the City Council, I’ve always put service to my community first. Illinois needs a proven fighter with the courage and conviction to combat the rising cost of living, lack of increase in wages, and struggles our small businesses face in today’s economy. Voters can count on me to deliver results, and I’m ready to hit the ground running,” said Alderman Gil Villegas.
The 36th Ward sits entirely within the new congressional district boundaries.
Villegas also announced the endorsement of Chicago native U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego of the 7th Congressional District of Arizona.
“I’m proud to endorse fellow Marine Gil Villegas. Alderman Villegas has fought for the people of Chicago honorably and dutifully while working to create much needed economic development in communities that have historically faced underinvestment and gun violence. Raised by a single mother who provided for him and his brother after a terrible family tragedy, he knows what it’s like for families who struggle. That’s why he was instrumental in Chicago becoming the largest City in America to engage in a guaranteed basic income pilot to provide low income families cash assistance,” said Congressman Ruben Gallego. “Congress needs more public servants like Gil Villegas who are prepared to put country over party, and to do the right thing.”
Expect a Chuy Garcia ally to also run in this primary.
…Adding… Lynn Sweet…
The new 3rd is called a Hispanic-influenced district because although it’s heavily Hispanic, it does not have a majority Hispanic voting-age population. If multiple Hispanic candidates join the primary, the vote could split and the district may not elect another Hispanic member to Congress. I asked Villegas if that was a concern.
“If there are too many Latinx representatives that get in, I think that potentially could be an issue,” Villegas said.
* Press release…
Educator and former Rockford State Representative Litesa Wallace launches her campaign for Congress today in Illinois’ new Seventeenth Congressional District. Born and raised in Illinois and a 16 year resident of Rockford, Litesa’s parents were both public servants. Litesa understands the economic and social challenges facing the communities of the 17th district for whom she’s fiercely advocated throughout her career.
“As a single mom and former legislator, I know the challenges my neighbors face - from finding affordable childcare to the rising cost of food and rent. It’s why as a state legislator I strengthened the childcare assistance program, fought against food insecurity, advocated for affordable housing, and fought for a $15 minimum wage while in the state legislature”.
As a three-term Rockford State Representative, Litesa championed measures to reduce violence, expand affordable childcare and mental health care access, strengthen the economy, develop opportunities for women and girls, and extend the River’s Edge Historic Tax Credit to help redevelop Peoria and Rockford.
The 17th district is currently represented by outgoing Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. The recently redrawn district has a Biden +7 democratic performance and is economically, geographically, and racially diverse, with twenty-seven percent of residents being people of color.
Dr. Litesa Wallace is an alumna of Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois University, where she received a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. She has worked as an educator and an activist, co-founding the Rockford Anti-Racism Network and serving as a fellow for the Diversifying Faculty in Higher Education Board along with representing Rockford in the state legislature.
Video…
Expect several candidates in that district. The Democrats already announced include Rock Island County Board member Angie Normoyle, former Rockford meteorologist Eric Sorensen (who kinda jumped in out of the blue) and Rockford’s 2nd Ward Alderperson Jonathan Logemann. There will likely be more. Sen. Steve Stadelman is still mulling his options as well.
Republican Esther Joy King has raised a ton of money for a bid in the swing district. King ran in 2020 and gave Cheri Bustos a real scare.
*** UPDATE *** NASW lobbyist…
