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* 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…
As a single mom, social worker, and former state representative I know the challenge of finding affordable childcare and the impacts of the rising cost of food and rent on our families.
And that's why I’m running for Congress -to continue the fight for working families in #IL17. pic.twitter.com/u1oxWGTQSG
— Litesa E. Wallace (@LitesaWallace) November 10, 2021
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…
I like former Rep Wallace and I hope she does well in this race, but social worker is a title protected profession. While she has worked in similar fields, she is not nor never has been a social worker, and should not use that title. #twill https://t.co/DBTCfeVHYq
— Kyle Hillman (@kylehillman) November 10, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 8:25 am
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Who is running Villegas’ campaign? No website, no filings, no way for the grassroots to give or sign up for an email list. Yikes! This is a burst of attention and you’re blowing it.
Comment by Shield Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 9:22 am
Could David Gill of all people decide to give the new 17th a shot? Even though his part of the Twin Cities is barely in the new 16th.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 10:16 am
Sorenson, who grew up in Rockford but has been on the TV in the Quad Cities as a popular meteorologist for the last decade, has a huge Quad Cities following. But Litesa Wallace, as the only candidate who served in Springfield and traveled the district as a Lt Gov candidate, adds some firepower.
Comment by here we go Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 10:22 am
Alderman Villegas is a classic opportunist who uses the community to climb up. He should not be the next Congressman of the 3rd District. He was closely aligned to disgraced State Representative Luis Arroyo Sr who pleaded guilty to corruption and as the old saying goes “bird of the same feathers flock together”
No thank you, I will not be voting for Alderman Villegas as my next Congressman.
President & CEO of the Friends of the Park, Juanita Irizarry should run for this open seat. She is Harvard Educated and is half white and half Latina - a great combination for this new congressional district. She would be an amazing candidate. Run Juanita Run.
Comment by Not Gil Villegas but Juanita Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:09 am
My sincere hope is Marie Newman finds peace in this new map.
To the post,
Bruising primaries (possible) in 2 districts for Dems, both seemingly safer than “toss ups”, how active can Republicans be in challenging the eventual nominees and how much will be spent trying to make these districts competitive within the shorter window of primary to general election, if these eventual nominees are bruised?
The thing about new maps, and given that these new seats are up during a midterm election, how safe is any seat that is first new and second bruising to a primary?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:19 am
Dems need a strong candidate in the 17th if they want to win. Not sure any of those that have put their hat in the ring would be considered that.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:41 am
Litesa Wallace is wasting her time running in that District. Didn’t see run with Daniel Biss? She’s way too left for that district.
Comment by Another Perspective Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:02 pm
Gilbert is a little too thick with developers. He’s pretty tone deaf to gentrification/displacement issues facing his communities. Juanita ran for alderman in my ward (26th) and lost. Not an impressive candidate. My committeeman, Angee Gonzalez, is rumored to be a candidate as well. Many consider her a DINO. We can do better.
Comment by Ward Heeler Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:50 pm
the new 3rd is not as progressive as many of the latino state districts/wards in Chicago, it is more blue collar, middle of the road. The Latinos of Belmont Cragin, Belmont Gardens would like a Gil Villegas better than a more liberal Chuy allied candidate
Comment by CD 3 resident Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:45 pm