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* Forest Park mayor Rory Hoskins joins the race for US Rep. Danny Davis’ seat…
* I think this is the 17th candidate to jump into the 9th Congressional District Democratic primary…
"My name is Sam Polan and I'm running for Congress in Illinois' Ninth District. I'm an Army special operations veteran. I served three tours overseas and until very recently, I served as a senior policy advisor at the Pentagon. pic.twitter.com/CAr27G3uCx
— Sam Polan for Congress (@Polan4Congress) August 22, 2025
* WICS…
Ryan D. Tebrugge, a business owner and public servant with 13 years of experience, has announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in Illinois’ 15th Congressional District. […]
Tebrugge, a former correctional officer and educator, aims to bring “honest leadership and practical solutions” to Congress. He stressed the importance of building bridges rather than barriers and working across the aisle for bipartisan solutions. […]
Tebrugge criticized Representative Miller for her lack of engagement with district residents, stating, “Ms. Miller may be a respected mother, grandmother, community member, and farmer, but she is not doing her job as a Representative. She often fails to get involved with her constituents.” […]
Key pillars of Tebrugge’s campaign include focusing on people over politics, fiscal conservatism, secure data protection and privacy, affordable high-speed internet access, and exploring sustainable energy options.
* The 21st Show’s Brian Mackey spoke with US Rep. Robin Kelly on her bid for Senate. Interview highlights from IPM Newsroom…
On winning back young voters who drifted towards Republicans in 2024:
“People have to feel that we care about them and that we’re listening to them, and that they have a voice, and that there is economic opportunity … and we we just have to, you know, keep communicating in every way that we can. We learned that lesson in November … I just spoke to a young person that goes to [The University of Illinois], and he told me, ‘I don’t even have cable, and a lot of my friends get their news from other friends, and what other friends post or TikTok or Instagram,’ so we have to be in all those spaces.
On the impact of President Trump’s crackdown on immigrants without legal status:
“President Trump and his cronies have pushed so much fear, so much, you know, ‘it’s just about America, forget everybody else.’ And they’re coming to get your jobs, you know, [he] make comments. ‘He’s coming to get, like, your black jobs,’ you know, and things like that. So I think that he’s pushed division and people that follow him, you know, agree with that.”
On supporting universal healthcare:
“There’s no reason in the richest country in the history of the world that everyone doesn’t have quality health care. And if other countries can do it, we need to figure it out.”
On whether the U.S. has an interest in a free Ukraine:
“What’s going to stop [Putin] from going to the other countries? And of course, some of those other countries are NATO countries. So, you know, we have a decision: do we pay with money, or do we pay with our military? Do we … pay with blood?”
* Yesterday, US Rep. Kelly said she’ll sign onto US Rep. Delia Ramirez’s “Block the Bombs” Act. Press release…
Congresswoman Robin Kelly, a candidate for U.S. Senate, today issued the following statement confirming that she will sign the Block the Bombs Act, which will prevent the unchecked transfer of offensive weapons to Israel:
“As Israel prepares the first stages of its military offensive on Gaza City and calls up 60,000 army reservists to fight a war that will only cause further death and destruction on both sides, we have to act. Tomorrow, I will sign on to the “Block the Bombs” bill, which will prevent the unchecked transfer of offensive weapons to Israel.
I will always support the Iron Dome and defensive weapon systems that have saved countless lives. This bill affirms a secure Israel, which I continue to support, but I cannot stand by silently as children starve to death. We need to achieve a two-state solution where all Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and with dignity.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has turned a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, allowing starvation and famine to spread. President Trump must act urgently to save lives and stop the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We’ve reached a critical point where Congress needs to act.
As Senator, I will support essential security aid to Israel. But in this moment, we cannot allow the transfer of the deadliest offensive weapons without taking definitive action to prevent the loss of civilian life.”
* Raja Krishnamoorthi is on the second leg of his state-wide tour. WNIJ…
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, IL-8, stopped by the Rockford Public Library’s East Branch as part of his summer listening tour.
The Democrat declared his bid for a U.S. Senate seat in May, a few weeks after current Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin announced his retirement. […]
“My number one priority,” he said, “is addressing those economic pain points that people feel every day in their lives, regardless of whether they’re working, poor, middle class or growing a business. They feel it in a way that they have never felt it before.” […]
During the stop, he said he hopes to pass legislation to unmask ICE agents, ban mid-decade redistricting, and re-establish the rules of presidential pardons.
…Adding… Daily Herald…
The Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood for her seat in Congress supported President Donald Trump’s call to end mail-in voting this week by calling the centuries-old practice “a scam” that is “ripe for fraud.”
“If you can’t find your polling place on Election day or at an early voting site, perhaps you shouldn’t be voting,” Oswego’s James Marter wrote Monday in a lengthy Facebook post. […]
When asked to clarify some of his remarks, Marter stressed he supports services that would bring people to voting booths and establishing polling places at assisted living communities.
He opposed any type of mail-in voting that wouldn’t be witnessed by election authorities, even for military personnel or people with disabilities.
“The key to me is voter verification,” Marter said.
* Daily Herald reporter Russell Lissau asked Marter on the app formerly known as Twitter for clarification on mail in voting for active-duty military…
I had already stated my support for the Absentee and military in comments. In a related post. To clarify my position on the military is per long-established protocols which may need to be updated with some enhanced verification. pic.twitter.com/DsIJOXDIvn
— Jim Marter (@marter4congress) August 20, 2025
..Adding… Evanston Mayor and 9th CD candidate Daniel Biss…
As someone who yearns for a thriving Palestinian state and a secure Israel, I cannot stay silent about the atrocities committed by Netanyahu's government.
But words alone aren't enough. The U.S. must halt the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and recognize a Palestinian…
— Daniel Biss (@DanielBiss) August 22, 2025
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 9:45 am
Previous Post: Isabel’s morning briefing
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I’ve been somewhat surprised at how low on the list of candidates to replace Sen. Durbin that Robin Kelly has been. But after her interview featured above and her support of Block the Bombs Act I don’t see her moving up.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 10:18 am
Robin Kelly and Dan Biss today just angered a lot of their former voters and donors.
Not smart long term.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 10:18 am
Maybe Marter should do a tour of his local County Clerk’s Office to see how exactly elections work before he shoots off his mouth about something he knows nothing about.
Comment by Remember the Alamo II Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 10:30 am
==Russell Lissau asked Marter==
More fake voter fraud news from Marter. These people are “fighting” problems that don’t exist.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 10:31 am
=== I’ve been somewhat surprised at how low on the list of candidates to replace Sen. Durbin that Robin Kelly has been. ===
Most Illinois voters probably do not know who she is. She doesn’t really have the money to compete long term, and that will hurt her outside of her home base.
Comment by Remember the Alamo II Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 10:32 am
Jim Marter is such an election expert that his X bio has him listed as the Republican nominee in the 14th District, before any votes have been cast. MAGA clown.
Comment by Franks Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 10:44 am
Interesting that Rory Hoskins snagged Joe Tamburino as a supporter. Tamburino is the Mayor of Hillside, Speaker Welch’s hometown. Then again, maybe it’s just a Proviso Township Mayor show of courtesy to a fellow Mayor.
Comment by phocion Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 10:50 am
=These people are “fighting” problems that don’t exist.=
I’m not so sure as I believe they see the “problem” as making it too easy for the wrong people to vote. They merely couch it in words like “scam” and “fraud.” They also know that your supporters will believe a lie if you repeat it enough.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 11:00 am
I believe smarter has run several times before and gone nowhere and he is going nowhere now. I guess it is his own money and time but really after losing 3 or 4 times I almost think you should not be allowed to run again Sorry Mr Vallas you too
Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 11:11 am
Marter wants our military to cycle every member of our armed forces back through their home precinct in the 30 days before every election. That’s the ticket!
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 11:35 am
==Robin Kelly and Dan Biss just angered a lot of their former voters and donors. Not smart long term.==
I agree with the first sentence, but I think you’ve got the prognosis backwards. It’s a short term risk that they’re betting will pay off 7 months from now. Regardless of any of our personal views on the matter, the Democratic base is evolving on Mideast policy.
Comment by I-55 Fanatic Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 11:49 am
So nice of Kelly and Biss to remember the hostages (or what is left of them) held in Gaza.
Comment by The PAMan Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 12:04 pm
“It’s a short term risk”
Count me skeptical Daniel didn’t see detailed polling that forced his hand here. I think the risk was/is he was bleeding voters right. now.
Comment by *ducks* Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 12:32 pm
The PAMan - BINGO…. And a lot of primary voters in 5, 9 and 10 are Jewish, and most are AIPAC donors or are aligned.
This false choice presented to candidates about “which side of the Israel fence” will bite people.. Maybe not in the city but Biss and Kelly have to remember - EVANSTON and OAK PARK (for Kelly only) are left of most suburbs and the base of the Democratic Party is more moderate than those at a North Side DFA or DSA Socialist Club meeting.
Biss and Kelly also have worked with the Jewish community long enough to know how we feel about this. They can’t try to “split the baby.” It won’t work.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 12:35 pm
==So nice of Kelly and Biss to remember the hostages (or what is left of them) held in Gaza.==
You can both be angry about the hostages AND be angry about what is going on in Gaza. Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive. But I’m sure people will accus Biss of being anti-semitic since that is apparently what you are if you say one negative word about Israel.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 12:53 pm
**So nice of Kelly and Biss to remember the hostages (or what is left of them) held in Gaza.**
Tell me you didn’t read the substack post without telling me.
Comment by JoeMaddon Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:07 pm
**Biss and Kelly also have worked with the Jewish community long enough to know how we feel about this.**
When did you become the spokesperson for the entire Jewish community? There absolutely isn’t a singular voice of the Jewish community on this issue.
As for angering voters… it seems to me that both Kelly and Biss are siding with voters over potential donors here, which seems admirable.
Comment by JoeMaddon Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:13 pm
JoeMaddon - trust me - I work in the organized Jewish Community, and know it’s leadership in many organizations. Trust me, these conversations are happening.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:22 pm
That’s not what I said. You’re pretending that there is a singular Jewish voice, and that you somehow are the singular voice in the Jewish community.
There are plenty of people in the Jewish community who agree with Biss on this. And far more voters.
Comment by JoeMaddon Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 1:46 pm
Joe - I respect your view point too much to keep going but there are a lot more moderates especially in the suburbs than the old 9 had.
We will respectfully agree to disagree.
Comment by Rahm’s Parking Meter Friday, Aug 22, 25 @ 2:01 pm