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* WGN TV…
A candidate for the Illinois House says he was attacked by his opponent’s supporters.
Bob Zwolinski is running for Illinois’ 4th District, against incumbent Cynthia Soto.
He says Sunday night a man and a woman were stapling posters for Soto outside his campaign office Ashland and Chicago in East Ukrainian Village.
Zwolinski says he asked them to stop and that’s when the man punched him in the chest then the woman hit him in the head with a beer bottle and then shot a staple gun at him — leaving him with a staple in his forehead.
Chicago police say Zwolinski has filed a police report and the accused attackers are claiming they are the victims in this case.
* OK, brace yourself. From Zwolinski’s Twitter feed…
Politics is a contact sport. Apparently that's literally the case. pic.twitter.com/wIlFIP366W
— Robert Zwolinski (@BobZ_Chicago4th) March 7, 2016
Funny Facebook snark…
Candidate: “What do you think, should I get this checked out?”
Campaign guy: “No, do your TV interviews first.”
Candidate: “You sure?? I don’t know, this might be infected.”
Campaign guy: “Do you want tetanus or do you want to win?!?!?”
* Sun-Times…
Zwolinski alleges in a statement that the posters supported his Democratic primary opponent, incumbent State Rep. Cynthia Soto, who took office in 2001 for the district, which includes parts of Bucktown, Humboldt Park, Logan Square and Ukrainian Village.
When he asked the pair to remove the posters, an argument ensued and the 26-year-old man hit Zwolinski in the chest. The woman, thought to be in her 20s, then struck him in the head with a bottle and shot a staple gun at his forehead, causing a laceration, police said. […]
But the man and woman are also alleging they were victims in the attack, police said. The man told investigators Zwolinski ripped the posters down, grabbed him by the shirt, threw him to the ground and punched him several times. […]
As of Monday morning, no one has been taken into custody in connection with the incident and no charges have been issued. A representative from Soto’s office could not be immediately reached for comment.
*** UPDATE *** Hmm…
A law enforcement source also said that 911 callers described four people fighting, not one individual being attacked.
Speaking outside Zwolinksi’s office Monday, Frank Avila, an attorney representing the alleged attackers, called the episode a “false flag” and a “media stunt trying to draw attention to a flailing campaign.”
“[Zwolinski] saw people putting up signs along Ashland, and he started pushing them and grabbing them,” Avila said. “He initiated physical contact, and they defended themselves. …If he ended up getting the worst of it, that’s on him.”
Avila said his clients, two unpaid volunteers for Soto’s campaign, were stapling signs over a vacant property next to Zwolinski’s office — not on the office itself. On Monday, a large splatter of blood remained next to the vacant property, although some droplets showed near the office as well. […]
“Yes, there was a fight, yes, there was self defense,” Avila said. “[But] why did he call the media before he called 911? Why is he going out and confronting people? Why would they just fight him?”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:02 am
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Soto’s office could not be immediately reached for comment -
I bet not. What a disgrace. I want every Democrat on record, including the Speaker, denouncing this type of violence. All for a job that pays $67k a year? What an absolute disgusting disgrace.
Comment by hot chocolate Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:07 am
LOVING GOD!! Look at his face! What in God’s name is going on up there in Chicago. My family left Hyde Park 8 years ago and I’m so happy with that decision. Although I gotta admit. He will have the coolest political nickname ever, Swingline.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:12 am
Hey Everyone! Blog commenter hot chocolate wants a recorded vote. Let’s all get back to Springfield.
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:17 am
And we wonder why our state’s political system has been operating so poorly for decades?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:18 am
It’s Madigan and all those goons he controls. LOL
Comment by Wow Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:19 am
Do you think the charges will stick?
Comment by quicknote Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:19 am
Mike Madigan and the staple gun he controls.
Ashland & Chicago is a pretty big intersection. Maybe there will be a security camera?
Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:19 am
It looks like he has a broken nose.
Comment by Mama Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:37 am
No charges been filed. Why not?
Comment by Mama Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:39 am
This type of violence is becoming a staple of campaigns.s/
Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:41 am
I’ve been around long enough to know there are two sides to every story.
Comment by Because I said so... Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:42 am
Honeybear - thanks…now all I can think about is Milton from “Office Space”.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:42 am
“No, it’s not okay because if they make me, if they, if they take my, my stapler then I…I’ll…I’ll have to, I’ll set the building on fire…” ~ Milton Waddams
Yikes, nothing good will come from this situation. Tearing down posters and taking it to the level of a physical altercation are both the wrong way to handle campaigning. I thought there was a bank on the SW corner of Ashland and Chicago, but who knows if any camera was able to capture this incident. I didn’t think this race was that competitive but maybe that is why this happened.
Comment by frisbee Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:46 am
I just had dinner at Roots pizza on Chicago Ave and Damen that night. I better pack a stapler removal on my person just in case I’m next. (The taco pizza is really amazing)
Comment by Jose Abreu's next homer Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:53 am
Stand by for the pressser from Dunkin introducing the concealed stapler legislation.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:57 am
I’d have to say this one’s gotten way out of hand. Sick!
Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:58 am
Pat Tomasulo was right on with his snarky commentary.
Comment by Wonderin' Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:01 am
I don’t know why our State isn’t growing with such civilized politics in our largest world class city.
Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:01 am
“ECW! ECW! ECW!”
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:04 am
I can’t believe the dude didn’t even take time to remove the staple before he went on TV to complain!
Comment by Stones Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:13 am
Hi, I’m Bob Swollenski, nice to meet ya.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:19 am
This type of thing used to happen all the time. Chicago is not the only big city it has happened in, either.
dont get me wrong, its bad, but all this hyperbolic “we GOTTA leave Chicago now!”, or the “LOOK how far politics has stooped!” doesnt know their history. Especially in Illinois.
Comment by low level Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:20 am
Bob- next time, simply remove the signs the next day. Confrontation is never a good thing when seeing opposing candidates volunteers.
Comment by low level Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:21 am
Channeling Chris Farley: “That’s gonna leave a mark!”
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:24 am
Should have folo’d Gonzo’s lead and just put up fake no parkin’ signs to get media attention.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:27 am
Did Zwolinski just stand there as the staple gun was placed against his forehead? Seems unlikely that the woman wielding the stapler would be using a pneumatic or electric staple gun which would have more velocity.
A regular old staple gun wouldn’t penetrate a forehead unless it were within centimeters. Don’t ask me how I know this, but I was 12 years old once and I do have brothers.
This reminds me of this scene from “No Country for Old Men”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xyvOCNCXdU
Comment by Irishpirate Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:30 am
Gives new meaning to “Punch 122″ now, doesn’t it?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:56 am
Irishpirate, I’m with you. Thinking the same thing. The staple gun would need to be pressed to his head to get this kind of effect.
I think we have a Myth Busters project.
If only I had more interns.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:56 am
Maybe he should not have confronted them and just taken the posters down after they had moved on ?
Nahh, never let wisdom get in the way of a good campaign media grabber.
Sounds like the guy was looking for a fight.
Comment by siriusly Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:00 pm
“I think we have a Myth Busters project.
If only I had more interns.”
Mythbusters often used pig flesh and hides to simulate human tissue. We could stretch a hide over a round wooden container, & have an honest to god pork barrel project.
Comment by Shark Sandwich Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:33 pm
Ewwww, hey I’m eating lunch over here! Didn’t help the page got stuck loading and I had a 60 second view of staple and blood.
Comment by The KQ Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:37 pm
47th Ward - outstanding!
Comment by Century Club Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:41 pm
At least we can rest assured that no state resources were used in this attack. I don’t think the state had purchase office supplies in over a year.
Comment by Quizzical Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 1:06 pm
Apparently the accused hired a mouthpiece.
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160307/ukrainian-village/state-rep-candidate-says-rivals-supporters-put-staple-his-forehead
We need to use film noir jargon to describe this event. Thankfully, the weapon was a staple gun and not a roscoe otherwise the meat wagon might have been called.
http://filmnoirjargon.blogspot.com/
Comment by Irishpirate Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 1:37 pm
Based upon my few interactions with Mr. Zwolinski, I have no doubt that he initiated the confrontation and deserved his whupping.
Comment by Snucka Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 1:53 pm
Is Frank Avila, this guy’s attorney, the same politician on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, or his son? Or is Frank Avila a common name? Just curious, not stirring a pot
Comment by Nicole Anon Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 2:07 pm
What’s ECW?
Comment by Nicole Anon Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 2:08 pm
That looks like a nail in his forehead not a staple. Maybe it was a nail gun???
Comment by Mama Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 2:44 pm
He needs that job like he needs a hole in the head.
Comment by Nick Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 2:54 pm
Nick - solid.
Comment by siriusly Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 3:03 pm
When I was growing up my father told me never hit someone in anger… unless your absolutely sure you can get away with it- Harold Ramis
Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Hi! I’m Bob Zwolinski, and I approve this add.
Comment by Big T Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 3:48 pm
MrJM - nice! Like a hardcore match between Sandman and Sabu.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:06 pm
Frank Avila. omg.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:46 pm
–I can’t believe the dude didn’t even take time to remove the staple before he went on TV to complain!–
The staple is what got him on TV.
Actually, I think I saw this guy at the “CBGBs” show down the street at the Cobra Lounge on Sunday night.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:03 pm
Why would anyone, claiming to be qualified for public office, come out of his office and start a physical fight over some posters put up next door? Posters?
Springfield would be a minefield for someone with that temperament.
Comment by walker Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:07 pm
MrJM, you have me stumped. I’m pretty sure you weren’t referring to the Edgar County Watchdogs…
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:14 pm
@Nicole Anon & Arthur Andersen -
Extreme Championship Wrestling. (Google is your friend)
Comment by JoanP Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 8:35 pm
I grew up with Bobby Z. I was not there when he was involved in this altercation and I have no idea what the real facts are.
From what I remember about Bobby Z, this seems to be the exact type of thing he would make up for publicity. He may have been attacked, but I highly doubt it.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 6:32 pm