E-Newsletters

While Donald Trump hid behind a screen, we in Chicagoland have joined our neighbors in action. I was proud to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in Pilsen and participate in a Know Your Rights discussion about responding to ICE with Rep. Chuy Garcia, Senator Dick Durbin, and more this weekend. We will get through this—together.

Trump's use of the National Guard is the work of an authoritarian regime, but it's also an expensive PR stunt. It's just not a smart approach to crime. I was proud to secure $2.5 million for bulletproof vests and squad car technology for our Chicago Police, and I'm going to continue to push for commonsense solutions to crime that work.

The city of Chicago does not want or need the military deployed to our streets. Donald Trump's threat to send the National Guard to Chicago is a gross overreach by a President who wants to cosplay as tough by bullying his own citizens. His talk about ‘law and order’ is a smokescreen for yet another power grab on his quest to become a dictator.

Most of us in Chicago have heard of Lori Cannon. Our “AIDS Angel,” she made it her life’s mission to serve Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community: leading protests during the AIDS epidemic, collecting food donations for those in need, and honoring the deceased through the AIDS Memorial Quilt. When Ms. Cannon passed away on August 3, we lost a selfless champion.

Since October 7, I have consistently upheld Israel’s right to defend itself and have repeatedly called on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release the hostages, and I reiterate this call today. But how Israel conducts itself in this war matters greatly. I am calling for the United States to officially recognize a Palestinian state to ensure a peaceful future for the region as well as the safety and security of both Palestinians and Israelis. While recognition cannot in one sweeping stroke create a state, and much work remains to be done, I want to make clear that Americans remain dedicated to ensuring the rights of the Palestinian people to a national homeland are recognized, respected, and fulfilled.

This week, Congressman Danny Davis announced that he will not be running for re-election. For the past 16 years, I've had the honor of serving with Congressman Davis. From his work on the Cook County Board of Commissioners to his time as Dean of the Illinois Delegation in Washington, he has spent his career fighting for Chicago. Congressman Davis has been a tireless advocate for underserved communities on Chicago’s West Side, including for Black young people. I’m so grateful to have served alongside him.

I was horrified by the murder of 20‑year‑old Palestinian‑American Sayfollah ‘Saif’ Musallet in the West Bank. There must be an independent investigation into Saif’s murder, and those responsible must be held accountable. I was equally horrified by the 94 Palestinians who were killed while seeking food aid and at least 33 people, including 12 children, who died of starvation last weekend.

Yesterday, I voted against Donald Trump and Republicans' reckless legislation to claw back $9 billion in federal spending. This was funding that was approved by these same Republicans in Congress just six months ago.