By William S. Bike
Several candidates are running unopposed in the Tuesday, June 28, primary, guaranteeing that they will be on the ballot for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
CONGRESS
Incumbent Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is unopposed in the Democratic primary in the 4th District. First elected in 2018, Garcia is a member in Congress of the Financial Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Equality Caucus, Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, New Americans Caucus, and Future of Transportation Caucus. His website is https://chuygarcia.house.gov/.
James Falakos of Westchester, IL, is the Republican candidate in the 4th District. He owns Pure Climate Heating and Cooling. He earned a bachelor’s of science in renewable energy from Illinois State University and a master’s of science in advanced energy and fuels management from Southern Illinois University. He holds a certificate in heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) from the College of DuPage and is certified in building science. For more information, log on to www.linkedin.com/in/jim-falakos-9b0629154/.
STATE SENATE
Javier Loera Cervantes is the son-in-law of incumbent 1st District Senator Anthony Munoz, who is retiring. Cervantes is a former campaign manager for Munoz. He also is a podcaster focusing on Pilsen’s arts and culture scene. For more information, log on to www.instagram.com/javycervantes82/?hl=en.
Incumbent Mattie Hunter is the Democratic nominee in the 3rd District, which she has represented since 2003. Hunter serves in leadership as the Majority Caucus Chair and is vice chair of the Ethics and Executive Appointments Committee. She serves on the Behavioral and Mental Health, Energy and Public Utilities, Executive, Healthcare Access and Availability, and Transportation Committees and is a member of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Her website is www.senatorhunter.com/.
Patricia Van Pelt, the Democratic incumbent, was first elected in the 5th District in 2012. Van Pelt is chair of the Healthcare Access and Availability Committee, vice chair of the Appropriations-Health and Redistricting for Chicago West and West Cook County Subcommittees, and a member of the Agriculture, Criminal Law, Energy and Public Utilities, and State Government Committees. Her website is https://senatorhunter.com/.
STATE HOUSE
Lamont Robinson is the 5th District’s incumbent Democratic representative. He has served since 2019 and chairs the Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Information Technology Committee; Tourism Committee; and Special Issues Subcommittee. Robinson also serves on the Appropriations-Human Services, Health Care Availability and Access, Prescription Drug Affordability, and Public Utilities Committees. His website is www.lamontjrobinson.com/.
The Republican candidate for 5th District representative is Montelle Latoya Gaji. She majored in marketing at Chicago State University and attended Harold Washington College and Western Illinois University. For more information, log on to www.facebook.com/gajimontell.
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Incumbent Lakesia Collins, a Democrat, has served the 9th District since 2020 and is vice chair of the Child Care Access & Early Childhood Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations-Public Safety, Human Services, Labor and Commerce, and Housing Committees and Workforce Development and Public Benefits Subcommittees. Collins is a former union official with the Service Employees International Union. Her website is www.lakesia4rep.com/.
Jawaharial “Omar” Williams, incumbent and Democrat, is running in the 10th District. In office since 2019, he is vice chair of the Transportation: Regulation and Roads Committee. He also serves on the Labor and Commerce, Public Utilities, Transportation-Vehicles and Safety, and Financial Institutions Committees and the Utilities Subcommittee. A member of the Laborers’ International Union and Plumbers Local 130 United Association, his website is www.friends4jawaharial.com/.
Theresa Mah, incumbent and Democrat in the 24th District, formerly named the 2nd District, has served since 2017. Mah chairs the Health Care Licenses Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations-Elementary and Secondary Education; Immigration and Human Rights; Housing; International Trade and Commerce; Museums, Arts, and Cultural Enhancements; Tourism; and Redistricting Committees. Her website is www.reptheresamah.com/.
Incumbent Kam Buckner, Democrat, has served in the 26th District since 2019. He is vice chair of the Tourism Committee and serves on the Executive, Higher Education, Judiciary-Criminal, and Judiciary-Civil Committees and on the Commercial and Property Subcommittee. He earned his JD in this community from DePaul University College of Law. His website is www.illinois26.com/.
COUNTY BOARD
Seeking a second term in the 1st District, incumbent Brandon Johnson chairs the Veterans Committee, is vice chair of the Criminal Justice Committee, and sits on several other committees. Johnson was the chief sponsor of the Just Housing Ordinance, which prohibits landlords and property owners from asking about or considering prospective tenants’ or homebuyers’ possible criminal records. His website is www.cookcountyil.gov/all-people/brandon-johnson.
James M. Humay is the Libertarian candidate in the 1st District. He lives in the 900 block of N. Oakley Boulevard.
Incumbent Bill Lowry seeks a second term in the 3rd. He chairs the board’s Emergency Management and Regional Security Committee, is vice chair of its Litigation Committee, and serves on the Audit, Business and Economic Development, Criminal Justice, Environment and Sustainability, Finance, Health and Hospitals, Transportation, and Veterans Committees. His website is https://billlowry.com/.
In the 7th District, incumbent Democrat Alma E. Anaya has held her office since 2018. Anaya is vice chair of the Business and Economic Development and Pension Committees. She also serves on the Asset Management, Contract Compliance, Criminal Justice, Finance, Health and Hospitals, Human Relations, Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations, Transportation, and Zoning and Building Committees. Her website is www.cookcountyil.gov/all-people/alma-anaya.
John P. Daley, a Democrat, joined the board in 1994 and seeks another term as 11th District commissioner. Chair of the Finance Committee, he also serves on the Audit, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management and Regional Security, Health and Hospitals, Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations, Pension, Rules and Administration, Technology and Innovation, Transportation, Veterans, and Zoning and Building Committees. His website is www.cookcountyil.gov/events/john-daley.
Declan J. Smith is the Republican candidate in the 11th District. He lives on S. Washtenaw Avenue.
The 11th District also has a Libertarian Party candidate who qualified for the ballot, Brian Sizelove. He lives on W. 59th Street.
COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW
Larry R. Rogers Jr. first was elected to the board as the 3rd District commissioner in 2004. He has made it a priority to educate property owners about their right to appeal property assessments, worked to upgrade the office’s technology, and done community outreach to make the office more accessible. As an attorney, his practice focuses on advocating for victims’ rights. His website is www.cookcountyboardofreview.com/commissioners/commissioner-larry-r-rogers-jr.