hr - Forum/Discussions - TheBlackList Pub2024-03-28T21:15:31Zhttps://www.theblacklist.net/forum/topics/feed/tag/hrRush continues to lose support among Grassroots and Progressive voters in the 1st district [VIDEO]https://www.theblacklist.net/forum/topics/embattled-incumbent-rush-continues-to-lose-support-among2018-10-25T15:13:11.000Z2018-10-25T15:13:11.000ZE.Tillmanhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/ETillman<div><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-congressional-offices-protesters-met-0224-20170224-story.html" target="_blank"><img width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828865234,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="3828865234?profile=original" /></a></strong><strong>CHICAGO,IL</strong> <font color="#000000" style="font-family:Sylfaen, serif;line-height:1.3;">Many 1st district voters are frustrated with Rep. Bobby Rush because of his excessive absence and worried that he is running for re-election to repay a $1MIL debt, that is scheduled to be garnished from his salary. <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/bobby_rush/400350">GovTracker</a> has reported that Rush has missed close to 30% of roll call, more than three times that of others in Congress.</font> <font color="#000000" style="font-family:Sylfaen, serif;line-height:1.3;">The grass-roots group <a href="https://www.indivisiblechicago.com/">Indivisible Chicago</a> urged Rush to get more involved in his work as <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-congressional-offices-protesters-met-0224-20170224-story.html">hundreds marched on his office last year</a>.</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#000000" style="font-family:Sylfaen, serif;line-height:1.3;">--><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-congressional-offices-protesters-met-0224-20170224-story.html" target="_blank">WATCH VIDEO HERE</a><--</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828865132,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828865132,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="3828865132?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Sylfaen, serif"><font size="3"><font color="#333333">Jeff Radue, a Beverly resident and local organizer for Indivisible remarked if Rush</font> <font color="#333333"><i>"is incapable of being present due to family health concerns, he should step down and work with the community to find a qualified replacement</i></font><font color="#333333">."</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Sylfaen, serif"><font size="3"><font color="#333333"><span>The progressive group was founded to organize around the Indivisible Guide, a manual drafted by former Democratic staffers.</span></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828865245,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><font face="Sylfaen, serif"><font size="3"><font color="#333333"><img width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828865245,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="3828865245?profile=original" /></font></font></font></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Sylfaen, serif"><font size="3"><a href="https://twitter.com/ameenamatthews?lang=en">Ameena Fort Matthews</a>, a Senior Violence Interrupter called the congressman out for ignoring the suffering in the community. “<em>Where are you Bobby? Former Black Panther. You know what's going on.</em>”</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828865145,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><font color="#000000"><font face="Sylfaen, serif"><font size="3"><img width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828865145,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="3828865145?profile=original" /></font></font></font></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Sylfaen, serif"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://twitter.com/EddieSRead4?lang=en" target="_blank">Eddie Read, chairman of CBUC/BIPO</a> said “</font><font color="#000000"><i>The community aint gonna pay Bobby Rush's bills! He should step aside and let the next generation step up</i></font><font color="#000000">.”</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Sylfaen, serif"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><a href="http://www.jimmylee2dc.com" target="_blank">Jimmy Lee Tillman, II</a>, who has gained tremendous support and the <a href="http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/forum/topics/chicago-tribune-and-university-of-chicago-endorses-tillman-in" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune's</a> endorsement, says “</font><font color="#000000"><i>Our country is too great to be divided by representatives who refuse to meet. We must be willing to work together to heal this nation. I will be accountable to the citizens of the 1</i></font><font color="#000000"><sup><i>st</i></sup></font> <font color="#000000"><i>district who deserve an active congressman.</i></font><font color="#000000">”</font></font></font></span></p><p></p></div>National Legal and Policy Center reports on House Ethics Committee sanction against Rep. Rushhttps://www.theblacklist.net/forum/topics/national-legal-and-policy-center-reports-on-house-ethics2018-10-14T11:19:15.000Z2018-10-14T11:19:15.000ZE.Tillmanhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/ETillman<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864876,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="320" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864876,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="3828864876?profile=original" /></a></strong></span></span></p><p><font color="#404040"><font face="Arial, Helvetica Neue, sans-serif"><font size="3"><strong><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4"><span style="font-size:14pt;">C</span><span style="font-size:18pt;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">HICAGO</span>, IL</span></font></font></strong> <span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4"><a href="http://nlpc.org/about-nlpc/">The National Legal and Policy Center(NLPC)</a> promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. This spring, <a href="http://nlpc.org/2018/03/27/slaps-wrist-corrupt-chicago-reps-rush-gutierrez/?fbclid=IwAR0QJt-2BPNyLkpCDwhuYBMObaHsm3Ymp4Wsk2Ug1oVXVpuNL2rc3F9D6jM">NLPC reported</a> that the House Ethics Committee</font></font></span></font></font></font><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#404040">“</font><em><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">should have set a more forceful example in issuing sanctions against Representative Rush”</font></font></font></em><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">, </font></font></font></span><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">for violating House rules concerning outside financial activities of members.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">The committee ordered Rush to repay $13,310 of his personal funds to the Treasury Department after an investigation was triggered by a probe by the independent Office of Congressional Ethics. NLPC reported , </font></font></font></span><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#404040">“</font><em><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">Given the facts, the sanctions appear to be slaps on the wrist.”</font></font></font></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4"><font color="#404040">According to House investigators report, Rep. Rush <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-gutierrez-rush-ethics-probes-20180322-story.html" target="_blank">violated House gift rules</a> by keeping office space in Chicago’s Lake Meadows Shopping Center without paying any rent. He began leasing the office in 1989 when he was alderman of the 2</font><font color="#404040"><sup>nd</sup></font> <font color="#404040">ward. The ethics committee report put it this way:</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><em><font color="#404040">“<font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">The landlord stopped asking for payment more than two decades ago, and Representative Rush never considered whether this informal, unstated arrangement was a gift he could not accept.”</font></font></font></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">Rush says he has used the space as storage for “junk” since 2008.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">Voters are concerned that Rep. Rush's financial problems are the only reason the embattled incumbent is not retiring. He was also ordered a 15 percent wage garnishment of his congressional salary to repay a $1 million loan he secured to go towards his church.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><a href="http://www.jimmylee2dc.com/"><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">Jimmy Lee Tillman, II, candidate for the 1</font></font></font><font color="#404040"><sup><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">st</font></font></sup></font> <font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">Congressional seat</font></font></font></a> <font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">remarks, “</font></font></font><em><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">The citizens of the 1</font></font></font></em><em><font color="#404040"><sup><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">st</font></font></sup></font></em> <em><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">district deserves a representative that will work for the people and not just collect a check. For too long there has been taxation without representation</font></font></font></em><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">.”</font></font></font></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><a href="http://www.jimmylee2dc.com/"><font color="#404040"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="4">www.jimmylee2dc.com</font></font></font></a></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#404040"><font face="Arial, Helvetica Neue, sans-serif"><font size="3">###</font></font></font></span></p></div>Tillman campaigns for the 1st congressional district with urban and rural agendahttps://www.theblacklist.net/forum/topics/tillman-campaigns-for-the-1st-congressional-district-with-urban2018-10-10T18:20:19.000Z2018-10-10T18:20:19.000ZE.Tillmanhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/ETillman<div><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864734,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864734,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="290" class="align-left" alt="3828864734?profile=original" /></a>Chicago,IL US House candidate <a href="http://www.jimmylee2dc.com/">Jimmy Lee Tillman, II</a> is traveling throughout the diverse 1<sup>st</sup> congressional district with his message of healing the racial divide in our country and providing active representation in Congress.</font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">The</font></font></font> <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/IL/1" target="_blank"><font color="#000000"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">1</font></font></font><font color="#000000"><sup><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">st</font></font></sup></font> <font color="#000000"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">Congressional District</font></font></font></a> <font color="#000000"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">in Illinois is based in Cook County, the district includes much of the South Side of Chicago, and continues southwest to Joliet. From 2003 to 2013 it extended into the city's southwest suburbs until reaching the border of Will County, and covered 97.84 square miles, making it one of the 40 smallest districts in the U.S. The district also has the highest percentage of African-American residents of any congressional district in the nation and includes the home of former President Barack Obama.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">Tillman share with us his Q&A with the <a href="https://www.mokenamessenger.com/">Mokena Messenger editorial board</a>.</font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><b>Why are you running for election/re-election in 1st district?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><b>TILLMAN</b>: I am running for election to make sure that the citizens in the 1st District have a strong voice and an active representative in Congress, also to help heal the racial divide in America for the future of our children.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><b>What makes you the best candidate for this position?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><b>TILLMAN:</b> I am the best candidate to serve the 1st Congressional District because I am the only candidate that is running to heal America's racial divide. I am the only candidate that will be beholden to the voters of the 1st district, and not to party bosses or special interest groups.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I am the only candidate that is running with a rural and urban platform. While the 1st district may be the largest Black district in the country, the rural communities deserves a representative that will be attentive to their unique concerns like transportation and agriculture issues, EPA regulations, and trade.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I am the only candidate willing to meet with the President to discuss the issues that are facing the 1st district and America. I want the 1st district to be a model for America where Blacks and Whites are working together to make America great again.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><b>What are the Top 3 issues you see facing the district and what would you do to solve them</b>?</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><b>TILLMAN:</b> In no particular order. Poor roads and infrastructure, along with regulation issues facing the farmers in Will County; inadequate access to clean water in the South Suburbs; lack of access to quality schools and safe neighborhoods, not just in the city but throughout the district. I would solve these issues by being an active member of Congress I would meet with the President and work with the majority party to bring resources to the district.</font></font></font></span></p><p></p></div>Tillman campaign website updated with WTTW Candidate Free Time videohttps://www.theblacklist.net/forum/topics/tillman-congressional-website-updated-with-wttw-candidate-free2018-10-10T18:09:49.000Z2018-10-10T18:09:49.000ZE.Tillmanhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/ETillman<div><p align="left"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3"><font face="Cambria, serif"><span><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864855,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="320" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864855,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="3828864855?profile=original" /></a><span style="font-size:14pt;">Chicago,IL</span></b></span></font> <span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif">The website of 1</font><sup><font face="Cambria, serif">st</font></sup><font face="Cambria, serif">Congressional district candidate <a href="http://www.jimmylee2dc.com/">Jimmy Lee Tillman, II</a> has been updated with the <a href="https://news.wttw.com/2018/10/09/jimmy-lee-tillman-ii-candidate-congress-1st-district#.W70TswxW6uw.facebook">WTTW Candidate Free Time video</a>. Visitors to the lively and engaging page can get more information on the campaign and sign up for updates. Below is a transcript of the 1:40 clip.</font></span></font></font></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>HI.</i></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>MY NAME IS JIMMY LEE TILLMAN, II AND I AM RUNNING TO BE THE NEXT CONGRESSMAN IN THE 1ST DISTRICT IN THE GREAT STATE OF ILLINIOS.</i></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS THE LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN DISTRICT IN THE NATION. THE DISTRICT SPANS FROM THE SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO - ALL THE WAY TO FRANKFORT IN WILL COUNTY WITH MANY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN BETWEEN.</i></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>WITH AMERICA EXPERIENCING RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND A BIG ECONOMIC BOOM – THE CITIZENS OF THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMAND A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WILL MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT AND SHARE WITH HIM THEIR CONCERNS.</i></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>THE CITIZENS OF WILL COUNTY ARE IN NEED OF BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE SO THEY CAN SEND THEIR GOODS TO MARKET. THEY ALSO WANT A REPRESENTATIVE TO ARTICULATE TO THE PRESIDENT THE EFFECTS THAT THE TRADE TARIFFS WILL HAVE ON THEIR GOODS.</i></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>THE CITIZENS OF ROBBINS ARE CONCERNED WITH HAVING CLEAN WATER – AND MOTHERS AND FATHERS ON THE SOUTH-SIDE WANT SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS, BETTER SCHOOL CHOICES, AND CHEAPER PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE.</i></font></font></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>THERE IS A BIG RACIAL DIVIDE HERE IN AMERICA. WITH ILLINOIS FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BEING THE LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY, THE BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITY NEEDS A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WILL MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT TO ARTICULATE ISSUES SUCH AS MILITARY STYLE POLICING, THE FLINT WATER CRISIS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT NEEDS A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WILL TRY TO HEAL – NOT DIVIDE. AMERICA IS TOO GREAT TO BE TORN APART BY LEADERS THAT ARE TOO ANGRY MEET.</i></font></font></span></p><p></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Cambria, serif"><font size="3"><i>MY NAME IS JIMMY LEE TILLMAN, II. I AM A ALUMNI OF MOLLISON ELEMENTARY, HYDE PARK CAREER ACADEMY, AND CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE THIS NOVEMBER. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MY CAMPAIGN PLEASE VISIT MY WEBPAGE AT JIMMY LEE TO DC DOT COM. THAT IS JIMMY LEE THE NUMBER 2 DC DOT COM. JUST REMEMBER WHERE WE GO ONE, WE GO ALL. FOR GOD, FOR CENTRAL, FOR STATE.</i></font></font></span></p></div>Chicago Tribune and University of Chicago endorses Tillman in congressional racehttps://www.theblacklist.net/forum/topics/chicago-tribune-and-university-of-chicago-endorses-tillman-in2018-10-09T20:42:01.000Z2018-10-09T20:42:01.000ZE.Tillmanhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/ETillman<div><p><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4"><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864646,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="320" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864646,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" height="248" alt="3828864646?profile=original" /></a>Chicago, IL</b> US House-IL01 candidate Jimmy Lee Tillman, II ( R ) continues to rack up endorsements throughout his campaign. The Chicago Tribune editorial board and the University of Chicago College Republican are among the growing list of electorate that is supporting the long shot. The Black republican, in the strong democratic district, is breaking the stranglehold with his message of “working and not resisting to bring the necessary and much needed resources to the 1<sup>st</sup> Congressional District.”</font></font></p><p></p><p><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4"><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-ushouse-roskam-dayone-20181003-story.html#nt=oft12aH-1la1">The Chicago Tribune reports</a>,</font></font></p><p><em><strong><font color="#000000"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="5"><b>1st District</b></font></font></font></strong></em></p><p><em><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">The big question for voters of the 1</font></font></font><font color="#333333"><sup><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">st</font></font></sup></font><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">Congressional District is … why? Why can’t this South Side/south suburban district entice an array of qualified, competitive candidates to challenge entrenched Democratic incumbent Rep.</font></font></font> <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/politics-government/government/bobby-rush-PEPLT005709-topic.html"><font color="#144A7C"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">Bobby Rush</font></font></font></a><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">?</font></font></font></em></p><p><em><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">Rush has served the solid-blue 1st since 1993. We’ve joined with a chorus of constituents who complain Rush is practically invisible. He missed 27.2 percent of votes in 2017, according to GovTrack.us. He’s had health and family issues, but also legal issues. He was ordered this year to pay $1.1 million on a delinquent bank loan dating to a 2005 Chicago church he purchased, according to the Better Government Association. The district, facing economic and gun violence problems, deserves new representation.</font></font></font></em></p><p><em><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">Seeking to oust Rush is Republican <a href="http://www.jimmylee2dc.com" target="_blank">Jimmy Lee Tillman II</a></font></font></font><strong><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4"> </font></font></font></strong><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">of Chicago, son of former Ald. Dorothy Tillman. Tillman, who’s failed to take this seat previously, grew up a Democrat. He struggled in the past to make a case for his candidacy and says he’s getting no help from the</font></font></font> <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/politics-government/republican-party-ORGOV0000004-topic.html"><font color="#144A7C"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">Republican Party</font></font></font></a><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">. Yet this time Tillman makes an intriguing argument: As an African-American Republican in the U.S. House, he’d be positioned to work with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders on issues of importance to constituents. The Democratic black caucus has frozen out Trump, Tillman notes, even as the roaring Trump economy has brought African-American unemployment to record lows. Tillman cites voting rights for African-Americans and reparations as two issues he’d raise with Republicans. “By me shining a light, I feel like I can start the healing in this country by black citizens,” he told us.</font></font></font></em></p><p><em><font color="#333333"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">Also in this race: independent candidate Thomas Rudbeck of Chicago. Long-term, the district is best-served by new political blood. We give the nod this time to the long-shot challenger. Tillman is endorsed.</font></font></font></em></p><p><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="4">Adam Chan, of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uchicagorepublicans/">University of Chicago College Republicans</a>, called Tillman's race a “game-changer.” The students are working on campus and in the 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> wards to share with young and independent voters Tillman's message and to offer an active alternative to Rep. Bobby Rush, <a href="https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/rep-bobby-rush-faces-wage-garnishment-1-million-debt">who will be collecting a garnished check ,</a></font></font></p><p></p></div>Tillman campaigns to bring Black issues to President and majority party leadershiphttps://www.theblacklist.net/forum/topics/tillman-campaigns-to-bring-black-issues-to-president-and-majority2018-09-11T17:59:33.000Z2018-09-11T17:59:33.000ZE.Tillmanhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/ETillman<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><span style="font-size:18pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864230,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="320" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828864230,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="3828864230?profile=original" /></a>CHICAGO,IL </span></strong><span style="font-size:18pt;">Jimmy Lee Tillman, II says that he will "be a voice in the majority Party to speak out on issues related to the Black community". As a Black republican, Tillman will not be afraid to talk directly with President Trump regarding the many race related issues that are crippling the country. "Our representatives should not be in the business of ignoring and refusing to meet with the leader of this nation while our communities are in need of attention."</span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;">The 1st Congressional District is the largest Black district in the country and the Black community can be best served by a representative that is not "working to pay off his debts", but working with the leaders in the Majority party to bring these issues that "die at the hands of the Congressional Black Caucus,who depend on Democratic Party leaders to pick which ones to push and bury, to be called and voted on", replied Tillman.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;">"Our neighborhoods are being over run with crime and violence, this is not the time to be silent and resist", Tillman continued. "We must use every resource possible, including the President, to bring opportunities to the district."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:24px;line-height:31.2px;">Tillman is the oldest son of Dr. Jimmy Lee Tillman and former alderman Dorothy Wright Tillman. He is a father of three and a Central State University alum.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;">Tillman shared his responses to the Chicago Sun-Times editorial Q&A which draws a stark difference between Tillman and his opponent Rep. Bobby Rush. </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><b>Jimmy Lee Tillman, II (R)</b></font></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><b><a href="http://www.jimmylee2dc.com">www.jimmylee2dc.com</a></b></font></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><b>Candidate for US House of Representative 1</b></font><sup><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><b>st</b></font></sup><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><b>District</b></font></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><b>CHICAGO SUN-TIMES Q&A</b></font></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="new time"><font size="3"><b>As a member of the U.S. House, what are or would be your top cause or causes?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">As a member of the US House my top cause would be to repair the damage that the racial divide has caused America.</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Please list three highly specific needs of your district that you would make priorities.</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">Access to affordable health care, access to better schools through school vouchers, and better roads and infrastructure so companies can invest in the 1</font></font></font><font color="#222222"><sup><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">st</font></font></sup></font> <font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">District.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Bipartisanship is virtually non-existent in the House. What would you do about that?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">As a Black republican, I would meet with the members of the Democratically lead Congressional Black Caucus and take their concerns to the Majority party with the hopes of passing bipartisan legislation.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Are you convinced that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election in support of the candidacy of Donald Trump? Please explain.</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I am not convinced that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election specifically in support of President Trump because the FBI said that Russia used Facebook and other social media to negatively influence both campaigns.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Do you support the investigation being conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller? Please explain</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I do not support this investigation that was initiated over the firing of Director James Comey. The president had every right to fire Mr. Comey based off the recommendation from the Justice Department. This investigation has not found anything linking President Trump to Russia. It has only been used to justify the election loss of Hillary Clinton. America was not this angry when President Bush was accused of stealing the election from Al Gore in 2000.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>If President Trump were to fire Mueller, directly or indirectly, what should Congress do?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">If President Trump were to fire Special Counsel Mueller then the Congress should take a look at the circumstances surrounding his firing and see if it is justified. If it is not justified then the Congress must look at the law and act accordingly.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>If Trump were to pardon his former campaign aide Paul Manafort, what should Congress do?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">The President of the United States has the constitutional power to pardon. There is nothing that Congress can do about that. If elected, I would request the pardons of as many of the countless number of citizens who have been incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses that is possible. Many of these citizens,that were heavily sentenced by the Clinton Crime Bill deserves a second look and a second chance.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Which three actions taken so far by the Trump administration do you most strongly support?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">In no particular order.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I support President Trump's support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In March he signed the the $1.3 Trillion Federal Omnibus Budget that added money for infrastructure and financial aid for HBCUs, the Title III HBCU Program gained 34.9 MIL more in funding,which brought the discretionary total to $279 MIL, and the HBCU Capital Finance Program Fund will be increased by $10 MIL,bringing the total to $30 MIL,in order to provide financial resources at a lower interest rate for HBCUs to build new buildings on their campuses. I also support President Trump's expansion of the federally funded Apprenticeship Program to help workers. This will help train those that have been left behind and unable to adapt to the current economic trends and place students into better jobs without them going into debt, that may come from attending a four year college or university. Lastly, I support</font></font></font> <font color="#000000"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">The First Step Act, which would place federal prisoners closer to home, allow more home confinement for lower-level offenders, and expand prison employment programs.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Which three actions taken by the Trump administration do you most strongly disagree with?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I had issue with the administration's mishandling of the situation with the illegal detainees at the southern border and the roll-out of the travel ban. As a republican voter, I feel that the Trump administration is fulfilling its campaign promises.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>The Trump administration has taken action to roll back Obama-era policies aimed at curbing o change and limiting environmental pollution. The administration has done so in the name of supporting business growth and making the United States more energy self-sufficient. Most notably, the administration has begun to dismantle Obama’s federal rules over American coal plants, weakened automobile fuel-economy standards and ended American participation in the Paris climate agreement. What is your take on all this?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">If these actions, taken by the Trump administration, has created a robust economy and high consumer confidence; opened up closed steel factories and coal mines;and generated unprecedented job growth in industries that were said to never return, then I am in favor of them. Who knows, it is possible that the local print media may be on the rise again as well.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>To what extent is climate change a man-made phenomenon? How serious is the threat to our children’s future? What should be done?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">By definition, climate is the statistic of weather over a long period of time. Weather is not constant nor controlled by man. The climate change “issue” is a man-made phenomenon that needs to be studied independently by scientist who are not beholden to corporations or special interest groups looking to influence legislation. Our children deserve the truth about this matter and shouldn't be frightened without a such a study.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>What is the single most important action Congress can take to curb gun violence?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">Being a Chicago resident, with the nation's strictest gun laws on the books and as many as 30 people shot each weekend, I believe more federal legislation is unnecessary. Not enough law abiding citizens have the option to protect themselves. If they do not carry a firearm they run risk of becoming a victim of a crime. If they do carry a firearm they run the risk of being shot by law enforcement.</font></font></font> <font color="#061D46"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">It must be noted that m</font></font></font><font color="#061D46"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">ost gun-related crimes are carried out using illegally owned firearms. Citizens who legally own firearms use them for lawful purposes much more often than they are used to commit crimes. Congress should focus on the complex societal problems at the root of gun violence instead of creating new laws that violate Americans' constitutional rights.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Is the media the “enemy of the people”? Please explain.</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">It all depends on the lens one sees the story out of. As a Black American male, the media has portrayed us as violent, dead-beat fathers, uneducated and out of control, dope-dealing,drug addicted thugs. It very rarely show Black men in a positive light. This causes us to suffer a bias in the eyes of the police, the judiciary system, and in the broader community. While many may view these stories as Real News, there are those in my community that view them as Fake News. This type of coverage is dangerous and irresponsible. That makes it difficult to say if the media is the “enemy of the people” because it depends on the view one see the story.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>As an editorial board, our core criticism of the tax overhaul legislation pushed through Congress last December is that it lowers taxes on corporations and the wealthiest Americans at a time of historic inequalities of wealth and income in the United States. We believe in free markets, but the ‘silent hand’ of the market does not seem to be rewarding merit fairly. What’s your position on last December’s rewrite of the tax code? Would you push for further changes, or for the law’s repeal?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I supported the federal tax plan passed by Congress in December. Many working-class Americans saw an increase in their paychecks. This created more disposable income that was used to pay bills, cut down personal debt, and was pumped backed into the economy. There are many small Black corporations in the Black community, e.g. Harold's Chicken Restaurants Ma and Pa Record Shops, contractors, daycare, hair care, lawn care, etc. Small Black businesses hire Black citizens. Small Black businesses need tax breaks too.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Speaking of income inequality, top executives of America’s biggest companies saw their average annual pay surge to $18.9 million in 2017, even as the pay of ordinary workers has remained flat for a decade. What, if anything, should be done to address the growing gap in wealth and income?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">A way to address this is to create a climate where small businesses can thrive in the inner cities. Business ownership is a pathway to creating wealth. With incentives and tax breaks these businesses will hire from the communities and create a strong local economy.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Would it be appropriate at this time for President Trump to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the White House? Why so, or why not</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">It is not appropriate at this time to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the White House until the Mueller investigation has come to a conclusion. This will bring closure to the 2016 Presidential election. Only then should the invitation be extended.</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>How would you assess and grade the Trump administration’s efforts to recalibrate our nation’s relationships with Korea, NATO and Russia?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><font size="3">I would give the President a grade of A on Korea. Many have forgotten that the war in Korea never ended. The North and South Koreans meeting for the first time since the war,the honorable return of our fallen soldiers' remains, and the possibility of a nuclear free Korean Peninsula is promising. I would give the President a grade of A on NATO. The President's position caused members of NATO to finally pay their fair share, something that other presidents spoke of but never delivered. I would give the President a grade of C- on Russia. Even though we are making strides together in Syria, until the FBI Special Counsel Mueller investigation has ended and we have closure to the 2016 Presidential Election the jury is still out, and it could be much higher.</font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>In late June, the Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration’s travel ban on visitors and immigrants from seven countries, five of which have Muslim majorities. What is your view on this ban?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">I believe the President, regardless of their Party, has the power and authority to keep America safe. I, as a civilian, do not have clearance to know if the threat is relevant or not so I must trust the President,</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>What three major reforms should be made to United States immigration policy?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">Reform to the chain migration policy, overturn the Immigration Act of 1990, and place a cap on the numbers of immigrants we allow in the country.</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>Do you support or oppose the family-based immigration policy sometimes called “chain migration”? Please explain</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">I oppose chain migration because there are too many loopholes. I would not allow adults children, uncles, aunts, or cousins. Only immediate family, spouses, parents, and some cases grand parents. Host must be able to speak and read English before they can send for a relative.</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>What would you do, as a member of Congress, to improve race relations in the United States?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">Some people are saying that since the election of President Donald Trump our country's race relations has reach an all time low. I will try to improve things by helping the President to understand the pain that Black America is suffering and has been suffering. I would take him on tour of blighted neighborhoods to show him the suffering. I would introduce legislation that could help repair the damage that has been inflicted upon Black Americans for 400 years. Outside of that, I will keep praying to God that life will get better for Black America.</font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#222222"><font face="Roboto, RobotoDraft"><font size="3"><b>What is the biggest difference between you and your opponent?</b></font></font></font></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">I have known Bobby Rush for many years and I respect him and his family. Our difference are in no ways meant to be viewed as disrespectful but we have differences. My opponent believes that since the election of the 1</font><sup><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">st</font></sup><font face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">African American President, Black America has reached the Promised Land, I believe we have a long way to go. My opponent refuses to meet with the President of the United States and I will not only meet with the President but bring home results. I will make sure all citizens are cared for from Grand Boulevard to Robbins, all the way to Frankfort. As a representative, you must meet with the President. My opponent believes in the 1990 Clinton Crime Bill that incarcerated so many Black youth from my generation, I do not. My opponent believes that the Chicago Police needs military style weapons to patrol our neighborhoods, I do not. My opponent believes ICE should, be eliminated, I believe that MS13 is a threat to our community and so is the trafficking of missing Black girls and in my opinion ICE is necessary to thwart this. My opponent believes in the DREAM act for illegal aliens. I believe that Black Americans are still trying to achieve the dream that Rev. King left for us. Finally, I believe by my opponent refusing to meet with the President he is alienating the Black community. As a Black Republican I believe where we go one we go all.</font></span></p><p></p></div>