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Pro-Israel Illinois Democrat Cancels Two Debates Against Challenger Who Backs Gaza Ceasefire

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Pro-Israel Illinois Democrat Cancels Two Debates Against Challenger Who Backs Gaza Ceasefire


Rep. Bill Foster, an Illinois Democrat, agreed to three debates in his primary election race against Qasim Rashid, an insurgent progressive. Foster later dropped out of the other two debates, citing conflicting events. The first and only time Foster appeared alongside Rashid, the decadelong incumbent left halfway through the candidate forum, claiming he had another obligation.

Rashid said Foster is reluctant to defend his own record. Among other issues, the incumbent had criticized Israel’s war against Palestinians in Gaza but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. Protesters were at the forum to express their displeasure with Foster and Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat from a neighboring district, who also attended, for refusing to call for a ceasefire.

“Fundamentally, they realize that he wants them to vote for a record that even he isn’t willing to defend.”

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“Voters are upset,” Rashid told The Intercept, said of Foster’s refusal to debate. “Fundamentally, they realize that he wants them to vote for a record that even he isn’t willing to defend.”

The March 19 Democratic primary in the suburbs and rural towns northwest of Chicago could become another congressional race where Israel plays an outsized role. Rashid is running on a broader progressive platform — hitting Foster for being out of touch with Democrats in the district and his acceptance of money from corporate PACs, fossil fuel companies, and the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries — but the ceasefire debate looms large.

Observers anticipate that Israel issues will attract outside money from lobbying groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that are preparing to spend record amounts to defend Democrats that toe their line. And Foster had already amassed support from pro-Israel donors: One of his top contributors this cycle is the private equality group Apollo Global Management, whose CEO Marc Rowan helped orchestrate the ousting of the president and board chair at the University of Pennsylvania over Israel’s war on Gaza. (Foster’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.)

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Pro-Israel groups have worked to oust other Democrats in Illinois who opposed unconditional U.S. military support for Israel, including Rep. Delia Ramirez and former Rep. Marie Newman. AIPAC joined conservative Democrats to defeat Newman’s 2018 congressional campaign. Newman won election in 2020 but become a target of pro-Israel groups again last cycle and lost her reelection campaign.

Newman, who is supporting Rashid’s campaign, told The Intercept that the threat of spending from groups like AIPAC and its ally, Democratic Majority for Israel, is scaring incumbents into submission and deepening schisms within the Democratic Party.

“In the last 3 months I’ve talked to several MOCs” — members of Congress — “who live in absolute fear of AIPAC and DMFI working against them or primarying them,” Newman said by text. More than anything else I’m deeply concerned about how AIPAC, Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI) and their 20 affiliate PACs are putting a huge wedge in the Democratic Party, particularly in the House.”

AIPAC Waiting in the Wings

For decades, AIPAC played an influential role in Middle Eastern policy by sending its legions to lobby members of Congress in their offices and only organizing campaign donations informally among members. In recent years, however, the group transformed its spending on congressional elections with the launch of a new super PAC in the last election cycle.

The direct influence on money in politics has exacerbated partisan rifts that have emerged around Israel and AIPAC. Democratic voters, for their part, are shifting away from AIPAC’s uncompromising positions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict — especially as a majority of Americans came to support the ceasefire that AIPAC opposes.

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Amid the current flare-up of violence, even some more centrist Democrats have found themselves unable to stay in lockstep with AIPAC, which frowns on virtually all criticism of Israel. In Illinois’s 11th Congressional District, for instance, Rashid acknowledged that Foster has also been a vocal critic of Israel. With the death toll in Gaza mounting, Foster has expressed concern about Benjamin Netanyahu’s military strategy and said there was a “special place in hell” for the prime minister, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.

Foster’s record, Rashid said, is more notable for the things he has not done. He voted for two measures expressing support for Israel, but neither of them mentioned Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. Foster is not a co-sponsor of the ceasefire resolution introduced in October nor a resolution introduced by another Illinois Democrat, Ramirez, that honored a 6-year-old boy, Wadee Alfayoumi, who was killed in Plainfield in an alleged hate crime during the first week of Israel’s war on Gaza.

Foster criticizes Israel’s actions, Rashid said, but won’t take the steps necessary to end the bloodshed in Gaza — namely supporting a ceasefire.

“The big difference between he and I is not on a question of whether international law is being violated. We both agree with that,” Rashid said. “The difference is that I have the integrity to say it and demand action.”

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Foster has long had support from J Street, a pro-Israel advocacy group that positions itself as a liberal alternative to AIPAC. Until this week, J Street had resisted pressure, both internal and external, to call for a ceasefire, even threatening to pull endorsements from members who did so. The group announced support for a “negotiated stop” to violence in Gaza on Monday.

J Street said in a statement to The Intercept that it’s proud to endorse Foster again this year. Foster has “been a champion for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy values on Capitol Hill since his election in 2008,” J Street spokesperson Tali DeGroot told The Intercept, pointing to his support for the now-defunct 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was supported by J Street but opposed by AIPAC, the Israeli government, and a clutch of hawkish Democrats.

“We’ve seen the polling. Eighty percent of Democrats want a ceasefire.”

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Rashid’s campaign has been careful to tread lightly on the Israel question while pushing unequivocally for a ceasefire. His approach has been to focus on ending the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and tap into majority support for a ceasefire among Democratic voters. “We’ve seen the polling. Eighty percent of Democrats want a ceasefire,” Rashid said. “Even a majority of Republicans and Independents want a ceasefire. For us, this is basic integrity.”

Foster has been in office for a decade and faced few challengers in recent years. Foster’s last opponent in the 2020 Democratic primary, Rachel Ventura, received 41 percent of the vote.

Rashid works at a Chicago law firm and grew up in the area, which he recently returned to. In 2020, he ran as the Democratic candidate in the general election for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District and lost to Republican Rep. Robert Wittman.

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Rashid raised $305,000 in the third quarter of 2023 — $10,000 more than Foster — and had $114,000 cash on hand. Foster has $1.3 million cash on hand and $1 million in debts, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Rashid said his campaign had received more than 10,000 individual contributions. In the Democratic primary, a large cash intervention by AIPAC or one of its allies could play a major part.

Rashid, for his part, said he was ready for the challenges: “I have immense confidence in voters that they’re sick and tired of the mudslinging and the negativity and these outside lobbyist organizations meddling in our races.”





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Illinois

Early voting sites in Chicago: Expect long lines wait for final day of early voting, board of elections says

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Early voting sites in Chicago: Expect long lines wait for final day of early voting, board of elections says


Monday is officially the last day of early voting in Illinois ahead of the Election Day for 2024 — and in many parts of the region, its the busiest.

“Monday is generally our busiest early voting days,” said Chicago Board of Elections’ Max Bever.

Sunday, long lines wrapped around Chicago’s Voting Supersite at 191 North Clark Street. Similar turnout was expected Monday, Bever said.

According to Bever, approximately 40,000 people typically come out to vote early the day before Election Day, with the CBOE expecting to see “similar numbers this year.”

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Chicago officials noted that two-hour wait times could be expected for early voting sites on the northside and near the lake front Monday, as those locations have easier access to public transit.

Shorter lines were expected on the west side, the CBOE said.

As Election Day — that’s Tuesday, Nov. 5 — approaches, here’s what to know about early voting Monday.

Chicago early voting locations

Early voting will be available on the day before the election at the city’s Voting Supersite at 191 North Clark Street, the Chicago Board of Elections’ Offices at 69 West Washington Street and at early voting locations in all 50 wards.

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All early voting sites are open to voters regardless of where they live in the city.

More information can be found on the board’s website.

Cook County early voting locations

Voters can cast ballots at all of the county’s circuit courthouses, and at the Cook County Clerk’s Office at 69 West Washington Street on the day prior to the election.

More information can be found on the county clerk’s website.

DeKalb County

The Sycamore campus’ Legislative Center at the Gathertorium will host early voting for one final day on Monday, Nov. 4.

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More information can be found here.

DuPage County early voting locations

Early voting continues to be available at locations around the county, and voters can cast ballots at early voting sites on Nov. 4.

You can find more information on the county clerk’s website.

Grundy County early voting locations

Early voting has concluded in Grundy County. You can find your polling place and other information on the county clerk’s website.

Kane County early voting locations

Early voting remains ongoing at sites throughout Kane County, including St. Charles, Aurora, Elgin, Hampshire, Batavia, West Dundee and more, according to officials.

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A full list of hours, can be found on the county clerk’s website.

Kankakee County early voting locations

The Kankakee County Clerk’s Office at 189 East Court Street will offer early voting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day before the election.

More information can be found on the county clerk’s website.

Kendall County early voting locations

Officials in Kendall County say early voting will be available at the Kendall County Office Building in Yorkville on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More information can be found here.

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Lake County early voting locations

Early voting will be available Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

Avon Township (Round Lake Park)

Jane Addams Center/Bowen Park (Waukegan)

Ela Area Library (Lake Zurich)

Lake County Courthouse Lobby (Waukegan)

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Highwood Library  

Mundelein High School West District Office

North Chicago City Hall  

You can find more information on hours on the county clerk’s website.

LaSalle County early voting locations

Early voting is available at the LaSalle County Emergency Management Building in Ottawa on Monday, with hours from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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You can get more information on the county clerk’s website.

McHenry County early voting locations

Early voting will be available Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

McHenry County Election Center (Woodstock)

Algonquin Township Office (Crystal Lake)

Crystal Lake Public Library

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McHenry Township Office (Johnsburg)

Lake in the Hills Village Hall

McHenry City Hall

Nunda Township Office (Crystal Lake)   

More information can be found on the county clerk’s website.

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Will County early voting locations

More than two dozen early voting sites will be open through Monday across the county.

A full list of locations can be found on the county clerk’s website.



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Illinois man rescued after bridge collapse causes tractor to trap him in creek

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Illinois man rescued after bridge collapse causes tractor to trap him in creek


First responders in Illinois saved a man’s life on Sunday after he was pinned in a creek underneath a tractor for possibly over 30 minutes.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District said 10 units responded to a water rescue in the 3200 block of N. Route 47 at around 3:01 p.m. on Sunday.

It was reported that a man was trapped under a tractor after a bridge collapsed on the property, which was in unincorporated Woodstock.

DRAMATIC RESCUE OF WOMAN FROM A SMALL BASEMENT WINDOW OF A BURNING HOME IN OHIO

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A man in Woodstock, Illinois, was rescued from a creek on Sunday after a bridge collapse caused his tractor to overturn and trap him partially submerged in the water. (Woodstock Fire/Rescue District / Facebook)

The first unit arrived at the scene within four minutes, according to the department. The man was found at the rear of the property partially submerged in the creek, but conscious.

“It is believed that he had been trapped for over 30 minutes before first responders arrived,” Woodstock Fire/Rescue wrote on Facebook.

Man taken to hospital after being stuck under tractor in creek

The man was seriously injured by the collapse and entrapment, and he also had severe hypothermia from the water exposure. (Woodstock Fire/Rescue District / Facebook)

Firefighters were able to lift the tractor off the man, and he was taken to an awaiting ambulance, which took him to a landing zone for a medical helicopter to transport him to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. 

The man, who was not identified, was seriously injured by the collapse and entrapment. He also had severe hypothermia from the water exposure, the department said.

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COAST GUARD VIDEO SHOWS HELICOPTER CREW RESCUE MAN FLOATING ON A COOLER 30 MILES OFF FLORIDA COAST AFTER STORM

A minor Hazmat response was also initiated because of fluids from the tractor leaking into the creek.

Tractor in creek after bridge collapses

The incident also caused a minor Hazmat response because of fluids leaking into the creek from the tractor. (Woodstock Fire/Rescue District / Facebook)

Absorbent materials were placed in the creek to prevent fuel and other liquids from spreading into the waterway.

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The tractor was removed from the creek at around 6 p.m., according to the department, and crews completed the cleanup shortly after.

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Here's why most schools in Illinois are closed on Election Day?

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Here's why most schools in Illinois are closed on Election Day?


As voters head to the polls on Election Day, some schools will still be in session. However, most students at Illinois public schools will have the day off.

Election Day is an official state holiday for the 2024 election season, under provisions of an amendment to Illinois’ school code. As a result, children in K-12 public schools will not be required to attend classes.

The law also states that any school that doesn’t have instruction on Election Day can be used by local authorities as a polling place.

In addition to public schools, courthouses and other local and state government facilities, including Secretary of State’s Driver’s Services facilities, will also be closed on Election Day.

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Private schools are not included in the terms of the legislation, meaning that students in those institutions may still have class on Tuesday. Universities are also not included, with students in the University of Illinois system still having classes on Election Day.

Efforts have arisen in the past to make Election Day a federal holiday, but they have not been successful thus far. As a result, many banks, federal facilities including courthouses, and most businesses will be open on Tuesday, according to officials.



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