We can be a nation of laws or a nation of edicts—we cannot be both. You can think Maduro is a bad guy. You can think it is good that he is gone. But the real question you should be asking yourself is this: Do you think we should live under the rule of law or the rule of edict?

“We’re going to run the country.” Donald Trump after illegally striking Venezuela. What happened to no more forever wars?

The President of the United States has started a war with Venezuela without Congressional approval and in violation of the UN Charter.

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, and reposted—this is how we drive money out of politics! Looks like I’ll be taking a dip in Lake Michigan for crushing our $3,000 goal in just 2 days! Together, we can do this!

If everyone who sees this video gives just $3 we can reach our goal. And if we do so by NYE, you’ll get to watch me jump into Lake Michigan. It might be gimmicky, but if it helps me pay my staff living wages without grovelling to wealthy strangers on the phone, I’ll polar plunge every day!

I criticize Biden for his failed withdrawal from Afghanistan; for denying us an open primary; for arming the State of Israel as it carpet bombed civilians. I am still a Democrat. You can criticize Trump and remain Republican. It is time to put America First and stop another needless war.

If working harder means falling behind, the problem isn’t you—it’s the system. Big money controls politics, corporations raise prices, and families pay the bill. I’m running to make our government work for the people trying to buy groceries, not the ones buying influence.

After denying me a seat at the table, the IL AFL-CIO did not even endorse any candidate in the U.S. Senate race. In the end, all they did was stifle democracy by denying union members the ability to hear from the only union member and veteran on the ballot.

Anyone who works full time ought to earn enough to live, raise a family, save for the future, and enjoy whatever time they have on this planet. Can we all agree on this?

Last night I met a woman responsible for fundraising for scholarships to a local Catholic school. She told me her annual goal was to raise $1.2 million. In just one quarter, Raja spent $5 million on TV ads alone. Establishment politicians raise money for wrong and wasteful purposes.

I studied international law at Oxford. By his own words and actions, Pete Hegseth has demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of the laws and treaty obligations that govern our Armed Forces. As a basic principle, international law, once ratified by the US Senate, is US law.

Your dollar goes far in a campaign like ours, and every bit helps. Invest in us, and you send a message to the establishment: no more attempts to buy the Democratic Party nomination through corrupting practices. You can support us at secure.actblue.com/donate/runwi...

12 | Julie Fortier 13 | @dylanthomasblaha.bsky.social 17 | @solizforcongress.bsky.social Senate | @kevryanforillinois.bsky.social

If we want our democracy to function properly, we need to start by reforming our elections: ✅ Campaign spending limits ✅ Term limits ✅ Ranked choice voting ✅ Publicly funded campaigns ✅ Non-partisan primary elections ✅ Federal independent redistricting commission

I am unafraid to unapologetically say this: Thanksgiving is the best holiday

I am thankful for much, but most thankful for this—happy Thanksgiving!

It is important to remember that it is no small task for a service member to refuse an order. Any service member who refuses can expect to be charged under Article 92 of the UCMJ. The process of military justice will then determine whether the order in question was lawful

As long as money is the only metric of electoral viability Democrats believe in, people like Donald Trump will continue to ascend to the highest positions of power.

Let me say it again: all service members have a duty to disobey unlawful orders. An unlawful order is any order that is “contrary to the Constitution” or “the laws of the United States,” or are “patently illegal... such as one that directs the commission of a crime.” -UCMJ

Before speaking to voters at the Sullivan Library tonight, I perused the $0.25 books for sale and found a good one. Thank you, Moultrie County, for the incredible enthusiasm, encouragement, and sign that I’m on the right road!

Why do we allow Americans to die from lack of healthcare while allowing other Americans to hoard wealth? Tax wealth. Fund Medicare for All.

No more wars. This is not a partisan issue—it’s a human issue. Congress needs to pass legislation blocking Trump from unilaterally striking Venezuela or anywhere else without Congressional approval.

Today I spoke at a forum with Robin Kelly. When asked if she would vote for Schumer she answered, “I’d have to see who’s running against him.” Let me be unequivocally clear: I will not support Chuck Schumer as leader. It’s time for a new generation of Americans to step up and meet this moment.

I just spoke to Tim Drea, president of the IL AFL-CIO. I asked one final time if I can participate in the forum tonight—even just a 90 second introduction. He went beyond, “I can’t let you speak” He said “I won’t”

We’re #1 in this race—literally. While the ballot order is pure luck, I feel honored to have been endorsed by the Luck of the Irish. Thank you to all the Ryans, O’Briens, Murphys and all my other precinct captains up in Heaven who made calls and knocked on clouds to make this happen.

How many times do Trump and his Republicans need to lie to us before Senate Democrats stop believing them? Handshake deals don’t cut it in Trump’s Post-Truth America. Democratic Party leadership is failing. This is precisely why I will not vote for Chuck Schumer to continue to serve as leader.

Imagine where the labor movement would be if they just gave whenever they heard “No.” Like all workers, I’m just looking for a seat at the table. If you think I belong at this forum, call or email Bill Looby. Tell him Kevin Ryan deserves a seat at the table. 217-494-4014 [email protected]

The Keystone State 🫡

I love NYC

Let’s go Virginia!

If Democrats want to stop Trump, we need to live our values and call out our peers who violate those values. We cannot be the party of “Defending American Democracy” while tolerating the denial of free, open, and competitive primary elections within our own party.

Raja is exploiting our community’s fears to raise money for his own campaign. This money will not unmask ICE, it will fund more TV ads in a primary election that does not involve any Republican candidates. We need a Senator who will serve our communities—not exploit them for personal gain.

Invest in education, housing, childcare, and healthcare for all like we invest in defense. We don’t need to spend half of our discretionary budget on the military to defend the homeland—that is a myth peddled by the billionaires of the military industrial complex.

Congress passed campaign finance reform laws in 1907, 1971, 1974, and 2002. Two conservative Supreme Courts undermined the will of the Congress and the People by nullifying those laws. We must amend the Constitution to overrule the Supreme Court.

8 of the 17 Constitutional Amendments ratified after the Bill of Rights enacted electoral reform. The 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, went from the hopper to the Constitution in just 100 days. We can amend the Constitution to get money out of politics.

72% of Americans—liberals, conservatives, and independents alike—support campaign spending limits. This is a bipartisan issue. But we need someone to mobilize that support. That is why I am running for the US Senate.

Come out to Woodstock, Illinois on November 5th to meet some great candidates, discuss how we can all work together to improve our shared future, and pick up some yard signs!

Small Business Shout out: Fatso’s Last Stand on 2258 W Chicago Ave in Ukrainian Village I used to live dangerously close to Fatso’s on Chicago Avenue back when I was a struggling first-year teacher. Today was my first time back in a few years, and their burgers are even better than I remember

From Clark Street to the State Board of Elections—we’re on the ballot! Come celebrate where it all started with our first signature: Output on Saturday, November 8th with a special performance by the Reverse Cowboys. Come celebrate with us and fuel the bus for the journey to March 17th!

An imperial president privately funded by the ultra wealthy should deeply concern anyone who values democracy, the rule of law, and individual liberty. This is not a left vs right issue.

I took this photo on my last day working at U.S. Treasury. Looking at the White House filled me with inspiration. And I had the great privilege of visiting the White House multiple times during that time. Anyone who tries to justify this demolition has never walked the halls of the White House.

19 October 2025 - the Bus is rolling through Greenville, Edwardsville, Waterloo, Nashville, and Carlyle Keep an eye out for the bus and, if you see us, wave us down!

If you are worried about attending a protest for the first time, we will be there in Chicago and Monticello. DM us. Look for the bus. Show up—you are not alone.

Trump is trying to politicize our military so he can militarize our cities.

Do not let Trump normalize the militarization of our society. Veterans need to step up and speak out.

No one should fear for or lose their life because of the ideas they express. I condemn the murder of Charlie Kirk—and every American should. We should all call to mind how Evelyn Beatrice Hall summarizes Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Trump very well may be the first president to violate the 3rd Amendment.

A federal court ruled that Trump’s deployment of active duty Marines and federalized National Guard units is illegal. But not only is it illegal—it is antithetical to democracy. If you support using the military as police, how many freedoms are you willing to surrender in the name of security?

The question of election reform is a question of whether we ought to protect the political advantages of wealth or reduce them.

Our elections have become so devoid of meaning and substance that campaign contributions now serve as the only metric of viability and success.