‘It’ll Be Violent’: Chicago Teachers Union Hosts Israel-Hating Communist Convention Where Radicals Call for Sabotaging US Ports, Backing Iran

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) hosted a Marxist, virulently anti-Israel conference last weekend which openly celebrated terrorism, introduced fledgling activists to "the growing BDS movement," and called on its members to support Iran’s "axis of resistance" and prepare for violence against the United States and Israel.

The post ‘It’ll Be Violent’: Chicago Teachers Union Hosts Israel-Hating Communist Convention Where Radicals Call for Sabotaging US Ports, Backing Iran appeared first on .

Critics blast Chicago mayor for pushing 'transfemicide' 'gibberish' amid deadly shootings



Chicago was rocked in 2024 by 575 murders.

Days before resetting the murder count and ushering in a bloody new year, Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson declared an emergency on Dec. 23, 2024 — not to tackle the general bloodletting in his city but to address, specifically, violence against transvestites.

'Happy Pride.'

Between 2016 and July 2024, fewer than 15 "trans" and "gender-nonconforming" individuals had reportedly been killed in the city. Between 2010 and 2021, roughly 300 transvestites had been killed nationwide — in a country of well over 340 million people.

Critics have blasted Johnson for "building on" his 2024 emergency declaration and blathering again about so-called "transfemicide" — this time on the eve of Chicago's bloodiest day in years.

Last week, Johnson announced that further to his declaration, he was advancing a "whole-of-government approach focused on addressing the conditions that impact the health, stability, and well-being of trans Chicagoans, particularly Black and Brown trans women and trans youth, who continue to experience disproportionately high rates of exclusion and economic hardship."

RELATED: 'Left-wing gender goblins': Critics torch New York Times for running 'trans dad' essay on Father's Day

Audrey Richardson/Getty Images

"Every Chicagoan deserves to feel safe, valued, and like they belong in the city they call home," stated Johnson.

The mayor continuing yammering on Saturday night about the perceived need for cross-dressers to have access to "safe and welcoming" spaces.

"Since declaring a Transfemicide State of Emergency, our administration has strengthened the City’s capacity to support LGBTQ+ Chicagoans," said Johnson.

Brandon's "transfemicide" remarks over the weekend came across as especially myopic given that the city was provided with yet another reminder that it isn't safe for straight people either.

At least 43 people were shot or killed citywide over the weekend, a 105% increase from the same weekend last year, reported CWB Chicago. Twenty-seven people were shot on Friday alone, reportedly making it the highest one-day shooting victim count since July 5, 2024.

On Friday night, a pair of thugs driving in a red SUV pulled up alongside a crowd of people, then began shooting. Fourteen victims — ages ranging from 17 to 47 — suffered gunshot wounds.

According to police, eight people were ultimately killed in the shootings over the weekend, including a 14-year-old boy who was shot multiple times.

Although Johnson condemned the violence, he did not declare an emergency.

Multitudes of critics have lambasted Johnson over his niche concern-mongering and its timing.

"Brandon Johnson declared a state of emergency for trans people. Guess how many trans people were kiIIed in Chicago in the past year? One. He was kiIIed by his boyfriend. It had nothing to do with his trans identity," wrote Libs of TikTok. "Meanwhile every single weekend there are dozens of shooting[s] and multiple fatalities. Every. Single. Weekend. Why doesn’t Brandon Johnson declare a state of emergency for the actual violence in his city?"

The New York Post confirmed that only one trans-identifying man was murdered so far this year in Chicago, 31-year-old Davonta Curtis.

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh said that Johnson's "transfemicide" emergency declaration was "beyond parody. And delusional."

"The trans murder rate is actually LOWER than the general population," continued Walsh. "And basically every trans murder victim is killed because of domestic issues, drugs, or prostitution. 'Anti-trans hate crimes' are a fantasy."

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) noted that no one knows what a "transfemicide state of emergency" is but for the fact that it's a preoccupation of Johnson.

The X account for the Chicago Young Republicans wrote, "All Chicagoans, including biological women and girls, are entitled to a sense of safety in their city. Your administration has made this city a dangerous place for them to live, walk their dog, and even just ride public transit to work because you refuse to hold dangerous criminals accountable."

"But really glad [we're] spending time and resources on this fake issue because people with a mental disorder and a fetish wanna play pretend," added the Young Republicans group.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon insinuated that Johnson's messaging signaling special attention to cross-dressers might not just be ridiculous but unlawful too.

"Reminder that ALL Chicagoans are entitled to the equal protection of the laws. If Chicago uses this inchoate gibberish theory to preference government spoils to trans identifying people or subordinate women’s rights, @CivilRights will investigate & take action, if appropriate," wrote Dhillon.

Johnson responded to Dhillon by reaffirming his support for the non-straight community and wishing them "Happy Pride."

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‘This Was Not Random Misfortune’: There’s Blood On JB Pritzker’s Hands Again

Authorities say Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman was shot in the head by an illegal immigrant who found sanctuary in Chicago.

AIPAC suffers loss in congressional race, millions of dollars squandered helping Chicago mayor's ally



Several super PACs linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee reportedly poured over $20 million into multiple House primary races in Illinois in hopes of advancing favored candidates or at the very least kneecapping candidates critical of Israel.

Some of the groups' investments paid off.

'There’s no gray lines as it relates to their beliefs.'

For instance, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller — a beneficiary of nearly $4.5 million in ad spending from the AIPAC-linked group Affordable Chicago Now — defeated former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in the Democrat primary for the state's 2nd Congressional District.

In the Democrat primary for the 8th Congressional District, former Rep. Melissa Bean, another beneficiary of spending by an AIPAC-aligned group, also came out on top, beating Junaid Ahmed, a leftist whom AIPAC faulted for centering "his campaign on attacking Israel."

However, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, a candidate who ran in the 7th District Democrat primary to replace retiring incumbent Rep. Danny Davis, turned out to be a bad investment.

With 90% of the votes in, the Associated Press called the race for state Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Democrat with a history of tax fraud who secured 23.9% of the total vote. Conyears-Ervin, one of only handful of candidates who said in a WBEZ-FM survey that she did not oppose sending U.S. military aid to Israel, trailed behind with 20.5% of the vote.

RELATED: Jesse Jackson Jr.'s political comeback fails miserably after he served prison time

John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

The United Democracy Project, an AIPAC super PAC established in 2022, poured nearly $5 million into positive ads for Conyears-Ervin, reported Politico.

Austin Weekly News reported that the AIPAC group's intervention in the race was criticized by many of the other 13 candidates, including Ford, who was backed by the retiring incumbent.

"I’ve also had meetings with the very people that’s spending this money," said Ford. "They want you to say 'yes' to everything that they have requests for. There’s no gray lines as it relates to their beliefs. It’s a yes or no. … 'Don’t have a conversation, that this is what we want. We want you to vote with us in Washington 100% of the time, and we want to control our member,' and that’s what this is about. And I refused that type of relationship."

Ford suggested further last month that "this money dwarfs, or tries to dwarf, the voice of the voters in the 7th Congressional District, and it would tell you immediately who this candidate will be beholden to. Follow the money."

Kina Collins, one of the leftist candidates defeated on Tuesday, said last month that it was "not going to help [Conyears-Ervin's] case that AIPAC is backing her."

While AIPAC's support may have negatively affected Conyears-Ervin's chances, she also had plenty of baggage. For instance, she reportedly agreed in September to pay a $30,000 fine to resolve charges brought by the Chicago Board of Ethics.

Conyears-Ervin, an ally of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), was accused of misusing city resources and retaliating against whistleblowers — allegations she denies, reported WTTW.

Conyears-Ervin's race was among the Illinois primaries regarded as a test for AIPAC. The lobbying group characterized the night as a win overall, however, stating, "Illinois voters rejected half a dozen anti-Israel candidates across several heavily Democratic open-seat races. These results further demonstrate that campaigns defined largely by opposition to AIPAC, our members, and the values we represent continue to fall short on election night."

The group added, "Although Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin did not advance, AIPAC congratulates State Representative La Shawn K. Ford on his win. The pro-Israel community is proud to have helped defeat Kina Collins, who has voiced anti-Israel views over multiple election cycles."

Ford — who was indicted on 17 counts of bank fraud but ultimately pleaded guilty in 2014 to only a single misdemeanor charge of tax fraud — will face off in the general election with Republican nominee Chad Koppie, a farmer and retired Delta Airlines pilot whose "main goal is trying to ban abortion."

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Bond Market May Be a Last Guardrail on Far-Left Mayors as Moody’s Goes 'Negative' on Mamdani’s New York

A mostly obscure and widely derided sector of the financial industry—bond rating agencies—may be one of the few remaining things with the power to save some of America’s largest cities from destruction by the policies of the far-left mayors who run them.

The post Bond Market May Be a Last Guardrail on Far-Left Mayors as Moody’s Goes 'Negative' on Mamdani’s New York appeared first on .

'Not true': Chicago Mayor Johnson's ICE order has his own prosecutors up in arms



Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) touted big plans to go after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. However, the city's top prosecutor is calling out Johnson's anti-ICE executive order as a "wholly inappropriate" disaster, while alleging the mayor's claims of collaboration are "not true."

In late January, Johnson signed the "ICE on Notice" executive order, which directed the Chicago Police Department to investigate and document any alleged illegal activity by federal agents, then refer that evidence to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office for potential prosecution.

'Mayor Johnson's statement is not true.'

Johnson claimed that Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke's office was "in complete support of this executive order."

"Our office worked closely in collaboration with the state's attorney's office to ensure that this executive order will have the ability to do exactly what it is designed to do," the mayor told reporters in January.

O'Neill Burke rebuked Johnson's claims, writing in a post on X, "Mayor Johnson's statement is not true. The CCSAO did not receive the Executive Order until it was released to the public. We do not provide legal approval of any matter until we've reviewed it. On such a critical issue, it's important we get it right."

Yvette Loizon, the CCSAO's attorney for policy and external affairs, issued a two-page staff memo criticizing provisions listed in Johnson's order, according to a Saturday report from CWB Chicago. Loizon reportedly called some aspects of the order "wholly inappropriate" and warned that it "jeopardizes our ability to effectively prosecute and secure convictions when federal agents have committed a crime."

RELATED: 'ICE on Notice': Chicago Mayor Johnson threatens to prosecute federal agents enforcing immigration laws

Eileen O'Neill Burke. E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

The memo also allegedly stated that O'Neill Burke is "deeply concerned" about federal immigration agents "who have been wreaking havoc in communities across the country and in our own neighborhoods."

"The Mayor's recent Executive Order introduces additional hurdles," it reportedly read.

Loizon criticized Johnson's executive order for instructing police to refer matters for prosecution "at the direction of the Mayor's Office," arguing that it tainted a process that was intended to be non-political, CWB Chicago reported. Loizon also reportedly contended that defense attorneys may argue that any charges were politically motivated and illegitimate.

RELATED: Illinois governor signs law to counter Trump administration's 'depravity' — DHS fires back immediately

Brandon Johnson. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Johnson's office responded to the criticism, claiming that it had "reviewed the language with the State's Attorney's Chief of Policy and made edits based on their feedback."

"The CCSAO's public statements do indicate complete agreement with the objectives of the executive order," the mayor's office insisted.

The CCSAO did not respond to a request for comment.

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'ICE on Notice': Chicago Mayor Johnson threatens to prosecute federal agents enforcing immigration laws



Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) signed an "ICE on Notice" executive order on Saturday, threatening to prosecute Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for potential misconduct.

Johnson's executive action directed the Chicago Police Department to "investigate and document alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents and refer evidence of felony violations to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office for prosecution."

'Instead of working with us, Illinois sanctuary politicians RELEASE violent criminals from their jails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims.'

CPD officers are directed to document federal enforcement activities, including by recording body-camera footage and verifying names and badge numbers of federal supervisory officers on the scene. Police are required to submit a complete report detailing any alleged violations.

Any documented illegal activities will be shared with the public, according to the city.

The mayor claimed that the order created "a framework for public accountability in the event federal agents violate local or state law while operating in Chicago."

Johnson further alleged that the Trump administration's federal immigration operations have "violated constitutionally protected rights." He also claimed that ICE activities have "destabilized communities" and "provoked life-threatening confrontations."

RELATED: Seattle's sanctuary mayor orders local police to investigate ICE activities

Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

"Nobody is above the law. There is no such thing as 'absolute immunity' in America," Johnson stated. "The lawlessness of Trump's militarized immigration agents puts the lives and well-being of every Chicagoan in immediate danger. With today's order, we are putting ICE on notice in our city. Chicago will not sit idly by while Trump floods federal agents into our communities and terrorizes our residents."

In a statement to the Center Square, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara Jr. called Johnson's executive order political bluster.

"The only good thing in that piece of toilet paper is 'no CPD member will be required to arrest any federal agents,'" Catanzara said.

Catanzara raised concerns that the order requires police to document any allegations of misconduct against a federal agent.

"That needs to be a two-way street, and I will advise our members of such. Citizens can also be named offenders," he said.

“These claims of criminal misconduct by ICE law enforcement are FALSE,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement shared with WLS-TV.

McLaughlin stated that under President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, “ICE is held to the highest professional standard, and officers regularly receive ongoing training.”

“As our brave law enforcement arrests and removes dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, and gang members from our communities, America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring [to] the job, day in and day out,” the statement continued. “Instead of working with us, Illinois sanctuary politicians RELEASE violent criminals from their jails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims.”

McLaughlin contended that the state’s sanctuary policies had led to the release of 1,768 criminal illegal aliens since January 20. She noted that there are over 4,000 immigrants with active detainers currently incarcerated in Illinois jails.

RELATED: Illinois governor signs law to counter Trump administration's 'depravity' — DHS fires back immediately

Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson (D) took similar action against federal immigration agents last week, requiring the Seattle Police Department to investigate, verify, and document immigration enforcement activity.

The Seattle Police Officers Guild called the mayor's action "toothless virtue-signaling rhetoric," declaring that the "concept of pitting two armed law enforcement agencies against each other is ludicrous and will not happen."

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