CHICAGO, IL:- A coalition of progressive congressional campaigns held a press conference on Thursday morning at Federal Plaza to call attention to the growing influence of AIPAC and other big-money special interests in Illinois elections.

Candidates Bushra Amiwala (IL-09), Kina Collins (IL-07) and Joey Ruzevich (IL-06) participated.

“We’re standing out here in the cold because what’s happening in our politics is costing everyday people far more than inconvenience,” Amiwala told reporters in downtown Chicago. “It’s costing them stability, dignity, and opportunity.”

The candidates explained how PACs like AIPAC exert disproportionate influence over the electoral and policymaking processes in the United States.

“Just yesterday, Congress approved another $3.3 billion in weapons funding for Israel. On that same day, the Trump administration announced roughly $2 billion in cuts to mental health and addiction services here at home,” Amiwala continued. “That tells you exactly who this system is working for.”

Amiwala has pledged never to accept money from corporate PACs or any interest groups whose values contradict her own. Read her complete remarks here.