North Cook News

A group of concerned citizens in Illinois is demanding that the FCC, FBI and state's attorney investigate the Democratic National Committee (DNC); U.S. Rep Jan Schakowsky (D-Dist. 9) and her husband, Robert Creamer; and their alleged associations with groups that use intimidation tactics and incite violence at Republican rallies.

The allegations came from a video released by activist James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas. A protest march will begin in front of Schakowsky’s Evanston office Tuesday at 11 a.m. and end at the Evanston Post Office.

Joan McCarthy Lasonde, Schakowsky's GOP opponent in next week's election, will be marching at the protest after being invited by an organizer.

Joan McCarthy Lasonde | Contributed photo

“I am going to go,” Lasonde told North Cook News. “Apparently, they have about 200 people – independents, Democrats and Republicans...It's open to the public. All are welcome.

The march is ending at the post office so marchers can mail letters to the attorney general, FCC and the state’s attorney, requesting that an investigation of Schakowsky and Creamer begin immediately.

“We have government officials who are inciting violence, and that is illegal,” Lasonde said.

LaSonde said there is enough evidence in the video to warrant a serious investigation. Creamer allegedly was caught in the heavily edited video explaining how he would pay the homeless or the mentally ill to incite violence at GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rallies.

“This is intimidation,” Lasonde said. “It’s one thing if you’re just a concerned citizen and you’re trying to convince someone to vote the way you’re voting, but we have officials at the top (involved in this). (Creamer) is connected to the Democratic National Committee. Schakowsky is one of his clients at his firm.”

Lasonde cites the night of March 11, when a Trump rally was canceled due to threats of violence. Schakowsky was at another protest calling Trump and Republicans a gang of hate.

“She was holding a poster that said ‘Gang of Hate: Trump, Cruz and Rauner, and at the bottom of the poster is her husband’s company’s name," Lasonde said.

Lasonde alleged that Schakowsky needs to be held accountable for her actions and those of her husband’s.

“You can’t incite violence,” Lasonde said. “You can’t provoke people and pay them to go to political rallies and throw punches. She needs to be held accountable. She has been part of the political ruling class for over 25 years. She cannot say she didn’t know about this.”

Lasonde said that, at the bare minimum, there should be an investigation.

“We are at least asking for an investigation by law enforcement to see exactly which illegal activities that they are guilty of and that they should be charged with,” Lasonde said. “(Schakowsky) absolutely, at a minimum, knew about it, if not participated, with her husband.”

Lasonde lamented that Schakowsky is supposed to be representing the people of the district.

 “Government officials are supposed to lead by example,” Lasonde said. “When I am in Congress, I will lead by example. At a minimum, we need to follow the law. We are a law-abiding country. The political ruling class seems to think there are two sets of laws: There is a set of laws for you and me and the average citizen, and then there is another set of laws for them because they are government. That needs to change. We are one country. We are all citizens, and we all need to follow the same law.”

Schakowsky's office was contacted by North Cook News, but officials there refused to comment.