North Cook News

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) received some unwanted compliments when a conservative comedian subbed in for her opponent briefly during a candidate forum.

The candidate forums are part of a broader project by the Daily Herald to introduce candidates to the publication’s readership.

Schakowsky is facing GOP challenger Max Rice in the 9th District, which covers much of north Chicago and north Cook County.

Those on the call caught on quickly that Rice had been replaced.

“That’s not Max,” the Daily Herald’s Opinion Editor Jim Slusher told the group.  

“I’m his representative. He had me fill in because he got injured,” Alex Stein, a TV host for the Blaze, said.  

“That’s not acceptable,” Slusher responded.

“That’s not what he said. He said you guys could have a representative,” Stein said.  

“We don’t allow representatives to even sit in on the interviews,” Slusher said.  

“I think so Jim. I think that is what he said,” Stein responded.  “Why won’t Jan debate me?”

“I don’t know but you are not part of this race. He has the link,” Slusher said, appealing to the other call members.  

“Jan you are my favorite big booty congresswoman. I know you are a big fan of AOC’s mentor,” Stein said. “Jan. How are you doing? Are you still sleeping with those spies, Jan? Remember that rumor that you slept with all of those spies.”

“Turn him off,” Slusher said.  

 “Jan, are you going to say anything? Because in your city everyone is getting shot. Are you proud of your city and all of the people who are getting shot?” Stein asked.

“Who the hell is this guy?” another Daily Herald moderator said.

Rice did later join the panel where he told Schakowsky she was the wrong choice for a state that is ailing due to its political moves.

“When you’re successful, I’m successful. When everyone in the district is safe, I’m safe. So I do think we all have skin in the game and share the same goals,” Rice said.

“Jan Schakowsky, at the end of the day, I do think you are a hypocrite and have completely sold out and made my life tangibly worse. But I want you to be successful, I want you to be happy. I want your family to be happy. Just not in Congress.”

The Daily Herald has been struggling with its candidate forums this year.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker pressured Paddock Publications – the Daily Herald's parent company – to stop printing the newspapers for LGIS after a spokesperson for Pritzker threatened the publisher in September over its contract with LGIS for newspaper production.

Pritzker requested that the Daily Herald discontinue doing business with LGIS through a campaign spokesman and announced his departure from the group's candidate forum because its publications were too critical of his government and “represent an existential threat to quality, independent journalism,” North Cook News reported.

Stein signed a deal in late April to join the Blaze as a contributor. He announced the deal on YouTube on his show Prime Time 99. Stein is a resident of Highland Park.