Climate conversation in Westchester PAGE 4
Race in 7th District primary is gathering contenders vs. Davis
Vol. VII No. 30
JULY 26, 2023
vfpress.news
Blue Line renovations PAGE 6
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin expects to declare candidacy in early fall By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter
While the Democratic primary is still nine months away, long-time incumbent U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (7th) is already facing two declared challengers, one challenger who hasn’t declared yet, and a perennial conservative candidate banking on the fact that nobody else will run in a Republican primary in the heavily Democratic district. Austin activist Kina Collins, who ran against Davis twice in the Democratic primary, is challenging him again. She came much closer to winning the primary in 2022 than she did in 2020, and she believes that she can improve on those numbers. Pilsen teacher Nikhil Bhatia announced his intention to run in late June. And while Chicago city treasurer and former state representative Melissa Conyears-Ervin hasn’t officially announced her run, her congressional campaign commitSee 7TH DISTRICT on page 3
SARA JANZ
Isiah Brandon, Rachel Montgomorey and Miguel Jones at the People’s Choice Party headquarters on Election Night.
Maywood trustee seat recount uncertain Cost for performing the recount estimated at around $32,000 By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter
It is uncertain whether a full recount will take place in the disputed race for village trustee in Maywood’s April elec-
tion. The potential cost of a full recount of the Maywood vote is around $32,000 and Rachel Montgomery, the candidate who came up one vote short on Election Day, is evaluating her options. On July 18, the Cook County Clerk’s office told the Circuit Court of Cook County the cost of a recount. The county clerk’s office presented a motion to secure a bond equivalent to 10% of the recount costs estimated to be $32,000. To continue with the process and proceed with a recount, Montgomery has to
pay the bond or respond before the end of this week, she said in an interview with Village Free Press on July 24. As previously reported, Montgomery filed a petition to contest the April 4 election results in which she appeared to have lost to Rahmann “Ray” Williams by one vote. Williams was sworn into office and sits on the village council. Her attorney is looking into avenues to have the fee waived and proceed with See MAYWOOD on page 7