Despite encounter with resident, Simmons isn’t changing door-to-door campaigning tactics

Democratic congressional candidate Mike Simmons’ team won’t let an uncomfortable encounter with a potential voter change how it conducts door-to-door campaigning, a representative said this week.

“When people have good reason to be afraid of government and law enforcement, it’s even more important to be good neighbors and have good neighbors,” campaign manager Milan Patel told the Daily Herald.

Simmons, a state senator from Chicago, is one of 14 candidates for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District. Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky isn’t seeking reelection.

Simmons, Patel and two volunteers were trying to connect with voters Feb. 20 inside an apartment building in Chicago’s Buena Park neighborhood when a resident confronted them and asked for everyone’s ID. A different tenant had buzzed them into the building, Patel said.

Simmons, who represents Buena Park as part of the 7th State Senate District, told the tenant he’s a congressional candidate and the senator for the building’s residents, according to a news release from the campaign.

Simmons and his supporters weren’t wearing any kind of ID tags at the time, but they showed the woman their campaign materials — featuring the candidate’s name and photo — to assure her they weren’t a threat, Patel said.

ID badges aren’t required for political candidates and volunteers because they’re exempt from state and local rules for door-to-door solicitors under the First Amendment, the campaign’s Danielle Deal said.

The woman called the police anyway.

Simmons championed legislation that criminalizes calling police solely to harass someone based on race, religion or other personal factors. He told the tenant of the law before exiting the building.

Simmons spoke with responding officers outside, Patel said. No charges were filed.

A video of Simmons’ interaction with the tenant is available on his social media pages. In a subsequent video published on his campaign Facebook page, Simmons said, “canvassing while Black is not a crime.”

Stretching from Chicago’s North Side to the Crystal Lake area, the 9th Congressional District includes parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. In addition to Simmons, Democratic candidates include Kat Abughazaleh of Chicago, Bushra Amiwala of Skokie, Phil Andrew of Wilmette, Daniel Biss of Evanston and Laura Fine of Glenview. Four Republicans are running for the GOP nomination.

Upbeat political news

We’re not kidding. Just in time for the Chicago Fire’s home opener Saturday at Soldier Field, fans can display their passion with specialty license plates, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced.

Illinoisans can purchase Chicago Fire plates through the Pick-a-Plate feature at apps.ilsos.gov/pickaplate.

The plates display the team’s logo and colors. They can be personalized.

“The Chicago Fire plate not only celebrates the state’s premier soccer team but also supports charitable opportunities for kids across Illinois, making a positive impact that goes far beyond the game itself,” Giannoulias said in a statement.

“This is more than a license plate — it’s a badge of pride,” Fire Chief Marketing Office Dan Moriarty said.

• Political Roundabout is an occasional column on campaign, legislative and political news with a suburban focus.