Five-term congressman shares “American Dream plan” at gathering hosted by Chicago philanthropist Larry Huggins
On Thursday evening, March 12th, community leaders Larry Huggins, Gwen Appleberry, Patty Howse, and William Kates co-sponsored an intimate gathering in support of Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate seeking the seat being vacated by Senator Dick Durbin.
The event, held at Larry Huggins’ residence, drew friends, supporters, and community stakeholders eager to hear from the five-term Congressman representing Illinois’s 8th district about his vision for Illinois and the nation.
A Champion Recognized by Champions
Larry Huggins, who leads several charitable organizations in the Chicago area, including the widely praised “Christmas in the Wards” (which provides gifts to 100 families across Chicago’s 50 wards), offered high praise for Raja’s commitment to community.
“Huggins expressed, ‘You are truly a man of the people.’ He mentioned that during his conversation with Raj, they discussed his commitment to supporting the Chicago Football Classic. When considering the significance of the Chicago Football Classic for Black colleges in Illinois, Raj’s support has been instrumental in allowing us to continue the program since our first meeting.”
Huggins also mentioned Raja’s support for Christmas in Hopkins Park, demonstrating the congressman’swillingness to back community initiatives with both advocacy and resources.
From the Projects to Public Service
Raja shared his personal journey from growing up in public housing projects to his current role in Congress, attributing his motivation to his father’s belief in the greatness of America.
“My why is simple. I think God put me on this planet to try to pass forward those blessings that we receive at the lowest point in our lives to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, wherever they live,” Raja explained.
He recounted how his father would tell him nightly at the dinner table: “Think of the greatness of this country and whatever you do, make sure it’s there for the next families who need it.” This advice became, as Raja described it, the “north star” of his personal compass.
A Record of Public Service
Pastor Gwen Appleberry provided a formal introduction detailing Raja’s extensive background. His career includes:
- Practicing law and serving as a special assistant to the Attorney General, where he helped start the Illinois State Anti-Corruption Unit
- Working on Barack Obama’s House and Senate campaigns
- Serving as Deputy State Treasurer
- Board member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority
- Vice Chairman of the Illinois Innovation Council
- President of a high-tech small business in the Chicagoland area
- Five terms representing Illinois’s 8th Congressional District
The American Dream Plan
Raja outlined his “American Dream plan agenda,” which addresses the financial struggles of Illinois families through concrete policies:
Housing Affordability: A first-time homebuyer tax credit to help families achieve homeownership
Child Hunger: Universal free lunch for students, ensuring no child goes hungry at school
Career and Technical Education: Increased funding for a career and technical education law he authored, providing pathways to good-paying jobs without requiring four-year degrees
Standing Against Trump
Raja positioned himself as a candidate who would actively fight against Donald Trump and what he described as threats to American values of freedom, equality, and opportunity. His campaign emphasizes both opposition to Trump’s policies and a positive agenda for working families.
Community Impact Stories
Several attendees shared testimonials about Raja’s effectiveness:
Alderman David Moore revealed that Raja helped him secure $2 million for the Ogden Park Fieldhouse by informing him about available federal funds—information his own congressman had not provided.
Frankye Payne, executive director of the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce, expressed excitement about Raja’s potential: “I’m very excited to see how he can become the through line to increase small business owners’ ability to engage capital and remove a lot of hurdles that prevent us from being productive entrepreneurs on the south side of Chicago.”
Zada Johnson, professor of Urban Community Studies and Anthropology at Northeastern Illinois University, asked Raja about his vision for college students. “He talked about the importance of AI in the community and the importance of getting them the appropriate resources that they need,” she shared, finding his forward-thinking agenda reassuring.
Omar Shareef, longtime friend of Larry Huggins, emphasized the importance of “advocacy for a fair and equitable playing field for African American contractors and businesses at the local, state, and national levels” and making voices heard in all areas of interest.
Raja concluded the evening with an inspiring message: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow’s a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present. And together we are going to make America and the world a better place.”
The event’s hosts and attendees made clear their support for Raja’s Senate bid, urging voters to “select him as our Illinois Senate Leader for our state” and to “vote for Raj—a man with an open heart in Washington for the 8th district in the state of Illinois.”
As the Democratic primary approaches, Raja Krishnamoorthi is making his case to Chicago’s South Side communities that his record of delivering resources, his understanding of working families’ struggles, and his commitment to the American Dream make him the right choice to succeed Senator Dick Durbin.
The message from Thursday night’s gathering was clear: Punch number 4 for Raja Krishnamoorthi.
