Senator Silverstein Lied About My Endorsement: Rep. Lou Lang

SKOKIE, IL — House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) said Saturday a false mailer written by Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) means he can no longer remain neutral in the 8th District Democratic senate primary. Lang said the campaign brochure claimed that he had endorsed Silverstein when he had not. In response, he endorsed Ram Villivalam.

Lang said he had informed Silverstein and all parties involved in the race that he would be staying neutral as a member of the ethics commission that oversaw an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint against Silverstein. That complaint led to he resignation of the 20-year North Side lawmaker from his leadership role with Senate Democratic caucus last October.

A legislative inspector general's report released in January found Silverstein had engaged in "conduct unbecoming of a legislature" in violation of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act for engaging in "teasing and flirtatious" communications with a woman advocating for the passage of a victim's rights bill. It said the senator's behavior did not constitute sexual harassment.

"In politics, all that matters is your word," Lang wrote, explaining why he could no longer abide by his pledge to stay out of the race. "Senator Silverstein’s mail piece compromised that neutrality. Now I am no longer neutral."

Lang said he endorsed Villivalam over his fellow Democratic committeeman because he believes "he possesses the integrity becoming of a legislator."

In addition to Lang's endorsement, Silverstein's mailer also touts the support of his spouse, 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Commissioner Larry Sufferedin, as well as several other groups. A spokesperson for Dart confirmed his endorsement, saying the sheriff and Silverstein were longtime friends. Suffredin's office has not responded to a query about his endorsement.

Silverstein told Patch Lang had not previously indicated that he would remain neutral:

1) It never crossed my mind that after 18 plus years of my constant support for Rep Lang that he would not assist and support me. In fact, we passed his nominating petitions.

2) He mentioned a conversation with me. In terms of that conversation, I heard that Rep Lang must be neutral until my matter before his committee was adjudicated. I respected that need for objectivity and ability to consider the matter fully. In that matter he showed great integrity. But once I was cleared by the Inspector General of the charges, and his committee's responsibilities correctly discharged and the matter no longer before him, I thought our relationship would revert to the usual. Mutual support.

3) Staff said that they emailed information before the piece was prepared. I should have double checked with Rep Lang before issuing the mailer. We thought it was all non-offensive and positive and reflected our political relationship.

4) The second after sundown on Saturday occurred, I was alerted to the problem. I called Rep Lang, 4 times and texted him twice to discuss and see if I could clarify and if I could correct the error. He never even returned my calls and rather attacked me in public for the political gain of my opponent.
Had the opposite occurred, I would have discussed with Representative Lang before doing negative attacks.

Silverstein nearly didn't make it on the ballot. He turned in about 2,000 signatures – twice the required amount – but more than half of them were thrown out. After weeks of objections, the Chicago Board of Elections eventually decided he had just two valid signatures above the minimum amount and allowed him to run for the seat he's held since 1998.

Silverstein's campaign has received more than $100,000 from Senate President John Cullerton's political committees to contest the unanticipated primary challenge, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Villivalam is a former union lobbyist for SEIU and Mayfair resident. His campaign said the false mailers were "further evidence that Silverstein’s behavior is consistently unethical."

Villivalam adds Lang's endorsement to that of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, five local members of Congress, as well as many other unions and progressive groups.

His campaign said he would become the first Asian-American state senator and the first South Asian-American member of the Illinois General Assembly if elected.

The North Side and near suburban 8th Senate District includes all or parts of Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge, as well as the West Ridge, North Park and Forest Glen areas of Chicago.

Other candidates in the Democratic primary include Caroline McAteer-Fournier and David A. Zulkey. Whoever wins the race will be considered a strong favorite to win in November in the heavily Democratic area.

Related:

• Sen. Silverstein Resigns From Senate Role Amid Sexual Harassment Claims
  
• 'Teasing And Flirtatious' Sen. Silverstein Didn't Harass: Report
  
• 2 Signature Margin Keeps State Sen. Ira Silverstein On Ballot