Lake County Gazette

Jim Carris, the candidate for Illinois' 10th Congressional District, has made a compelling call to action in light of the ongoing hostage crisis involving 160 civilians held captive by Hamas. Drawing from his personal experience as a former hostage, Carris underscored the urgency of the situation and brought attention to the harsh conditions endured by the hostages.

“As I watch the horrific images and stories unfold overseas, I am reminded of my own life experiences and the reason why I am running for #IL10 - to bring independence, compassion, and commonsense to Washington," Carris said.

He urged that "it’s time for America’s leaders to do more for our strongest ally in the Middle East.” Carris further appealed for immediate action to address this crisis while sharing his personal experiences of captivity, facing life-threatening situations, witnessing fear in his family members' eyes, and dealing with uncertainty about survival.

In an op-ed piece, Carris asserted that "this frightening, life-changing experience pales in comparison to the horrific, brutal, inhumane treatment those innocent Jews have experienced since October 7th." While acknowledging efforts that led to over 100 hostages' release, he emphasized that more needs to be done for those still held captive. According to Carris, it is high time partisan differences and political disputes are set aside given the potential loss of innocent lives if swift action is not taken.

A prominent figure in Lake County with deep roots in its business community and a long-time resident himself, Carris' campaign website highlights his extensive background in business as a key differentiator from typical political careers. The website also details his lifelong dedication to various business ventures including legal practice, entrepreneurship and corporate leadership. Currently serving as Managing Principal, Executive Managing Director and Market Leader at Colliers International, Carris has had an accomplished career as an attorney.

Born into an immigrant family from Greece seeking better opportunities influenced Carris' understanding of perseverance and opportunity. His website reveals that he self-financed his education through various jobs, including house painting, construction work, dishwashing and bartending. These diverse work experiences underscore a strong work ethic that has guided him throughout his life.

The 10th District is currently held by incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider. The district encompasses several municipalities in Lake County, communities in Cook County and municipalities in McHenry County. A detailed map of the district can be found on Schneider’s website.