Lake County Gazette

Jim Carris, a candidate for Illinois' Tenth Congressional District, has expressed his concern over the protests taking place on college campuses nationwide, including Northwestern University. He has accused incumbent Democrat Brad Schneider and President Joe Biden of normalizing bigotry and hate.

"While the First Amendment of our Constitution protects the right to peacefully assemble and the right to free speech, no American, especially our young people, deserves to live in fear as they pursue an education," said Carris, according to Facebook. "However, as protests on college campuses rage across the nation and spread into our high schools, these demonstrations are becoming hotbeds for aggressive and blatant antisemitism and bigotry, with direct physical threats aimed at Jewish students and faculty. It is completely unacceptable that elected leaders have refused to condemn these actions, and in doing so are failing to protect Jewish students and faculty. With their silence, the President and Representative Schneider are sending the message that this bigotry and hate is acceptable."

On April 30, Carris shared a screenshot of a headline from an ABC7 Eyewitness News article dated April 29 on his Facebook page. The article detailed an agreement reached between Northwestern University's President Michael Schill, Provost Kathleen Hagerty, Vice President of Student Affairs Susan Davis, and the students and faculty who had set up an encampment at Deering Meadow. According to the agreement, students could face suspension if they fail to remove all tents and cease using amplified sound without permission. Only one aid tent is permitted to remain. Additionally, the university will allow a committee comprising students, faculty, and staff to engage with the board of trustees regarding the university’s investments.

Screenshot of Jim Carris' April 30 Facebook post | Jim Carris For Congress Facebook page

In his Facebook post, Carris criticized local leadership for their lack of action against these protests. "Even in our own backyard, Northwestern and University of Chicago are experiencing encampments being unchallenged by our elected leaders as they refuse to hold these universities and protestors accountable," he wrote. Carris joined Republican leaders House Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik in calling for President Biden and local leaders such as Governor Pritzker to condemn this behavior immediately.

Carris is well-known within the local business community and has been a resident of Lake County for many years. His campaign website highlights his extensive business experience rather than a political career. "Jim has spent his life in business, not politics, practicing law, running his own company and as a corporate leader," reads his campaign website.

Currently serving as Managing Principal, Executive Managing Director, and Market Leader at Colliers International, Carris is also an accomplished attorney. The son of an immigrant, Carris' father left Greece in pursuit of a better life. Carris funded his own education by taking on various jobs, demonstrating a strong work ethic that has been instrumental throughout his life.

The Tenth District, currently represented by incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, encompasses numerous municipalities across Lake County, Cook County, and McHenry County.