Chicago City Wire

Democratic Party candidate for First Congressional District Chris Butler has been endorsed by the Illinois State Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council PAC (IL FOP PAC). 

IL FOP PAC is an organization supporting those who appreciate and respect law enforcement and public safety. Butler, who co-founded the Chicago Peace Campaign, is excited to continue advocating for public safety and understands the vital work with law enforcement authorities.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police," Butler said in a press release. " Our law enforcement officers are working class people who put their lives on the line everyday to keep our families and communities safe. I decided to run for Congress to put working families back at the center of our policymaking, and I am proud that the largest police union in our state has the  confidence that I can get the job done in Congress.”

Butler, also a pastor, is continuing his ongoing campaign for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush as one of 21 candidates vying for the position, Ballotpedia reported. Rush is an "ordained minister with a master’s degree in theology," according to Ballotpedia. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 28. 

“I look forward to working together to build a robust public safety infrastructure, which includes strong, professional policing, as well as prevention and intervention programs for people who seem to be headed down the wrong path," he said. "If we’re serious about family, we must be serious about safety. And that means supporting our law enforcement officers.” 

Butler is the lead pastor of the Chicago Embassy Church Network in South Holland, where he and his five children live. As a leader in the Chicago Peace Campaign and as part of his fellowship work, he and the organization rally churches against violent crime. Butler is also the owner of a public relations firm and a former Obama campaign staffer who has worked on school-choice issues. He is a co-author of the book "Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement."

His campaign said Butler is "ready to fight for the First District."

Most parts of Cook County, the South Side of Chicago and southwest to Joliet make up the First Congressional District.