Dear friends, neighbors, and constituents of Illinois’ 7th District,

As we prepare for Election Day, I stand before you, deeply honored by the trust you’ve placed in me. Since the primary in March 2024, I have been working tirelessly to make sure your voices are heard and your needs addressed. I am proud of the progress we’ve made together, and I want to share some of the accomplishments we’ve achieved in these past months—achievements that reflect my commitment to every person in this District.

1. Championing Economic Stability and Growth through the Ways and Means Committee: As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I’ve had the privilege to shape policies that directly impact our District’s economic well-being. I’ve fought to secure crucial federal funding for small businesses and local job creation, driving sustainable growth that supports working families. Through strategic tax reform and targeted economic initiatives, we’ve strengthened financial stability in our community and laid a foundation for continued prosperity.

2. Advocating for Criminal Justice Reform and Reentry Support: Justice and second chances have always been at the core of my work, and since March, we have made significant strides in supporting reentry programs for returning citizens. As highlighted in my Congressional Black Caucus Foundation forum, we brought national attention to the barriers facing those reentering society. We developed actionable solutions to help them rebuild their lives. These programs, backed by new funding, provide job training, housing assistance, and mentorship, empowering individuals to become productive members of our community once again.

3. Addressing Housing and Property Tax Relief: Housing affordability and tax relief are pressing issues for many of our residents. I am proud to have advocated for the Illinois Property Tax Relief Amendment Referendum and to support initiatives that make homeownership more attainable and sustainable. This amendment aims to provide much-needed relief. I’ve used my role on the Ways and Means Committee to advance policies that make affordable housing and fair property taxes a reality for every resident in our District.

4. Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare and Wellness Resources: Our District deserves high-quality healthcare that is accessible and affordable. With my position on the Ways and Means Committee, I’ve been a strong advocate for increased funding in healthcare services that address systemic inequities. This includes expanding mental health resources, increasing access to preventative care, and supporting healthcare providers who serve our most vulnerable communities.

5. Investing in Education and Youth Development: Our young people are our future, and since March, we’ve enhanced support for educational programs that provide real opportunities. From vocational training to college preparation, our youth initiatives are designed to open doors and set young people on the path to success. I’ve worked to secure resources that make education and job training programs more accessible and relevant, equipping our youth with the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce.

6. Strengthening Social Safety Nets: Finally, with the unique power of the Ways and Means Committee, I’ve continued to fight for social safety nets that uplift our seniors, working families, and those who need them most. I’ve pushed for protections in Social Security, Medicare, and tax credits that support low-income families, making sure our policies reflect the values of compassion and justice.

As Election Day draws near, I humbly ask for your support to continue this vital work. Together, we can keep building a district that champions justice, fosters economic opportunity, and lifts up every member of our community. We’ve made tremendous progress, but there is still so much work to be done.

I’m asking for your vote so we can keep Illinois’ 7th District moving forward—together.

Thank you, and let’s make our voices heard this Election Day.

Congressman Danny K. Davis said, "Che 'Rhymefest' Smith is a true advocate for our communities, someone who not only understands the issues we face but has the vision and heart to create meaningful change. He’s been dedicated to uplifting our neighborhoods, empowering young people, and building a brighter future for all. I wholeheartedly endorse Che because he represents the leadership, compassion, and commitment we need to move forward together."

• Top Priorities

  Top 3 Priorities for Chicago School Board

  • Safety & well-being of students, mental health & counseling supported for all students, prevention of bullying (before/during/after school and on social media)

  • Community engagement & partnership; ensuring all votes that the school board takes, the community is included beforehand to give them a voice in helping to shape their school board

  • Financial growth & stability of our schools. And making sure that programs that work aren’t cut (ie arts, music, sports & science/math clubs)

Che grew up on the South Side of Chicago, attending Bouchet (formerly Bryn Mawr) Elementary School and South Shore High School and began grooming his artistic abilities at the age of 15. As his career developed, he became a global voice promoting music as a positive, empowering and transformative force in the lives of young people. It is in this spirit that he seeks to be his community’s voice on Chicago’s new elected School Board.

Throughout his early career, Che was taught and guided by activists, musical icons, and intellectual giants. These include the Rev. Jesse Jackson who brought Che along for transformative visits with inmates at the Cook County jail, explaining the origins of mass incarceration and the need for education to uplift people and communities harmed by inequality. DJ Jazzy Jeff featured Rhymefest as his official M.C. for seven world tours, where he was exposed to a variety of cultures and learned new ways of engaging music for communal power and social change.

As a Dartmouth Montgomery Fellow, Che conducted creative writing courses that instructed students on how to leverage impactful narratives for postive social change. Later, as a Pritzker/Axelrod Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics he lead a seminar series unpacking the social and political value of “Cultural Currency”. Working with Chicago rapper Common and singer John Legend as a co-writer of “Glory” for the civil rights-era film “Selma”, Rhymefest helped garner a Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award for the inspiring theme song.

Using film as a tool to reach larger audiences, Che was the subject of the Showtime/Breakthru films documentary “In My Father’s House”. He purchased the childhood home of his estranged Father only to find that he’d been homeless for most of Che’s life. Rhymefest embarked on a journey to reconnect and redeem their relationship. The film earned a Georgia Film Critics Association Award, and an African American Film Critics Associations Award. This on-screen appearance led to Che’s acting debut in the Emilio Estevez written and directed film about homelessness and the importance of publicly funded libraries “The Public” starring alongside Gabriel Union, Michael K. Williams, Jeffrey Wright, Alec Baldwin, and Emilio Estevez.

Seeing the transformative difference he could make in community through music and mentorship, Che co-founded the non-profit organization Art Of Culture (formerly Donda’s House), collaborating with the Chicago Park District and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) to serve thousands of youth artists throughout the city. He organized and led events such as “Bridges to The Blues”, where intergenerational artists were paired and given opportunities to fuse classic Blues with contemporary music styles. The result was an epic annual performance at the Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park. Art of Culture was also instrumental in the creation of TIP Fest (Teens In the Park), which currently serves as Chicago’s largest platform for young artists to showcase their talents and connect with resources. Smith was named Co-Chair of The Year of Chicago Music, an initiave by DCASE to highlight our city’s vibrant and diverse music scene.

Most recently Che has taken his philanthropic direction nationally and internationally as Art of Culture curates experiences based in the healing power of nature, culture, and art. Under Che’s leadership Art of Culture collaborated with The Skillman Foundation to host a one-week nature retreat through Wyoming/Yellowstone National Park, partnering city centered youth from Detroit with Indigenous youth of the West for a journey that inspired positive cultural connections. Art Of Culture has expanded into the African diaspora with the development of Golgotha Elementary schools Art and technology department in Arusha Tanzania, as well as a youth Deejay academy in Dakar, Senegal.

At the core of Rhymefest’s humanitarian spirit is deep love and sincere belief in the power of education and what can be accomplished when people of good will unite. This is why he’s an active member of the Abolition Institute, a peace seeking organization with the mission to combat enslavement in the West African country of Mauritania, called “Slavery’s Last Stronghold” by CNN. Rhymefest frequently travels to Mauritania as part of a humanitarian delegation, working with local organizations, formerly enslaved people, and artists to help fight slavery and discrimination.

Che’s son Solomon attended CPS’ Shoesmith Elementary School. Smith lives with his family in Chicago’s 6th Ward and will be a School Board Member that our entire community will be proud of.

As a volunteer, board member, and staff, he has tirelessly worked for education justice. He played a key role in forming the Grassroots Education Movement, uniting community and labor to fight for equitable education. He was a founding member of the National Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools.

Congressman Danny K. Davis said, “Jitu” Brown is one the most experienced, most engaged grassroots education advocates seeking a spot on the school board.”

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Jitu's dedication extends to his work within Chicago Public Schools (CPS), where he coordinated African-centered youth leadership programs for nearly 20 years and trained teachers on culturally relevant curriculum for five years. He has served for 15 years on various Local School Councils.

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Jitu's organizing efforts have led to significant victories, including stopping school closings and expanding sustainable community schools. He developed the Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) model during the fight for Dyett High School, gathering community input to create a model that truly serves students' needs.

• Endorsements for Aaron "Jitu" Brown:

• Priorities of Aaron "Jitu" Brown:

  OUR PRIORITIES

  My priority as a School Board representative will be to create of a world-class, pre-k through 12th grade system of education within safe walking distance of every District 5 home. This will be accomplished by:

  • Responsible expansion of the Sustainable Community Schools model, which centers community input and investment in neighborhood schools.

  • Ensure equitable access to early childhood education starting with pre-k

  • Equitable funding from the state of Illinois.

  • Increase the number of Black and Brown teachers

  • Support and strengthen local school councils  

  • Culturally relevant curriculum throughout Chicago Public Schools

  • End punitive standardized testing in Chicago Public Schools

Yesterday, committeepersons in the 7th District of Illinois overwhelmingly voted to appoint to fill the vacancy of Clerk Karen Yarbrough.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

11:30 a.m. Press Conference with retired and current members of the Chicago Teachers

Union regarding their endorsement of Melissa Conyears Ervin

Campaign Headquarters

320 S. California

Chicago, IL 606123

Congressman Danny K. Davis will be mobile most of election day. There are a few events that we can be sure of:

10:00 a.m. Election Day Voting

Sankofa Cultural Center

5820 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago

7:30 p.m. Election Night Celebration Starts

Westside Baptist Ministers Conference Center

New location: 325 S. California

Chicago, IL 60612

(parking lot on east corner of California and Van Buren, adjacent to the

location)