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John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally
Community, religious, and elected leaders endorse Harrell for the 8th State House District at a press conference held at Macarthur Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Monday, April 11, 2025
Chicago, IL – John Harrell formally announced his candidacy for the 8th Illinois Legislative House seat currently held by State Rep. La Shawn Ford, who is running for U.S. Congress to succeed retiring Congressman Danny K. Davis.
A pastor and community activist, Harrell was surrounded by more than 300 elected officials, pastors, community activists and residents who endorsed him for the seat in the March 2026 Democratic Primary election at a press conference at MacArthur’s Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison Street in Chicago.
Harrell vowed to fight for the needs of “every resident” in the 8th District which has been represented by Ford since 2007, and includes Chicago’s West Side and Austin neighborhoods, and the suburban areas of Berwyn, Broadview, Cicero, Countryside, Forest Park, Hopkins, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lyons, North Riverside, Oak Park, Westchester and Western Springs.
“I want you to know that when you send me to Springfield. I’m not going to mismanage, I’m not going to misappropriate, and I’m not going to mishandle the people’s message downstate. Listen, I’m not a politician. Come on. I’m just a preacher who’s getting into politics because I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’m sick and tired of those who are walking around our community, ex-offenders can’t get jobs,” Harrell vowed.
“I’m going down to Springfield, not to be beholden to anybody. That’s right. I’m not Pinocchio, ain’t no strings attached. God has made me free as free can be.”
Harrell, a co-founder of Black Men United and Pastor of two Churches on Chicago’s West Side and suburbs, Proviso M.B.C. in Maywood and Chicago Northside New Hope M.B.C churches. Recently, he was elevated to the position of Bishop.
“All I want to do is help and serve the people. You make me who I am. I’m ready to get to work. I’m not a man that want to do a lot of talking. I don’t have time to do a lot of meeting. All I need for you to tell me is what you need me to tell them. And I promise you, whatever we talk about here, I’m going to be talking about down in Springfield. They scared as you know what. That’s right. Because politicians don’t pick who represent our community. The people pick who represent our community.
“All the pastors, you made me who I am, because I stand on the shoulders of the faith community. Pastors, thank you so much for allowing me to be at every table with you.”
Harrell was endorsed by an array of Chicagoland elected leaders.
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas quotes said Harrell is the person to help fight for the rights of taxpayers and property owners in Cook County and on Chicago’s West Side.
“I have a long history with Harrell. And the reason I have a long history with Harrell is because he is a man that I have been able to take and cross every racial and ethnic line in this city. I take him to the Bulgarian flag raisings. I take to the Mexican parades, and I take him to Polish outings and churches. This is a man who represents all of Illinois,” Pappas said.
“He’s gonna help me get all these properties on the west side off the tax sale list, and that’s his mission.”
Pastor Michael Eaddy – People’s Church of The Harvest C.O.G.I.C. called Harrell “a voice for the voiceless.
“He is a voice for the voiceless, advocating for the needs of the people. What the 8th Legislative District needs is a partner engaging the community around its interests and issues. What the 8th Legislative District needs is a problem solver who does not shrink from the challenges posed to a progressive direction of the district via economic and community development, affordable housing, educational, contractual or employment opportunities,” Pastor Eaddy said.
“What the district needs is an interventionist to address public safety and crime reduction issues, access to healthcare, and the inequities of services in the district.”
Kari Steele, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, called Harrell the best qualified leader to represent the 8th House District.
“We all know how great he is. I know without a doubt that he has supported you in some kind of way. So, I’m just asking you at this point to help spread the word about this, what’s going on,” Steele said.
“Basically, when you look at candidates you want to support, you think about two things. You think about their qualifications, of course, but then you also think about, have you seen them in the community? Have you seen them helping people? And we can say without a doubt that we have seen Pastor Harrell help everyone here, all of our family, friends, cousins, time and time again.”
Dr. Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America, called Harrell onew of his most active and caring Pastors.
“We have come here today because we love you, John, and your family. You have helped all of us, all of us. You have given your life, your heart, to the nation. And we will do whatever we can to support your efforts, support your family effort, and support the 8th District. Listen, the National Baptist Convention was founded on mission, evangelism, and social justice,” Dr. Kimber said.
“John Harrell has exemplified the character of all three of those initiatives from the National Baptist Convention. When we elect John Harrell, we are electing a real leader, a leader that, that loves God’s people. And to the pastors who are part of the National Baptist Convention that is here, John, we will do what is right to get you elected.”
Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-4th District) praised Harrell as “a qualified and great leader,”
Senator Lakesia Collins (D-5th District) said Harrell will be able to work for residents in collaboration with all the legislative leaders
“What we need a leader in Springfield to collaborate with leaders like Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and myself in the Senate,” Collins said.
“When we think about the resources that are needed for our communities here on the west side, this is a real fight. This is not a game. So when you hear people say, “If you’re really with us, be with us.” Be with us. We are beholden to the people who we serve and that matters. You need a leader who is going to go down there and take your voice to Springfield, organize you to come to Springfield, be in our faces, tell us what you need. What people want is someone who sees them and hears them. That is what they want, and you have that in Pastor John Harrell.
Harrell was also endorsed by Alderwoman Monique Scott 24th Ward who attended the press conference announcement.
“John you have been serving our communities for the past few years and you have been relentless to go out of state, throughout this entire country. And so I think this is a true testament of what your work will do. And I think that the people that you will continue to serve look like you, look like us. This is, you’ll bring back the resources that we need. You know we send so many people down state and we don’t often get the things that we need,” Scott said.
“And so we’re counting on you, to stand behind you and to support you to bring back those resources that we need to the west side of Chicago. So I truly, I stand behind you, my organization stands behind you. I give you my full support.”
Harrel also received a huge boost from celebrity Actors an mega-influencers Larenz, LaRon and Lahmard Tate who said, “We support John because he has a consistent track record for being for the people.”
Among the pastors supporting Harrell are:
Rev. Dr. Ira J. Acree, Pastor of Greater St. John’s Bible Church
Pastor Johnny Miller- Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
Pastor Leroy Elliott- St John Baptist Church
Pastor Leslie Sanders – Hope Presbyterian Church
Pastor Reginald Bachus – Friendship Baptist Church
Pastor Steve Spiller Sr.- Greater Galilee Baptist Church
Pastor Cottrell Jenkins- Lively Stone Baptist Church
Pastor Michael Eaddy – People’s Church of The Harvest C.O.G.I.C.
Bishop Shirley Coleman, former Alderwoman
Pastor Gwen Applegate
Pastor Mack McCullum & Pastor Kevin McCullum – New Home Baptist Church
Pastor Nick Miller & Pastor Leon Miller – Mt Ebenezer Baptist Church
Pastor John Zayas- Grace and Peace Church
Pastor Marvin Hunter New Memorial Baptist Church
Bishop David Whitley – Corinthian Temple C.O.G.I.C.
Pastor Royal Simons-Holystarlight MBC
Pastor LaJaun Whitfield -New Life Holiness Church
Pastor Robbie Wilkerson-New Birth Church
Pastor Robin Hood -St James Church
Pastor Derrick McCollum- New Beginnings Baptist Church
Pastor Maurice Streeter- Mt Moriah Baptist Church
Bishop Claude Porter – Proviso Baptist Church
Pastor Darnell Taylor- Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.
Pastor John F. Harrell, a native of Chicago, Illinois, has dedicated his life to faith, service, and community empowerment. Born on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1971, he holds degrees in biblical studies and pastoral counseling from Kingdom Theological Institute and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity. His spiritual journey began under Pastor Marvin E. Wiley at Rock of Ages Baptist Church, eventually leading him to shepherd roles at Holy Starlight M.B.C., Gracious Beginnings Baptist Church, and currently at both Proviso M.B.C. in Maywood and Chicago Northside New Hope M.B.C. His leadership continues the legacy of Bishop Dr. Claude Porter while establishing his own legacy as a dynamic, faith-driven leader. He also sits on the board of Higher 360.
Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Harrell co-founded the Black Men United Foundation on April 11, 2020. Under his leadership, BMU has expanded to 37 chapters nationwide, providing over $10 million in resources and serving more than 12 million people through food insecurity relief, violence reduction programs, and workforce development. His outreach includes international disaster relief and national service efforts from Hurricane Katrina to the Ukraine crisis. His passion for service has earned him recognition from prominent leaders and institutions, including President Biden, Governor Pritzker, and the Chicago Defender’s 2023 Men of Excellence Award.
Pastor Harrell is not only a spiritual guide but also a community architect. He serves on multiple boards including Triton College Foundation, The Loretto Hospital, and the United Baptist State Convention of Illinois. His advocacy extends to affordable housing developments, veterans housing, and innovation centers in underserved communities. Despite his many accolades and accomplishments, Pastor Harrell remains a humble man of God, devoted husband to Rashedah Harrell, proud father and grandfather, and a tireless champion for the people.
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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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