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Chicago Black Pastors gather to praise John Harrell candidacy for 8^th State House District

More than two dozen prominent African American pastors representing the largest churches and parishes on Chicago’s South and West Sides on Tuesday (Aug. 5, 2025) praised and encouraged fellow Pastor John Harrell’s decision to run for State Representative in the 8^th Illinois House District, succeeding State Rep. LaShawn Ford.

Harrell is hoping to fill the vacancy created when Ford announced last week that he will run instead to succeed retiring U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis.

Nearly 75 community activists and Pastors cheered Harrell when he vowed at a rally at the Greater St. John’s Bible Church on Chicago’s West Side to “represent the entire district” and “answer directly to the people.”

“You have trust in me to be your leader. And for that, I will never misrepresent. I’ll never mishandle. And I’ll never misappropriate the people’s agenda. You have my word. My phone will always be open. I’m here for you. I’m here to serve. I just want to let you know that I’m here to serve you,” Harrell told the gathering.

Pastor John Harrell, candidate for the 8th Illinois State House seat vacated by LaShawn Ford in the March 2026 election — Pastor John Harrell, candidate for the 8th Illinois State House seat

“This is a campaign that is verifiable. And you got to watch the candidates who are running against us, because they haven’t done anything. I’m not running because I need a job. I’m not running because I need any influence. I’m simply running because the people need a real voice in this room. I want to say thank you for lending me your support. And I’ll pay you back handsomely by not misrepresenting you.”

Harrell was introduced by the Rev. Dr. Ira J. Acree, Pastor of Greater St. John’s Bible Church, who welcomed the gathering of religious leaders and community leaders.

“We are here to support Pastor John Harrell. We come to encourage him, to support him, say to him that we stand with you and your endeavor to make our communities what it ought to be, to make our lives what it should be, and to be a vessel used by God,” Pastor Acree said.

“He can make justice. So, we’re proud of our brother. We’ve seen him grow. We’ve seen him go for and take on the role of followership. And now he is being elevated to leadership.”

Pastors and activists support the candidacy of Pastor John Harrell, candidate for the 8th Illinois State House seat vacated by LaShawn Ford in the March 2026 election — Pastors and activists support the candidacy of Pastor John Harrell, candidate for the 8th Illinois State House seat

Pastors attending the support rally include: 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, 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; and, Pastor Darnell Taylor- Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.

The 8^th District, represented by Ford since 2007, includes the communities of Chicago’s Austin neighborhoods and the suburban areas of Berwyn, Broadview, Cicero, Countryside, Forest Park, Hopkins, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, North Riverside, Oak Park, Westchester, and Western Springs.

Harrell said he plans to formally announce his candidacy on Monday, August 11, 2025, beginning at 10 AM at the JLM Center, 2622 W. Jackson, in Chicago.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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