Charges of her husband’s financial misdeeds have followed U.S.Rep. Jan Schakowsky for several weeks, but supporters of Evanston’sDemocratic congresswoman say the scandal hasn’t compromised herwork in Washington.
Schakowsky’s husband, Robert Creamer, was charged with 18 countsof tax fraud and 16 counts of bank fraud earlier this month. Thefederal government alleges that Creamer, of Evanston, attempted toobscure his non-profit advocacy group’s budget shortfalls byfunneling $2.3 million in deposits between banks. He is accused ofusing the money to pay for the Illinois Public Action Fund’sexpenses and pay his salary. Additionally, he is charged withfailing to pay $300,000 in federal income taxes.
In Washington the charges are not hindering the work ofSchakowsky, who is up for re-election in November, her spokesmansaid.
“The question is whether Congresswoman Schakowsky will continueto be an active member in Congress, and the answer is yes,” saidNadeam Elshami, spokesman for the congresswoman, who represents the9th District of Illinois. “Nothing has changed. CongresswomanSchakowsky is one of the most popular elected officials (inWashington). She’s a proven asset to her constituents and theDemocratic party.”
While Schakowsky has taken the opportunity to state herhusband’s innocence, Elshami said the charges brought against himhave not taken away from her presence on Capitol Hill.
“The congresswoman has not slowed down on her criticism of theBush administration and the policies that destroy the things shebelieves in,” Elshami said. “What is of concern to her is tomobilize and organize as many voters as possible, to win back theWhite House, and win back the Congress.”
Schakowsky, one of six Democratic chief deputy whips, has beenresponsible for winning votes supporting the Democratic platform inthe House under the leadership of Minority Whip Steny Hoyer,Democrat of Maryland.
“Congresswoman Schakowsky is a passionate and knowledgeablemember of Congress who serves her constituents ably and is aneffective member of the whip team,” Hoyer said.
Some Schakowsky supporters dismissed the allegations against herhusband as a non-factor.
“I don’t think it affects her ability,” said Jerome Housman, anEvanston resident. “I am a strong supporter of Jan Schakowsky, andI think very highly of her.”
Some Evanston residents said they believe Schakowsky may havehindered her chance at re-election in November, despite having noRepublican challenger.
Evanston resident Elaine McDonough said she’s suspicious ofSchakowsky, although she recognizes that Creamer has not beenproven guilty.
“I have to find out some more facts before the election, ifthat’s possible,” said McDonough, a financial aid adviser atNorthwestern’s Graduate School. “Being myself married to an honestman, it’s hard to believe that she had no idea what was goingon.”
But McDonough said that she’s not willing to write Schakowskyoff.
Jason Gerwig, communications director for the IllinoisRepublican Party, said a candidate running against Schakowsky willfocus on her liberal voting record rather than the charges againsther husband.
“It’s not so much this indictment that’s cause for concern asmuch as her extreme voting record that should be a cause forconcern,” Gerwig said.