While the incidents have yet to be proven as linked or specifically motivated by politics, vandalism directed toward a number of campaign offices on the North Side have put some local politicians on edge in recent weeks.
The attacks began Nov. 9, when 46th Ward aldermanic candidate Andy Lam discovered a brick had been thrown through the window of his campaign office, located in the 1100 block of W. Argyle. That same day, windows were found shattered at the 48th Ward Democratic Campaign officea space shared by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, state Sen. Heather Steans, 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith and others at 5533 N. Broadway.
Similar acts of vandalism were also reported Nov. 12 at the offices of James Cappleman and Michael Carroll, two other candidates hoping to succeed Helen Shiller's post as 46th Ward Alderman in February's city election. On Nov. 19, state Rep. and Cook County Commissioner-elect John Fritchey found his Lincoln Park office's glass door busted to pieces.
Lauren Peters, Cappleman's campaign manager, said, "I can't say if someone is doing this because of political beliefs and general frustrations with elected officials or if it's someone who is just doing it to get attention, thinking it might be something fun to do. But nothing leads us to believe someone is doing this for political reasons."
Police charged Admir Susic, a 40-year-old Rogers Park resident, with the 48th Ward office vandalism Nov. 13. Investigations into all the incidents are ongoing.