Will County Gazette

Democrat candidate for the First Congressional District Chris Butler attended the ribbon-cutting event for the first Dunkin’ Donuts to open in Manhattan, Illinois. 

"This was a wonderful event and I am excited to see that great donuts and coffee will be brought to the village of Manhattan,” Butler said.

The village board approved the donut shop in 2021. The Dunkin’ ribbon cutting was held at 535 W. North St. The store's grand opening was in time for National Doughnut Day, Patch reported.

"The more we promote our village, the more economic development and sales tax revenues we will receive. This will help us grow the community and keep taxes lower for our residents,” Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen said at the time.

Adrieansen, village trustees and village staff were also at the event.

The stop is one of many Butler has made in his continued campaign to have a seat in Congress, Ballotpedia reported. He has also recently attended a ribbon cutting and grand opening of S&T Too, a pizza restaurant. According to Butler, attending these types of events is important to show support to local businesses.

The First Congressional District encompasses much of Cook County, the South Side of Chicago and southwest to Joliet, the Chicago City Wire reported. Butler is one of the 21 contenders seeking the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush. The primary election will be held on June 28.  

Butler is the senior pastor at the Chicago Embassy Church Network in South Holland. He works with the Chicago Peace Campaign to rally churches against violent crime. He is also the owner of a public relations agency and a former President Barack Obama campaign staffer who has also worked on school-choice initiatives. Butler is not new to establishing and supporting groups as he received his first training as a community organizer when he was in sixth grade, according to the Chicago City Wire.