Congressman calls for voter intimidation probe

CICERO, Ill. (AP) — Congressman Luis Gutierrez and a candidate for town president are calling for a probe of voter intimidation allegations in suburban Chicago.

Gutierrez asked for the investigation Monday with Juan Ochoa, who’s challenging Cicero Town President Larry Dominick in the Feb. 26 primary.

Both want Cook County Clerk David Orr and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez to investigate allegations that Dominick’s supporters, including town employees, tried to intimidate Latino voters requesting mail-in ballots. Most Cicero residents are Latino.

However, Cicero officials say they were investigating what appeared to be ballot irregularities. Town spokesman Ray Hanania says there was a jump in absentee ballots. In the past, roughly 400 absentee ballots were requested. About 2,000 went out this year.

Orr says his office would look at all allegations.