(CHICAGO) Robert “Bob Z” Zwolinski, candidate for state representative for Illinois’ 4th district, is alleging he was attacked Sunday night by two people putting up signs for his opponent at his Ukrainian Village neighborhood office building.
The 30-year-old approached two people stapling posters outside his campaign office at 823 N. Ashland about 9:15 p.m., according to Chicago Police.
Zwolinski alleges in a statement that the posters supported his Democratic primary opponent, incumbent State Rep. Cynthia Soto, who took office in 2001 for the district, which includes parts of Bucktown, Humboldt Park, Logan Square and Ukrainian Village.
When he asked the pair to remove the posters, an argument ensued and the 26-year-old man hit Zwolinski in the chest. The woman, thought to be in her 20s, then struck him in the head with a bottle and shot a staple gun at his forehead, causing a laceration, police said.
Zwolinski, who also said the woman tried to strangle him, said the laceration required six stitches at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital. He also alleges the pair threatened to kill his girlfriend.
Police said the man and woman sped away in a Chevrolet Equinox northbound on Ashland.
Zwolinski added that he is calling for Soto’s immediate resignation in the wake of the attack.
But the man and woman are also alleging they were victims in the attack, police said. The man told investigators Zwolinski ripped the posters down, grabbed him by the shirt, threw him to the ground and punched him several times.
The man has been treated and released at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital, police said.
As of Monday morning, no one has been taken into custody in connection with the incident and no charges have been issued. A representative from Soto’s office could not be immediately reached for comment.
