Month: February 2025

CHICAGO — On April 25, 2025, the Illinois Republican Party will host the Red Gala, headlined by Congressman and Florida Governor candidate Byron Donalds.

This 2nd annual gala brings together a passionate group of Republican volunteers dedicated to making a difference in Illinois and capitalizing on growth and momentum following the 2024 elections. The mission is vital: to raise funds for our early voting, Vote-By-Mail (VBM), and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) initiatives.

Individual tickets will go on sale on March 10, but we’re excited to offer you an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to sponsor and reserve a table.

BACKGROUND: 

Republicans made significant gains in early voting and utilizing VBM as more Republicans embraced voting before Election Day, thanks to the efforts of our first Bank Your Vote gala. 2024 Results: Republicans were the only voting group who increased their share of mail/early voters from 2020 to 2024.

• The Illinois Republican Party increased Republican mail and early vote turnout by 35%.
• 1 in 4 low propensity Republicans voted before Election Day–the highest percentage in Illinois history.
• Low propensity Republicans voted early and by mail at a higher rate than unreliable Democrats for the first time in IL history, outperforming them by 7.6%.

CHICAGO — Today, ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi released the following statement after the Chicago City Council voted to allow Brandon Johnson to tie an anchor around Chicago’s neck.

“Shame on Brandon Johnson and the 26 Chicago Aldermen who support his reckless spending spree. This senseless piece of legislation will cost Chicago residents billions of dollars while supporting the Chicago Teacher’s Union. Brandon Johnson and Democrats like JB Pritzker have never seen a budget too big for them and this bill will create unnecessary chaos and risks for our children and grandchildren.”

Word of advice: Chicago Democrats shouldn’t take financial advice from someone with a 6% approval rating.

CHICAGO — Chicago residents are stuck between a rock and a terrible place. Tomorrow, Chicago Aldermen will vote on Brandon Johnson’s $830 million bond deal. Make no mistake that this deal will:

• Mortgage Chicago’s future to give the Chicago Teacher’s Union a sweetheart deal
• Rack up $830 million in debt while costing Chicago residents BILLIONS

The simple fact is that Brandon Johnson is committed to tying an anchor around Chicago’s neck and JB Pritzker is along for the ride. They’re just two big spending Democrats who have never seen a budget that’s too big for them.

Bottom Line: Tomorrow, Chicago taxpayers are the only barrier to Mayor Johnson’s catastrophic deal. If it passes, his already abysmal 6% approval rating will plunge even further.

CHICAGO — Lost in the shuffle of the grandstanding and hypocrisy from Governor Pritzker’s budget speech was the dangerous, divisive rhetoric he used – comparing President Trump and the Republican Party to Nazi’s.

During Wednesday’s budget speech, Pritzker referred to Nazi’s six times, painting an inaccurate and dangerously partisan picture of the Republican Party. As Pritzker continues to prepare for his 2028 run for President, ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi released the following statement:

“JB Pritzker stoops to a new low and needs to be condemned by both Democrats and Republicans. His disgusting and repulsive attack on Republicans and this administration comes at a time when President Trump and Republicans are supporting Israel and the Jewish people as they defend themselves from barbaric terrorists. Meanwhile, JB Pritzker is standing with criminal illegals and further dividing our great nation. At the Illinois Republican Party, we continue to fight with the Trump Administration to combat an unprecedented wave of antisemitism and will always call out Pritzker’s repulsive language.”

Bottom Line: In their effort to combat vile, antisemitic attacks like those by Governor Pritzker on Wednesday, President Trump and Republicans are fighting antisemitism in the United States.

CHICAGO — Following today’s budget address in Springfield, Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi released the below statement in response:

“What we heard today from Governor Pritzker was nothing more than grandstanding and hypocrisy from a politician who has already set his sights on his next pursuit of office. While President Trump is leading from the front, slashing government waste and spending to reduce the tax burden on American families, Governor Pritzker proposed yet another massive spending budget relying on pipe dream projections while lying about President Trump’s record in an effort to establish himself on a national stage, leaving Illinois in his wake. We need Republican leadership in this state to cut the bloated spending, reduce the tax burden on our families rather than treat our state like a stepping stone to higher ambitions like Governor Pritzker has.”

CHICAGO —  As Democrats jockey to figure out their identity after devastating losses last November, the party is being pulled in numerous directions – all bad for Illinois residents.

On one hand, Brandon Johnson wants to further destroy Chicago’s credit rating which would create havoc throughout the city. On the other hand, Comptroller Mendoza, a known Madigan protege, is pledging to keep the status quo in Chicago public schools while she ramps up her political ambitions. No matter how you slice it, Illinois Democrats priorities and positions are BAD for Chicago families and the future o f the city.

Final thought: If only there were a program, not dismantled by Mendoza and Pritzker, that provided kids in under-resourced communities with school choice

CHICAGO — While Illinois Democrats took a high and mighty route after Mike Madigan’s conviction yesterday, we remember all the times they swept his corruption under the rug for their own benefit. Let’s take a look at some of the receipts from Madigan’s reign as Illinois’ kingmaker and what JB Pritzker REALLY thinks about his felonious bedfellow.

• Gave $7 million to Madigan’s PAC shortly after his 1st election.
• Contributed nearly $1 Million to LIFT PAC, a known Madigan front.
• Chicago Tribune: “Federal prosecutors in Chicago are amassing records related to property tax assessments conducted under former Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, including a tax break given to Gov. J.B. Pritzker after toilets were removed from a Gold Coast mansion he owned… As the former chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, Berrios was a key ally of Madigan, and Burke held sway over the party’s endorsement of judicial candidates during Berrios’ years as chairman. Burke has been indicted by a federal grand jury on racketeering charges related to alleged abuse of his aldermanic powers and awaits trial.”
• Pritzker Was Slated By The Cook County Democrat Party – run by top Madigan crony Joe Berrios.
• Crain’s Chicago Business on Pritzker’s AFL-CIO endorsement: “Pritzker has been expected to get the nod, largely because of behind-the-scenes pressure from Illinois House Speaker and state Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan.”
• Crain’s on Pritzker’s Secret Contributions to Madigan:  “The money came from two Pritzker-affiliated groups but was not in his name. According to campaign records highlighted by the Rauner folks, $119,400 came from Stateline, which is listed at the same West Loop address as Pritzker Group, and J.B. Pritzker listed the firm on a 2006 statement of economic interest. Another $82,000 came from TNDP. It, too, has the same West Loop address, and its registered agent is Jay Robert Pritzker.”

BOTTOM LINE: Next time JB Pritzker wants to sweep his corrupt connections under the rug, he should probably look for the skeletons in his own closet first.

CHICAGO — Today, Mike Madigan, the leader of the Illinois Democrat party was found guilty of 10 counts including bribery and wire fraud. His influence shaped more than half a century of Democrat politics in Illinois, and nearly all Democrats in power today have been helped by Madigan money and influence in some way.

ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi released the following statement:

“Mike Madigan, the long-time leader of the Illinois Democrat Party, now faces accountability from decades of fleecing Illinois’ taxpayers. The Illinois Democrat Party is no stranger to corruption and putting its own interest above the Prairie State but it doesn’t have to be this way. Most Democrat elected officials will pretend today that they condemn Madigan but their history proves otherwise. Make no mistake: nearly every Democrat in Illinois has benefitted from Madigan’s corruption in some way, and they have all been willing to sell their souls for hefty donations and the support of the political machine Madigan built. While we have a long way to go to recover from more than half a century of Madigan’s corruption, today is a great day for the people of Illinois.”

CHICAGO — Yesterday, the Daily Herald ran an opinion piece from Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi explaining the negative impact JB Pritzker’s grandstanding will have on Illinois families. Take a look at the piece HERE and see excerpts below:

Since November 5, 2024, President Trump and Governor JB Pritzker have been on two different paths. President Trump immediately got to work for the American people, talking to world leaders, signing executive orders and playing an instrumental role in freeing hostages in Israel who were held for over 400 days by Hamas terrorists, including American citizens. Meanwhile, Governor Pritzker has been on a different journey – doing everything he can to be seen as the anti-Trump hero of the left. No matter the issue, Pritzker has sought his 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight at the expense of Illinois families.

Pritzker’s obsession with building his national profile and preparing for a 2028 Presidential run puts the Prairie State at serious risk. Instead of working to address the pressing issues facing hardworking families such as skyrocketing taxes or the mass exodus of businesses, Pritzker has decided his top, and really only, priority is waging war against Trump.

Pritzker’s ego-driven actions have continuously hurt Illinois. His relentless attacks on the Trump administration have alienated federal partners, jeopardized critical funding opportunities, and left Illinois taxpayers holding the bag. Pritzker’s refusal to cooperate with Washington has turned Illinois into a battleground for his selfish political ambitions…

While Pritzker focuses on himself and his political future, Illinois is struggling. The Prairie State is drowning in debt, our pension system is teetering on the brink of collapse and businesses are fleeing to neighboring states with more favorable economic climates. Instead of addressing these crises, Pritzker is focused on virtue signaling to his base and scoring cheap political points against Trump.

CHICAGO — Chicago families are tired of Brandon Johnson and Illinois Democrats corruption and extreme, far-left policies. A new poll shows Brandon Johnson with an abysmal 14% approval rating while 80% disapprove of Johnson.

Bottom Line: Johnson’s terrible tenure as Mayor is doing the unthinkable – making Chicago Democrats MISS Lori Lightfoot.