We Kept Receipts: JB Pritzker and Mike Madigan

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.

Illinois Republican Party Reacts to Madigan Trial Verdict

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.”

ICYMI: Kathy Salvi in the Daily Herald: “JB Pritzker’s ego could cost 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.

New Year, Same Old Failures And Corruption From IL Dems

CHICAGO — It may be a new year, but it’s the same old failures and corruption from Illinois Democrats. Between the Democrats’ lies and a new leftist official being caught red-handed in corruption schemes seemingly every week, the Illinois Democrat Party is in shambles.

Take a look at some of the worst failures that have plagued Illinois Democrats to start the year:

Corruption between Chicago Public Schools and Chicago’s Teachers Union:

Rafael Yáñez, a Chicago Public Schools board member appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, was found conspiring with the vice president of the Chicago’s Teachers Union regarding contract negotiations during a private meeting. The interaction highlights the suspiciously close relationship between CTU and CPS. More corruption was exposed when Johnson faced ethics concerns regarding his dual role at CPS and CTU. The situation outlines unholy alliances in Chicago’s education system under Democrat rule.

Brandon Johnson hiding Chicago’s sanctuary city status:

As President Trump follows through with his vow to deport dangerous illegal immigrants, Brandon Johnson, the worst mayor in America, refuses to say if he will testify before Congress about Chicago’s sanctuary city policies that hinder law enforcement and protect illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, Johnson has reaffirmed Chicago’s stance as a sanctuary city, a policy that has allowed around 50,000 illegal immigrants into the city. Given his past record, Chicagoans shouldn’t expect Johnson to step up to the plate and own his responsibilities anytime soon.

Officials LIE about ICE deportations to ignite fear: 

Chicago Public Schools officials and Democrat politicians flat-out lied about ICE agents visiting Hamline Elementary to ignite fear and chaos in Chicago. President Trump’s border czar Tom Homan criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for spreading fear instead of verifying the facts and demanded he apologize to ICE. No apologies yet.

Bottom Line: President Trump has been in office for 11 days getting results while Illinois Democrats focus on infighting and continuing Chicago’s culture of corruption.

America First Means No More Open Borders and Dangerous Criminals

CHICAGO — ICE Raids targeting criminals and gang members have arrived in Chicago. While many Democrats across the country have embraced and even supported President Trump’s targeting of criminal illegal migrants, JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson continue to grandstand side by side prioritizing protecting criminals over the safety of Illinois families.

Here’s some of the people that they are protecting:

  • Nine Tren de Aragua terrorists
  • Seven sexual predators who committed crimes against children
  • Two murderers

Tom Homan said it himself – “everybody we arrested in Chicago yesterday was a significant public safety threat.”

“The Trump Administration is making our communities safe again and placing the lives and wellbeing of Americans first. I am a proud supporter of the new Administration’s efforts to step up and take the action that Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson are too cowardly to take themselves,” said Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi. “This is a nation of laws, laws that Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson are fine ignoring for the sake of their own radical agenda. President Trump is doing exactly what the American people elected him to do, and we stand ready to assist him in his efforts to secure our border and keep our streets safe.”

One Week of President Trump

CHICAGO — It’s been one week of President Trump’s America First agenda and a lot of great policies that improve the lives of Illinois residents went into effect. See for yourself what President Trump did in week one:

  • Declared a national emergency at our southern border
  • Ended catch-and-release and reinstated the Remain in Mexico policy
  • Realigned foreign aid to better align with American interests
  • Returned to America First and Peace through Strength policies
  • Directed agencies to implement policies that lower the cost of living
  • Revoked the electric vehicle mandate
  • Ended DEI mandates across government
  • Rescinded 78 Biden-era executive actions

Bottom Line: It’s been just over one week with President Trump back in office and America and Illinois are trending in the right direction. Over the next four years, President Trump will continue to work for the American people to secure our border, fix our economy and Make America Great Again!

When Will IL Dems Retract Their ICE Lies?

CHICAGO — In case you missed it, Illinois Democrats took a false report from Chicago Public Schools and ran with it, spreading lies and creating hysteria. On Friday, CPS officials (and Ald. Jeanette Taylor) reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visited an elementary school and were turned away. Hours later, it was revealed that Secret Service agents were investigating a threat, NOT ICE.

It begs the question – when will Democrats like JB Pritzker retract their ICE lies?

Bottom Line: Pritzker, along with multiple Democrat officials, ran with unsubstantiated reporting because it is convenient to their political agenda.

1st State Central Committee Vacancy and Application

1st State Central Committee Application Period Now Open

Chairman Kathy Salvi hereby issues notice pursuant to Article II Section C of the Bylaws of the Illinois Republican Party that a vacancy exists in the office of State Central Committeeman for the 1st Congressional District.  Tim Ozinga resigned this post on January 12.  The 1st District Congressional Committee, consisting of the Republican Chairmen from Cook, Kankakee, and Will Counties, are responsible for appointing a new State Central Committeeman to represent the 1st  Congressional District. 


Interested applicants should submit their application to the Illinois Republican Party’s Executive Director Matt Janes at [email protected].  All applications must be received by 5:00 PM on February 7, 2025.

The 1st District Congressional Committee will meet on February 8 by Zoom to vote on a candidate to fill the vacancy.  The committee members will cast a weighted vote in accord with the voting strength of their respective counties.

Please feel free to forward this email and application materials to your various Republican networks.

Serving on the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, State Central Committeemen responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Establish, organize, and promote the operations of the Illinois Republican Party
  • Attend and participate in quarterly State Central Committee meetings
  • Attend local GOP meetings and functions
  • Conduct the business of ILGOP State Convention

For the application, please click the link below

ICYMI: Chuck Hernandez Joins WTTW To Discuss Birthright Citizenship

CHICAGO — In case you missed it, Chuck Hernandez, chairman of the Chicago Republican Party and a former detective with the Chicago Police Department joined WTTW to discuss President Trump’s Executive Order ending birthright citizenship.

Throughout the interview, Hernandez highlighted President Trump’s mandate election and keeping his promises to the American people, saying, “The Trump administration is going to enforce immigration law. That’s what he ran on, that’s what he won on, that’s what the American people voted for overwhelmingly.”

Hernandez also pointed out how people are taking advantage of the United State’s immigration laws, saying, “When you look at citizenship, the 14th Amendment citizenship clause is clear. It’s not only being born on U.S soil, but it’s also not having your jurisdiction to another country. So if you’re a foreign person from another country, you should not be automatically granted citizenship in the United States. People are using this to exploit our immigration system.”

To hear more about what Chuck Hernandez, chairman of the Chicago Republican Party, said on WTTW, click here.