Republicans Enraged with the Illinois GOP

200 Republicans attend the statewide meeting in Bolingbrook, IL to voice their complaints.

By Jeff Regnier 

On Saturday, the Illinois Republican State Central Committee met at the Bolingbrook Golf Club to discuss GOP business. This meeting was not advertised on the State website for the Illinois GOP or any GOP affiliated Social Media sites. Many Republicans were upset that the party chose not to advertise the event. Many on social media felt that the leadership deliberately did this.

For weeks Republicans across Facebook advertised the event themselves. Many were displeased with the leadership in the party or lack of. Many felt betrayed that the party failed to support or even fund any candidates. For the first time in decades, Republicans have never seen losses like this. In the 2022 elections, the Democrats swept the state. Taking control of every Statewide executive seat, including the office of the Governor. The Democrats gained Congressional seats. They now have more control in the already super majority General Assembly. They gained multiple seats in the Illinois House and Senate. 

Many conservative counties became blue overnight. Dupage was the hardest hit, with multiple losses from executive seats and County Board. Will County was hard hit as well. Losses included across the board were judges, States Attorney's, Sheriff's and superintendents races.

Hardest hit was the loss of two Illinois Supreme Court seats. These losses alone can result in decisions for future elections and challenges of Illinois public policy.

At Saturday's meeting over 200 Republican Patriots attended to demand the resignation of the Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy. It's been reported that Tracy helped fund Joe Biden's campaign for President in 2020 the very year he was chosen to lead the Illinois GOP. He also donated $100,000 to Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell. He was elected to help raise money for the Illinois GOP. In two years he has only raised 2.2 million dollars compared to the Democrat's 128 million. 

The event was set up as a round table with 40 chairs set up for the committee members and their deputies only. No chairs were set up for the 200 Republicans who attended. Many seniors and children were forced to sit on the floor. The event started with the reading of GOP business and elections and appointments. There was an analysis of the GOP losses in the midterms. The committee then offered explanations for the losses. They stated that no one donated enough for the party to offer any help. This enraged the attendees, with many candidates in attendance.

Vince Kolber the finance chair attacked the rank and file, challenging them why they even attended if they never even donated. Kolber doesn't even resign in Illinois. Kolber resides in Wisconsin and recently voted there. 

Questioning and answering time was limited to 90 seconds. Most public meetings in governmental units are afforded 3 minutes. The committee used Steve Bolton as Sgt. of Arms to remove any violators of the time limit. Many were shut down and removed. The Police were called to remove some speakers. Many were enraged that their voices were not heard. After 6 hours of debate, nothing was done. The party already made up their minds. There would be no changes in leadership. Don Tracy would continue serving as Chairman. In professional sports, a coach who does not make plays or win games and championships are replaced. Not in the Illinois GOP, I guess.

Many left the meeting disappointed. Not once was there a plan set toward by the leadership to win future races. No apologies, just excuses and placing the blame on the Republicans. Many explained that they felt that the leadership was elite and about the money, leaving the rank and file feeling like peasants. The leadership made cries of “unity” 

The Illinois Republican Party does not need to unify. There is currently a split in the party. They created this situation. The Illinois Republicans and not the leadership needs to rebuild and restore. The party is steadfast on not removing the Chairman, however there are new State Central Committee members that want to make changes. It starts with grassroots. 

The Illinois GOP has a 50% deficit in Precinct committeemen. We have to start there by electing and appointing PCs. To build up our base. To volunteer. To network and prepare for the next elections. Illinois has over 12 million people. 8 million are registered to vote. Only 4 million actually voted. Illinois Republicans had the lowest voter turnout in decades. It's time to change that.

It's time to acknowledge voter fraud. Ballot harvesting and bogus mailing voting. Many in the leadership called out supporters of Darren Bailey as extremists because he was endorsed by Trump. Recently it was discovered that the Democrats did commit election fraud. We need to challenge the Democrats in court to prevent future fraudulent elections. 

There is still hope in Illinois. I am developing a plan to fight for our party. To take up the mantle of not leadership, but service. To offer grassroots organizing and candidate recruiting and development to win races. A clearinghouse to offer services to not only candidates but to other republicans so that we can make true change. We will continue to move forward. We will fight for our conservatives principles. The Constitution. Our guns and free speech. 

More is to come soon. I look forward to engaging you in this conversation as we continue toward making our party stronger!