By Illinois Review
Former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, who recently endorsed Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker over Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, allegedly launched an unprovoked, profanity-laced verbal attack against a female Illinois Review contributor Thursday evening during a political fundraiser at Hinsdale Prime Steak, according to the contributor herself and eyewitnesses who spoke with Illinois Review.
The target of Durkin’s alleged outburst was Janelle Towne, a longtime Republican activist and contributor to Illinois Review, one of Illinois’ prominent conservative, pro-Trump news publications.
According to Towne and multiple witnesses, Durkin called her a “f—ing bitch” and criticized her for supporting Bailey, whom he referred to as a “hillbilly loser.”
Towne told Illinois Review that she had done nothing to provoke the confrontation and that it occurred near the front door of the restaurant.
Towne is no stranger to Durkin. A former constituent of the Western Springs Republican, she has known him for years. She is also an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump and a frequent visitor to Mar-a-Lago, the president’s private residence in Palm Beach, Florida. Towne has never been shy about her support for Trump or conservative Republican candidates like Bailey.
Durkin, meanwhile, has long opposed Trump and has become increasingly outspoken against the party’s MAGA wing.
Durkin’s disagreements with Trump and his influence on the Republican Party date back years. In December 2023, Illinois Review reported that Durkin had decided against running for Cook County State’s Attorney, citing Trump’s potential presence at the top of the Republican ticket.
“I see no path winning with Trump at the top of the ticket,” Durkin told CBS Chicago at the time.
But Thursday’s alleged confrontation goes beyond political differences. A former Republican legislative leader allegedly directing a degrading, gender-directed insult at a woman over her political support is a serious matter, particularly for someone who spent years representing the public in Springfield.
The incident comes less than fourteen days after Durkin appeared in a campaign video endorsing Pritzker for a third term. In it, he said he would not “throw away or waste a vote” on Bailey, whose campaign he called a “foolish escapade.”
Durkin now works in government affairs as “of counsel” at Point of Difference Strategies, a Chicago lobbying firm led by Lisa Duarte, a former senior official in the Pritzker administration.
As Illinois Review previously reported, the firm is registered to represent 37 clients in Springfield, including AbbVie, United Airlines, Nicor Gas, the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Transit Authority. Those clients are represented by the firm, not necessarily by Durkin individually.
Durkin spent years in Springfield as one of Illinois’ most influential Republicans, including nearly a decade as House Republican leader. Although he has left elected office, his work in government affairs keeps him connected to the same political institutions he once helped lead.
Political disagreements are nothing new. But according to Towne, Thursday night’s encounter at Hinsdale Prime Steak went beyond a disagreement over candidates. They allege that a former Republican legislative leader directed a degrading, profanity-laced insult at a woman he has known for years because of her support for Darren Bailey.
The allegations raise a question that has little to do with party loyalty or political endorsements: Why would a former House Republican leader speak to any woman that way?
