Chicago Cubs' co-owner Todd Ricketts
By Mark Weyermuller -
There appears to be hope for conservatives – or at least Republicans – in Illinois. Nearly 300 gathered for the Suburban Advocacy Lunch last Saturday in Niles. The group, sponsored by the Asian Advocacy Association, brought together people of all ages, backgrounds, and races – with a common desire to support the Republican Party.
The event was organized just in the past couple of weeks, with a committee headed by Julie Cho, a former GOP candidate for state representative. Lori Yokoyama served as master of ceremonies with variety of speakers, including former U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, State Senator Jim Oberweis, former lieutenant governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, and congressional candidate James Marter. Others in attendance included Carol Davis & Jan Shaw from the Illinois Conservative Union, WLS 890-AM radio host Stephanie Trussell, Dan Patlak of the Cook County Board of Review, Charles Butler, Joe Ptak, Chris Yaeger, Raquel Melanie and author Charles Love.
Sen. Jim Oberweis (left) – former US Sen Mark Kirk with GOP candidate Jim Marter (right)
The theme of the day was rallying around Republican candidates in Illinois and support of President Donald J. Trump. The keynote speaker was Chicago Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts. He is the current finance director of the Republican National Committee often referred to as the RNC. Ricketts spoke extensively about efforts to raise money and collect data to focus on key states to win back the majority in the U.S. Congress, hold the majority in the U.S. Senate, and re-elect President Trump in 2020.
Ricketts took questions from the enthusiastic crowd. I asked him if he could get the president to use Twitter even more and if the Cubs will win the World Series this year. This brought a big applause, and Ricketts responded by saying that the Cubs will not only win this year, but again in 2020.
Two weeks ago, Todd Ricketts spoke at an GOP fundraiser in the Chicago area which also featured RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniels. That event was sponsored by Illinois GOP Chairman Tim Schneider and State Central Committee member Richard Porter. The RNC also held a big donor event downtown the following night with supporters from all over the country. Many of those in attendance hope Todd Ricketts will run for Governor of Illinois in 2022.
Last Friday was not only Flag Day but also the birthday of President Donald J.Trump. The Northwest GOP Club held a big party in Trump's honor at Skores Sports bar in Harwood Hts. It was attended by a couple hundred, including many in #MAGA hats. This group is led by Matt Podgorski and Ammie Kessem with a growing membership.
This upcoming week there will at least a dozen MAGA parties in the Chicago area and suburbs as Donald Trump will announce LIVE Tuesday night that he plans to run again for president in 2020. Various locations will be having watch parties including the Trump Tower bar, Lion Head Pub In Lincoln Park, and the White Eagles Conference Center In Niles, Illinois. Is it possibly that President Trump could win Illinois?
Mark Weyermuller is a small business person, real estate professional, and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist and regular contributor to Illinois Review. Mark can be heard weekly on the radio in a "man in the street segment" at 5:31pm as a regular guest on the Stephanie Trussell Show heard Saturday afternoons 3-6pm on 50,000 watt WLS 890-AM.
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