By Illinois Review
Illinois politics was thrust into the center of national attention on Wednesday as newly released documents tied convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to both Gov. JB Pritzker’s political operation and the wider Pritzker family empire.
The disclosures, highlighted in Illinois Review, place Illinois at the epicenter of the biggest political scandal in the country – yet the state’s Republican leadership responded with near-total silence.
The first batch of Epstein files, first disclosed by this publication, revealed that Epstein was asked to donate on behalf of Pritzker’s campaign years after his conviction for crimes involving a minor.
Additional documents showed that Thomas Pritzker – JB Pritzker’s cousin and chairman of the Pritzker family empire – maintained a personal friendship with Epstein long after those convictions.
These revelations immediately triggered national scrutiny and raised urgent questions about the judgment of one of America’s wealthiest and most politically connected families.
But in Illinois, something else stood out: the Republican Party’s refusal to engage.
The Illinois GOP posted messages about high taxes and budget concerns, but nothing about the governor’s political operation or his cousin’s close ties to a convicted sexual predator.
Grassroots activists quickly pointed out that if this were disgraced former House Speaker Mike Madigan, Republicans would be holding daily press conferences. But when it comes to JB Pritzker – a billionaire with unrivaled political power – the state party appears unwilling to confront him.
The silence is even more glaring considering what’s happening among the grassroots.
Conservative voters across the state are responding to this story with intensity rarely seen in state-level politics. The “DeKalb Illinois Issues” Facebook page shared Illinois Review’s reporting – and the reaction broke records.
In just one day, the post generated over 7,000 shares, 6,200 comments, and 25,300 likes. Local activists say they have never seen engagement like this.Yet Republican leaders and campaigns remain mostly silent.
The quiet extends into the GOP gubernatorial field. Republican candidate Ted Dabrowski spent the day posting property tax graphs and levy explanations on his campaign page. His strategist Jeanne Ives hosted a Facebook Live focused exclusively on property taxes. Neither acknowledged the Pritzker-Epstein scandal dominating national news.
Grassroots conservatives immediately revived the label “Tone Deaf Ted.”
Meanwhile, a deeper question continues to grow: Why is no one calling on JB Pritzker – the most powerful figure in the family – to demand that his cousin Thomas Pritzker step down from the Pritzker empire?
The situation mirrors the scandal involving Prince Andrew, whose relationship with Epstein forced him to give up his royal titles and his royal lodge. The world demanded accountability from a prominent figure connected to Epstein – yet in Illinois, where the implications are political rather than royal, Republican leadership has made no such demand.
For a party that identifies itself as the defender of children, of families, and of the unborn, the silence is becoming impossible to ignore. A scandal involving a man who preyed on minors has landed squarely at the doorstep of Illinois’ Democratic governor, and the grassroots reaction shows voters are paying attention – even if their elected leaders are not.
As more Epstein files are expected to drop, pressure will grow. For now, conservatives across the state are asking the same question: Why is the Illinois GOP quiet while the biggest political scandal in the country – a scandal involving exploited minors – hits this close to home?
