By Mark Weyermuller, Opinion Contributor & Photojournalist
Erika Kirk spoke Tuesday at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, as part of Turning Point USA’s “America: Love It or Leave It” tour.
Kirk is the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a college campus in Utah.
About 600 people filled the main venue at Judson, with another roughly 200 watching from an overflow room across the street.
Judson University, located west of Chicago, is an evangelical Christian university committed to equipping students to become “fully developed, responsible persons” who glorify God through their relationships, work and citizenship.
During her remarks, Kirk discussed the future of Turning Point USA and its growing presence on high school and college campuses. Campus chapters are now operating under the Club America banner.
She also showed a video of Charlie Kirk speaking at a college campus several years ago about American values and the importance of defending them.
Kirk spoke for approximately roughly 15minutes – shorter than some in attendance expected.
Some attendees speculated that her demanding travel schedule and security considerations may have contributed to the abbreviated appearance.
The broader message of the evening centered on faith over fear and having the courage to stand firm in one’s beliefs. Kirk said Turning Point USA continues to flourish and expand as the organization carries forward Charlie Kirk’s legacy.
Among those attending were Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey; lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar; former state Rep. Tom Morrison; 8th Congressional District candidate Jennifer Davis; and 14th Congressional District candidate James Marter.
Also in attendance were businessman Gary Rabine, who helped support Turning Point during its early years, and local jeweler Michael Miller, a longtime friend and mentor of Charlie Kirk.
The Chicago Tribune covered the event under the headline, “Erika Kirk draws big crowd at Elgin appearance, some protesters.” Its featured photograph showed three protesters along the roadway.
I did not see any protesters when I arrived, and other attendees I spoke with said they did not see them either.
Founded by Charlie Kirk in 2012, Turning Point USA says its mission is to identify, educate, train
and organize Americans to promote fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government.
Turning Point USA will hold its annual AmericaFest from December 17-20, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The gathering brings together thousands of students, activists and supporters from across the country as the organization continues the work and legacy of its founder.
