Illinois Review

Di Leo: Like a Seinfeld episode, Illinois Republicans do the Opposite

By John F Di Leo - 

It is said that "there is a Seinfeld for everything."

Who would’ve expected an Illinois primary election to give support to that, of all theories? But, so it has.

First, the fundamentals: Despite Illinois having been a reliable swing state for generations, due to the powerful Chicago Democrat machine countered by the reliably conservative Republican suburbs and rural downstate, a change began in the 1980s, when a new state constitution tipped the balance of power to the Democrats.

As Chicago and Illinois' other large cities grew more dangerous and more corrupt, the lifelong Democrat voters of the cities moved into the suburbs (without changing their voting patterns), overturning that old balance, and making it easier and easier for Democrats to win the state.

No longer called a swing state, Mike Madigan’s record-setting two-generation hold on the Speaker’s chair, combined with incredibly bad luck (and unforced errors) in numerous US Senate races, have resulted in an almost unshakably defeatist attitude in the minds of Republican activists, party officials, media, and worst of all, donors.

Di Leo: Considering the Most Serious Complaint in the Outcry over Dobbs

By John F. Di Leo - 

On Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

The Dobbs ruling was significant, for two reasons: It settled a question regarding abortion at the national level: that it’s not the federal government’s business, so it’s up to the states. Also, since it overturned a 50-year-old ruling, it reminds both the general public and future courts that our respect for precedent should not be so blind as to allow blatantly unfounded rulings to stand if a chance comes up to correct the error.

The outcry was loud and immediate, and no wonder: a multibillion dollar industry has grown up around the concept of “abortion on demand,” not to mention incredible behavioral changes, both micro and macro, as everything from individual dating practices to the nature of the pop culture were altered to accommodate the practice.

Bourne's hubby is voice in Davis' sour campaign tone

Rep. Bourne w/ hubby Aaron De Groot

CHRISTIAN COUNTY - Political consultants are fascinating behind-the-scenes tone-setters for political campaigns. And because they're behind the scenes, they're paid little attention while they can and do make all the difference.

For instance, there's a name that shows up in most press releases US Congressman Rodney Davis put out this campaign season in the volatile and nasty 15th CD runoff between two U.S. House Republican incumbents - Rodney Davis and Mary Miller. 

That name is "Aaron DeGroot." DeGroot identifies as the Davis campaign spokesman. 

He's also been married to State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) since 2018. You know, the same Avery Bourne that is running with Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin as Irvin's pick for lieutenant governor. In other words - the person next in line to be governor if something was to happen to the person elected as governor.

But back to the Davis/Miller battle. It's a tough race. It has become nasty and ugly - especially in the tone coming from the Davis campaign. 

And with former President Donald Trump coming to Quincy to boost Miller's national image this coming Saturday, there's a good chance the Davis camp's voice will be even more intense and sour as June 28th primary election day nears.

Di Leo: Why Does Ashley Biden's 'Shower Story' Matter?

By John F. Di Leo - 

A news story has been circulating lately, more on social media than mainstream. Nothing unusual there.

It seems that Joe Biden’s daughter Ashley was in rehab in 2020, and part of her therapy was to keep a diary, perhaps recounting her thoughts on what problems caused her lifelong addictions to sex and substance abuse. In this diary, she postulated that being hypersexualized at a young age, engaging in sexual activity in her youth, and taking showers with her father, may have contributed to this sad problem. She annotated her mention of showering with her father as “probably not appropriate”, but no further details about the showering appeared in the book (at least, no more detail has been published).

Ashley Biden accidentally left the book behind at the rehab residence, to be found by the next resident. It found its way to the hands of the UK’s Daily Mail, which published some excerpts. Project Veritas tried to follow up in more detail, legally, and the FBI immediately started attacking them with harassment and search warrants.

Since this story appeared on the scene, many months ago, it has created a bit of an ethical challenge for those in the media who still have ethics.

Thorner: The 2nd Supreme Court District... the hottest Illinois Republican Primary around?

By Nancy Thorner - 

Now that the Governor’s race seems to be tilting strongly for Darren Bailey with the latest poll showing him with a 15-point lead over Richard Irvin and a 21-point lead over his next closest rival, Jesse Sullivan, some might say the Mary Miller vs. Rodney Davis contest for Congress is now the most interesting and the hottest Illinois Republican primary.  

The Second District Supreme Court contest, however, may even be more interesting and hotter with all the new developments that have occurred in this race since I last wrote about it on Illinois Review.

The first new development is the return of McHenry County Judge Hutchinson and Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran to the ballot.

Di Leo: Biden Whips Up the Longshoremen, As Strike Fears Rise

By John F. Di Leo - 

Joe Biden went to the port of Los Angeles on Friday, June 10, to make a speech about the economy.

Nothing odd there.  The stock market is down 15% so far this year, inflation is skyrocketing, and energy prices are so high that the unemployed can't afford the commute if they accept a job.  An administration is expected to address these matters.

Unfortunately, in this case, virtually all the problems are caused by the very positions on which this regime is doubling down. 

And of all the indelicate, inopportune times and places to choose for this speech, he headed to the busiest, most important seaport in the Americas, twenty days before the deadline crashes down on the most delicate labor negotiation of the year.

All laborers on the west coast seaports belong to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).  While some of them still do the heavy, physical jobs of traditional shipping, the lion's share of this industry was changed, some seventy years ago, with the advent of containerization and the growth of intermodal transportation.

Continued, in the American Thinker, here:

Di Leo: The Recall Vote Heard Round the World

Chesa Boudin

By John F. Di Leo - 

On Tuesday, June 7, voters went to the polls in California, and produced a surprising result. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin was overthrown in a rare, successful recall election.

Ask the typical American voter what inspires his dislike for politicians, and he is likely to say he’s turned off by their dishonesty, their platitudes, their failure to keep campaign promises (they’re not necessarily right about this, but these are the answers one gets).

That wasn’t the case here.

Chesa Boudin, son of the Weather Underground, ran for District Attorney on a clear political platform: throwing open the prison gates, attacking police instead of criminals, and eliminating bail so that criminals could be set free upon capture, rather than holding them for trial. It was a clear platform of support for the criminal element, and just as clearly, a statement of opposition to the valid concerns of the millions of law-abiding citizens who fear the growing crime problem in America’s cities.

Di Leo: The Many Lies of a Dishonest Age

By John F. Di Leo - 

The Second Amendment

A former United States Senator and Vice President of the United States, currently pretending to the title of the presidency, Joe Biden said this week that “The Second Amendment is not absolute.”

Wrong, Mr. Biden. The Second Amendment is absolute. The Constitution is absolute. 

It’s our political offices, such as Senator, Vice President, and President, that are not absolute.   Your office is constitutionally limited. That’s the whole point. That’s what living in a constitutional republic means.

Irvin/Bourne campaign boasts more IL GOP leadership, law enforcement endorsements

Via Press Release from the Irvin/Bourne campaign - 

AURORA – Friday the Irvin for Illinois campaign is rolling out a new list of co-chairs; a group of over 50 grassroots Republican leaders who are endorsing Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne’s campaign to take back Illinois from out of control crime, corruption, and Democrat overspending. The new list adds to the continuous growing support of now over 200 leaders — including 18 current or former county sheriffs, 27 current mayors, and 17 state legislators. 

Highlighting Mayor Irvin & Representative Bourne’s wide support from the law enforcement community is LaSalle County Sheriff & Past-President of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Sheriff Tom Templeton. 

“I’m honored to join with 17 other current and former sheriffs in endorsing Richard Irvin’s campaign for Governor. Richard understands the unprecedented challenges we face in law enforcement better than anyone else in this race and is the only candidate capable of defeating J.B. Pritzker so we can rollback 4 years of disastrous radical policies that have made all of our communities less safe,” said Templeton.

14th CD Republican candidate Jim Marter endorsed by Veterans for America First

OSWEGO – “I’m excited and grateful to receive this important endorsement from the Veterans For America First. Their mission to support our veterans and first responders is a mission I share with them and I’m glad to be recognized for it,” said Marter.

“These folks deserve our highest level of honor and support and their well-being should be a top priority. It will be a priority of mine when I’m in Congress. I share the VFAF’s recognition that vets and first responders have service and life experiences that are valuable in all policy discussions, not just ones related to military, law enforcement or emergency health services. We need to benefit from their wisdom and be inspired by their unique sacrifices. They will a Representative in the House who listens to them once again and who will be a voice for them in Congress, once I’m elected.”

Democrat Governor's media buy shows they're worried about losing Illinois in November

CHICAGO - If polling showed JB Pritzker taking a walk in the park to re-election next November, it's unlikely the Democratic Governor's Association would be doing a media buy to meddle in the IL GOP gubernatorial race. But that's exactly what they're doing according to @MediumBuying's report. 

They'll likely be spending some of the $3 M Pritzker donated to the DGA.

Watch for anti-Republican candidates ads on Fox News and Turner Broadcasting starting Thursday: 

The Illinois Republican Party put out the following statement in reply: 

“The DGA and the Pritzker campaign, like everyone else that does polling, is watching in real time as Governor JB Pritzker’s re-election chances plummet under the considerable weight of his own failures and extreme agenda. The Pritzker campaign is desperate and has hatched a plan to launder Pritzker’s inherited wealth through the DGA to begin running ads to interfere in the nomination of our Republican nominee. 

"It’s up to every person in Illinois, including the media, to call out this charade for what it is - a desperate plan from a desperate man with a lot of money. 

"DGA, let Republicans pick our own nominee. Too scared to play fair?”

Edgar County Watchdogs challenge Sullivan's new ad

EDGAR COUNTY - A new campaign ad featuring law enforcement officer that support Republican gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan is drawing attention from the Edgar County Watchdogs. Using publicly funded props in campaign ads isn't legal, they say, and it needs to be challenged.

So they are on their website: 

The campaign for Jesse Sullivan for Governor recently published a campaign advertisement, which we believe constitutes improper electioneering - not only by Sullivan but also by all of the Sheriffs who appeared in uniform with their publicly owned vehicles behind them, while endorsing Sullivan.

Specifically, Article VIII Section I of the Illinois Constitution outlines public funds, property, and credit shall only be used for a public purpose and the use of the public property for a private purpose can constitute Official Misconduct by the County Sheriffs.

Here's the ad Edgar County Watchdogs is concerned about: 

Thorner: My take on IL's 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidates

Illinois Review disclaimer: The following is the opinion of this particular Illinois Review columnist, and not that of the Illinois Review news source. We uphold free speech and encourage opinions. 

By Nancy Thorner -

Who is the most-qualified Republican gubernatorial candidate to defeat Governor J.B. Pritzker? 

 

All Information regarding each gubernatorial candidate featured below is a matter of public record. Bailey will be first on the ballot, with Jesse Sullivan appearing last on the ballot.

 

Illinois' Uniparty has seemingly hit rock bottom with Ken Griffin’s attempt to take over the Republican Party.

 

Even if Griffin, as Illinois’ richest man, gives nothing more than 20 million to Richard Irvin, his “team” will have gotten a boost to their fundraising.  In any case, Griffin can either openly or behind closed doors help the Irvin team with his money.

97th House GOP primary breaks open as McCullagh calls on opponent Michelle Smith to withdraw

SHOREWOOD, IL — Monday, Illinois House 97th District candidate Thomas McCullagh called on his GOP 2022 primary opponent Michelle Smith to withdraw after McCullagh filed a petition challenge detailing what he says is "evidence of fraud in the collection and certifications of signatures."

McCullagh filed a petition challenge with the Illinois State Board of Elections on GOP primary opponent Michelle Smith’s candidacy packets. McCullagh alleges false swearing on Smith's petitions and a pattern and practice of fraud while circulators collected signatures for the 2022 GOP primary ballot.

“I, my campaign manager (Camielle Holcombe), alongside 20 other campaigns and their volunteers, went door-to-door together collecting valid and authentic signatures. We worked hard for hours each day in 20 degree weather to get the job done," McCullagh said in the statement. "It’s disappointing when a candidate, regardless of political party, arrogantly degrades our Republic by submitting fraudulent signatures. She needs to withdraw.”

McCullagh says his exploration uncovered circulators, including GOP candidate Michelle Smith, that allegedly coached and/or allowed signers to fraudulently sign for other members of their households - a violation of Illinois election law.

Di Leo: Destruction in Ukraine, and the Conflict to Come

By John F. Di Leo - 

For three weeks now, the world has watched the Russian war machine move into Ukraine. We have witnessed the shelling of cities and towns; we have seen crowds of women and children fleeing the country to escape.

We have watched hospitals, business districts, and apartment buildings emptied of people, emptied of vehicles; their storefronts destroyed, their windows blown out.

It’s a war zone. That’s what war zones look like. And if our hearts bleed for these refugees, then that’s as it should be. Our hearts should care.

But that’s not where our minds should be.

Our minds should be half a planet away, on the coast of Mainland China, and the little economic powerhouse just off its shore: the island of Taiwan, Republic of China (R.O.C.).

More, in the American Thinker, here:

(photo: city and port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C., American Thinker)

Di Leo: Quoting Out of Context, from Inflation to Petroleum

PBS photo

By John F. Di Leo - 

The Biden-Harris regime is delighting in the opportunity to pin the blame on Putin’s War - for skyrocketing fuel prices today, and for the food shortages and economic challenges of tomorrow.

As the regime’s lies go, we must admit: this one isn’t a lie.  Putin’s War has indeed caused the interruption of certain international supply lines.  Necessary sanctions against Russia have almost immediately ended the flow of considerable export business that employed countless American workers, and the import bans and duty rate hikes being imposed on Russian products will cause some shortages, from grocery shelves to factory stockrooms.

Ukraine was long known as the breadbasket of Europe; this war zone won’t be producing a harvest in 2022.  If dozens of countries have grown accustomed to getting their energy from Russia and their grain from Ukraine, these buyers will definitely be paying more, to other vendors, as their supply chains adjust.

From Joe Biden’s speechwriters to his cabinet and his press secretaries, we now hear these points made with frequency and… perhaps even… with relief?  It can hardly be our imagination, as we take note of the genuine ease with which these experienced spin artists direct the blame for our current problems toward Putin’s War.

Thorner: Bailey and DeVore make campaign stop in Libertyville

Darren Bailey

By Nancy Thorner - 

On Thursday morning, March 3, 2022, GOP 2022 candidates Darren Bailey and Thomas DeVore appeared together at Murphy's Health Food store in Libertyville. 

DeVore previously announced his candidacy for the downstate 5th Appellate Court, but in a Facebook video DeVore said he changed his mind and will now seek the GOP nomination for attorney general. 

As to why he changed his mind: Having seen students stand up for themselves regarding the mask mandate issue, DeVore set his sights on the Attorney General’s Office in an attempt to keep a similar situation from happening again.

Inhofe announces retirement from U.S. Senate

On Feb. 25, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) announced he would retire on Jan. 3, 2023. Inhofe's current term ends in 2027. His retirement will trigger a special election in November 2022. So far, six senators whose terms end in 2023 have announced they will not seek re-election this year. Five are Republicans and one is a Democrat.

More HERE

IL Congressional candidates respond to Biden's State of the Union address

AP photo

Two Republican Congressional candidates sent out these responses to President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address Tuesday night - Esther Joy King in Illinois' 17th CD and James Marter in Illinois' 14th CD: 

“First, I appreciated the strong support the President and Congress showed for Ukraine at the beginning of tonight’s State of the Union address. However, this must be followed by strong action in the best interest of American national security," GOP candidate Esther Joy King said after the speech in a statement.

“President Biden also mentioned several ‘America First’ policies championed by Republicans tonight — securing the border, funding the police, and the importance of making products in America — because they know these policies resonate with the American people. When elected, I will do everything I can to work with the President on solving these issues to put America first, but there cannot just be rhetoric from the other side. We need action, we need a plan that both sides can get behind.”

King's 17th CD is an open seat in the November 2022 General Election. Cook Political Report lists the district as a "Democratic Toss-Up" district.

Family-Pac Federal spotlights Mandel and Miller

Former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel

Correction: Since first published, this post has been corrected to remove incorrect information concerning Josh Mandel's candidacy. He has NOT been endorsed by President Trump as of March 1, 2022. Our apologies for the error.

By Nancy Thorner - 

Family-Pac Federal Chairman John McEnroe sponsored a fundraising brunch for U.S. Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel, running to replace Rob Portman, on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Gibson's Restaurant in Oak Brook, IL. 

Josh Mandell, Ohio U.S. Senate candidate 

 

Josh Mandel is running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio to replace retiring Senator Rob Portman.  As mentioned by Josh, he doesn't wish to go to Washington to D.C. to make friends but to make good decisions, with a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in another. 

 

He has also been endorsed by US Senator Mike Lee (UT-R), Senator Cynthia Lummis (WY-R), Ambassador David Friedman (former Trump ambassador to Israel), Mark Levin, Club for Growth, and the Senate Conservative Funds.

 

With a clear record of conservative leadership and courage to stand up to powerful forces on both side of the aisle, Josh was elected to statewide office twice winning both the Primary and General elections by double-digit margins.

P Rae: Stay out of our daughters' panties, Gov. Pritzker

By P Rae, Black Excellence Hour, WVON 160am Chicago - 

The United States of America is the best country in the world because of how it protects children and vulnerable from predators and harm. Our government functions as a body elected by the people to protect the interests of the people. However, in 2021, the IL State Legislature and Governor JB Pritzker passed a bill that was not in the best interest of IL families or girls from around the country, HB 370, repealing Illinois's Parental Notice of Abortion law. This law mandated that the guardians of minor girls be notified that their child was receiving healthcare. 

The issue behind HB 370 is not abortion. The right to terminate a pregnancy has been affirmed by the US Supreme Court. Governor Bruce Rauner (R) passed the Reproductive Health Act establishing the fundamental right to reproductive health care, including abortion, in 2019. Now that the Parental Notification Act has been repealed, any pregnant girl from around the world country can come to IL and get an abortion sponsored by IL taxpayers without her parents knowledge. The average age to begin menstruation in America is 10 years old. This means that a 10 year old can become pregnant, consent to an abortion without her parents’ knowledge, receive the abortion free of charge and go home to bleed on her pretty pink sheets. A doctor can give her an abortion pill at her school clinic without her parents’ knowledge or consent but the girl cannot receive an aspirin for a headache without signed paperwork.

Illinois Family Action picks Miller over Davis in 15th CD GOP primary

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller

ILLINOIS - Due to the Democrats' redistricting tactics and the loss of a whole congressional district due to population loss over the last 10 years, two Illinois GOP Congress members were drawn into the 15th CD.  The two will be facing each other in Illinois' June 28, 2022 GOP primary: U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13) and U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15). 

Friday, Illinois Family Action released the following endorsement of Congresswoman Mary Miller in Illinois' 15th Congressional District:

"We agree with President Donald Trump’s assessment that Congresswoman Mary Miller is the right candidate to represent the good people of the 15th Congressional District," said David Smith, executive director of Illinois Family Action.

 

"Mary is a proud and vocal believer in Jesus Christ, and her Christian faith guides her positions on moral issues. Mary Miller is pro-life, pro-religious liberty, and pro-marriage between a man and a woman. She supports a strong military, the opportunity for parents to choose home education, and she stands with the nation of Israel. Mary bows her knee to no one but Jesus Christ, and her actions demonstrate that she will always make sound moral judgments as to how legislation will affect the people in her district and the nation."

 

"I am honored to be endorsed by Illinois Family Action, and I will continue to be an outspoken and fearless fighter for life in the womb, parental rights, freedom of conscience, and traditional marriage," said Congresswoman Miller.

Di Leo: GOP gubernatorial primary candidates vie for suburban voters

Bailey, Solomon, Schimpf, Rabine

 

By John F. Di Leo - 

A Republican town hall was held in Naperville, and Illinois Review was there...

On Saturday, February 12, Freedom Initiative Now hosted a GOP Gubernatorial Town Hall, featuring four of the announced Republican candidates for Governor of Illinois, with a couple hundred activists in attendance at the Embassy Suites in Naperville.

State Senator Darren Bailey, former State Senator Paul Schimpf, businessman Gary Rabine, and attorney Max Solomon were seated on the dais.  Three other candidates believed to be in the running - Chris Roper (who at some point had accepted), Jesse Sullivan and Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin – were not in attendance.

Co-hosts Nick Richmond and Kelly Dittmann kept their introduction to a minimum, asked three appropriate, general series of questions, then closed with a couple of final questions from the audience.  The format wasn’t perfect, but it was impressively, scrupulously fair.

Di Leo: An Afternoon with Darren Bailey, GOP 2022 Candidate for Governor

By John F. Di Leo - 

photos by Mark Weyermuller

Looking back at the Founding Era after 250 years, we often think of the challenges the Framers faced.  A single legislature, or a bicameral arrangement?  A strong head of state or a figurehead… or none at all?  How often should terms last?

What we tend to forget is that the first debate, before they could even get started in planning all this in the summer of 1787, was the question of whether any of it was possible at all.

Our Founding Fathers were educated in the history of government; they had studied political science for years, even decades.  And there were two conclusions that seemed almost certain, and had been agreed-upon for centuries: First, that direct democracy can only work in the smallest of towns, and second, that even a representative republic could probably work as a city-state or similarly small country, but most likely couldn’t be successful in a large nation… because you could never know your representative personally, if the country was too large.

Does a statewide candidate's voting history matter?

AURORA - Does it matter to Illinois Republicans whether their candidate for governor has a history of voting Democrat? Should it matter?

Or should Illinois Republicans give up on the concept of a candidate with proven Republican conservative values ever winning a statewide race? 

With the announcement of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin running for governor, an array of information has been bombarding the internet - especially as it becomes more well known that Irvin and his running mate state Rep. Avery Bourne are being directed by the same consulting group that ran Bruce Rauner's campaign in 2014 and his re-election campaign in 2018.

The group ran the Rauner campaign both years - alienating, ridiculing and ignoring the state's grassroots conservative base and their principles.

GOP opponents respond to Irvin entry into gubernatorial primary race

Mayor Richard Irvin.                       State Sen. Darren Bailey                Businessman Gary Rabine

SPRINGFIELD - Two GOP gubernatorial primary opponents that have been campaigning for several months responded to the news that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is entering the Illinois GOP's effort to oust Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in November 2022.

Illinois 2022 GOP Congressional primary races to watch

From 270towin website

WASHINGTON DC - Illinois will have one less representative to the US Congress in 2023, and after a chaotic re-mapping that Illinois Democrats controlled, the new districts are very different and purposely drawn to weaken Republican strongholds. 

The process left downstate districts in confusion - and as candidates begin to notify the Federal Election Commission of their plans to run in the 2022 election, the FEC listing is showing just how this normally considered quiet "off year" election is likely to get a lot of attention. 

Illinois Review is hearing rumors of various campaign entry announcements to be made next week -  from new GOP entries in Congressional races to new GOP entry slates in the state's gubernatorial race. 

According to current projections, analysts see Illinois coming out of the 2022 with 13 Democrat US Congressional districts, three Republican and one - the 17th CD - a toss-up.

Di Leo: Joe Manchin, Giant-Killer?

by John F. Di Leo - 

In the great Woody Allen comedy, Love and Death, Allen plays a Russian nebbish who is celebrated for his heroism when, after hiding in a cannon during a battle, he gets fired into the Napoleonic command tent, taking down four enemy generals and thereby winning the battle.  His rival, played by Harold Gould, derides his newfound celebrity with the understated line, “I understand your heroism was quite inadvertent.”

Americans may soon realize that the newfound celebrity of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin may be due to something similar.

The Build Back Better Bill, also known as the $5 Trillion spending plan, or the $2 Trillion spending plan, or the $3.5 Trillion spending plan, or the Moving Target spending plan, is essentially the Green New Deal married to a Welfare State wish list, with an alliterative and euphemistic title slapped on top for PR.

Conservatives rightly oppose it, not merely because it’s expensive, but because it includes a litany of distinct policy directions that are dead wrong for this country – wrong, in fact, for any country.

For Example...

More, in the American Thinker, here...

Di Leo: Illegal Mandates and the Abandonment of a Sacred Oath

By John F. Di Leo - 

In just one week, four federal courts have said no, and the US Senate voted the same way. The vaccine mandate is crumbling.

Earlier this fall, Jabbin’ Joe Biden issued his commands in no uncertain terms:  OSHA will mandate that all employers of over a hundred people must force their employees to accept these experimental Covid-19 vaccines.  Every federal department must mandate that all their federal employees accept it too.  All federal contractors and health care workers, all members of the military, must take it as well.  There is no freedom anymore; the days of human rights are over. Uncle Joe has spoken.

Many of us assumed that the federal mandate was a con from the start – that even the ultra-statists of the Biden-Harris regime knew full well that they don’t have the authority, so they hoped that Biden’s speech would be enough to scare people into compliance on the basis of his speech. He might never have to issue an illegal executive order; his department chiefs might never have to publish illegal regulations in the Federal Register, if they just said they were going to, and a gullible public acted on that promise alone.

But no, to the surprise of some, the regime went ahead and filed those illegal rules, knowing they would eventually be overturned.  And many businesses, especially the “woke” ones, both small and large, did climb aboard that sinking ship.  A few vocal refusals by airline pilots and mailmen followed, along with thousands (or maybe hundreds of thousands?) of quiet resignations as well, and the mandate defenders are more visibly desperate every week.

Update 1x: Marter boasts national taxpayer group's endorsement

Editor's correction: The Marter campaign sent IR a correction Wednesday evening, saying their press release had listed the wrong group endorsement. The National Taxpayer Union does NOT endorse candidates. The campaign asked the endorsing group to be correctly identified as the Taxpayers United of America and extended their apologies for the error in their previous campaign statement.

From Marter campaign spokesman Paul Hurst: 

...We noticed after sending you today's release, that our contact person appeared in TWO tax advocacy organizations' online searches and this led to some confusion. While both NTU and TUA oppose Lauren Underwood, it is actually TUA (Taxpayers United of America) that has confirmed their endorsement of James Marter this time. Our contact was speaking on behalf of TUA, not NTU. Therefore, I thought I should send you our correction in case you wish to issue one.

OSWEGO - There's a clear contrast in tax policy between the Republican and Democrat candidates running for Illinois' 14th Congressional District in 2022, challenger James Marter said Tuesday. 

UPDATE 1x: A spokesperson for the National Taxpayers Union Taxpayers United of America confirmed the group will be officially endorsing GOP challenger James Marter, while Democrat 2-term incumbent Lauren Underwood received an F Grade from the NTU every year she has been in office.

17th CD GOP candidate Esther Joy King releases "Battle-Ready" campaign ad

See whole map at fivethirtyeight.com  

EAST MOLINE - With hopes of winning a Trump-favoring central Illinois district in 2022, 17th CD GOP candidate Esther Joy King released her first campaign ad for next year's election. The incumbent - Democrat Cheri Bustos - has announced she's retiring, so the 17th CD seat will be open in 2022 in a conservative district with likely strong headwinds for Republican candidates. 

“With less than a year to go until the midterm elections, Illinois Democrats just put the final seal of approval on their corrupt, gerrymandered maps drawn for one purpose: to protect the Left's control of Washington and Illinois," King said in a statement.

"The Corrupt Springfield Democrats' desperate power-grab changes nothing. Since Day One, my campaign has been about fighting for the people of Northern, Central, and Western Illinois and protecting our communities from the radical Left-wing agenda. As a battle-ready leader, I am ready to double down for our generation's fight against socialism and keep America strong and free.”

The newly-drawn 17th congressional district includes much of the northwestern part of Illinois - an area considered "highly competitive" by political prognosticators. 

Davis to run for Congress again in 2022

TAYLORVILLE -- Despite political rumors that he might run for Illinois governor in 2022, Rodney Davis, a Republican from Taylorville, announced Tuesday he is choosing to run for re-election to Congress in the newly-drawn 15th Congressional district, which includes his home in Taylorville and much of the district he currently represents. He is the only incumbent member of Congress who resides in this district following the Congressional redistricting process.

Davis' announcement leaves only Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller as not yet announcing her re-election plans for 2022. The newly-drawn districts place her in the Democrat-intended situation of having to challenge a Republican US House colleague in a 2022 primary.

“My family and I are excited to announce that I am running for re-election to Congress,” Davis said in a statement. “I’ve been proud to fight hard for and work on behalf of central Illinois families in this district for many years, both as a member of Congress and as a staffer to my good friend and mentor, former Congressman John Shimkus.”

IL Dem Majority Leader Greg Harris to step down for next generation of Democrats

CHICAGO - Saying "it's time," 66 year old State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) announced Monday that the "younger leadership" needs room to exercise their political muscle, so he's not running for re-election in November 2022.

Harris, an openly gay lawmakers, is proud of making Illinois one of the earliest states embracing same sex marriage, he told Crain's. 

"...[A]s the highest-ranking openly gay person ever to have served in state government, he says his proudest accomplishment was serving as chief sponsor of the bill allowing same-sex marriage in the state, an action that came years before the U.S. Supreme Court mandated that nationally," Crain's political reporter Greg Hinz writes Monday. 

What does that mean for the Democrat super-majority in the Illinois House under the leadership of State Rep. Chris Welch, who just took over within the last year?

Billionaire Griffin says he plans to "go all in" to defeat Pritzker in 2022

NEW YORK - In a New York Times interview Wednesday, hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin said he was willing to donate to whomever challenges Illinois Democrat Governor JB Pritzker in 2022. 

Griffin didn't indicate who that candidate would be, but said “I’m going to make sure that if he runs again, that I am all in to support the candidate who will beat him,” Griffin continued. “He doesn’t deserve to be the governor of our state.”

The urgency of the situation involved how brazen Chicago criminals have become - personally affecting Griffin. 

Talking today about crime in Chicago, Griffin said that over a recent weekend, one of his Citadel partners had a gun put to his head outside his home in Chicago. He didn’t provide additional details on the incident, but said that on the following Monday, the colleague told him: “I don’t know if I worked my whole life to live like this.”

Griffin also mentioned the story of a 24-year-old University of Chicago graduate who was shot and killed in Hyde Park on Tuesday. Griffin said the shooting happened a few blocks from his kids’ school.

Those two incidents follow one Griffin mentioned last month at the Economic Club in which he said carjackers had attacked his security detail outside his Chicago home.

More at NYTimes' DealBook. 

Di Leo: Data & Guesswork... Campaigns and the Specter of Vote Fraud

by John F Di Leo - 

On November 2, A.D. 2021, a red wave swept the nation, and the talking heads were bewildered.

It’s certainly not unusual that the party in power would lose seats in midterm elections, but even the most casual of observers could tell that there was something else going on this time. It was quite a sweep.

Throughout the night, and throughout the day that followed, the talking heads couldn’t help themselves, as they repeated the depressing statistic, “but Joe Biden won that state by 10 points just a year ago..." and “But Biden won that state by 16 points just last year…"

Watching the television or listening to the radio, astute observers could not help but mutter, “Well… maybe he didn’t.”

Bost to seek re-election; boasts 20 IL GOP leaders' endorsements

MURPHYSBORO, IL– U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) announced Wednesday his re-election campaign is endorsed by 20 Republican Central Committee leaders from across the newly-mapped 12th Congressional District. Bost's coalition of support includes the 12th District Central Committee chair and vice-chair; all 11 county chairs from Bost's current district; and seven chairs redistricted from the current 15th District into the new 12th District.

“As leaders of Illinois' 12th District Republican Central Committee, we are pleased to endorse Congressman Mike Bost for re-election,” said the IL-12 Central Committee leaders in a joint statement. “He has a proven track record of fighting for our conservative values and delivering real results for Southern Illinois families during his service in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Illinois General Assembly. As Democrats in Washington continue to tax and spend their way towards socialism, Mike is the strong conservative voice we need to push back on their extreme agenda. We proudly support Congressman Mike Bost and look forward to working together on behalf of the people of Southern Illinois.”

Where Weyermuller? With Kayleigh McAnany at Freedom Initiative event

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Former White House Press Secretary and Fox News Host Kayleigh McEnany keynoted a Chicago area event recently at Christian Liberty Academy. Over 500 people attended. 

McEnany was joined by local pastors and business leaders that addressed the Left’s attacks on Christianity, breaking news stories of the day and the ongoing COVID pandemic. She also promoted her new book coming out in December, "For Such a Time as This: My Faith Journey through the White House."

She graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor and Georgetown University School of Foreign Services with a degree in international politics. She also studied politics and international relations at Oxford University, St. Edmunds Hall. McEnany is a recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Public Service Award.

Darren Bailey Dominates GOP Field for Illinois Governor in Recent Poll

From Bailey for Governor website     

CHICAGO – A new Illinois survey of likely 2022 GOP Primary election voters was released today. This Illinois GOP Gubernatorial primary survey measures President Trump's approval and breaks down voters' preference in the 2022 primary election. Ogden and Fry, a nationally recognized polling firm, conducted the poll from October 3-4, on behalf of the Northwest Side GOP Club -- a Chicago based Republican umbrella organization.

President Trump's approval rating remains strong. The results showed that 86.6% of voters approve of President Trump, 13.4% disapprove. 

On the second question, voters were asked their preferred candidate in the Illinois Republican Primary for Governor. The results showed that State Senator Darren Bailey, who sued Governor Pritzker over unilateral lockdowns last year, has a commanding lead with 33.3% followed by Jesse Sulllivan at 6.2%, Gary Rabine at 5.2%, and Paul Schimpf at 3.0%.

Senator Bailey was eager to respond to the Ogden polling:

Marter to Underwood: Condemn Ilhan Omar's anti-Semitism

Underwood & Omar

Oswego, IL – GOP Congressional Candidate James Marter called out Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14( Wednesday for being a "friend to anti-Semites" instead of a friend to Israel.

"Representative Underwood failed to denounce her friend, [Congresswoman] Ilhan Omar in 2019, for what Illinois NPR called hate speech towards Israel," said Marter. "Now in 2021, Congresswoman Underwood failed us again, remaining silent in response to Omar's remarks comparing the U.S. and Israel to Hamas. How can we let a representative remain in office if they can't tell an ally from a terrorist organization?"

Referring to The Hill and Roll Call news sources, Marter said Democrats stripped away $1 billion dollars in funding for Israel’s critical Iron Dome self-defense system. The Iron Dome protects Israeli civilians from indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah and Hamas.

Illinoisans deserve better, as does our nation and our ally Israel, Marter said in the statement.

Di Leo: Adam Kinzinger, a Stranger in our House

By John F. Di Leo - 

US Rep Adam Kinzinger of Rockford, IL has again grabbed some undeserved attention, this time by throwing the Republican Party under the bus, going on national television to attack GOP efforts to put an end to Democratic election fraud. The Kinzinger quote with which the Left is having the most fun is "I think if we're going to be in charge and pushing conspiracy and pushing division and pushing lies, then the Republican Party should not have the majority."

Now it’s easy to dismiss this as just “Kinzinger being Kinzinger.”  He likes being this generation’s version of Jim Jeffords or Arlen Spector, a gadfly who runs as a Republican but publicly badmouths his own party while hardly ever calling out the Democrats, likely because he wants to be welcomed if he ever needs to change parties.

But his argument requires deeper consideration, because it’s at the root of two key crises of identity in the current Republican soul.

IL CD 17 Republican Esther Joy King Announces 50+ Grassroots Endorsements

EAST MOLINE, IL –  The campaign for Esther Joy King released this week over 50 local endorsements from grassroots leaders in western-central Illinois along with a number of high profile conservative leaders from across the country who strongly believe King is the Battle-ready leader needed in Illinois and support her campaign to win the open IL-17 congressional seat. 

“Illinois deserves a leader who will fight for our values and what's good for our communities and not just rubber stamp Nancy Pelosi's far-left progressive agenda. We have a from-the-ground-up movement of positive energy to make our state better, and I welcome support from so many leaders locally and nationally who want to fight for our values together. It is an honor to have Leader Kevin McCarthy's support, and I look forward to making him Speaker McCarthy in 2023. This campaign started with people across central-Western Illinois and has grown because of the dozens and dozens of elected leaders here in the District who joined us early and believed in this campaign. Now our campaign is taking on momentum and growing stronger each day because our roots run deep.”

King’s announcement comes on the heels of raising over $400,000 in April, May and June which put her in the top five of all GOP challengers nationwide. Her campaign noted resources alone are not enough, this campaign is about people and hard work. Because of King’s strong commitment and personal connections across the district she is able to announce an unprecedented number of early grassroots endorsements.

Rabine comments on Dems' energy plans: Insider dealing and influence peddling cloud energy debate

Gary Rabine

SPRINGFIELD - A very important energy bill was placed on hold when the legislature paused last week. Gary Rabine, a candidate for Governor, issued the following statement on the ongoing efforts that would have a powerful impact on businesses in Illinois.

“Electricity is an essential part of modern life. Electricity heats and cools our homes. It saves lives in hospitals and powers essential modern tools such as computers, tablets, cell phones and automobiles. We all depend on electricity being accessible, affordable, and reliable. We in Illinois have been blessed with some of the best, most competitive energy in America, these blessings could end soon.

Rabine said the energy legislation being considered in Springfield will impact every person in Illinois.

"We all have a stake in this bill and we all should be very concerned about what the eventual outcome could be," he said. "The bill Gov. Pritzker is pushing is essentially a gift to extremists who want to close coal plants before we have any realistic energy alternatives. Our commitment to clean energy should not come at the expense of affordability and reliability. We need to give companies time to adjust to the transformation to clean energy."

Illinois residents simply want their energy costs to be competitive with or without alternative options, Rabine's statement said. "Working class families in Illinois are experiencing the highest cost in taxes in America, closing our most efficient energy producing facilities will increase our energy cost and our families cost of living. We must not accept that."

Rabine, who owns the Rabine Asphalt Company based in Schaumburg Illinois, is vying to be the Illinois Republican Party's gubernatorial nominee in 2022.

2022 Gubernatorial hopeful Paul Schimpf speaks with Illinois Review

WATERLOO - Former state Senator Paul Schimpf is running to challenge Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in 2022.

In this first interview with Illinois Review, Schimpf lays out his plans for winning the GOP primary, and what he'd do if he were elected by Illinois voters.

He discusses what a Republican candidate will need to do to win in 2022, his concerns with the Democrats' effort to reform the state's law enforcement policy, among other crucial topics. 

Davis explains opposition to Dems' Federal Election debacle

WASHINGTON DC - What exactly do Republicans oppose in the federal election legislation that passed earlier this week? 

Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis esplained his views on H.R. 1 - what he refers to as "the largest expansion of the federal government's role in our elections." As Committee on House Administration Ranking Member, Davis delivered this opening statement at a recent hearing on elections.

Davis' remarks focused on the federal election mandates, public funding of campaigns, and attacks on the First Amendment within H.R. 1, which passed the US House this week with only Democrats supporting.

Davis invited a witness that has experience running elections to testify in committee about the real-life impact H.R. 1 would have on states and localities working to administer elections. The written testimony for Ricky Hatch, who is the County Clerk/Auditor for Weber County, Utah, can be found HERE.

Marter: I'm "all in" to replace Congressman Adam Kinzinger

By James Marter - 

Now more than ever, America needs protection from the Radical Left, rather than surrender and submission. I have unfinished business with Adam Kinzinger. I am "all in" to repeal and replace him. Let’s send him to an early retirement from Congress!

We need real Republican leadership in Congress, which will stick to conservative principles, not just side with the politically-abusive and dangerous Left.

Last week I had an interview on the SiriusXM Patriot Channel's Wilkow Majority Show. The show’s host, Andrew Wilkow, stated “(James Marter is) ...a serious primary candidate who's running in a juxtaposed set of principles to Adam Kinzinger. If you want Kinzinger out, do not complain about it, support the primary challenger."

Lombardi: Why I Am Challenging Adam Kinzinger in the 2022 GOP primary

By Jack Lombardi - 

Adam Kinzinger seems to have forgotten what it is like to represent the people. He has been in Washington for eight years and during that time he has slowly become more a representative of the Washington establishment, and not a representative of the people and values of the 16th district. Adam Kinzinger has been putting himself and his own career ahead of his constituents and their best interests. That is unacceptable.

The people of the 16th district voted to elect Donald Trump by an overwhelming 16 percentage point margin. Just weeks later, Adam Kinzinger voted to impeach Donald Trump. He has publicly written that, “Convicting Donald Trump is necessary to save America from going down a sad, dangerous road."  He has been critical of not only Donald Trump, but of Trump’s supporters and the movement that brought Donald Trump into the presidency. If you are a Trump supporter, or a strong supporter of Conservative values, Adam Kinzinger has been speaking out against you.

That is why I have decided to run against Representative Kinzinger for the 16th Congressional District seat in the 2022 election. The voters of our district deserve a representative who will go to Washington and truly represent the people of the 16th Congressional District and their values. I promise to be that type of representative.