Long9 Studio

Riots Across the Country as Pritzker Testifies in DC—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 109

Ahhh…session is over and we get to spend an episode talking about what we know best—Illinois politics. Collin Corbett, Michael Butler, and Chris Jackowiak share their thoughts on everything from JB in DC to the latest campaign announcements to what insiders are texting and calling each other about.
Pritzker is getting a taste of the DC life as he was testifying before Congress over sanctuary cities (and if he’s ever used women’s bathrooms before). JB recited talking points pointing to him and Illinois working with ICE, yet in typical contradictory form, he and has administration have done the exact opposite.
We then get into the latest in campaign world with more whispers and announcements. For governor, Dan Ugaste, Ted Drabrowski, and Blaine Wilhour have been floating their names to join Jim Mendrick in the race. For Congress, Republican George Papadopoulos announced his run in IL-8 and Jeff Walter announced he’s challenging Bill Foster in IL-11. And with Democrats already coming hard for him, will Marty McLaughlin be able to defend his seat in HD52?
We then get into some insider talk. We noticed vulnerable members of the Illinois House Democrat caucus were more than willing to vote on unpopular bills, while the vulnerable Senate Democrats mostly took a more strategic approach. Plus, we discuss how veto session aligns with petition filing, and the far-left rallying under the “No Kings” banner.
We wrap up this week’s episode with our news you can use and OGs and clowns of the week before sending you off into the Father’s Day weekend. 
00:00: Introductions03:16: Pritzker Tries to Hide Record on Illegal Immigration As Rioting Begins27:28: More Illinois Republicans Exploring Gubernatorial Runs37:34: Republican George Papadopoulos Running for Congress in IL-842:34: Is Marty McLaughlin Able to Defend HD52 Against Maria Peterson or Jesse Rojo?50:35: Republican Jeff Walter Challenging Bill Foster in IL-1155:49: Republicans Still Lack Serious Statewide Candidates59:36: House and Senate Democrats in Illinois Seem to Have Divergent Strategies01:03:50: Speaker Chris Welch Trolls Tony McCombie with Facebook Post01:06:42: Do Veto Session Dates Indicate Democrats Planning to Call Special Session?01:09:35: The Far-Left Seems to Settle on a Brand: "No Kings"01:20:30: After Failing to Sneak Through Self-Serving Change to State Law, Don Harmon Facing $9.8 Million Fine01:21:47: Illinois Sports Bettors to Pay 50-Cent Fee on Every Wager Thanks to Springfield Democrats01:23:26: US Manufacturing Productivity Up as Trade Deficit Sees Record Decline01:24:58: OG & Clown of the Week 01:34:46: Closing Thoughts 

Everyday Illinoisans Are Paying the Price—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 108

Don’t get too excited: it’s not Friday morning, you still have a long way to go. But to help get you through the week, we are coming to you this morning with an additional, brand new Smoke-Filled Room!
Collin Corbett and Chris Jackowiak joined Cook County GOP Chairman Aaron Del Mar and IL House GOP Communications Analysis and North Cook Young Republicans Vice-Chairman Gabriella Hoxie at Palatine Township Republican Organization’s monthly meeting for a special in-person recording. 
Even after last week’s episode, there was plenty more to talk about with the budget, transit deal, and what’s next for working families in Illinois. Since Chris wasn’t on last week, he had a lot to get off his chest. Aaron went on the attack explaining how much these bills and decisions hurt Illinoisans across the state. And Gabriella shared her perspective both as a young professional in Illinois and someone who was in the capitol.
Later, we step away from the policy talk and get into politics. It’s clear if you’re a business owner and aren’t pals with JB, you’re going to get shafted, while Illinoisans are paying the price for his political ambition. Plus, we discuss how this session should be a wake up call for Republicans across the state because we have elections to win in 2026 and the works starts now.  
00:00: Introductions02:14: Springfield Democrats Hike Taxes $1 Billion to Fund Record Spending15:09: Still to Come: Transit Reform that Bails Out Brandon Johnson's CTA While Screwing Suburbs30:21: Democrats Continue Increasing the Cost-of-Living for Working Families35:30: Unless You're Pals with Pritzker, Illinois Doesn't Care About Your Business38:43: Democrats Somehow Move Even Further Left in Illinois47:04: Illinoisans Paying the Price for Pritzker's Political Ambition54:56: We Can't Change Bad Policy in Illinois If We Don't Win Elections01:03:38: Answering Audience Questions01:15:40: Closing Thoughts 

The Illinois Budget is a Disaster for Working Families—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 107

After everything that went down last weekend as lawmakers worked to pass a budget and other legislation ahead of the deadline, we’re here to either say, “congratulations for surviving session,” and “we’re sorry you now have to live with the consequences.”
State Senator Seth Lewis, State Representative John Cabello, CALA-IL Executive Director Phil Melin, and Freedom Caucus Executive Director Collin Mosely, join Collin Corbett this week. A lot happened, and a lot didn’t happen, in the final hours—we have you covered with insiders who were inside the capitol and can tell you what really happened. 
We do a deep dive into the budget, discussing what led up to the final bill and what it means for Illinoisans. Seth and John were on the frontlines and they warn that more tax hikes are coming. John shared how Republicans would ask questions about how things would be funded and Democrats had no answer. And Seth highlights how the manipulated numbers that included pork for Democrat districts that came in hours before the vote made this egregiously bad.
We then talk about the Democrats’ plan to raise taxes on all Illinoisans to fund a bailout for Brandon Johnson’s CTA. We’ll hear about this all summer (and likely the rest of the year), and we must stay vigilant because none of the “revenue” ideas are palatable for working families: a regressive delivery tax, toll increases, stealing funding from collar counties, and maybe even a service tax.
Later we highlight how legislators left town without addressing the energy crisis, a last-minute bill that is a multi-million dollars handout to the trial layers with massive implications for small businesses, and John and Seth give us their thoughts on what happens next ahead of veto and/or special sessions.
We close with news you can use in your fundraising, social media, and voter outreach, before giving our OGs & clowns of the week, and closing thoughts.
00:00: Introductions02:35: Illinois Democrats Hike Taxes $1 Billion to Fund Record Spending34:27: Democrats Trying to Raise Taxes on All Illinoisans to Fund Bailout of Brandon Johnson's CTA57:25: Working Families Paying the Price as Springfield Democrats Do Nothing to Address Energy Crisis01:01:29: Trial Lawyers Given Last-Minute Gift with Huge Cost Implications for Illinois Businesses and Residents01:08:06: With So Much Undone, Expect Packed Agendas for Veto or Even Special Sessions01:12:16: Bears Move to Arlington Heights Faces Big Obstacles in Springfield01:17:01 Small Businesses in Illinois Pay the 2nd Highest Corporate Taxes in America 01:18:35: Kankakee County Meat Packing Plant Closing, Jobs Shifting to Wisconsin01:20:30: Chicago is Literally Sinking 01:21:17: Tariffs Predicted by CBO to Reduce US Deficit by $2.5 Trillion01:23:33: OG & Clown of the Week01:35:05: Closing Thoughts 

What Are Illinoisans Getting for $55 Billion?—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 106

Get your favorite snacks and drinks ready for a chaotic next ~36 hours because a lot is going to happen before session ends in the early hours of June 1st. From the budget to transit reform to pensions and more, we analyze the biggest issues coming out of Springfield.
We planned on it just being an episode with Collin Corbett, Michael Butler, and Chris Jackowiak, but with so much happening in Springfield we asked Patrick Pfingsten, who was down in Springfield keeping track of the latest for The Illinoize, to join us.
We start with the latest on the budget. As of the time of our recording, there were no details available on the budget, and more importantly how the Democrats would address their overspending. And the state is going to spend $55 billion of our tax dollars—can we really say we are getting what we’re paying for?
We then cover the transit reform bill(s). While there are some positive structural changes, the major problem is (as we predicted) the plan significantly dilutes the voice of the suburbs in mass transit. Even worse, the proposed funding will be extremely tough for voters to swallow and may even cause significant budget problems for collar county governments, all to essentially bail out Chicago and CTA.
Later we dive into pensions and how government unions want to use a minor problem with Tier 2 pensions to significantly increase benefits when that money could go to so many other important priorities. What’s more, at a time when the state is gloating about their record high staffing, are Tier 2 pensions really such an impediment to hiring as we’re so often told?
After talking assisted suicide and energy, we transition into politics, talking about more Democrats facing primary challengers even further from the left, troll candidates feeding on attention (and how in some cases we shouldn’t feed the trolls, but in others, it may be strategically advantageous to do so), and whether we will see serious Republicans announcing “soon.”
We close down the episode with 6 pieces of news you can use and by giving our OGs and clowns of the week.
00:00: Introductions02:48: Still No Budget 57 Hours Before Deadline23:30: Mass Transit "Reforms" Bail Out Chicago While Screwing Suburbs38:44: Despite Record State Hiring, Public Employee Unions Say Tier 2 Benefits Not Enough45:43: Assisted Suicide Bill Quietly Resurrected at End of Session55:10: Top Senate Dem Admits Energy Rate Spike About to Hit Working Families Due to Dem Policies01:03:11: More Democrats Facing Primary Challenges from the Left01:11:00: Troll Candidates Feed on Attention01:19:30: Latest Campaign Updates as Republican Announcements Promised "Soon"01:27:05: Two Democrat Bills Add More Unfunded Mandates on Schools, Forcing Property Tax Hikes 01:28:49: Last Minute Democrat Bill Would Automatically Seal Criminal Records 01:30:32: Democrats Pushing Forward Bill to Force Insurance Companies to Cover Convicted Felons01:32:05: Despite Claims of Underfunding, IL Spends the Most in the Country on Higher Education01:33:17: Fitch Downgrades Chicago's Financial Outlook to "Negative"01:36:46: Percentage of Americans Believing Country on the Right Track Near a 16-Year-High01:39:01: OG & Clown of the Week01:46:17: Closing Thoughts

Budget, Transit, Energy, Pensions—Who Wants to Be in Springfield?—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 105

With Springfield scrambling to come to some sort of resolution on the budget, public transit, energy, pensions, and more by May 31st, we have a Smoke-Filled Room that gives you an inside perspective on the biggest issues facing lawmakers right now.
Joining host Collin Corbett are former State Representatives Mark Batinick and Dan Caulkins and policy expert Sharon Langlotz-Johnson. 
They kick off this episode talking about the bold statement House Democrats made by ousting Fred Crespo, someone each of our guests knows. This foreshadows a concerning scenario where our taxes once again will be on the rise.
We stick to the policy topics, discussing how residents in 96 of Illinois’ counties are going to really love paying an expanded sales tax on services to fund transit in Chicago and the suburbs (but mostly Chicago). We talk about energy rates, which are about to spike on June 1st, and pine for the days when we were an energy exporter. And then Mark gives insight into pensions, the safe harbor issue, and solutions that would actually work.
Everyone on the episode had serious thoughts about the need to end the escalation of political violence. We all question what the hell is going on in Naperville between boys competing in female sports, teen takeovers, and more politically motivated violence. And we cover some of the outlandish laws making their way through Springfield in these closing days of session.
00:00: Introductions01:55: After Unprecedented Crespo Ouster, What Are Democrats Planning with the 2026 Budget?15:02: Will Service Taxes Be Expanded to Pay for Transit Reform?22:13: With Energy Rates About to Spike, Is Springfield About to Make it Even Worse?30:04: Will Lawmakers Quietly Spike Pension Costs Yet Again?37:00: Political Violence Continues to Escalate with Chicago Leading the Way 45:45: Naperville Ignites Debate Over Biological Men in Women's Sports 56:32: More Movement in 2026 Primaries, Though Yet Again Mostly Democrat01:03:17: Illinois Democrat Chair Wants You to Pay for Laser Hair Removal for Transgenders01:06:17: Naperville Democrat Says Yes to Abortions and Sex Changes for Minors, but No to Diet Pills or Protein Supplements01:07:46: Springfield Democrats Want to Increase Rent for All So Those Facing Eviction Don't Have to Pay a Fine01:10:21: Pritzker's Department of Corrections Head Doesn't Know How Many Inmates Have Died This Year01:11:20: CTA's Red Line Extension Cost Explodes from $1.09 Billion to $5.75 Billion01:13:40: Kraft Heinz Spending $3 Billion to Upgrade US Manufacturing Plants Because of Tariffs01:14:35: OG & Clown of the Week01:21:33: Closing Thoughts

Illinois’ House Speaker Admitted Dems Are the Tax-and-Spend Party—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 104

It’s been a hot week in Illinois, both the temperature and the news. Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak are back with Collin Corbett in the Smoke-Filled Room to talk everything from Democrats being kicked out of their own caucus, new developments in the US Senate race, and Cubs fans taking too early of a victory lap with da Pope.
Speaker Chris Welch admitted Illinois Democrats are the tax-and-spend party, and if you stand in the way of that, you are going to get the boot. Moderate Democrat Fred Crespo learned this the hard way. Tax increases are the only options on the table for Springfield Democrats, apparently.
Republicans offered budget cuts for discussion to make Illinois more fiscally responsible and the Democrats and media ridiculed them for it. Our take: we’ll always be painted as the bad guys, so don’t let that stop you from leading and fighting.
The same thing is happening on the national level, with Republicans in Washington proposing welfare reforms to lower government spending, reduce inflation, and keep the middle-class tax cut. But without much of a messaging effort behind it, Democrats own the narrative, spinning this as Republicans taking away health care. We bring this topic up specifically because Republicans on the ballot in Illinois will need to be prepared to respond to this topic.
Later, we discuss the latest from the US Senate race, including Richard Porter’s name being floated as a Republican option, Rahm Emanuel’s allies’ attempting to get Pritzker to announce his plans, and a range of other races including Daniel Biss joining the crowded field in IL-9 and a Republican Primary brewing in Senate District 36.
We close the episode covering some major headlines that you can use in your emails, social media posts, and fundraising. The big story: after Pritzker held a big press conference and got all the publicity he wanted for “saving” Stellantis in Belvidere, they have predictably backed out from most of the “deal,” leaving thousands of Illinois workers jobless.
00:00: Introductions02:59: Moderate Springfield Democrat Kicked Out for Not Falling in Line with Tax-and-Spend Party19:57: Republicans Ridiculed for Proposing Budget Cuts30:05: National Republicans Attacked for Proposing Welfare Reforms41:00: US Senate Race Heating Up and Republican Richard Porter Considering Bid51:06: Rahm's Allies Unsuccessfully Push Pritzker to Speed Up Decision Timeline58:54: Candidates, Mostly Democrats, Announcing for Other Races Throughout Illinois01:09:19: Kristi Noem's Visit to Springfield Continuing to Make Waves01:14:12: Stellantis Will No Longer Build Battery Factory and Parts Hub in Belvidere01:16:11: State Trying to Cover Up Sexual Abuse of Minors in Juvenile Detention Centers01:17:29: Pritzker's Illinois Tollway Being Held Accountable for Error Costing Taxpayers $44.6 Million01:18:40: Annual Inflation Rate Hits Lowest Since February 202101:19:45: OG & Clown of the Week01:28:30: Closing Thoughts

Kristi Noem in Springfield, Public Transit Bailout, and a US Senate Race—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 103

We’re trying out a new format this month, rotating between special guests and Michael and Chris. Which drove Chris crazy this week, because he had lots of thoughts on Da Pope and Kristi Noem!
Collin Corbett is joined by 3 expert guests ready to break down Illinois politics. Craig Wilcox joins from the belly of the beast after finishing up session for the week in Springfield, along with legislative and policy expert Carolyn Schofield and Vice Chairman of the Tazewell County Republican Party Corey Allen. 
We start with the press conference that was headlined in newspapers across the country—Homeland Security Advisor Kristi Noem came to Springfield to talk illegal immigration. This was a press conference about violent illegal immigrants, yet the media painted this as Republicans being anti-immigrant. How could we have better controlled the narrative? We discuss.
Then we discuss more candidate announcements impacting 2026. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi throw their hats in the ring while we wait to hear about Lauren Underwood. We keep talking about new Democrats announcing every week, yet we still don’t have credible Republican candidates. August will be here sooner than people realize….
We take it down to Springfield where we shout out Illinois pork producers and the true public servants and American heroes who made May 7th Illinois Bacon Day. Then on a more serious note, Craig and Carolyn, who is a Vice-Chair for CMAP, discuss the public transit system fiscal cliff. Where is the funding going to come from, and how much of a burden will be placed on taxpayers? And we talk about how even rosier revenue projections still have Illinois coming up $700 million short of Pritzker’s spending plan. Get ready for tax increases, or “revenue enhancements.”
We start to close with our News You Can Use section, where we show that governing by splashy press conferences doesn’t actually deliver results, Illinois home prices lag the growth seen everywhere else in the country, manufacturing orders are on the rise for the 3rd straight month, and more.
00:00: Introductions02:47: Kristi Noem Comes to Springfield to Talk Illegal Immigration20:34: Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi Announce Campaigns for US Senate36:28: Most Important: Illinois Bacon Day Was This Week38:42: Public Transit Bailout's Status Unclear as Session Nears End52:06: Even with Rosier Projections, Springfield Still Faces $700 Million Budget Deficit56:23: Illinois Democrats Launch 2026 Candidate Recruitment Program01:05:45: Lion Electric Failure a Reminder That Splashy Press Conferences Don't Create Jobs01:08:33: Illinois Home Value Growth Worst in the Nation01:12:00: US Manufacturing Orders Rising and Private Sector Job Growth Beating Expectations01:16:43: OG & Clown of the Week01:30:25: Closing Thoughts

Our Own Governor Called for Violence Against Us…—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 102

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a full Smoke-Filled Room discussion on the latest news and politics, so we lined up 3 guests who know what’s going on in Springfield and could help deliver the inside analysis you can’t find anywhere else.
State Representative Dan Ugaste, former State Representatives Tom Demmer and Tom Morrison, and Cor’s political experts Chris Jackowiak and Michael Butler join host Collin Corbett to catch our viewers up on the biggest policy and political updates.
At a speech in New Hampshire, Pritzker flat out called for violence against Republicans, calling for mass protests, mobilization, and disruption, even telling Democrats “Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.” JB knew he was on the biggest political stage and made it clear he’s going to be the most extreme candidate against Trump and Republicans. Apparently the Governor needs to be reminded he’s currently the Governor of Illinois, so he just called for violence against nearly half of the people he is supposed to represent.
Julianna Stratton received Tammy Duckworth’s endorsement, so will that keep candidates like Raja, Robin Kelly, and Lauren Underwood out of the race for US Senate? Meanwhile, the list of Republicans running is…underwhelming. We’re just over 3 months out from petitions being passed and we don’t have candidates to get behind in the 7 statewide and most Congressional races.
Then we get into how the tax increases we’ve been warning about for months are starting to surface. Over 20 high profile Democrats filed a Constitutional amendment to institute a progressive tax in Illinois, while Senate Democrats are doing bus tours to promote it. Plus nearly $10 billion in other tax increase proposals on businesses, farmers, and employees.
We then bring back our “Boy, That Escalated Quickly” segment because Dan Ugaste wanted to debate Chris about the legislative maps and the Republicans’ approach to the problem. Representative Ugaste gives some behind-the-scenes conversations Republicans had with the attorney on the suit, while Chris says Republicans need to come up with a better excuse than the maps.
Our quick hits covers more corruption inside the Pritzker administration, a state department being sued for abusing the mentally ill, how our property taxes compare to the rest of the country, and more, before nominating our OGs and Clowns of the Week.
00:00: Introductions02:30: JB Pritzker Calls for Violence Against Republicans12:06: Juliana Stratton Trying to Clear the Dem Field for US Senate19:57: With More Underwhelming GOP Candidate Announcements, Concern Grows Over Lack of Serious Candidates26:27: Democrats Ramping Up Campaigns Behind Big Tax Hikes in Springfield39:36: Boy That Escalated Quickly: Ugaste Takes Chris to the Woodshed on IL’s Gerrymandered Maps51:15: Springfield Republicans Showing More Fight than They Have in Years57:44: Pritzker's Head of Tourism Caught in Massive Conflict of Interest01:00:55: Pritzker's Department of Corrections Sued Over Abuse of People with Mental Illness01:02:00: Pritzker and Raoul Use Venue Shopping to Oppose Trump, But Lock it Down in Illinois01:05:57: Illinois Tops Three Different Rankings of Highest Property Taxes in the Country01:10:44: SBA Announces Massive Increase in Loan Approvals for Small Manufacturers01:14:05: OG & Clown of the Week01:25:25: Closing Thoughts

We Were Supposed to Have a Week Off…Then Durbin Announced His Retirement—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 101

We’ll be honest—we weren’t planning on recording a new Smoke-Filled Room this week. We recently joined the Fulton County Republicans for their Lincoln Day Dinner and recorded a live Smoke-Filled Room. That was going to be our episode this week, but then Dick Durbin announced his retirement, people started making moves, and reports of Jan Schakowsky retiring surfaced, and we knew we couldn’t wait until next week to respond…so we have a unique episode for you this week!
Collin Corbett, Michael Butler, and Chris Jackowiak begin this week’s SFR laying out all of the possibilities and what happens next in the race for US Senate. This is an opportunity of a lifetime—Senate seats don’t open up too often and it’s going to lead to a lot of infighting among Democrats. And while Democrats are fighting, will Republicans be able to put up any sort of viable candidate who can pounce? 
We then get into what Jan Schakowsky’s retirement and all the other Dem candidate movement will mean for 2026 before transitioning to our Smoke-Filled Room from Fulton County with State Representatives Norine Hammond and Travis Weaver and Illinois National Committeewoman Rhonda Belford.
We had a big and lively crowd who wanted to hear about dysfunction out of Springfield and that’s what we delivered. Norine and Travis have been in committee hearings and on the House floor fighting back against JB Pritzker’s far-left agenda, the rising cost of living on working families, and the Homeschool Act. They share the hurdles Democrats keep putting in place for Republicans and how Springfield Democrats will do anything it takes to win.
00:00: Introductions02:56: Democrats Rushing to Announce for US Senate After Dick Durbin Announces Retirement30:56: Will Any Viable Republicans Run for US Senate?41:26: Jan Schakowsky to Announce Retirement in May, Opening Up IL-9 for Ambitious Dems50:10: As Democrats Vacate Seats to Move Up, Will That Create Openings for Republicans?58:09: Final Thoughts from Part 101:00:01: It's Clear JB Pritzker Doesn't Care About Illinois01:05:54: How Far Left Have Democrats Become in Illinois?01:15:29: Illinois Democrats Continue to Raise the Cost-of-Living for Working Families01:21:50: How Will Democrats Fill the Massive Budget Deficit They Created?01:30:16: Springfield Democrats Trying to Take Away Parental Rights with the Homeschool Act01:48:07: With Rumors About Top Dems Making Moves, Who Runs for What in 2026 and How Do Republicans Win?01:57:14: Closing Thoughts

The Great Illinois Republican Debate—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 100

We told you we were going to bring the heat for our 100th episode and that is exactly what we did. What you’re about to watch isn’t a self-congratulatory episode—it’s a discussion that’s needed to happen in our party for too long, and we thought what better time and place than the Smoke-Filled Room’s centennial episode. We also couldn’t wait for you to watch it so we’re releasing it a day early!
We brought on outspoken, passionate Republicans from different segments of the Republican Party: conservatives, moderates, grassroots, establishment, north, and south. And boy, they did not disappoint! Collin Corbett served as the moderator and neutral arbitrator between Collin Moseley, Patrick Pfingsten, Kristina McCloy, Leslie Munger, and Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak.
We begin by airing all our grievances. Why is everyone within our party so (rightfully) frustrated, and why do we treat each other so badly? You could say this was the tame part of the episode…
Because then we get into more controversial topics, and of course there was plenty to disagree on. We get real answers on why there is such a divide between the establishment and grassroots, but not before some heated back and forth between the panelists. We talk about how different parts of our state have very different opinions on Trump—and whether you can be a Republican if you don’t support Trump.
We then discuss solutions and ideas to move us forward. What does it mean to be a Republican in Illinois, and how do we turn that into a winning brand and message? Can we agree to a commonsense approach when it comes to candidate recruitment, like “the most conservative candidate who can win?” And should the party get involved in primaries?
We close with each panelist giving their vision for how we can work together to start winning elections in Illinois.
Did we solve all our party’s issues on this episode? Of course not. We (intentionally) didn’t even get into all the tactical and strategic areas we need to improve, because none of that will happen if we don’t overcome our division.
But this debate needed to happen, and it showed that while we don’t agree on everything, we agree on more things than we realize. And we all agree we want to defeat the far-left progressive Democrats who run this state so we can turn Illinois around.
00:00: Collin Sets the Stage03:46: Introductions07:43: Conservatives, Moderates, Grassroots, Establishment: Everyone Is Mad, and Oftentimes Rightfully So25:14: Why Do We Treat Each Other So Badly?42:48: Why Can't the Establishment and Grassroots Get Along?01:06:05: Can a Republican be Anti-Trump?01:27:15: What Does It Mean to Be a Republican? What Is Our Brand?01:41:48: Is Ideological Purity More Important Than Winning?02:05:45:  Should the Party Get Involved in Primaries?02:14:53: Closing Thoughts On How We Start Winning Elections in Illinois02:27:17: Collin’s Final Word