Good Ideas Done in the Stupidest Possible Way—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 99

We have 2 can’t-miss episodes beginning today. We start with a great 99th episode where we talk about topics that would only come up in Illinois. And next week we will have our special Great Illinois Republican Debate for our 100th episode. But let’s start here…

Collin Corbett and Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak are joined by former State Representative Dan Caulkins, former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy, and The Citizen Farmers Executive Director Mike Koolidge to discuss the latest political intel out of Springfield and around the state.

The Illinois House Democrats are moving fast to pass as many bills as possible ahead of today’s deadline, having moved hundreds so far. They’re already wearing each other down—buckle up because we haven’t even gotten to the budget yet.

We’ve talked about it the last few weeks and the Homeschool Act continues to gain more attention. The controversial bill was moved to the House floor, despite grassroots opposition like we’ve never seen before—though that opposition seems to have an impact because word is the bill won’t be called (but remain vigilant because that could be a fake out!) And, once again, House Democrats subbed out Katie Stuart so she didn’t have to cast a vote on HER OWN controversial bill. 

Later we discuss how the Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear the House GOP lawsuit on the horribly gerrymandered maps. Republicans are still searching for answers following the disappointing April 1st election results and our panel talks through lessons we should learn because the 2026 elections will be won (or lost) now. It’s going to take 24/7/365 guerrilla warfare to win, but it can be done if we get to work.

We then get into political topics: what’s next for Cook County GOP following Sean Morrison’s resignation, Lauren Underwood and Susana Mendoza making moves, and Don Harmon likely getting away with breaking election law yet again—which Don Tracy contrasts with how he was treated for a minor election law issue as a Republican.

We close out this week’s Smoke-Filled Room with our News You Can Use, like HB3762 which would allow workers to not have to report to work if the heat index was over 80 degrees, Pritzker attacking Trump for making the same cuts he’s making, and Governor Gaslight pretending everything is just fine at DCFS. Then, as always, our OGs & Clowns of the Week.

00:00: Introductions
03:59: Hundreds of Bills Move During Deadline Week in Illinois House
08:23: Controversial Homeschool Act Moves to House Floor Despite Statewide Opposition
25:44: Illinois Supreme Court Refuses to Hear House Republican Redistricting Lawsuit
37:46: Republicans Searching for Answers with the Next Election Cycle Just Four Months Away
53:24: Cook County GOP Chair Sean Morrison Stepping Down, Aaron Del Mar Likely to Take Over
58:43: Lauren Underwood and Susana Mendoza Making Moves for 2026 and 2027
01:09:22: Don Harmon Yet Again Caught Breaking Election Compliance and Disclosure Laws
01:18:06: 80 Degrees is Too Warm to Work, According to Springfield Democrats
01:21:34: Elgin Democrat Wants to Raise Rent on Responsible Renters to Reward Delinquent Tenants
01:23:09: Abortion-Obsessed Illinois Democrats Put Abortion Pills Over Women's Health
01:24:43: Pritzker Continues Attacking Trump for Making the Same Cuts He's Making
01:26:20: Governor Gaslight Still Trying to Pretend Everything is Fine at DCFS
01:28:59: Two Years Later, Springfield Airport Authority Still Waiting for $1 Million Owed by Pritzker's IDOT
01:29:57: Illinois' Anti-Business Policies Lead to Record-High Suburban Office Vacancy
01:31:48: Chicago Residents and Businesses Paying Twice as Much for Gas Compared to Last Year
01:32:23: Once Again, Democrats Claim to Support Unions While Blocking Unionization
01:33:51: OG & Clown of the Week
01:45:26: Closing Thoughts