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: Introductions
02:59: Moderate Springfield Democrat Kicked Out for Not Falling in Line with Tax-and-Spend Party
19:57: Republicans Ridiculed for Proposing Budget Cuts
30:05: National Republicans Attacked for Proposing Welfare Reforms
41:00: US Senate Race Heating Up and Republican Richard Porter Considering Bid
51:06: Rahm's Allies Unsuccessfully Push Pritzker to Speed Up Decision Timeline
58:54: Candidates, Mostly Democrats, Announcing for Other Races Throughout Illinois
01:09:19: Kristi Noem's Visit to Springfield Continuing to Make Waves
01:14:12: Stellantis Will No Longer Build Battery Factory and Parts Hub in Belvidere
01:16:11: State Trying to Cover Up Sexual Abuse of Minors in Juvenile Detention Centers
01:17:29: Pritzker's Illinois Tollway Being Held Accountable for Error Costing Taxpayers $44.6 Million
01:18:40: Annual Inflation Rate Hits Lowest Since February 2021
01:19:45: OG & Clown of the Week
01:28:30: Closing Thoughts