Illinois Republican Infighting…New Year, Same Problems—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 87

Well, it’s the last week before Trump takes office again and we’re officially underway with a new General Assembly in Springfield. Whether it’s Republican infighting or legislation banning pulling cow tails, our guests have some hot takes this week.

Joining the Smoke-Filled Room this week include State Senator Craig Wilcox, former state representative candidate and small business owner Hannah Billingsley, political consultant Mark Cavers, and Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak. 

Host Collin Corbett kicks off this week’s episode applauding Republicans in Washington for already putting Democrats on their heels, and everyone shares their thoughts on national politics.

Then we bring it back to Illinois and spend time talking about continued Republican infighting. Tom DeVore filed a lawsuit against Tony McCombie and the Freedom Caucus is unhappy they were shut out of House Republican leadership positions.

Later, Chris and Collin find common ground over Pat Quinn’s and CTU’s millionaires tax, Senator Wilcox gives an insider perspective on the RTA’s proposal for Chicagoland public transit, and we discuss the “Democrat Criminal Enterprise” engulfing Chicago and Springfield. 

Before closing the episode down with News You Can Use, OG & Clown of the Week, and Closing Thoughts, we shake our heads at Stacey Davis Gates and how the far-left will say and do anything to move their agenda forward, Rachel Ventura’s legislation to outlaw pulling cows’ tails (yes, for real), and more.

00:00: Intros
02:50: DC Republicans Already Putting Democrats on Their Heels
09:17: Infighting Continues: Tom Devore Files Lawsuit Against Tony McCombie
18:40: Justified or Not? Freedom Caucus Shut Out of House Republican Leadership Positions
27:41: Will Democrats Pursue Pat Quinn's and CTU's Millionaires Tax in 2026?
36:34: RTA Proposes Plan for Chicagoland Public Transit, Countering Merger Push
41:32: Pritzker's COVID Doctor to Pay 3rd Largest State Ethics Fine
49:10: Brandon Johnson's Q4 Fundraising Raising Eyebrows
57:44: CTU's Stacy Davis Gates Mocks Special Ed Students
01:46:05: Illinois Democrats Want to Legalize Prostitution
01:05:50: Rachel Ventura Solving the Big Problems, Wants to Outlaw Pulling Cows' Tails
01:11:23: Illinois Has the 2nd Highest Outmigration Rate in the Country
01:12:33: Pritzker's Medical Debt Relief Program Achieves 7% of His Promises
01:14:58: Chicago's Credit Rating Downgraded to 2 Notches Above Junk Status
01:16:09: Civic Federation Warns State Takeover May Be Necessary for Chicago Public Schools
01:17:31: More and More Americans Moving to Higher Income Brackets
01:21:39: OG & Clown of the Week
01:30:52: Closing Thoughts