Sued by the Federal Government? Just Another Day for Illinois.—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 90

We thought tariffs were going to be the big topic of this week’s Smoke-Filled Room…but then Illinois and Chicago got sued by the federal government a few hours before we started taping. Just another day in Illinois!

Joining Collin Corbett this week are former State Representative Dan Caulkins, President of Atlas Tool Works and Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America Zach Mottl, and Cor’s political experts Chris Jackowiak and Michael Butler.

Trump and the federal government aren’t playing around when it comes to deporting criminal illegal immigrants. Yet despite claiming they agree, JB Pritzker, Kwame Raoul, and Brandon Johnson continue to defy the will of nearly 90% of the country. Though in Brandon Johnson’s case, (he of the 14% approval rating), he’s used to doing the opposite of what people want.

We then get into tariffs, specifically why Trump is pursuing them and whether they are good for Illinois. Zach gives insight, as a local manufacturer and national leader on economic issues, on how the tariffs support Illinois businesses and workers, encourage domestic production, and generate revenue all while increasing our national security, especially alongside the removal of China’s de minimis trade exemption.

We’ve been talking for months about how tax increases are coming in Illinois, and Pritzker officially opened the door this week. Republicans in Springfield are showing backbone, and we love it. Democrats didn’t like it, so they lashed out. But Republicans didn’t back down.

We close by quickly equipping you with things you should know so you can use them in your fundraising, social media, and communications efforts. This includes bills filed by far-left Democrats to get murderers back onto the streets more quickly, automatically expunge records of convicted violent criminals, and keep law enforcement from being able to police drug DUIs. Plus Pritzker screwing over Chicago commuters so his DNC pals could avoid traffic, and Chicago allowing an anti-Israel and anti-US display at the city’s official reception venue.

00:00: Introductions
03:17: DC Coming After Illinois and Chicago on Deporting Criminal Illegal Immigrants
12:28: Why Is Trump Pushing Tariffs, and Are They Good or Bad for Illinois?
28:13: JB Pritzker Opens Door to Tax Increases to Fill $3.2 Billion Budget Hole
41:02: Springfield Democrats Retaliate Against Outspoken Republicans with Partisan Resolutions
49:50: House and Senate Republicans Up Their Game in Attacks on Non-Citizen Spending
54:58: After Raising Property Taxes, Brandon Johnson to Try "Bring Chicago Home" Tax Increase Again
59:50: Illinois Democrat Files Bill Reducing Time Convicted Violent Criminals Must Stay in Prison
01:02:09: Chicago Democrat Files Bill to Automatically Expunge Records of Convicted Violent Criminals
01:04:43: Far Left Democrat Files Bill Impeding Law Enforcement from Policing Drug DUIs
01:06:52: Democrat Bill a Handout to Trial Lawyers, Allowing Cyclists to Sue Municipalities
01:09:54: While Pritzker and Dems Tout Credit Upgrades, Illinois' Credit Rating Still Lowest in the Nation
01:11:32: Kennedy Construction Delayed So Pritzker's Pals Could Have Special Lanes
01:13:07: Democrat-Run Lake County Board Raising Taxes Significantly on Development
01:14:16: Chicago Allows Anti-Israel and Anti-US Display at Taxpayer-Funded Chicago Cultural Center
01:16:15: When DC Pushes for Means Testing in Public Aid, Don't Let Democrats Spin that as Anti-Poor
01:18:54: OG & Clown of the Week
01:28:05: Closing Thoughts