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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: Introductions03:17: DC Coming After Illinois and Chicago on Deporting Criminal Illegal Immigrants12:28: 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 Hole41:02: Springfield Democrats Retaliate Against Outspoken Republicans with Partisan Resolutions49:50: House and Senate Republicans Up Their Game in Attacks on Non-Citizen Spending54:58: After Raising Property Taxes, Brandon Johnson to Try "Bring Chicago Home" Tax Increase Again59:50: Illinois Democrat Files Bill Reducing Time Convicted Violent Criminals Must Stay in Prison01:02:09: Chicago Democrat Files Bill to Automatically Expunge Records of Convicted Violent Criminals01:04:43: Far Left Democrat Files Bill Impeding Law Enforcement from Policing Drug DUIs01:06:52: Democrat Bill a Handout to Trial Lawyers, Allowing Cyclists to Sue Municipalities01:09:54: While Pritzker and Dems Tout Credit Upgrades, Illinois' Credit Rating Still Lowest in the Nation01:11:32: Kennedy Construction Delayed So Pritzker's Pals Could Have Special Lanes01:13:07: Democrat-Run Lake County Board Raising Taxes Significantly on Development01:14:16: Chicago Allows Anti-Israel and Anti-US Display at Taxpayer-Funded Chicago Cultural Center01:16:15: When DC Pushes for Means Testing in Public Aid, Don't Let Democrats Spin that as Anti-Poor01:18:54: OG & Clown of the Week01:28:05: Closing Thoughts

This Week’s “Clowns of the Week” Set a Record—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 89

We closed down this week’s Smoke-Filled Room with this stat but it’s a good intro to this week’s episode: Democrats’ favorables are -27% right now. We must strike now while the iron is hot, everything else is an unnecessary distraction.
Helping Collin Corbett analyze this week’s political developments in Illinois are State Representative Nicole La Ha, experienced local and state leader Carolyn Schofield, Chair of the Illinois Center-Right Coalition Katie Clancy, and Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak.
We start and as quickly as possible dispense with the latest Illinois Republican drama. First, Senator Dan McConchie’s resignation and the firestorm over his replacement. Then the fight devolving even further between Tony McCombie and the Illinois Freedom Caucus.
We then get into the latest on immigration and the hypocrisy of Pritzker and the Left. JB and Democrats are actively protecting non-citizens convicted of sex crimes, gang members, and murderers, despite claiming the opposite. They are intentionally stoking fear in minority communities, including jumping on a mistaken report of an ICE raid at a CPS school without first verifying it was accurate. The Senate Republicans are smartly increasing the pressure.
We finish off with a few other important topics. The House GOP launched a major effort focused on gerrymandering in Illinois, COGFA proves we’re a high tax-and-spend state, Homer Township proves local politics can get the craziest, and Juliana Stratton unexpectedly launched a federal PAC.
As always, we ended with our OG & Clown of the Week segment. Lots of great nominations this week, while Collin saved the best for last with over a dozen clown nominations, many of which you should be highlighting to show the ridiculousness of the other side. From Pritzker and Johnson hypocrisy to a bunch of Democrats brawling in a township meeting, PETA wanting to replace Groundhog Day with a “vegan weather reveal cake” to a Cook County government agency spending $60k at Six Flags, there were a lot of clowns this week.
00:00: Introductions02:56: Senator Dan McConchie Resigns, Firestorm Erupts Over Replacement in SD2619:37: Fight Between Tony McCombie and IL Freedom Caucus Devolves Even Further27:07: Pritzker and Dems Protecting Non-Citizens Convicted of Sex Crimes, Gang Members, and Murderers35:24: Pritzker and Johnson Use False Report About ICE to Stoke Fear in Minority Communities42:50: Senate GOP Puts Pressure on Dems to Fulfill Promises to Deport Violent Criminal Non-Citizens46:04: House Republicans Launch Major Effort to Overturn Gerrymandered Legislative Maps54:35: COGFA Report Comparing All 50 States Shows IL High in Taxing and Spending, Low in Employment01:06:44: Homer Township Democratic Organization Pushing Dems to Vote for GOP Slate Against Steve Balich01:13:46: Juliana Stratton Launches Federal PAC, Lighting the Rumor Mill on Fire01:22:04: OG & Clown of the Week 01:36:14: Closing Thoughts

Is this America’s Golden Age?—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 88

It’s episode 88 of the Smoke-Filled Room which means it better be great because it’s the Patrick Kane episode—and, rest assured, we deliver.
Helping us cover federal and state issues impacting Illinoisans are State Senator Terri Bryant, Champaign County GOP Chairwoman Susan Mantell, policy expert Susan Langlotz-Johnson, Cor’s political experts Chris Jackowiak and Michael Butler, and host Collin Corbett.
We officially have a “new” president who is talking about the “Golden Age of America.” We discuss if Republicans will capitalize on the opportunity at hand and take full advantage of the power they hold in Washington. 
Our guests each have law enforcement, corrections, and military backgrounds, so it’s no surprise they have a perspective on how the state’s relationship with ICE and the Trump administration will play out. Plus we discuss recent polling on where Americans stand on deporting illegal immigrants, and call out Pritzker for falsely claiming non-citizens don’t receive government services.
We shift from one controversial topic to another, jumping to talking about abortion with the Born Alive bill in DC and Planned Parenthood closing 4 Illinois clinics due to a financial shortfall (but Pritzker will surely make sure Illinois remains the nation’s abortion capital).
We close out this week’s Smoke-Filled Room with some quick hits like Stellantis crediting Trump for their decision to re-open the Belvidere plant while Pritzker plays little brother looking for credit, Pritzker trying (poorly) to redefine Midwestern values, and a CNN poll finding favorability for Democrats is at an all-time low.
00:00: Introductions02:17: Are We in the "Golden Age of America"?14:55: Illinois Law Enforcement Forbidden to Work with ICE While Most Americans Want Illegals Deported28:35: Pritzker Falsely Claims Non-Citizens Don't Receive Government Services36:04: National Republicans Continue to Put Pressure on Democrats Via "Born Alive" Abortion Bill38:57: Planned Parenthood Closing Four Illinois Clinics Due to Financial Shortfall48:46: Stellantis Commits to Re-Opening Belvidere Plant, Cites Trump While Pritzker Fumes51:41: Union Proposal to Fix Tier 2 Pensions Would Cause Pension Costs to Soar01:01:41: Government Makes Opening and Operating New Child Care Centers in Illinois Unnecessarily Difficult01:06:00: Nine Township Elections to Feature IPI Advisory Questions on Pensions, Fair Maps, and Unfunded Mandates01:09:37: JB Pritzker Trying to Redefine Midwestern Values01:18:10: CNN Poll Finds Favorability of the Democratic Party at an All-Time Low 01:26:59: OG & Clown of the Week01:37:07: Closing Thoughts

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: Intros02:50: DC Republicans Already Putting Democrats on Their Heels09:17: Infighting Continues: Tom Devore Files Lawsuit Against Tony McCombie18:40: Justified or Not? Freedom Caucus Shut Out of House Republican Leadership Positions27:41: Will Democrats Pursue Pat Quinn's and CTU's Millionaires Tax in 2026?36:34: RTA Proposes Plan for Chicagoland Public Transit, Countering Merger Push41:32: Pritzker's COVID Doctor to Pay 3rd Largest State Ethics Fine49:10: Brandon Johnson's Q4 Fundraising Raising Eyebrows57:44: CTU's Stacy Davis Gates Mocks Special Ed Students01:46:05: Illinois Democrats Want to Legalize Prostitution01:05:50: Rachel Ventura Solving the Big Problems, Wants to Outlaw Pulling Cows' Tails01:11:23: Illinois Has the 2nd Highest Outmigration Rate in the Country01:12:33: Pritzker's Medical Debt Relief Program Achieves 7% of His Promises01:14:58: Chicago's Credit Rating Downgraded to 2 Notches Above Junk Status01:16:09: Civic Federation Warns State Takeover May Be Necessary for Chicago Public Schools01:17:31: More and More Americans Moving to Higher Income Brackets01:21:39: OG & Clown of the Week01:30:52: Closing Thoughts

Kim Foxx’s Protege to the Rescue, Springfield—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 86

We are so back! After taking a few weeks off to recharge over the holidays, we’ve come back strong and ready to take on 2025. Joining host Collin Corbett for our first episode of the year are State Senator Steve McClure, Former House Republican Floor Leader Mark Batinick, Director of the Illinois Freedom Caucus Collin Moseley, and the Cor Strategies political experts, Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak. We start the episode covering what happened during lame duck session the past few days in Springfield which left Governor Pritzker, Speaker Welch, and Mayor Johnson sniping at each other in public and private. We covered a few other recent hot political topics, including Tony McCombie being under fire for a vote she made in 2023, while Chris Welch continues to prove he cannot manage a caucus in more ways than one (but never fear, Kim Foxx acolyte Clayton Harris is coming to the rescue!) After taking a few weeks off, you had to know Collin had a rant stored up that he’d need to let out at some point. It happened, talking about House Republican messaging during the inauguration compared to Democrat messaging. Following that, Steve didn’t quite rant, but he did shine a spotlight on an enlightening tidbit related to non-citizens being encouraged by Illinois to register to vote. Then we had some fun and talked 2026 in light of Pritzker and Stratton doing their polling. Who will or won’t run for what? Hear our thoughts, then let us know what you think. We finish off the agenda with our quick hits: “news you can use” in your campaigns, organizations, or even just daily conversations to contrast with our opposition. This week we provided 6 key stories in the news recently. Then, as always, we close with our OGs and clowns of the week. And, boy, there were some doozies.
00:00: Introductions04:53: Hemp Bill Exposes Fracture Between Governor Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and Speaker Welch10:19: Democrats Push Agenda While Republicans Oppose Lame Duck Session28:52: McCombie Under Fire for Vote on Gender Change in 2023 Healthcare Bill43:00: Speaker Chris Welch Staff Turnover Continues As He Hires Kim Foxx Acolyte as Chief of Staff49:54: Inauguration Press Releases Show Contrast in Messaging Between Democrats and Republicans58:01: Concerns Raised Over Non-Citizens Registering to Vote in Illinois01:03:41: JB Pritzker and Juliana Stratton Polling, Fueling 2026 Speculation01:15:56: Biden Commuted Former Dixon Comptroller Who Stole $54 Million from Taxpayers01:17:17: Springfield Mandates Lead to Big Health Insurance Rate Increases Yet Again in 202501:19:36: Neglect Continues at State Run Facilities Under Pritzker's Watch01:21:53: Illinois Ranked 44th in the Country for Wage Increases01:24:27: Illinois' Job Growth Nearly Nonexistent Since 201901:26:14: Illinois Public Pensions Near Record Funding Hole01:28:24: OG & Clown of the Week01:37:13: Closing Thoughts

Delivering You the Present of a New SFR—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 85

We couldn’t head into the holidays and not deliver the present of a new Smoke-Filled Room episode to your inbox!
Following the election, we went down to Peoria to record a special in-person episode at the Illinois Federation of Republican Women Annual Conference to discuss the November election results, what Republicans can take away from 2024 to use in 2026 and 2028, and the importance the upcoming local elections in April have on the daily lives of Illinoisans.
Joining SFR host Collin Corbett is IFRW Vice President Diane Jordan, Tazewell County GOP Vice Chairman Corey Allen, campaign manager for Brandun Schweizer Chelsie Leffelman, and Cor’s political expert Michael Butler.
Each of our guests was on the ground in some of the top races Republicans were trying to pickup and hold so we hear what strategies, tactics, and messages helped candidates like Brandun Schweizer and Kevin Schmidt win, and what more could have been done for candidates like Desi Anderson who came up short. There is a lot we should take away from the 2024 election but will Republicans learn?
Later, we discuss how even though the upcoming local elections are mostly non-partisan, Republicans can’t be sitting around because we know the Democrats are getting involved and engaged in helping elect their candidates in April. We discuss the importance of our local school board and township races, and how quality local candidates are who Republicans can target for higher office in future elections—a page right from the Democrats playbook.
Then we close out this week’s Smoke-Filled Room answering questions submitted by the IFRW Annual Conference audience.
00:00:00-00:03:05: Intro00:03:05-00:21:12: Our Takeaways from Key Races Throughout Illinois00:21:12-00:31:00: Republicans Saw Improvements in Candidate Recruitment00:31:00-00:40:43: Local Elections Are in April, How Do We Find Quality Candidates & Get Them Elected?00:40:43-00:57:05: Answering Audience-Submitted Questions00:57:05-01:07:41: Closing Thoughts

Everyday Americans Don’t Want to Be Preached To—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 84

We’re back with a new Smoke-Filled Room! With the dust settling on the November election, we get into the bigger picture this episode. What can we take away from this election for 2026 and how does this impact our strategy moving forward?
Collin Corbett leads our discussion with State Representative Travis Weaver, former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy, Strive Strategies Group President Dennis Cook, and Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak.
We begin at the national level and focus on 4 major topics: turnout for Trump, gains among Latino voters, abortion failing with female voters, and young voters shifting to Trump.
Then we get into how voters feel Democrats are talking down to them, abandoning them as they shift further and further to the left on social issues, and in Illinois especially, seemingly incapable of speaking to middle-income voters.
We bring back our “Boy, That Escalated Quickly” segment to dive into the drama between Aaron Del Mar and Jeanne Ives and others in Palatine Township and at the state part, which leads to some pretty strong opinions.
We close by quickly covering some key developments in the news that Republicans throughout Illinois ought to be using and drawing attention to. More state employees have been caught defrauding PPP, Illinois has the 3rd highest unemployment of any state in the nation, new business applications lag in Illinois, and Republicans need to make every Democrat answer for the budget they do or don’t vote for.
00:00: Introductions03:51: 2024's Voter Turnout Up in Red Areas, Down in Blue Areas18:01: Trump Makes Big Gains Among Latino Voters29:51: Democrats Puzzled By Women Not Supporting Harris While Abortion Referendums Win38:00: Younger Voters Shift Bigly Towards Trump42:37: Early Voting Way Up in Illinois in 202453:46: Democrats Have Shifted Sharply Left on Social Issues01:01:31: Democrats and Their Allies Preach at and Look Down on Everyday Americans01:08:51: Democrats Don't Know How to Speak to Middle-Income Voters01:14:38: Liberal Media Bias Is Hurting Democrats01:18:06: Boy, That Escalated Quickly: Del Mar Taking Flack for Running Bi-Partisan Slate in Palatine Township01:29:19: Number of State Employees Caught Defrauding PPP Now Over 27501:30:49: Unemployment in Illinois 3rd Highest in Nation01:33:12: New Business Applications Up Nationwide, But Not in Illinois01:34:40: Republicans Need to Use Dem Strategy Against Them with the 2026 Budget01:39:02: OG & Clown of the Week01:44:32: Closing Thoughts
This will be our last official Smoke-Filled Room of 2025! We will be back in your inboxes in a couple of weeks with a recording of a Smoke-Filled Room we did at the Illinois Federation of Republican Women’s Annual Conference to send you off into Christmas. 
As a watcher and listener of Smoke-Filled Room, we want to deliver content tailored to you. We’ve put together a survey to get your feedback on what we can do better to make our Smoke-Filled Room episodes and other content even more valuable in the future. The survey can be completed here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CorStrategies/SFRSurveyQuestions
Thank you for subscribing, liking, and watching SFR each and every week!

Small Businesses and Working Families Feel the Pinch in Illinois—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 83

The big underlying question throughout this week’s Smoke-Filled Room was “how are we going to pay for it?” With a $3.2 billion budget deficit and billions of dollars in additional requests coming in, Illinois taxpayers will be on the hook for a lot in the coming months. Joining host Collin Corbett this week is NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley, lobbyists David Curtin and Josh Witkowski, and Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak. Not much happened in veto session the past two weeks, but lame duck session is predicted to be a doozy starting January 2nd, and 2025’s session may be one of the most consequential we’ve had in a long time. Spend time with family and relax during the holidays but keep one eye on Springfield—in today’s episode, we help you know what you should be watching. We of course cover the two big issues likely to dominate headlines in 2025: Illinois’ massive budget deficit and Pritzker’s immigration fight with Trump and DC. We talk about how the high cost-of-living in Illinois is hurting everyone and is expected to get worse as concerns grow over our state’s energy future. Not only are renters and homeowners paying more, so are small businesses. And things are going to get worse if Springfield further hikes taxes in 2025. We bemoan how difficult Springfield makes it on small businesses in Illinois and talk about how much better things would be for everyone in Illinois if our government actually supported small businesses. We discuss how politicians fall prey to “good politics, bad policy” when they govern by press release instead of pursuing common sense, bipartisan legislation. And we spend some time in Chris’ Chicago Corner, where they’re facing a budget fiasco of their own, while Johnson’s record-low popularity has already started the jockeying for the 2027 Chicago Mayoral race.
00:00: Introductions03:03: Illinois Election Results Finally Final07:24: As Costs Skyrocket, Concerns Mount Over IL's Energy Future18:49: Good Politics, Bad Policy on Display with "Dignity in Pay Act"25:31 Public Sector Unions Want Increased Pensions30:57: Chicagoland Mass Transit Fiscal Cliff Further Pressuring the State's Budget38:13: Immigration Battle Likely to Dominate Headlines in 202548:41: IL Government Continues to Overlook the Needs of Small Businesses57:33: Soaring Cost-of-Living Hurting Both Employees and Employers01:02:21: Gig Workers Continue to Be Targeted By Springfield01:04:14: IL's Massive 2025 Budget Deficit Just the Tip of the Iceberg01:16:56: Is Chicago's Budget Fiasco a Preview of Springfield in 2025?01:20:32: 2027 Race for Chicago Mayor Already Underway01:27:08: OG & Clown of the Week01:32:50: Closing Thoughts

Springfield Doesn’t Want You to Pay Attention Right Now—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 82

After talking about the elections for months, this week’s Smoke-Filled Room gets into important policy and issues.
Springfield doesn’t want you to watch this episode. They want you to take a break, relax, and ignore politics for a while, so they can pass bills during veto session and lame duck while you aren’t looking.
Helping us shine a spotlight on everything being discussed in Springfield is former State Representative and President of EOSullivan Consulting Ed Sullivan, policy expert Sharon Langlotz-Johnson, Cor’s grassroots government affairs expert Rich Carter, along with Cor’s political experts Chris Jackowiak and Michael Butler, and host Collin Corbett.
We begin with the pressure Democrats are under, as the split between moderates and progressives widens. With a massive budget deficit looming and Democrats looking for taxes to hike, it’s going to be interesting how they come to any sort of consensus. Plus, lawmakers are feeling the heat from public sector unions who are looking to enhance pension benefits, on top of the many other groups looking for more state money.
Then, Ed and Rich give in-depth updates on key issues that are under the radar. Ed gives an update on gun legislation including Karina’s Law, safe storage, and the assault weapon ban, before Rich shares what’s going on with environmentalist’s efforts to stop carbon sequestration, how the “Worker Freedom of Speech Act” is actually a speech ban, and the potential return of forum shopping to Illinois courts.
In the back half of the episode, we discuss the immigration battle between Pritzker and Trump, opposition rising against Brandon Johnson’s property tax hike and police budget cuts, and if Dick Durbin has the fight in him to take on Trump’s judicial picks. 
00:00: Introductions03:33: Split Widening Between Moderates and Progressives in Illinois Democratic Party10:17: Facing Massive Budget Deficit, Democrats Look for Taxes to Hike While Republicans Push Back19:19: Public Sector Unions Pressuring Lawmakers to Enhance Pension Benefits28:06: Gun Control Advocates Pushing Hard in Springfield40:06: Environmentalists Continue to Try to Stop Carbon Sequestration45:21: Lawsuit Filed Against Employer Speech Ban "Worker Freedom of Speech Act" 50:55: Kwame Raoul and Trial Lawyers Trying to Bring Forum Shopping Back to Illinois Courts57:26: Pritzker and Trump's Border Czar Already at War01:05:44: Far-Left Climate Group Claims Suburbanites OK with Chicago Transit System Takeover01:09:37: Opposition Rising Against Brandon Johnson's Property Tax Hike and Cuts to Police Budget01:16:28: John Curran and Tony McCombie to Continue as Minority Leaders01:18:10: Senate Democrats Upping Pressure on Dick Durbin to Either Fight Trump or Retire01:22:43: OG & Clown of the Week01:31:00: Closing Thoughts

“Mission Accomplished” for IL Republicans on Election Night?—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 81

You want drama? We got drama. Between what drove voters to support Trump to the spin around whether this election was really a “victory” for Illinois Republicans, things got contentious!
For our official post-election Smoke-Filled Room, we’re joined by former House Republican Floor Leader Mark Batinick, education policy and advocacy expert Nathan Hoffman, The Illinoize’s Patrick Pfingsten, along with Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak, and host Collin Corbett. 
Nationally, Republicans won big and Trump overperformed, including in Illinois, yet Illinois Republicans gained 0 seats in the House or Senate. We should have done better and Collin questions why people are touting this election already as a victory. Patrick Pfingsten said in his The Illinoize newsletter that there would be fireworks when he joined this episode and that promise delivered.
Plus, as Illinois Democrats knocked on 60,000 doors in Wisconsin and Michigan, we discuss if they will regret not taking Illinois elections more seriously when you look at how close races like HD47, HD52, and HD104 are. And while we didn’t make the strides we were hoping for in state and federal races, we did see gains—small gains but gains—in county and judicial races throughout the state. 
We get into Brandon Johnson’s and CTU’s bad election night with Chicago School Board election, the possibility of Pritzker trying the progressive tax again, and the massive budget deficit facing our state after the Pritzker administration gaslit us for years.
00:00: Introductions02:05: Trump and National Republicans Win Yuuuuuuge27:26: In Illinois, Republicans Gain 0 Seats But May Not Lose Seats Either40:53: Should Democrats Regret Not Taking Illinois Elections More Seriously?51:27: Was This Election Really a "Victory" for Tony McCombie and HRO?01:07:02: CTU and Brandon Johnson Have Another Bad Night with Chicago School Board Elections01:17:22: Republicans Make Small Gains in County and Judicial Races01:19:57: After Gaslighting Illinois, Pritzker's Administration Finally Admits to Massive Budget Deficit01:28:14: CTU Pushing Pritzker to Try Progressive Tax Again01:32:58: No Rest for the Weary: 2025 Elections Already Underway01:34:58: OG & Clown of the Week01:42:53: Closing Thoughts