Fellow Republicans, 

 

As I travel across Illinois to support Republicans, I often get the question, Don, why are you working so hard as Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, which some say is the most thankless job in Illinois politics, does not pay, and costs you significant amounts of money in many different ways.

 

Others have asked how I  convinced my incredible and supportive wife Wanda to: (a) let me spend a lot of time on the road alone to attend and support Republican events and work with other Party officials and volunteers, while sometimes leaves her watching our grandchildren alone, instead of spending the season in Florida or Arizona with many of our friends and family; and (b) host the State Party’s annual summer fundraiser at our home in Springfield. 

 

This job is hard and often discouraging, but is the most important job I have ever had. Many, too many,  look down on politics and the job of being a politician. As a student of history, I view it as one of the highest and most important callings, because politics is the only alternative to dictatorships and war. With good politics and resultant good and honest government, the people prosper. With bad politics and resultant bad government, the people suffer and terrible wars break out as they did in 1914 and the 1930s and seem to be doing now. 

 

I would be lying if I didn’t admit that there are days when the going is really tough, and when self motivation is tested. On those days, what keeps me going is: (a) the critical mission, which is to reverse the decline in Illinois of intact families, work ethic, school quality, public safety, character, and love of country by electing more Illinois Republicans, and (b) the many equally committed Illinois Republicans I work with and talk to every day. Working with such passionate Republicans is energizing and essential since politics is the ultimate team endeavor. Individually, we can make a difference. But working as a team, we can magnify and intensify that difference many times and transform Illinois into a more prosperous and safe state that serves the people instead of the insiders and special interests that now feed off our state. 

 

In addition, Wanda and I have several other reasons to fight for Illinois and that is our  grandchildren. We want to do everything we can to help Illinois so they and their generation can have at least the same and hopefully better opportunities in Illinois than we had. 

 

Many of you share the same reasons and family values that I hold, and work hard to elect more Illinois Republicans because we want  our children and grandchildren to have a better future. We can and will turn this state around, if we work together and don’t give up easily. 
 
 

To beat Biden and Illinois Democrats, Republicans must Bank Your Vote. When Republicans vote early, we win. ‘Bank Your Vote’ is designed to get Republicans to vote early in person or by mail to Beat Biden and secure Republican victories up and down the ballot. To help raise operating funds and awareness about Bank Your Vote, our inaugural Gala is in just 28 days. 

 

This Gala chaired by dynamos Kari Galassi and Greg Hart will not only serve as a fundraiser, but also as an event that inspires pride and hope within the Republican Party. We believe we can create an annual tradition that Illinois Republicans can rally behind and use as a platform to keep fighting for our values in the state. We also look forward to seeing you at the Gala. Because tickets are selling quickly, get your tickets or tables before they run out. You can also support this event in several other ways: donating wine to our wine auction, or by donating an item for our event auction!

 

U.S. Senator John Kennedy will be the keynote speaker at the Gala, check out his highlight reel here. John Kennedy was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 and won re-election in 2022. Senator Kennedy is a true champion of conservative values and our constitutional rights. He believes that America is the greatest nation in all human history and that our freedoms must always be defended. As Senator, he has fought to lower taxes, protect 2nd Amendment rights, secure the Southern border, and defend life. Before he became Senator in 2017, John Kennedy was elected to five terms as State Treasurer, and previously served as Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Special Counsel to Governor Roemer and Secretary of Governor Roemer’s Cabinet. He was also an attorney and partner in a Baton Rouge and New Orleans law firm.

 

Ronna McDaniel Chair of the Republican National Committee and leader of the national Bank Your Vote program will also be in attendance and speak. I look forward to seeing you soon and thank you for your commitment to our party and to our conservative values for our state and nation! 

 

I also don’t say this enough, but I want to publicly thank my wife Wanda. You are my rock and foundation, and the love of my life. I couldn’t do this challenging job without you. 
 

If you are interested in attending or sponsoring the Gala, please click HERE. You can also support this event in several other ways: donating wine to our wine auction, or by donating an item for our event auction!
 
 
 

Efforts are under way for recruiting poll watchers and election judges, sign up today to ensure fair and transparent elections! Want to get involved or have us to do a training in your county? Please reach out to our Election Integrity Director at [email protected]

We also examined the voting records of all of the commissioned Republican election judges in the City of Chicago and in suburban Cook County. It is apparent that far too many Republican election judges actually have a history of voting in Democratic primaries. We simply must do a better job of filling our Republican election judge positions with actual Republicans. If we do not fill these positions, the Democrats will. I encourage any Republican who lives in Cook County to take the extra step in participating in the electoral process by becoming an election judge. We need you! Please contact CJ, our Election Integrity Director for more information. 

In case you have recently moved or just wish to check your registration status go to https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx to make sure that your voter registration is up to date ahead of the crucial 2024 election cycle.

To find out how you can help save Illinois, go to the Illinois Election Integrity Program website at ieip.org. Volunteer for as little or as much as you are able! Volunteers can help by joining the Illinois Election Integrity Program. Please reach out to CJ, our Election Integrity Director for further assistance.
 
 

We frequently hear that this Memo is not as widely distributed as it should be. Please help us in that regard by forwarding it to your family and friends. Click on the sign-up link
 
 

How Citizens Can Engage with the Legislature in Springfield

by Illinois House Republicans 

 

Starting this month, the Illinois General Assembly will return to session, with a scheduled conclusion in May. During session, legislators spend a significant amount of time in Springfield. This can make it difficult for residents to engage with the legislative process, but there are options to stay involved.

 

Communicating with legislators is one of the ways residents can continue to stay involved and further engage. Elected officials offer email addresses, district and Springfield office locations, office numbers, and surveys that residents can utilize. In both district and Springfield offices, legislators have different staff that field calls, emails, and meetings with residents and then report back to the official. Each legislator has a varying set up, but typically, either office may be contacted to leave a message for the legislator.

 

Another way to engage is to utilize a legislator’s government social media and website. On these websites and applications, legislators update the residents of their district on daily and weekly occurrences with information on legislation, events, district updates, Springfield updates, projects, and resources. By following up with your legislators on social media and checking their websites, residents can see what their elected officials are working on, including outside of the scheduled Springfield session, by having access to direct posts and new releases organically.

 

An important tool to consider using when engaging with the legislature is the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) website. This is a state website that encompasses all elements of bills, committees, legislators, audio and video, and more that is all crucial to the legislative processes. At the ILGA Illinois General Assembly Home Page (ilga.gov) website, residents can conduct an inquiry on the status of a bill, file a witness slip to submit testimony in support or opposition of legislation, find office information for an elected official, read current bills and laws, and watch or listen to session and committee hearings. The site is free to use and is updated frequently to reflect changes.

 

Below are some helpful tips and additional websites to help Illinois residents interact with their elected officials and stay involved with the legislative process in Springfield:

 
 
 
 

Thank you for all you do and for supporting the Illinois Republican Party.


Sincerely,


Don Tracy


Please stand with us and consider making a $10 or $25 contribution to our efforts. Your generous donation will fund our fight against the Democrat socialist agenda. Thank you in advance.

Illinois Republican Party | PO Box 64897, Chicago, IL 60664

Unsubscribe