Dear Friends, 

A blessed Advent season to All!

This week, I want to open our newsletter by recognizing several outstanding leaders in our Illinois Republican community—people I’ve had the honor of watching grow, step up, and excel in their leadership over the years.

Please join me in extending heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Lana Soldat, who has concluded her term as President of the Illinois Federation of Republican Women. Lana’s leadership has strengthened the organization, empowered women leaders across Illinois, and advanced our shared mission.

You can read her final President’s note here. Thank you, Lana, for your exceptional service and commitment to our beloved Illinois!

We are also pleased to congratulate the newly elected officers of the Illinois Federation of Republican Women. Each brings valuable experience, passion, and expertise to the organization, and we look forward to supporting their work:

President: Diane Jordan

1st Vice President: Jennifer Yborra

2nd Vice President: Maria Vasquez

3rd Vice President: Melissa Klabel

4th Vice President: Gloria Giorno

Secretary: Gloria Chmielewski

Treasurer: Karen Funk

We are confident this team will continue to build on the Federation’s strong foundation and further elevate Republican women across the state.

In addition, we are delighted to congratulate our very own Laura Kotelman, a distinguished leader within the Chicago Republican Party and a proud alumna of the Lincoln Series.

The Chicago Board of Elections officially welcomed Commissioner Kotelman on November 26, 2025. She becomes only the second Republican woman ever appointed to the Board—marking a historic milestone, as this is the first time in the Board’s 130-year history that all three Commissioners are women.

A seasoned attorney and dedicated public servant, Commissioner Kotelman brings decades of experience in elections, government administration, and law. Her career includes service in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Illinois Departments of Insurance and Labor, an international law firm, and leadership in state government affairs for a major insurance trade association. She has also served as an election judge, poll watcher, and Hearing Officer for the Chicago Electoral Board.

These successes remind us of what is possible when strong leaders step forward. At every level of our party—from precincts to counties to statewide organizations—we are seeing dedicated Republicans rise to the challenge and bring fresh energy to our movement. Their achievements underscore the importance of continuing to recruit, train, and empower new leaders.

But this momentum doesn’t happen on its own. It happens because together we remain steady, engaged, informed and committed. As we look ahead to the critical elections before us, encourage your friends and family to become involved. More volunteers, more precinct workers, more community voices, and more problem-solvers stepping up to serve will make all the difference.

I encourage you to join us in building that bench. Attend a training. Bring a friend to a local meeting. Step into a leadership role. Every action—big or small—strengthens our Republican movement and moves Illinois in the right direction. Together, let’s continue growing our team, expanding our influence, and preparing for victory across Illinois.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in our mission, and for investing your time and talent in this movement. The road ahead is promising—and with your partnership, we are ready to build a stronger and better Illinois.

For official statements, announcements, and the latest updates from the White House, please visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/

Start today by making your personal plan to vote at https://vote.illinois.gop. Whether you need to check your registration status, update your address, or register for the first time, this tool is your one-stop resource. 

You may also confirm your registration using the Illinois State Board of Elections’ Voter Registration Lookup. If you need to register to vote, you can do so online—just have your Illinois driver’s license or state ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. Remember: March 1, 2026, is the final day to register online for the upcoming General Primary Election. Don’t wait—secure your voice in this critical election now.

Do you think people who’ve moved to Tennessee, Florida, or California should still be shaping Illinois’ leaders and laws? Of course not. Yet it happens—unless we act.

A volunteer working group across the Collar Counties and Cook County is helping former Illinois residents remove their names from the voter rolls where they used to live.

Volunteers hand-address envelopes that notify movers that their registration may still be active here and encourage them to take action.

A similar effort in Pennsylvania reportedly achieved a 28% success rate. The blueprint exists—now it needs two things: stamps and handwriters.

How you can help

• In DuPage, Cook, Lake, or Will: drop off unused or newly purchased stamps.

• Outside those counties: you can still help—contribute stamps or volunteer to handwrite. Contact Project Director Willard Helander at [email protected] for the drop-off or mailing address and next steps.

This project can move the needle locally and statewide—and it can be replicated across all 102 Illinois counties. If you’re looking for a concrete, personal way to get involved, reach out to Willard and let her know you want to help clean up Illinois’ voter rolls.

Visit https://www.ieip.org/action-alerts/ for up-to-date information on election integrity to ensure honest elections!

The Illinois Republican Party welcomes event submissions from Republican candidates. Please note that the State Party does not make endorsements in contested open primaries. The publication or promotion of any event does not imply endorsement. 

The Illinois Republican Party welcomes event submissions from Republican candidates. Please note that the State Party does not make endorsements in contested open primaries. The publication or promotion of any event does not imply endorsement. 

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

Sincerely,

Kathy Salvi

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Illinois Republican Party 

PO Box 78
Springfield, IL 62705

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