In this issue:

• J B Pritzker supports the Democratic Socialists of America

• Candidate Darren Bailey tells Pritzker-appointed Board their toll increase is unnecessary

• Voter Registration Documents Were Mailed Directly to Non-citizens in Illinois

• Rhys Read will challenge Mussman

• STRO Events at https://www.stgop.org/events

J B Pritzker supports the Democratic Socialists of America

In his own words: “Any Democrat who is standing up and speaking out for (affordability) and coming up with solutions and doing it in a manner that is fighting what Donald Trump is doing to raise prices on people, those are the people who are winning. … That is the recipe for winning in 2026 and beyond.” Pritzker makes it clear. He only cares about winning (CNN Interview). If Pritzker is so concerned about affordability, why is he raising taxes and tolls?

Candidate Darren Bailey tells Pritzker-appointed Board their toll increase is unnecessary

The drivers in Illinois are facing the largest toll increase in Illinois history. On January 1, 2027, the toll will jump by 45 cents, increasing the average toll to $1.24. Tolls for trucks will jump by 30%. The new toll increase will make every consumer item that passes through northern Illinois more expensive, resulting in an increase in the cost of living for Illinois families.

Republican candidate for Governor, Darren Bailey, addressed the Illinois Tollway Board to object to the toll increase. “The tollway is not struggling,” he said. “It’s reported that the tollway collected the highest toll revenue and highest net operating revenue in its history. In 2024 alone, the tollway collected $1.28 billion more than it needed to operate and maintain the system. No one disputes that roads need to be maintained, but you don’t have to hand an agency, already collecting record revenue of $26.5 billion, a blank check.”

Bailey took exception to the permanent automatic escalator beginning in 2029. “Tolls would increase with inflation every two years. There would be no expiration date and no future vote required. That’s taxation on autopilot.”

“>Every voting member of this board was appointed by Gov. Pritzker. You may not be directly accountable to the drivers who have to pay these tolls, but today you are responsible for determining if their vote matters. If the tollway needs more money in 2029 or 2035, the tollway board should come back to the people and make the case, put the facts on the record, and take another vote.”

It’s critical that you vote in the midterm elections on November 3, 2026? If we miss this chance to elect Jennifer Davis to the U.S. House of Representatives and Don Tracyto the U.S. Senate, we could lose our Republican majority and waste more time on impeachment attempts on Trump and stalemates on important legislation to grow our economy.

Voter Registration Documents Were Mailed Directly to Non-citizens in Illinois

During a U.S. Senate hearing, the Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services admitted to sending official voter registration packets directly to non-citizens and confirmed that the practice was routine. Packets were mailed to individuals receiving DHS services regardless of citizenship status, with voter registration materials included as part of standard mailings. Illinois law prohibits non-citizens from voting, but the state employs motor voter automatic registration which makes it far too easy for ineligible individuals to end up on voter rolls. Couple this with Illinois’ neglect in cleaning the voter rolls, and you have a compromised voting system.

Governor Pritzker has championed expanding services to non-citizens including driver's licenses and healthcare while opposing voter ID laws, but President Trump is committed to reducing voter fraud before the mid-terms and has sued 19 states that refused to release their voter data voluntarily.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Board of Elections, which sought a judge's order instructing state election officials to release to the U.S. Attorney General "the current electronic copy of Illinois computerized statewide voter registration list, with all fields, including each registrant's full name, date of birth, residential address, and either their state driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.” But U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless in the Central District of Illinois dismissed the suit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, and cited a lack of authority from the federal government to demand the Illinois voter rolls (Judge's ruling - CBS Chicago)

The Illinois Board of Elections is determined to keep eyes off its voter rolls and fights any federal intervention. Does that give you faith in the integrity of our voting system? If we cannot depend on clean voter rolls when we vote on November 3, we will have to show up in greater numbers to offset the effect of this vulnerability. Make sure you vote on November 3^rd.

Rhys Read will challenge Mussman

Rhys Read, a former treasurer and controller of a $20 Billion pension fund, has thrown his hat in the ring. When Rhys saw that Mussman’s Republican opponent dropped out of the race, he said, “That can’t happen,” so he stepped up. Follow Rhys (pronounced Reese) on his website: https://readforil56.com/