North Cook News

Max Solomon spoke at the Peoria and Woodford County Republican Party's Central Illinois GOP Governor Candidate Forum on April 25 and stressed that Illinois needs help with its financial woes.

"Illinois has a spending problem and it’s anchored in the pension crisis," Solomon said at the forum. "I believe that if we fix the pension system we won’t have to deal with the Democrats raising taxes all the time. That’s why I came up with Constitutional Pension Reform, CPR, for Illinois."

Solomon told the audience it was time to bring God back into politics.

"As governor of the state of Illinois, you will have a Christian, conservative, Republican. In that order. Christian because I believe it is time to bring God back into politics," Solomon said. "I’m a conservative because I will fight for those values and culture and beliefs that is under attack and erosion. I am a conservative through and through. I believe God created life and life starts when he says so. I believe that your gender is assigned by God and you are born with it. I don’t think boys should go into girls’ bathrooms and I don’t think girls should go into boys’ bathrooms."

According to his campaign website, Solomon was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States, where he became a U.S. citizen and received an associate's degree in political science from South Suburban College of Cook County, a bachelor's degree in political science from DePaul University, and a law degree and master's degree in theology from Valparaiso University.

The primary election is scheduled for June 28.

The State Journal-Register reported two Republicans were bumped from the ballot. Keisha Smith’s name was removed because she didn’t list a nomination for lieutenant governor. Emily Johnson and her running mate, Brett Mahlen, were removed because of issues with their petition sheets.

Solomon faces formidable opponents.

Businessman Gray Rabine has raised $1.1 million since Jan. 1, attorney Schimpf has raised $79,000, attorney Solomon has raised $8,500, Army veteran Jesse Sullivan has raised $1.3 million and Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has raised $1.3 million.