North Cook News

Mark Albers, a committeeman of the Niles Township Republican Organization, said that Democrats are significantly influencing Illinois elections with financial resources and manipulating nonpartisan races. He emphasized the importance for Republicans to remain active and counter these efforts. Albers made his statement to North Cook News on March 25.

"Terrified by the results of 2024, Democrats are working overtime to ensure Illinois stays in their grasp," said Albers. "They're rigging nonpartisan races with partisan money, training liberal candidates, and using underhanded tactics to maintain control. Every election, no matter how small, is being weaponized to advance their policies. Republicans must reject complacency, rally together, and take back Illinois one race at a time."

According to Capitol News Illinois, although municipal and school board races in Illinois are officially nonpartisan, the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) is employing partisan strategies. The DPI is supporting 270 candidates across the state through training, coaching, and a substantial advertising campaign. This involvement has raised concerns about political overreach in local elections. While the DPI maintains that its participation is necessary, many Republicans perceive it as an attempt to consolidate power. A detailed report on the party’s election spending is expected in April.

The Daily Herald reported unexpected Republican support in Illinois suburbs during recent elections, which, along with reduced Democratic turnout, led to surprising results. Over 5.3 million residents voted in the Trump-Harris race, a decrease from more than 6 million in 2020. Although Kamala Harris won Illinois with 2.85 million votes compared to Donald Trump's nearly 2.4 million, her support in suburban counties dropped significantly from Joe Biden's numbers in 2020—from 1.66 million to 1.38 million votes. Despite a slight decline in Trump's suburban vote count, he exceeded expectations, reflecting a broader national trend of Republican gains in traditionally Democratic areas.

The Chicago Sun-Times noted that Donald Trump achieved significant gains in Chicago and Illinois during the 2024 election. He secured 22.01% of Chicago’s vote, up from 12.41% in 2016, and increased his vote share across Illinois to 45.3%, compared to 38.76% in 2016. Trump won more than half of the votes in Chicago’s 41st Ward on the Far Northwest Side—the strongest performance by a Republican candidate since 1992—despite Illinois’ Electoral College votes going to Kamala Harris.

Albers resides in Morton Grove and was appointed as Niles Township Republican committeeman in July of 2024. According to his website, he recently ran for an Illinois House seat (#15). Albers is dedicated to increasing Republican voter turnout within Niles Township, expanding its Republican membership base, and effectively communicating Republican positions on key issues affecting local voters.