North Cook News

A new chapter of the Illinois Federation of Young Republicans is launching in the northwest suburbs, marking the first expansion of its kind in Cook County outside the city of Chicago. 

The North Cook Young Republicans, led by Chairman Eric Angerer, will host their official kickoff event on Tuesday, June 3, at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg, co-hosted by Americans for Prosperity. 

Cook County GOP Chairman Aaron Del Mar and former gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine will serve as keynote speakers.

Announcement of the launch of the North Cook Young Republicans. | Eric Angerer

“This is the first chapter of its kind to be started in Cook County outside of Chicago,” Angerer told North Cook News. “That chapter [Chicago Young Republicans] is 20 years old now — they just celebrated their 20th anniversary earlier this year. And I was given the idea by our chairman, Evan Kasal, who wants to see more chapters start across the state.”

Angerer said the idea quickly took shape. 

“I reached out to some people I know in Northern Cook County that are like myself—young Republicans who are all about getting more Republicans elected in the area and getting more young Republicans involved in politics as well," he said. "So that is all that I'm about, as well in politics. And those people like me on my team are all about hard working and working to make a change for the better in our communities.”

Angerer also emphasized the role of civic education and patriotism in the new chapter’s mission.

“My pitch is that we’re all about spreading American culture and promoting that culture and history and love of country,” he said. “That’s what I learned about when I was in the Marines and growing up with more American-based history, back when our education system was more pro-America in my personal opinion.”

He sees the chapter not only as a vehicle for education and political networking, but also as a training ground for young conservatives. 

“We're also gonna promote the idea that people should be involved in their local Republican organizations as young people in order to get their feet wet in politics,” Angerer said. “So that's my second pitch—to get them involved with their local GOP organizations at the county and township level, which I'm also involved with, so leading by example on that front. And I also want people to learn about what it's like to help candidates get elected on campaigns.”

Angerer, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, brings campaign experience from gubernatorial and legislative races, including work on the Gary Rabine for Governor campaign and the 2022 general election cycle. He also serves on the board of the Palatine Township Republican Organization. 

“I’ve just been involved in various campaigns, more at the local level—school board, village board, state rep and judicial campaigns,” he said.

On the political landscape, Angerer cited voter turnout data to support his optimism. 

“Trump had a better performing popular vote number in Illinois than, um, Darren Bailey did against Governor Pritzker in ’22,” he said. “He got many more. He got the kind of vote number that we want to see statewide candidates get in future statewide elections like next year and ’26. So that means that we are optimistic about being able to get Republicans out to vote if we have the right messaging and campaigning.”

In the November 2024 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump and his running mate Vice President JD Vance received 364,849 votes in Cook County. 

While Harris won the county by a substantial margin, analyzts have noted the increased Republican support in certain precincts may signal evolving political dynamics in the region. Angerer added that Gen Z voters are increasingly leaning right. 

“We also saw Trump do very well with Gen Z, which is my generation,” Angerer said. “We are now the most conservative generation in American history, arguably, if not one of the most conservative generations since the Second World War. So I think we're very optimistic about the future of our country, even if things look weak right now in those regards.”

Angerer also pointed to the ongoing federal corruption case against former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan as a galvanizing moment for conservatives. 

“It is very optimistic that we are actually seeing someone like Mike Madigan face justice to the full extent of the law, facing the consequences of his corrupt actions during the many years he spent in the state legislature,” Angerer said. “And I think that's very optimistic for all of us on the Republican side. I also believe that if we work to amplify our message on social media, like I'm doing with the young Republicans, we can showcase how Republicans are fighting back.”

Angerer’s comments come as Madigan, who was considered the most powerful politician in the state during his 36-year tenure as Illinois House Speaker, faces sentencing after being convicted earlier this year on 10 counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery, following a four-month trial.

Evidence showed Madigan conspired to have Commonwealth Edison make payments to his allies in exchange for legislative favors and unlawfully steered legal work to his law firm through a Chicago alderman.

Angerer stressed the importance of media engagement. 

“A large media campaign is what is needed to amplify our message, that the Republican message is the right one for it to lead our state in the time of prosperity again, because we need people to realize their Republican values and positions on different policies work in other states and that they work in Illinois as well.” 

The June 3 launch event is open to the public, with food and drink provided. RSVPs are required. For more information, attendees can find the group on social media by searching “North Cook Young Republicans” or “North Cook YRs.”

“We look forward to everyone joining us,” Angerer said.