Illinois Valley Times

The Illinois Republican Party is organizing a training event in Ottawa for those interested in getting involved in conservative politics in the state. 

The training will be held on Saturday, June 17, at the Pitstick Pavilion in Ottawa, IL. The sessions will be divided into two parts: one for precinct committeepersons from 9 a.m. to noon and another for candidates from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

“Ready to dive into the world of politics?” the Illinois Republican Party said on Facebook. “Join us in Ottawa IL for an exclusive training session where you’ll learn the ins and outs of political campaigns, and more! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to become an empowered political change maker. #ILRepublicanParty #VoteRed #politicaltraining #GOP RSVP: http://rcca.gop/training/."

The Illinois Republican Party is hosting the training event for committeepersons, chairpersons and candidates in preparation for the 2024 elections. Attendance is free, and participants will be provided with a light breakfast and lunch. The event aims to unite the Republican Party and increase the number of electoral victories in 2024. For more information or to RSVP, individuals can visit rcca.gop/training or contact 630.337.0275 or northville6repub@aol.com.

A significant political shift is occurring across the United States, with more than 1 million suburban swing voters who previously supported the Democratic Party now switching to the Republican Party, according to PBS. This trend is evident in both Democratic and Republican states, as well as cities and small towns, following the transition from former President Donald Trump to President Joe Biden. The shift is most pronounced in the suburbs, where well-educated swing voters who had turned against the Republican Party during Trump's tenure are now moving back towards the GOP. The change in party affiliation is attributed to concerns about the Democrats' stance on COVID-19 vaccines, rising crime rates, and their emphasis on racial justice. Republicans have been effective in capitalizing on Democratic shortcomings, such as frustration over pandemic-related school closures and rising inflation, by conducting voter registration events and linking the Biden administration to specific issues. 

The Republican National Committee predicts that American suburbs will continue trending red due to factors such as gas prices, the border crisis, the baby formula shortage, and increasing crime rates. The Democratic National Committee has not commented on the surge in voters switching to the GOP. While some party switchers may have crossed over to vote against Trump-backed candidates in Republican primaries, the widespread nature of the party-switching phenomenon suggests a larger trend. Republican gains are particularly evident in suburban and medium-sized cities, emphasizing the need for both parties to articulate their platforms and provide voters with reasons to support them rather than merely opposing the other side.

According to Reason, recent studies suggest that conservatives are more committed to the principles of federalism and free speech online, even when these principles may hinder their policy goals. One study revealed that conservatives are less inclined to remove online content they perceive as false, regardless of the partisan slant, while liberals are more likely to support content removal. These findings challenge the notion that conservatives only advocate for state's rights and free speech online to advance their own interests. However, interpretations of these studies may differ, and some argue that power dynamics rather than principles and values may underlie the observed behaviors. Nonetheless, the studies present a positive view of conservatives' commitment to these principles and highlight the divergence from recent attempts within the conservative movement to move away from free speech.