Chicago City Wire

Though Shanahan McGovern lost the race to represent the 18th Senate District, she said her political ambitions are not be over.

In a Veterans Day Facebook post, Shanahan McGovern alluded to her father's service in Vietnam and said that she "inherited his spirit" and asked Illinoisans to "hold onto your yard signs, you have not seen the last of me yet!!" 

"Over these past two and a half years I have been vocal about the actions of our Illinois (legislators)," she said on Facebook. "I have never wavered in my positions at all. I will never waver on them. I put my soul in this campaign to stand up for what is right.  My committee name is Shanahan McGovern for Faith, Family, & Freedom.  I believe there is a need for faith or a higher authority to help differentiate between good and evil."   

She emphasized that "Freedom is what America stands for" which "can never be infringed upon again." McGovern believes that business owners' freedom was trampled and had organized a Chicago team of ReOpen Illinois in support of small businesses. 

"Our businesses can never be deemed nonessential," McGovern added. "They are the backbones of our communities. To protect our Faith, Family & Freedom we need accountability. My message was clear and 47% of District 18 voters believed in my message. In fact several thousand crossed party lines and voted for a Conservative woman who wants the best for our community while voting Democratic on the rest of their ballot. This is amazing! I did it without money from the big pacs, unions, the Republican Party or the FOP.  My donations were from every day people who are ready for a change. The most valuable asset was the donation of time. I can never repay that but know that WE ARE NOT DONE!!!  A strong woman will always pick up the pieces, rebuild herself, and come back even stronger than ever. Our group is going to be stronger and more organized. Together We can Rise Up to protect our Faith, Family, and Freedom." 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Cunningham defeated Shanahan McGovern with 39,668 votes, or 52.8% of the vote to Shanahan McGovern's 35,450 votes, or 47.2% of the vote in the 18th Senate District. The district lies entirely within Cook County and spans the South Side of Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

Shanahan McGovern faulted Cunningham for not protesting the SAFE-T Act despite representing more police officers than any other legislator in Springfield. Shanahan McGovern told the South Cook News, "Our community is known for our first responders. It’s a neighborhood that sticks together, that helps each other out, that appreciates the value of what our first responders do. But Cunningham has done nothing. He hasn't said anything in support of police until now, because it is election time." 

Shanahan McGovern accused Cunningham of acting one way in Springfield and another in the district.

During the campaign, Shanahan McGovern was a staunch supporter of Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville)

"Vote Darren Bailey for Governor!" she posted on Facebook. "We can never let what happened in IL happen again! This was why I helped facilitate the Chicago ReOpen to support our Mom and Pop businesses. Every business is essential not just the marijuana dispensaries, big box, and the new Planned Parenthood. Let’s not forget JB’s farm was essential too. Remember our elderly mothers and fathers were denied their family and left to die alone. This is why I came out hard against BLM because as I said they are a political PAC that has done nothing to help our Chicago black communities."