Chicago City Wire

In the unfolding legal disputes over former President Donald Trump's eligibility for office, Jon Luers, an Illinois Senate candidate, has offered his perspective on the issue. Luers, who is campaigning for the 10th District Illinois Senate seat, shared his views on a recent challenge filed by a group of five Illinois voters.

“Not to be outdone, Illinois gets in on the act: ‘five Illinois voters, represented by Free Speech for People’, claim President Trump ‘gave aid and comfort to enemies of the Constitution,’ ‘encouraging ... insurrectionists,’” Luers said.

He raised questions about the lack of legal convictions or court determinations regarding the term “insurrection.” Luers also questioned whether Trump’s free speech had been deemed unlawful by any court.

“But what court has tried or convicted anyone for ‘insurrection’, or determined that Trump’s free speech was unlawful?” Luers asked on Facebook.

The comments from Luers arrive at a time when Trump is facing challenges to his eligibility in several states. The ex-president was recently removed from the ballot in Colorado and Maine under the 14th Amendment, leading him to appeal these decisions to the Supreme Court. The challenge from Illinois alleges that Trump's actions during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, amount to "insurrection" and disqualify him from holding presidency. The filing specifically accuses Trump of encouraging and supporting insurrectionists, failing to use his presidential authority to quell unrest, and praising rioters as reported by Just The News.

Following this development is a ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court that declared Trump ineligible under the 14th Amendment—a decision that he is currently appealing. Concurrently, Trump is engaged in ongoing legal battles in Maine over his removal from Republican primary ballots. The state’s Secretary of State has temporarily halted this decision to allow for Trump’s appeal before the March 5 GOP primary. Expressing concerns about the potential impact on future political candidates if the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision stands, the Colorado Republican Party has independently petitioned the Supreme Court to reinstate Trump, according to a news release.

Luers, a veteran software engineer with four decades of experience, is now shifting his focus to Springfield as a candidate for the 10th District Illinois Senate. Born in Chicago and holding degrees from Northwestern University, he expresses disappointment in Illinois' and the country's trajectory under Democratic leadership. Luers believes that an increasing number of people are recognizing Democrats’ lack of genuine concern for their welfare and are ready for significant change. On his website, Luers criticized his opponent, State Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), as a clone of Mike Madigan benefiting from a property tax appeals business while taxes increase.

The 10th District encompasses Chicago’s northwest side and North Cook County communities including Norridge, Schiller Park, Rosemont, Park Ridge and Niles. It is currently represented by Martwick who is an attorney and former criminal prosecutor according to his website.