Chicago City Wire

Brian Kasal, President of the Northside Republicans, has raised concerns about the influence of money in Illinois elections. He claims that Democrats are heavily investing in these elections and manipulating nonpartisan races, emphasizing the importance for Republicans to remain engaged and counteract these efforts. Kasal expressed his views to Chicago City Wire on March 27.

"After the Republican victories of 2024 shook their grip on power, Democrats are in panic mode, doing everything they can to manipulate Illinois elections—even if it means corrupting nonpartisan races," said Kasal. "They're flooding local contests with cash, training liberal candidates, and twisting the system to maintain control. No race is too small for their influence, from school boards to city halls, as they push their radical agenda onto communities. Republicans must stay engaged and fight back to stop this blatant takeover before it's too late—our values and our communities are on the line."

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 reportedly supporting 270 candidates across the state with training, coaching, and a substantial advertising campaign. This involvement has sparked debates over political overreach in local elections. While the DPI maintains that its participation is necessary, many Republicans view it as an attempt to consolidate power. A detailed report on the party’s election spending is expected in April.

The Daily Herald highlighted unexpected Republican support in Illinois suburbs during recent elections, which combined with lower Democratic turnout led to surprising results. In the Trump-Harris race, over 5.3 million Illinoisans voted, 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 significantly declined in suburban counties compared to Joe Biden's numbers from 2020.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported notable gains for Donald Trump in traditionally Democratic strongholds like Chicago and Illinois during the 2024 election. Trump secured 22.01% of Chicago’s vote, an increase from 12.41% in 2016. Statewide, his vote share rose to 45.3%, up from 38.76% in 2016. In Chicago’s Far Northwest Side's 41st Ward, he won more than half of the votes—a significant achievement for a Republican since 1992—despite Illinois’ Electoral College votes going to Kamala Harris.

Kasal was appointed President of Chicago's Northside Republican Club in 2021 and resides in Chicago's 43rd Ward. According to the organization’s website, he focuses on increasing Republican voter turnout, expanding party membership, and communicating key issues relevant to voters on Chicago's Northside.