Illinois GOP call to rebuild includes focus on tax policy

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(The Center Square) – Former Republican lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar is calling for a state GOP convention in 2027.

Del Mar said Monday that the party cannot wait until a convention would be regularly scheduled in 2028.

“We need to be talking about the issues that matter to Illinois voters. We’ve gotten so far outside of what we are against and what we’re not for. We need to re-explain to people and tell them, ‘This is what the Illinois Republican Party is for,” Del Mar told The Center Square.

Del Mar called for a convention to be held next March, saying the party needs a new platform and bylaws.

“And how do we elect our Republican leadership in Illinois and the dysfunction that’s there,” Del Mar said.

The Illinois Republican Party did not immediately respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.

The former Cook County Republican chair said the party must rebuild.

“We are rubble,” Del Mar said.

Ted Dabrowski ran against Del Mar’s running mate, Darren Bailey, in the gubernatorial primary.

Dabrowski noted Republicans got beat by 61 points in Cook County.

“When I went to vote the other day, I couldn't find any Republican candidates on the ballot. So that's another thing, is that we have to improve what we do in Cook County to get people running,” Dabrowski told The Center Square.

Dabrowski said sales tax referendums failed across the state, including in Lake County, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker won by 36 points.

“It's our policy, lower taxes. It's their failed policy, the higher taxes, and yet they still won, so there's an opportunity for us to really hammer that difference,” Dabrowski said.

Dabrowski agreed with Del Mar that Republicans need to fight for what they are for and not just what they are against.

“We've got to be persuasive with the centrists, with the independents, and find our way into getting people to understand and connect the dots between the failed policies of those in charge versus the reforms we need,” Dabrowski said about his newest effort, Fight for Illinois.