* There is not enough time in the day to moderate comments on an issue like this…

There are a kabillion other places to point fingers and tear each other apart over this murder. I decided last night that we’d just post stories.

* So, here’s a news roundup compiled by Isabel…

* Politico | Friends worried about Charlie Kirk’s safety: “Those of us who love and care about Charlie have been worried about his safety,” Illinois businessman Gary Rabine said in a text statement. Rabine was an early backer of Turning Point USA, which Kirk cofounded in 2012 to bring conservative ideas to college campuses. “I have watched him over the past 13 years become the greatest leader behind positive change in our college universities and our country,” said Rabine, who ran for governor in 2022. “Terrible tragedy,” said former Gov. Bruce Rauner, another early donor to Turning Point noting Kirk was part of his 2014 rise to Springfield. Rauner described the young activist as “bright, talented and charismatic.”

* Shaw Local | Illinois politicians mourn Charlie Kirk, who was from Chicago suburbs, after shooting death: Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association President Mark Guethle, who also chairs the Kane County Democratic Party, said in part in a statement: “We are shocked and horrified by what seems to have been a politically motivated murder, and we extend our deepest sympathy to Charlie’s wife and family, as well as the students and community members who had to endure this tragic event.” State Rep. Jeff Keicher, whose district includes parts of DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties, said in part on Facebook: “This young man, an Illinoisan by birth, empowered open, peaceful dialogue on complex issues across our nation’s college campuses, which has been long overdue. Violence is never the answer to political differences. We must get back to being able to disagree without espousing hate toward one another.”

* SJ-R | Pritzker: ‘Attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying’; Illinois officials react to Kirk’s death: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying,” Gov. JB Prtizker posted on Facebook. “Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm. I’m sending my sympathies to his family and friends at this time.”U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin expressed similar sentiment. “Political violence is wrong—no matter the ideology it stems from,” he posted on Facebook. It has zero place in our country. My thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family.” Conservative activist and Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk addresses a Utah Valley University event in Orem on Sept. 10, 2025, when he was fatally shot. Livestream video of the event showed crowds of people running from the university’s courtyard where Kirk, 31, was speaking when the shooting occurred.

* Center Square | Pritzker says political violence ‘has got to stop’ in reaction to Kirk shooting: “First, I want to express my sympathy to Charlie Kirk’s family and to Charlie Kirk, who obviously, has, you know, become a target for somebody,” Pritzker said. “I don’t know whether it’s political violence because I don’t know who did it. I know they seem to have somebody in custody, but I will say that political violence, unfortunately, has been ratcheting up in this country.” Pritzker said political violence is not acceptable. “We saw the shootings. The killings in Minnesota. We’ve seen other political violence, occur in other states. And I would just say, it’s got to stop,” Pritzker said. “And I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country.”

* ILGOP…

On Wednesday, immediately following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Governor Pritzker doubled down on the violent political rhetoric the left is known for, and blamed President Trump for the despicable, violent act that occurred in Utah. Speaking to reporters, Pritzker said that, “there are people who are fomenting it in this country. I think the president’s rhetoric often foments it.”

ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi released the following statement:

“JB Pritzker is a despicable human being for using this tragedy to take political shots and launch his campaign for president. Not only are these comments dangerous and unacceptable, but Pritzker seemingly ignores the fact that left-wing shooters attempted to assassinate President Trump during the 2024 campaign. Political violence has no place in this country and the ILGOP continues to pray for Charlie Kirk’s family.”

Don’t Forget: in April, Pritzker stoked a New Hampshire crowd in calling for political violence against Republicans, saying that “Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”

* Fox Chicago | Illinois leaders call Charlie Kirk shooting ‘horrifying,’ condemn political violence: Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie also issued a statement: “My heart is broken, and I am angry. Charlie Kirk was assassinated in a senseless act of violence. My prayers are with his family, friends, and all who loved him. “It is deeply disturbing that hatred has escalated to the point where lives are being stolen. That this happened while he was speaking on political violence at a university, a place that should be dedicated to free speech and the open exchange of ideas, makes it even more tragic. If ideas cannot be debated on campus without fear of violence, we have truly lost our way.”

* WCIA | Illinois politicians react to deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk: “I’m absolutely, heartbroken for as for his family, his wife and his two young babies.” said State Rep. Blaine Wilhour. Kathy Salvi, the Chair of the Illinois Republican Party, released the following statement in a news release: Our hearts are broken over the tragic death of Charlie Kirk. Charlie’s work for Republicans in Illinois and across the country was invaluable. Charlie gave an important and unique voice to young people across the country and engaged in thoughtful, open, and honest dialogue that our country desperately needs. Political violence has no place in this country and we continue to pray for Charlie’s family.

* WCBU | Illinois elected leaders decry killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk: In a social media post, 16th District U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., asked followers to join him in praying for Kirk and his family. “The rise in political violence across our country is abhorrent. This vile attack on [Kirk] must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and justice must be served,” LaHood wrote on X.com. LaHood later followed his post with a media statement saying political violence has become too common in the U.S.

* WGLT | McLean County, Illinois political leaders decry killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk: “We lost a great man to senseless violence,” the McLean County Republican Party said in a statement on social media. “His death is a blow against free speech and freedom of thought. We must continue to pursue free speech and truth and not allow the violence stop that mission.” The McLean County Democratic Party called the shooting “horrific and wrong.”

* PJ Star | Charlie Kirk, Illinois native and conservative influencer, dies after Utah shooting: Before the announcement of Kirk’s death, Durbin’s colleague, Tammy Duckworth, said that the attack was “horrifying” and shouldn’t happen in the U.S. “It does not matter which side you are on. There is simply no place for political violence in this country,” Duckworth said. “This is horrifying and should not happen in America.”