Faux outrage all around (Updated)
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yesterday…
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling on Republican members of the Illinois House to boycott tomorrow’s address by retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.
“For decades, Senator Durbin has championed the failed policies that have hurt working families in Illinois and across America — from reckless spending and open-border policies to attacks on conservative values and constitutional freedoms,” said Rep. Adam Niemerg. “His record stands in direct opposition to the America First movement supported by millions of Americans.”
Many also have not forgotten Senator Durbin comparing American interrogators to Nazis during debate over Guantanamo Bay detainee policies, an outrageous attack against Americans who simply believed in protecting national security.
“Republican lawmakers should not participate in celebrating a political legacy rooted in failed leadership and contempt for conservative voters,” Niemerg said. “Republicans should stand with the people, not political theater honoring one of the architects of our decline.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus encourages Republican members to respectfully boycott tomorrow’s address and spend that time communicating what is going on in Springfield back to their districts.
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The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro), chairman; Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), vice-chairman; Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Jed Davis (R-Newark); David Friess (R-Red Bud) and State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability, and integrity in government.
* JB Pritzker campaign today…
Quote attributable to JB for Governor campaign spokesperson:
“The Illinois Freedom Caucus’s call to boycott Senator Durbin’s address to the General Assembly is disrespectful and an embarrassment to our state. Senator Durbin has spent decades fighting for Illinois families, and this is how the far-right extremists in the Freedom Caucus honor that service.
“Let’s be clear about who we’re dealing with: this is the same Freedom Caucus that Darren Bailey was once a proud member of. His old allies – the same ones who joined his call to split up Illinois – are once again resorting to political stunts because they know their agenda is too extreme for Illinois.”
* Democratic Party of Illinois…
Yesterday, the Illinois Freedom Caucus called on Illinois Republicans to boycott Senator Dick Durbin’s address to the General Assembly. In response, the Democratic Party of Illinois shared the following statement:
“The Democratic Party of Illinois condemns the Illinois Freedom Caucus’s boycott and demands that Illinois Republican leadership denounce the far-right wing of their own party. Senator Durbin has spent decades delivering for Illinois families, and he deserves better than this.
Newly elected ILGOP Chair Bob Grogan, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Senate Minority Leader John Curran, and ILGOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey must reject these calls from the extreme wing of their party. Senator Durbin’s career of public service deserves more than cheap political stunts.”
Meh. If they attended, they’d probably heckle the guy.
…Adding… Don Tracy…
U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy issued the following statement regarding Senator Dick Durbin’s farewell speech today:
“I want to thank Senator Dick Durbin for his long service to Illinois. We have real policy differences, but I respect his years of dedication to our state. This seat has been held for a long time. The question now is what comes next for Illinois. You can respect someone’s service and still believe it’s time for a new direction.
“Today, Illinois families are facing high costs of living, serious public safety concerns, and a state that’s lagging far behind almost all states economically and in population growth. I am running to replace Senator Durbin because I think most Illinois voters are ready for strong, common sense leadership focused on solving problems and preserving the American Dream for the next generation.
“Today signals the end of a long chapter in Illinois politics. Soon the voters will decide the direction Illinois and the country takes from here, and the torch will pass to a new US Senator from Illinois. If that is me, I will represent all of Illinois in DC, not just Chicago, for the common good.
- localgovhero - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:34 pm:
“Many also have not forgotten Senator Durbin comparing American interrogators to Nazis during debate over Guantanamo Bay detainee policies, an outrageous attack against Americans who simply believed in protecting national security.”
1. It has been 21 years since this remark. With hindsight being 20/20, are we really going to still defend Guantanamo Bay torture?
2. The past century shows what unspeakable acts can be committed by those “who simply believe in protecting national security.”
- moneybuys - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:36 pm:
Now a days liberal Dems are mad at Durbin because he’s tried to be bipartisan. R’s voting against the Resolution about Durbin yesterday was a lol moment. Guess it’s a lesson in partisan warfare.
- Bob - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:40 pm:
The first time anyone has paid attention to the Freedom Caucus in…how long?
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:41 pm:
Rich nailed it. Meh all around.
- James - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:45 pm:
The Freedom Caucus. Talk about a ship of fools. I am 100% a republican voter, and the Freedom Caucus is just plain awful. The Freedom Caucus should be thanking Senator Durbin for his attempts to be bipartisan and for being one of the few democrats who believed that all areas of Illinois deserved to have funding for infrastructure. If the entire Dem party were more like Sen. Durbin we would have a less shrill political environment.
- JSI - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:50 pm:
Meh, indeed. However, this once again gave the Governor a reason to call out Darren Bailey and tie him back to extremism, and that’s the very thing Darren is trying to escape these days. A respected candidate (and party leader) could say, “Sit down and shut up. You’re making us look bad every time you open your mouth.” But that’s not us in the Republican Party of Illinois.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:53 pm:
=“His record stands in direct opposition to the America First movement supported by millions of Americans.”=
Please tell me more about the gop America First platform.
The cognitive dissonance with the ilgop is like a bad slapstick routine.
- Dirty Red - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:53 pm:
Republican leadership of today also thought Jim Edgar should be shunned and encouraged members not to engage the Fellowship program. If celebrating Edgar statesmanship, memorizing BFC, and now boycotting a senior congresscritter with more centrist views makes them boo, I’m more frightened by what inspires cheers.
- Archpundit - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 12:55 pm:
So will more of the FC be absent or just random members who are sick or otherwise busy? Seems like I should be able to bet on that on prediction markets to make it all even dumber.
- Jibba - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 1:05 pm:
It’s not like there are going to be a whole lot of empty chairs from this.
- Ryan - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
Who?
These men matter not.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
Freedom from what, exactly?
- green mountain boys - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 1:19 pm:
When it was time for the Dems to put Durbin at the top of their party in the Senate, they passed and give it to Schumer.
Maybe they knew something that the rest of us did not.
- OneMan - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 1:33 pm:
Heck, if they were clever they would show up and cheer the most for the man. Take some time to really thank him for buying into the “Senate is Different” thing that allowed the GOP to run roughshod over him.
For taking Mitch at his word about stuff. Heck, he has been a bigger help to the GOP than our last two GOP senators.
If I were the Freedom Caucus, that’s what I would do. Thank the man for helping the GOP.
- 44 - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 1:55 pm:
IFC and some of the anti Durbin loudmouths in here are strange bedfellows.
- That Guy - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 2:18 pm:
Rare respectable response from a Republican candidate in Don Tracy’s statement. ILGOP could learn a thing or two from that.
Ultimately, he will still be walloped in the election, but that is the type of character that the ILGOP should be promoting, not those like Bailey.
- Jerry - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 2:35 pm:
“conservative” is a Rorshach Test. It means whatever they want it to mean at any given moment. The American Civil Liberties Union are True Conservatives. Not the big government “freedom” club in Illinois.
- Rep Jed - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 2:46 pm:
Maybe the governor missed me since I’m in the back of the room, but his spokesman’s quote isn’t completely accurate…
- Stephenson County - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 2:48 pm:
Illinois Freedom Caucus is embarrassing themselves showing no decorum, just another political stunt. Too bad we taxpayers have to pay their salaries.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 2:51 pm:
=== since I’m in the back of the room===
So you broke the boycott?
- Rep Jed - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 4:45 pm:
I was in the back of the room because my chair is there, it’s my assigned seat by the Minority Leader.
Regardless of the Senator, blue or red, I attend out of respect for the office. We’re in session as well, and my constituents expect to find me in my chair.
- Leslie K - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 6:43 pm:
Rep Jed, I will admit I don’t know about any of your political positions, but definitely respect the decision to be there.
- Archpundit - Wednesday, May 27, 26 @ 6:48 pm:
==Regardless of the Senator, blue or red, I attend out of respect for the office.
Thank you.