Illinois
State GOP picks new leaders to ‘beat the machine,’ including Palatine’s Del Mar
Palatine’s Aaron Del Mar was appointed as an Illinois Republican Party co-chair.
Courtesy of Aaron Del Mar
A northwest suburbanite is taking a leadership role with the Illinois GOP as the party works to rebuild and end what its leader calls the “blue funk.”
State Central Committee member Aaron Del Mar of Palatine has been chosen by Chair Kathy Salvi as an Illinois Republican Party co-chair, along with state Sen. Jason Plummer of Edwardsville and State Central Committee member Judy Diekelman of Thornton.
Salvi also picked Joan McCarthy Lasonde of Wilmette as vice chair.
“Co-Chairs Aaron Del Mar, Sen. Jason Plummer, and Judy Diekelman as well as Vice Chair Joan McCarthy Lasonde and all of our leaders across the state represent the diverse opinions of our party and our state,” Salvi said Wednesday.
“This group will broaden our coalition, expand our footprint, and will beat the machine that Democrats like (former Speaker) Mike Madigan and (Gov.) J.B. Pritzker have built.”
Salvi took office in July vowing to “make Illinois red again,” and end the party’s “blue funk.”
With a woman at the helm of the state GOP and his background as a Filipino- American, “this is a very historic time,” said Del Mar. “This will be the first time the Illinois Republican Party has had a person of color in leadership.
“I’m very excited. Kathy has a different personality than I do, she brings different strengths so I think we very much complement each other.”
Del Mar, a businessman who ran for lieutenant governor in 2022, was a Republican National Convention delegate in July, and has served as Cook County Republican chairman and Palatine village councilman.
The Illinois GOP faces challenges in a heavily Democratic state and recently lost Chair Don Tracy, who blamed party infighting for his resignation.
One key to success is to make sure “grass-roots organizations and grass-roots members of the Republican Party have a voice,” Del Mar said. “They’re the people who show up at the monthly meetings, the people that put lawn signs into the ground, that march in the parades. I think for far too long, they’ve been ignored and they’ve been taken for granted.”
Outgoing Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, from left, chats with new Chair Kathy Salvi during the state party’s daily breakfast meeting at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com, July 2024
Del Mar, who campaigned statewide in 2022, hopes to bridge divisions between rural conservative and urban moderate Republicans
“If we can create a relationship where there’s a conversation and people have a better understanding — that adds a lot of value,” Del Mar said, adding he’s visiting downstate Illinois soon. “If you want buy-in from those (rural) counties you have to show up.”
Del Mar’s father, a mechanical engineer, immigrated from the Philippines. His mother is a retired nurse of German/Swedish descent who grew up on Chicago’s South Side.
“When they start talking about issues like immigration, those things hit home and I can give a personal story,” Del Mar said.
Aaron Del Mar, left, speaks with other delegates during an Illinois delegation breakfast meeting at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com, July 2024
Illinois
Residents, lawmakers oppose proposed Illinois American Water rate increase at Bolingbrook hearing
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (WLS) — Dozens of southwest suburban residents and lawmakers voiced opposition Tuesday night to Illinois American Water’s proposed $142 million rate increase during an Illinois Commerce Commission hearing in Bolingbrook.
Nearly every speaker during the first hour of the hearing spoke against the proposal, with many concerns centered on affordability and the impact of higher utility costs on families and seniors.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta urged regulators to reject the request.
“Water is not a luxury. It is not optional. It is a basic human necessity,” Alexander-Basta said.
Illinois American Water President Rebecca Losli defended the proposal, saying additional revenue is needed to support infrastructure improvements.
“We do this because of our customers. We are investing in this because of you. We want less water main breaks, and less constructions, less water boil orders. Simply put, continuing to invest in our water infrastructure is critical to ensuring that we provide reliable service to all of you,” Losli said.
According to Illinois American Water, the proposed increase would add about $14 per month for a typical customer using 3,500 gallons of water. Wastewater customers would see an increase of about $28 per month.
Several residents told regulators they are still feeling the effects of the utility’s previous rate increase. Pat Smith described changes she has made to reduce water use.
“I bathe twice a week now, instead of every day. I wear my clothes multiple times before washing,” Smith said. She later added, “This is unacceptable and the longer it goes the worse it’s going to get.”
Bolingbrook resident Michael Boyd also expressed concern about the proposal’s impact on customers.
“What concerns me is the frequency and size of the proposed increase and what it means for ordinary families who are already struggling,” Boyd said.
Several elected officials also called on the Illinois Commerce Commission to deny the request.
Illinois state Rep. Natalie Manley told attendees, “Just because it’s legal does not make it right.”
Alexander-Basta echoed that sentiment, saying, “Today, Bolingbrook is taking the lead in saying what people across the state have been saying for years: Enough is enough.”
Additional hearings in the case are scheduled for August. The Illinois Commerce Commission is expected to issue a final decision by Dec. 18.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Illinois
2 teens hospitalized after being rescued by bystanders from Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion
Two teenage boys were transported to the hospital after they were rescued by friends and bystanders from Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion Monday evening.
The Beach Park Fire Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:15 p.m. Monday to Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, 1 Lake Front Drive in unincorporated Zion, for a report of a water rescue.
911 callers reported two people in Lake Michigan struggling approximately 100 yards from shore.
Beach Park Fire Department Battalion Chief Thomas Hopkins said crews arrived and learned two teenage males had been in distress in the water.
They were rescued by friends and bystanders and were on shore when emergency crews arrived.
A significant response was initially dispatched but was downgraded after it was determined that no one was still in need of rescue, Hopkins said.
The incident happened at the main beach while the victims were swimming with their friends.
Hopkins said paramedics provided medical care to both of the victims and transported them to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.
One of the victims, who was doing worse than the other, seemed to improve by the time the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Hopkins said.
Both were awake and talking. Their exact conditions were not known but they were both expected to survive.
Hopkins said visitors at the state park should be cautious and aware. The state provides life preservers at the beach for patrons to use.
Hopkins also said that the state has made safety improvements but Lake Michigan still can be “very dangerous.”
The Zion Fire/Rescue Department assisted the Beach Park Fire Department during the incident.
-
Los Angeles, Ca36 minutes agoRemains of murder victim identified as missing Southern California millionaire
-
Detroit, MI60 minutes ago4Warn Weather Alert: Wildfire smoke leading to ‘unhealthy’ air quality in Metro Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoSan Francisco fishermen recount harrowing rescue after boat capsizes near Alcatraz
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoTimothée Chalamet ‘Starstruck’ by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoWives of detained men allege inhumane conditions at federal detention center in Miami
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoDriver charged in Norwood pedestrian crash that left man seriously injured
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoBoys, 12 and 14, arrested in deadly shooting in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoOutreach groups respond to the reported relocation cycle of Ballard’s homeless population
