West Cook News

Jeff Leef is adamant that Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is really the only choice for Illinois in her GOP primary faceoff with Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“I support Jeanne Ives, and Bruce Rauner is a perfect example of the degradation of the GOP,” Leef told the West Cook News. “If she can withstand the corruption of Illinois politics, she will win.”

Leef said he isn’t surprised to hear news that with just over six weeks remaining before the primary, Rauner is still refusing to debate Ives.

According to the Telegraph, the University of Illinois at Springfield went as far as offering to organize a GOP debate in February, but Rauner has steadfastly refused to take part.

“He is avoiding Ives because she is good. She is honest,” Leef said. “She is receiving some support, and I'm hoping that Illinoisans wake up. The alternatives are horrible.”

Leef, a River Forest Republican who is running for the seat held by longtime U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) in the 7th Congressional District, recently took the entire Republican Party to task over what he perceived to be their shabby treatment of him.

“I cannot get anyone in the Republican Party, other than (Chicago GOP Chairman) Chris Cleveland, to even have an unpaid intern return a call or an email,” Leef told the West Cook News. “I never knew what a craven, unprincipled and politically incompetent group of pimps comprise the Republican Party in Illinois.”

After branding himself a “Reagan Republican,” Leef went on to say the late president would now be ashamed of the party.

As for his own platform, Leef said his campaign is about greater job creation, better schooling and curbing the staggering homicide rate of young black males in his district.

The 7th Congressional District includes much of the West Side of Chicago and parts of Bellwood, Broadview Maywood, Oak Park, Westchester and River Forest.