West Cook News

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and a group of local GOP township organizations have coaxed Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, a GOP candidate for governor, to a public meet and greet. 

The event is being put together by Durkin and the Republican Townships Organizations from Lyons, Lemont, Orland, Palos and Proviso. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Lyons Township Republican Chairperson Katie Justak at 773-744-1061 or by email at lyonstownshipro@gmail.com.

“Join Rep. Jim Durkin and Southwest Suburban Townships on Saturday, May 7, from 8:30-10 a.m. for a Mayor Richard Irvin Meet & Greet, candidate for Governor, at Milk Money Brewing at 75 S. La Grange Road in La Grange,” an event announcement reads.

Durkin has not only endorsed Irvin's candidacy, but he also has provided the support of his deputy chief of staff and spokeswoman to the campaign, which was launched on Jan. 17.

Irvin has been hard to find on the campaign trail, having skipped the Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum on April 25. Others in the GOP have been more outspoken over Irvin's absence from public appearances. 

"Richard Irvin's empty chair on stage Monday will speak volumes to me," Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman said after Irvin refused to participate in the forum. 

Irvin is accused of being involved in a "rigged" Republican primary straw poll in Lake County by busing in unknowing senior citizens connected to a political operative.

Irvin has been criticized for his long Democratic voting record. When Amy Jacobson, co-host of Chicago's Morning Answer on AM-560, met Irvin at a fundraiser given by Chicago's "Common Sense Conservatives," she described him as "uncomfortable in his own skin." According to Jacobson, Irvin explained why he backed Black Lives Matter despite the organization's involvement in the destruction of his community, to the point where he begged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to call in the National Guard to restore order. 

"Somebody went up to him and asked him about BLM. You know, 'why are you supporting BLM?'" Jacobson said, according to Chicago City Wire. "(Irvin) said he supported BLM publicly to save the city from more looting."

In addition to Irvin, State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), tech entrepreneur Jesse Sullivan, McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, Max Solomon and Emily Johnson are among the GOP candidates for governor. The primary election will take place June 28.