West Cook News

Rhonda Belford, president of the Republican County Chairmen's Association, said that citizens should act with confidence, seek answers, and root public service in faith. This statement was made on the Prairie State Wire Podcast.

"Now is the right time," said Belford. "But what I tell people, if I don't have the answers, I'll find the answers. I'll point you to somebody who does. And every email that I send out to all the county chairman, the state central committee, all of those folks, I sign off with Second Timothy, it says, 'For God hath not given to us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.'"

According to Politico, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Illinois GOP have expanded their faith-based outreach for 2024–2025 through initiatives focused on church partnerships and local prayer events. These programs are part of the RNC’s "Faith Engagement Initiative," which aims to strengthen conservative voter turnout and connect religious leaders with county organizations. Illinois chapters have hosted joint voter registration drives with pastors and community ministries statewide.

A 2024 Pew Research Center survey indicates that 65% of conservative Republicans say religion influences their political views, compared to 28% of moderates and liberals. Nationally, 45% of adults reported that prayer guides their civic engagement, highlighting faith’s ongoing role in political motivation.

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) study from 2023 found that consistent church attendance correlates with up to a 15% higher likelihood of voting and participating in local civic causes. The research concluded that religious communities provide social capital fostering civic duty and sustained engagement.

Belford serves as President of the Republican County Chairmen’s Association of Illinois and previously chaired the Hardin County GOP. Elected in 2022 as RCCA’s first woman president, she oversees statewide coordination, training, and engagement with faith-based and grassroots organizers.

The Republican County Chairmen’s Association (RCCA) unites Illinois’ 102 county GOP chairs to recruit candidates, train volunteers, and enhance grassroots communication with the Republican National Committee. The group promotes faith-driven civic values and conservative policies through regional and statewide collaboration.