Prairie State Wire

The Federation of Illinois Young Republicans is expanding its presence across the state by launching new local chapters.

Emily Cahill, treasurer of the Will County Young Republicans, a Plainfield precinct committeeman and membership coordinator for the Federation, has played a key role in the effort. 

In recent months, Cahill has helped establish four new chapters, with a fifth in development.

“I'm working really hard on trying to expand the Young Republicans to be statewide right now,” Cahill told Prairie State Wire. “There's probably, I don't know, nine chapters in. Here in the past three months, we've opened up four more chapters and are in the process of doing the fifth one. So I'm really dedicated to that—driving to different places across the state to try and drum up support.”

Cahill highlighted her collaborative efforts to grow the Young Republicans network across Illinois, working closely with state leadership and grassroots organizers.

“Me and Evan Kasal, who is the chairman of the Illinois Federation of Young Republicans, and a few other individuals have been going around the state making contacts to create new Young Republican organizations in counties,” she said. 

Cahill said recent expansion efforts have led to the creation of several new Young Republican chapters across Illinois, including the Forgottonia Young Republicans, which serves Knox, Fulton, McDonough and Warren counties. 

Leaders of the Forgottonia Young Republicans made a visit to the Illinois State Capitol this week to engage with state lawmakers and advocate for conservative priorities. 

Vice Chair Traeton McVey and Sergeant-at-Arms Landon Smith met with several prominent officials, including State Senators Jil Tracy and Steve McClure as well as Representatives Tony McCombie and Norine Hammond.  

Other new chapters include the Champaign County Young Republicans and the Metro East Young Republicans. 

The Champaign County Young Republicans are actively involved in local and state political matters, promoting party unity. They have publicly expressed support for President Trump’s America First agenda while condemning recent discriminatory comments made by Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.  

The Metro East Young Republicans are actively involved in local and state political advocacy, recently calling on residents to oppose the Illinois House’s legalization of assisted suicide. The group is also promoting support for Republican candidates, including Paul Nicolussi, who is running for Madison County Board District 23. 

Members also recently participated in legislative events in Springfield alongside organizations such as Americans for Prosperity to engage with lawmakers and fellow young conservatives. 

Among the most prominent recent success stories is the launch of the North Cook Young Republicans, which will host its official kickoff event on June 3 in Schaumburg.

Led by Chairman Eric Angerer and co-hosted by Americans for Prosperity, the event features Cook County GOP Chairman Aaron Del Mar and former gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine as keynote speakers. 

Cahill worked closely with Angerer in the early stages of the chapter’s development, helping to lay the groundwork and connect key players.

The North Cook County Young Republicans are actively involved in statewide political issues while celebrating the accomplishments of their members, including Vice-Chair Gabriella Hoxie, who recently earned a master’s degree in political science. 

The group has publicly opposed several Democratic initiatives, such as proposed tax hikes and energy legislation, closely monitoring activity in the Illinois General Assembly. 

They have also shown solidarity with other Republican organizations by endorsing Peter Giunta and the “Restore YR” slate for leadership at the upcoming National Young Republican Convention. 

Cahill emphasized the vital role young conservatives can play in strengthening the Republican Party through grassroots involvement and local campaigning.

“It will help grow the Republican Party and it'll give us a chance to get good Republicans elected,” Cahill said. 

Cahill began her involvement in conservative politics by counterprotesting George Floyd demonstrations in 2020, supporting law enforcement and promoting conservative views in predominantly left-leaning areas. 

“Anytime that there’s a protest against law enforcement, I show up with my sign that says ‘Back the Blue’ and I stand there,” she previously told the Will County Gazette. 

Emily Cahill counter protesting leftist and Antifa protests at Whitney M. Young High School. (Facebook / Emily Cahill) 

Her involvement has made her a recognizable figure in some political spaces. She said her motivation stems from concerns about the state’s political direction.

“I see how corrupt the Democratic Party is and how it directly and negatively impacts my generation, my children and other residents of the state of Illinois and I believe if I was able to wake up more people to that, then they wouldn't vote Democrat,” Cahill said. “But they would start coming to the right side, as I say, and realize that the Republicans are the ones that care, and they want to help people.”

Cahill’s comments come as former House Speaker Michael Madigan—the longtime Democratic boss and Illinois’ most powerful politician for 36 years—is set to be sentenced on June 13 after being convicted on 10 counts of corruption. 

Federal prosecutors have recommended a 12.5-year prison sentence for Madigan. He could receive up to 20 years for the most serious charges. 

Through her role, Cahill has focused on not only growing the organization numerically, but also building a grassroots force capable of impacting elections.

“Young Republicans are very tenacious,” she said. “We have a lot of energy, and sometimes we have a lotta time on our hands. So if we can find people like that and utilize them to do door knockings and praise—doing calling, to, you know, just talking to the neighbors—that will grow exponentially and show that we can get people elected. No, and who knows? A couple of them might want to run themselves. You never know.”

As part of her outreach, Cahill has helped bring the Illinois Young Republicans onto multiple digital platforms, including launching consistent participation in X (formerly Twitter) Spaces to boost visibility and connect with politically engaged youth online.

“We just now expanded to being on all platforms,” she said. “We’ve done a lot in these past couple months.”