Prairie State Wire

Rhonda Belford, president of the Republican County Chairmen’s Association, said on the Prairie State Wire Podcast that Illinois has effectively invited illegal immigrants while entrenching partisan power. This statement has drawn scrutiny to the state's political landscape.

"I think they found safe haven here," said Belford. "Temporary Governor JB Pritzker rolled out the red carpet and asked them to come. It was a hypocritical move. We are actually one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation."

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has defended the continued funding for migrant housing and services amidst a surge in arrivals, while urging federal action to address the influx. Since 2022, more than 46,000 migrants have reached Chicago, prompting the state to launch multiple emergency programs to manage shelter and healthcare costs. According to The Wall Street Journal, these policies have sparked debate over fiscal priorities and local capacity.

The state of Illinois has spent an estimated $2.5 billion on migrant support since 2022, covering expenses such as shelter, healthcare, rental assistance, and welcome centers. Chicago's city costs alone have exceeded $600 million. Officials warn that state resources may be exhausted by 2025 without federal reimbursement, as reported by Fox 32 Chicago citing state budget analyses.

The Princeton Gerrymandering Project graded Illinois’ 2021 congressional map an "F" for fairness due to severe partisan bias and limited competitiveness compared to national norms. RepresentUs notes that Illinois ranks among the top states for gerrymandering severity, driven by map designs favoring incumbents.

Belford serves as Southern Region Vice President for the Republican County Chairmen’s Association and chairs the Hardin County GOP; she was elected RNC National Committeewoman for Illinois in 2024. Her career reflects decades of county-level organizing and statewide party leadership.

The Republican County Chairmen’s Association of Illinois (RCCA) unites all 102 county GOP chairs to coordinate candidate recruitment, volunteer training, and voter outreach. Founded to strengthen grassroots operations, it maintains a regional structure and hosts events to advance Republican policy and governance statewide.