Aaron Del Mar, entrepreneur, GOP operator, and guest on the Lake Forest Podcast, said two billionaires "call the shots" in Illinois, with J.B. Pritzker influencing Democrats and Dick Uihlein funding Republicans through four "gatekeepers" who decide which candidates get support and how much money to allocate.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, headquartered in Chicago, gave $3.3 million to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, to reduce jail use.
Aaron Del Mar, entrepreneur, GOP operator, and guest on the Lake Forest Podcast, said winning statewide in Illinois comes down to securing about “27% of Cook County,” since past winners like Bruce Rauner did so, and 92 of the state’s 102 counties are “ruby red.”
Aaron Del Mar, entrepreneur, GOP operator, and guest on the Lake Forest Podcast, said Illinois could lose another congressional seat by 2030 as people leave for red states, that J.B. Pritzker is “driving people out,” and that Democrats are using redistricting “maps” and “heat maps” to secure control.
Aaron Del Mar, entrepreneur, GOP operator, and guest on the Lake Forest Podcast, said there is "movement" at the grassroots with candidates like Mendoza and Coker entering races, while Democrats are driving up media costs with big spending such as Raja Krishnamurthy’s $19 million Senate run, creating both opportunities and "challenges" for Republicans.
Aaron Del Mar, entrepreneur, GOP operator, and guest on the Lake Forest Podcast, said Democrats are "playing musical chairs," creating a "chain reaction" of open seats, and while 2026 may bring a "pendulum swing," he believes the economy and Trump’s efforts could resist a "blue wave."
In 2024, 100% of H-1B petitions filed by Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employers across Lake County Gazette publication area were approved, according to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services via the H-1B Employer Data Hub.
The Coalers Boys Varsity Soccer Team secured the championship at the Coal City Coalers Shootout on Saturday, August 30, with three consecutive shutout victories.
Goreville Elementary School’s Preschool for All/Preschool for All Expansion program has received the Gold Circle of Quality from ExceleRate Illinois, the state’s quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development programs.
The Round Lake Community Unit School District 116 will host its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Round Lake Civic and Cultural Center and is open to the public...
Joe Weiss, co-host of the Lake Forest Podcast, said the foundation "fell short" in handling operations, so city employees should manage the events while the foundation focuses on fundraising.
Jeff Urso, co-owner of Duffer’s Pub, Donati’s Pizza, and Bratski’s, supervisor of Shields Township, and co-host of the Lake Forest Podcast, said Lake Forest College’s homecoming and senior day "would help every business" downtown, said Mayor Randy is "very pro-business," and said the council is likely "not ready" to host tournaments.