Del Mar to ‘Blow the Caps’ at Chicago Prime—Owned by Political Ally and Brother of Alleged Child Porn Producer—Proceeds Go to Him, Not Cook County GOP
Aaron Del Mar is using his new Cook County GOP Chair title to position himself for future campaigns, challenge rivals, and fundraise for his own political ambitions.
Aaron Del Mar's first official fundraiser as Cook County GOP Chair isn't to rescue the party's empty bank account. It's for Friends of Aaron Del Mar—his personal PAC.
Facebook/ The Cook County GOP uses their official page to promote Del Mar’s fundraiser while the Cook county GOP only has $5,074.4 and Del Mar’s Palatine GOP only has $1,463.13 cash on hand.
Illinois Sunshine/ The Cook County GOP’s Bank Balance
Illinois Sunshine/ Palatine GOP, which Del Mar also chairs, total bank balance.
For $25,000, donors are invited to "blow the caps off with Aaron" at Andy John Kalkounos's Chicago Prime Steak House. This is a reminder that Del Mar may have the connections to raise money, just not for the party he ran to lead.
Andy John, a Del Mar ally, is one of eight officials behind the backroom Democrat-Republican deal in Palatine that helped dodge a local election—an arrangement widely criticized by residents.
Aaron Del Mar nets 24,000 dollar a year as Highway Commissioner and Kalkounos nets 25,000 dollars a year from the deal made with palatine Democrats. The taxpayer money nearly equals ten times the total amount in the Cook County GOP's bank account and nearly 49 times more than the Palatine GOP's bank account, where Andy John Kalkounas serves on the board and Aaron Del Mar serves as president.
Breakthrough Ideas/ Jeanne Ives article on the controversy
Palatine GOP’s website/ Aaron still serves as chair and Andy John is on their board
Kalkounas isn't just a Palatine GOP Board member, Township Supervisor and restaurateur; he also plays a role on Chicago Fire.
IMDb/ Andy John Kalkounos on Chicago Fire
But the real drama started when he launched a culinary scholarship and sponsored his brother Stelia’s band, Sacred—despite Stelia being a convicted child sex offender.
2022 Village of Schaumburg meeting praising Andy John and Stelio for their Culinary scholarship. Stelio had already been convicted child sex offender at this time.
YouTube/ Stelio’s band which is ironically called “sacred” Summerhouse performance was sponsored by Andy John
Prosecutors charged Stelia again last year, this time for allegedly running a child porn production operation. The FBI in Milwaukee is still investigating. Anyone with tips should call 414-276-4684.
By raising money under Friends of Aaron Del Mar, he can decide his next political campaign—for governor, secretary of state, congress, state rep, or a county-wide seat.
As Illinois Record has previously reported, at least one freelance journalist is sitting on material that could complicate Del Mar's ambitions. A second reporter, unconnected to the first, reportedly has information linked to one of Del Mar's LLCs or his nonprofit Fathers Helping Fathers. Sources suggest this information becomes relevant only if Del Mar pursues a higher office, as it is not salacious.
Del Mar is floating his name as a governor's option to left leaning political journalist friends like Politico's Shia Kapos, Center Square’s Catrina Barker and Standard's Tom Robb—not to run but to boost his market value.
The Center Square/ a puff piece article floating Del Mar as a Governor Candidate
journal and topics/ A puff piece that rebranded Del Mar stepping down as IL-GOP Co-Chair as an exploration for statewide office
With a platform in Cook County, Del Mar could approach GOP gubernatorial hopefuls like Richard Porter or James “Jussie” Mendrick and ask: What's it worth to keep me off the ballot? That question might resonate with the Northern Cook-based Porter, whose path to the nomination requires a strong showing from Cook County.
Republican candidates for governor spent $114 million in the 2022 primary. Compared to that, $25,000 for "Popping the Cap with Aaron" looks like a parking ticket.
Facebook/ Aaron Del Mar yells at event with potential LT Gov Candidate Kristina McCloy
Del Mar's threats to other candidates aren't hypothetical nor confined to the governor's race.
After our last article, he threatened the presumptive 8th District GOP nominee that he might run against him, claiming he could deliver "250,000 votes"—a bold boast considering the entire primary draws closer to 34,000. Unless he's campaigning in cemeteries, the math doesn't check out.
Ballotpedia/ The last contested Republican Primary in the 8th district had a total turnout of 34,598 Republicans.
Meanwhile, a lackey of Governor Candidate James “Jussie” Mendrick floated Del Mar's name for Secretary of State. It's a low-profile race unlikely to attract national scrutiny, and therefore unlikely to trigger any investigative interest in Del Mar's business dealings or nonprofit filings.
Facebook/ James “Jussie” Mendrick lackey Steve Miltello floats Aaron Del Mar as a Secretary of State Candidate on a popular Dupage County Facebook group.
The secretary of state race is also a safer space for a man who called January 6 attendees "treasonous," hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, and reportedly questioned a GOP committeeman for not being vaccinated.
Daily Herald/ Article about a fundraiser Del Mar hosted for Hillary Clinton, a person Del Mar says he “Respects”.
Journal & Topics/ Aaron Del Mar criticizes President Trump and calls J6 attendees terrorists to his left leaning journalist friend Tom Robb
That profile won't fly in a primary decided by mostly dedicated Republicans, but considering the high signature requirement to make the ballot, Del Mar could run unopposed, guaranteeing a primary win.
Running for Secretary of State would give Del Mar an extended platform, media coverage, and over a year of Ilgop pizza parties, without pressure to win.
Facebook/ Aaron Del Mar (right) at an ILGOP Pizza party during the last time he ran for statewide office.
In the meantime, Cook County GOP remains in freefall. After a brutal leadership race, backlash continues. A committeeman from Del Mar fired told Illinois Record they believe retribution and a clear ethics violation, not strategy, drove the decision. We've withheld their name—Cook County GOP has a reputation for retaliation. Read their heartbreaking message below:
“Dear Max,
I was doing my job in the (redacted ward or township) and had only been serving for a few months. Recruited my (spouse) as precinct captain. He sent out thousands of emails for a fundraiser. We organized and underwrote a fundraiser for a GOP candidate running for national office - (redacted). I was actively working on setting up meetings in the ward. Observed and reported on election fraud. Donated money to various GOP causes and attended and supported many events. I was very enthusiastic and was only personally involved to help Chicago and Illinois.
Again, had only been in the position for MONTHS.
No one at my table voted for Aaron. Since I’m new and unfamiliar with the candidates, I abstained. Of the many who didn’t vote for him, he singled a few of us out and punished us. Within 48 hours he took away my position. This is retribution and a clear ethics violation. It was explained to me that there are no ethical standards for Aaron’s position and he can abuse and discriminate against anyone he chooses.
To say that I’m no longer enthusiastic would be an understatement. If my ward committee position is not reinstated, it’s doubtful that I’ll be putting in the work or the effort that I have been. I will continue as a supporter because I have faith in the Northside GOP leadership.
I personally don’t think that insulting and humiliating a positive and cooperative GOP volunteer is really the way to go if you’re attempting to build a party, but that’s just me. At the present time I’ve lost my motivation.
If this is the Illinois GOP attempting to grow, succeed, gain momentum and support, then you’re definitely on the wrong track.
My (spouse) and I have both had distinguished careers and we could have been assets to the party.
Sincerely,
Redacted”
On May 8th, liberal “Republican” Steve Boulton—who Del Mar didn't fire—commandeered the stage at a Niles Republican Event, showing how GOP committeeman often weaponize their titles for their own vanity rather than serving the people’s interests.
Facebook/ Steve Boulton (left) looks uncomfortable during a rare moment of silence at the May 8 Niles GOP event. During the Q&A, he allegedly grabbed the mic and blocked other speakers from participating despite one driving several hours to attend the event and the other a potential candidate for Governor.
Boulton claimed he "retired" as Chicago GOP Chair because Toni Preckwinkle and the democrats were "afraid of his effectiveness." Contradicting his past assertion that the “far right” forced him into retirement.
Illinois Review/ Article about liberal Republican Chair and Aaron Del Mar Allie Steve Boulton blaming “the right” for his demise”
In truth, several Republicans, including allies, tossed Boulton off the ballot for failing to meet the lowest standards of the committeeman petition, namely, getting signatures from voters to appear on the ballot. Boulton launched a write-in campaign, but only pulled 24 votes—still not enough to beat his opponent, “Nobody.”
Illinois Review/ Illinois Review’s extremely condensed version of Boulton’s loss.
Boulton managed just to personally collect two sheets of signatures—proof of laziness, lack of commitment, or no real connection to the community. However, in the Cook County GOP, loyalty to the chair outweighs any flaw or lack of voter support. After voters tossed him off the ballot, Boulton was quietly reappointed in a different ward—27—so his speeches to cook county republican clubs could continue, sparing him the embarrassment of speaking to his political rival "Nobody," at Gibson’s Bar.
Illinois Review Exclusive/ Mark Vargas of Illinois Review claims that Boulton has been heard speaking to himself at the bar of an expensive Chicago Steakhouse.
When Republicans-in-name-only cry conspiracy without a shred of evidence, it's usually a smokescreen, meant to distract from a far more unsettling truth.
On a recent podcast, Del Mar claimed Illinois Record is "backed by Democrats."
We'll take the arrows. It means we're right on the bullseye.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly / Ennio Morricone
Spot on! Keep exposing these evil heathens. We’re supposed to be the party that aligns with God, yet so many are weak and don’t speak up exposing darkness to light. We have so called Christians who have podcasts, writing Christian books, giving Christian speeches and they’re all fake, no action behind their words. It’s so disappointing how cowardly they are.
Delmar doesn’t believe in the US Constitution, free speech or consent of the governed. He shuts down speech from anyone who challenges the validity of our elections. This guy needs to be ranked from politics immediately!