Wheeling Township Republican Committeeperson Kathy Penner seemingly cut a deal with the Illinois Democratic Party
Penner threatened a Republican candidate running for Arlington Heights Trustee. Nonetheless, the candidate for Arlington Heights Trustee persisted.
The Illinois Democratic Party has the means to challenge every elected office in Illinois. Sometimes, running unopposed to save resources makes sense in deep Republican areas.
However, Wheeling township is not a "Deep Republican" area. In 2020, 59.74% of Wheeling Township voted for Joe Biden; in 2024, the Democratic vote share remained high, and 58.52% voted for Kamala Harris.
That is why it is suspicious that Kathy Penner, a Republican Party Nominee for Wheeling Township supervisor, ran unopposed in the 2021 municipal election. Therefore, she earned 38,895 dollars a year from this low-time commitment job.
Kathy Penner and fellow Republican Joanna Gauza “magically” ran un-opposed by Democrats
Kathy Penner also serves as the Wheeling Township Republican Committeeman. The role of a committeeman is to help and recruit Republican candidates.
Republicans of Wheeling Township website
In a political science sense, the Wheeling Township Trustee would be the perfect office for Democrats to target.
If the Democratic party had run against Kathy Penner in 2021, it would have been an easy victory against an alleged political opponent. Further, the Supervisor role helps allocate a multi-million dollar budget for ancillary services that can help garner votes for all party candidates.
It is an open secret that patronage jobs of local contracts are also a great way to build party support.
Instagram / Wheeling Township. Kathy Penner, Left, rejected Chicago GOP Chair Steve Boulton (right)
In the Summer of 2024, Penner had been stalling the funding of a mental health board.
But in November 2024, Penner publicly reversed her position, announcing 809,550 dollars in funding for the mental health board.
Screen Shot of Steve Zalusky’s reporting for the Daily Herald
One Wheeling Township insider speculated that the reversal was evidence of a deal with the Democratic party.
Break Through Ideas
This past month, speculation that Kathy Penner cut some sort of deal to avoid an election became more realistic.
Penner threatened Michele Hunter, a viable Republican candidate, not to run for office as Arlington Heights trustee.
Michele Hunter is a vetted candidate who was endorsed by Kathy Penner for state rep in the 2024 election.
Michele Hunter for State Rep marketing materials
Arlington Heights is part of the 35.91 square miles that make up Wheeling Township. Penner has used over $650 of Republicans of Wheeling Township funds to reimburse herself for "mileage."
Republicans of Wheeling Township expenditures
This year, the Arlington Heights trustee is in the spotlight because the Chicago Bears purchased the Arlington Heights race track. The Arlington Heights trustees will make decisions with billions of dollars worth of implications, including the potential relocation of the Chicago Bears, which could significantly impact the local economy and community.
ABC News / Arlington Heights race track and potential Bears stadium site
At first, Hunter told the record that Penner tried to make vague political excuses about why Hunter should not run for trustee in this cycle. Penner claimed Hunter could take too many volunteers away from the Republicans of Wheeling Township.
But Penner resorted to a more direct threat after the excuses did not convince Hunter. Penner warned Hunter, in a manner perceived as intimidating, that bad things happen to people who cross her.
Dan Patlak, who serves as the president of the Republican Wheeling Township GOP's board and recruits candidates for Illinois Policy, was not supportive of Hunter's candidacy.
Instagram / Wheeling Township. Dan Patlak (left) Kathy Penner (center) Former head of Chicago Public Schools President Paul Vallas (Right)
The lack of support from the township organization can be detrimental to candidates due to their ability to help gather burdensome signatures required to appear on the ballot.
Fortunately for Arlington Heights voters desiring a choice for trustee, Hunter is a resilient candidate with a team of motivated supporters.
Many concerned citizens, including the article's writer, gathered more than enough signatures to get Hunter on the ballot.
This means Penner, up for re-election this year, may have a Democratic Party opponent this time and 38,9895 reasons to worry.
Wheeling Dems have a slate of Wheeling Township Supervisor and 4 trustees which has been approved.