How things work? Darby Hills is listed as a “Public Precinct Committeeperson” in the 84th Precinct of ELA TOWNSHIP* as of 2/18/25 at 5:09:59PM. Problem is she does not live in Ela Township.
The backroom maneuvering to install the unqualified Darby Hills as a State Senator has only gotten uglier. Hills allegedly put her name in following recruitment by Dan McConchie, Keith Brin, and John Curran, and another attempt will be made by this threesome to ensure she secures the title of State Senator.
Curran, Brin, and McConchie first attempted to install Joe Salvi in the seat through a backroom deal, but when that failed, they turned to Hills. Now, they are hoping to push her through without public scrutiny.
The Barrington Hills Observer has learned that a second nominating meeting will take place tomorrow at 1 PM at the Palatine Township Republican offices, across the street from Rand Road (Route 12) and Quentin Road. This meeting has not been properly noticed to the public, likely by design—to minimize pushbacks.
Not since Helene Walsh have we seen such Republican incompetence. It is astonishing that Senate GOP Leader John Curran and his team have chosen to back Hills over three highly qualified Republican candidates:
- Chris Borawski – A longtime conservative leader.
- Tosi Ufodike – A resolute Republican candidate.
- Martin McLaughlin – A three-term State Representative (Republican) and former Mayor.
Hills’ lack of Republican credentials is just one of many concerns. Just days ago, she appointed as a Precinct Committeeperson in Ela Township* (not her own neighborhood). This was clearly a last-minute move to create the illusion of Republican involvement.
Can anyone seriously imagine Darby Hills walking door-to-door in Lake Zurich or Palatine, promoting other Republican candidates? The very job of a Precinct Committeeperson?
Why is this happening? Money! Hills has promised to self-fund her campaign, and the Senate Republican leadership is weak and desperate for cash.
The real question is: How far will local Republican leaders go to pretend Darby Hills is a legitimate legislator?
* Source
Related: ”26th Legislative District Committee meeting tomorrow,” “Do Over Scheduled for Meeting to Replace State Senator Dan McConchie,” “Restraining order sought to block 26th Senate appointment amid legal fight,” “Lawsuit challenges legality of GOP appointment to 26th State Senate seat,” “McConchie’s would-be successor isn’t a Republican and can’t serve, lawsuit alleges,” “Darby Hills Appointed as New State Senator for Illinois’ 26th Senate District”
This is exactly why people have lost trust in our political process.
The blatant corruption, backroom deals, and disregard for transparency have reached new heights.
Instead of supporting proven, qualified candidates with a track record of leadership, the establishment is attempting to install an unqualified individual who doesn’t even live in the township where she was just appointed as a committeeperson.
They think they can get away with it because they assume no one is watching, no one will push back, and no one will hold them accountable. Well, they’re wrong.
We need to expose this sham from every angle.
Demand transparency. Why wasn’t this meeting properly noticed to the public? What are they trying to hide?
Call out the incompetence of Senate GOP leadership. Are they really so desperate for cash that they’d sell out their own voters?
Support real, qualified candidates.
We cannot let these corrupt political maneuvers go unchallenged.
Spread the word. Make the calls. Show up. Demand accountability. They work for us—not the other way around.
Local leadership and the Illinois GOP need to know that the people are watching, and we will not stand for this kind of deception.
What a complete disgrace. I’m embarrassed for the IL Republican party.
Wait! Who is the fool who appointed her to be a PC in Ela?? She doesn’t even live there. Is this the same John Curran who kicked Dan Mcconchie to the curb as Minority Leader and more recently voted yes on Amendment One??
Darby Hills has lost a LOT of respect in our community in less than a month. The best way to slow and some day stop this is for her to quietly and quickly withdraw her name from consideration.
The Silicone Socialite is completely unrelatable to 99% of the 26th District. She is unelectable. Keith Brin, the Lake County GOP Chair, is a disgrace to the Republican Party for his insistence to try to push his choice through. Hills has no Republican bona fides, should have never even been considered, and now should withdraw before causing any more embarrassment.
Surely Mrs. Hills has many fine attributes. Her energy seems to be channeled towards being the centerpiece of an insulated, pampered and mostly vapid Barrington Hills High Society crowd, while her most significant career achievement has been marrying a man whose father is extremely rich. That said, unless there’s more to her than we know, she is utterly unprepared and unqualified for the political combat that will be expected of her as a Senator. Moreover, she does not appear to be the least bit interested in advancing the MAGA agenda in the Springfield. Newsflash to Illinois Republican leadership…we want the MAGA agenda. Real Republicans are praying that the DOJ and DOGE will rescue Illinois.
But this is not about Mrs. Hills, as she is just a symptom of a much larger problem. It’s about the absolute corruption and disarray of the Illinois Republican party. Choosing two wildly unqualified candidates over obvious superior options – the best of which is clearly Marty McLaughlin – shows the depth to which the Illinois Republicans have descended and why we always lose elections. Attempting to placate voters with milquetoast “centrist” positions and candidates has produced zero results. Illinois is in dire need of reform. The rest of the state understands. Suburban Republicans apparently do not.