The Barrington Hills Observer

Darby Hills, who self-identifies as an Illinois State Senator, has been actively engaging in self-promotion by frequently posing for photographs with various individuals and attributing accomplishments to herself whenever possible. Her goal? Legitimizing her appointment allegedly secured through political maneuvering in a backroom deal involving Lake County Republican Chairman Keith Brin, State of Illinois Republican Chairwoman Kathy Salvi, State Senate Minority Leader John Curran and Colin Corbett of Core Strategies (Political Consulting Services). The role of State Senator, however, requires far more than social media savvy, manicured nails and high heels. It demands the ability to read legislation critically, recognize manipulation, and resist emotional, progressive driven agendas.

Hills has already proven to be out of step with core Republican values. She was one of only two Senators to vote for a bill that infringed on Second Amendment rights, and, just last week, she was the ONLY senator to support a packaging bill that would harm small, independent businesses. Both pieces of legislation were cloaked in emotional appeal, with kernels of truth, but ultimately representing incremental steps toward eroding individual freedoms and undermining local entrepreneurs. Hills should have known better! Obviously, she’s completely inexperienced and worse, doesn’t understand that to hold her seat she must uphold the principles of the Republican Party.

What Hills doesn’t want anyone in our community or at large to know is that there will be a bench trial on May 20th before Illinois 22nd Circuit Court Judge Kevin G. Costello in McHenry County, which will determine whether Hills was even qualified to be appointed as a Republican back in February. If the court finds she did not meet statutory requirements as of February 2nd, the date Senator McConchie vacated his seat, she could be removed from office. The bad news for Hills is that the Judge has taken the case and has found that she only potentially became qualified on February 18th, thus signalling a high probability she will lose this case.

Documents obtained by The Observer show that Hills herself raised red flags on her application for the five decision-makers regarding her Republican credentials—concerns that were ignored. In his interview, State Representative Martin McLaughlin even warned the committee that one of the four finalists was unqualified. Nonetheless, Keith Brin, with his weighted majority vote, pushed Hills through. Brin, who is Core Strategies’ legal counsel and law partner with liberal State Senator Robert Martwick, voted twice for Hills to ensure she filled the seat.

According to state law, there are four ways to qualify as a Republican appointee. Hills met none. In a last-minute maneuver, Brin scrambled to have her appointed as a precinct committeeperson—not in her own area, because she couldn’t qualify in Cuba Township to be one, but rather in Ela Township, on February 18th, two weeks after McConchie vacated the seat. That timeline is central to the legal challenge now facing her.

Why was Hills rushed into the office? Senate Republican Leader John Curran backed her for two reasons: she is pliable and promised financial support. But local residents are waking up to the reality that Hills does not embody Republican or conservative values, and even more concerning, they are now learning about the heavy-handed, insider tactics that led to her appointment.

She may present herself as a polished, primped, pedigreed Lady Poodle at events and photo ops suited for the elite circles of Barrington Hills, but the 26th District isn’t quite ready for The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! Out here, coifed but unqualified won’t win many hearts or votes.

Related: “Gun rights advocacy group expresses displeasure with terms like ‘RINO, Backstabbing Traitor’ and ‘Botox Queen’ describing a senator’s vote on Senate Bill 8,” “Darby Hills Sworn In to Represent Illinois’ 26th Senate District,” “Darby Hills chosen — again — to succeed Dan McConchie in state Senate,” “’The Fix’ is in?,” “Darby Hills’ appointment to state Senate on hold as Republicans reopen applications for McConchie’s seat,” “26th Legislative District Committee meeting cancelled,” “State Senator seat at any price?,” ”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”