Dupage Policy Journal

Tonia Khouri believes a sea of change is needed in Springfield.

The Republican candidate for the 49th House District, Khouri recently took to social media to warn her would-be constituents about her Democratic opponent and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

“Karina Villa and Mike Madigan are lying to voters about who they are and what they stand for,” Khouri said. “I’m running for state representative to change the culture in Springfield.”

Democrat Karina Villa, 49th House District candidate | Facebook

To support her claims, she offered a clip of her interview on AM 560 Illinois Rising Radio, hosted by Dan Proft and Patrick Hughes. (Proft is a principal in LGIS, owner of this publication.)

Khouri told listeners that Madigan had backed Villa’s campaign to the tune of $100,000 and alleged the campaign donation in effect bought Villa’s vote to retain Madigan as speaker.

During the interview, Khouri also said Madigan blocked a Republican bill that would have tied legislators’ pay to whether they pass a balanced budget.  Madigan, however, has since told voters that he supports the bill.

Madigan and Villa also allegedly sent a mailer claiming Khouri backed an “extreme agenda of stripping money from public schools in a  voucher-style scheme.” Khouri, however, was not in the General Assembly when lawmakers considered the Democrat-approved bill.

“They are misrepresenting their opponents and what they stand for,” Khouri said.

Meanwhile, Khouri has received the endorsement of ABATE Illinois, a road-safety charitable organization and political action committee.

“I am proud to be endorsed by an important organization that is dedicated to preserving the rights of all motorcyclists and ATV, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles,” Khouri said on Facebook. 

The 49th House District includes parts of Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, as well as the cities of Aurora, Batavia, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville, St. Charles, Warrenville and West Chicago.