Dupage Policy Journal

Aurora mayor Richard Irvin’s popularity with Republican voters may have taken another hit after a long-forgotten tweet noting his declaration of "Dr. Ezike Day" in honor of Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.

"IDPH wants to thank @CityofAuroraIL Mayor Richard Irvin for hosting Dr. Ngozi Ezike and proclaiming today as Dr. Ezike Day!" the October 2021 tweet reads.

Ezike has been a polarizing figure, especially among Republicans who have criticized her efforts toward curbing the pandemic. 

Her reappointment was recently delayed. 

Ezike is infamous for suggesting state residents who want to prevent spreading COVID among family members should wear masks in their own homes.

The IDPH under her reign bungled COVID data collection, leading to the improper shutdown of the Metro East area of the state.

Ezike was also questioned about allegedly erroneous death rates in which the cause of death was unrelated to COVID but the deceased had the condition.

Meanwhile, Irvin’s loyalty to the Republican Party has been called into question due to his affiliation with the Democratic Party.

Some Republicans have noted that Irvin — although running as a Republican — voted in Democratic primaries in 2014 and the last two presidential election cycles in 2016 and 2020.

“I suspect career Democrat Richard Irvin will be very popular among the establishment and weak-kneed Republicans who voted with Madigan and Pritzker to raise your taxes," felllow Republican gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) said in a tweet aimed at Irvin. "They will attempt to mislead you because the political elites fear you standing up. Don’t be fooled,”  

Irvin is being backed by billionaire hedge fund founder Ken Griffin, a critic of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.