CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --As the Republican Convention continues this week, the head of Chicago’s GOP said the theme of “law and order” sounded in Charlotte and other venues is touching the lives of people in the city.
Some Illinois Republicans suggested people’s fears of violence in cities like Chicago help illustrate their case for keeping Donald Trump in the White House.
Steve Boulton, Chicago Republican Chairman, said the recent looting in the downtown area and violence on the city’s streets in general have helped make the case for the tougher law and order stand that they represent.
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"I think that is has actually helped the Republican Party quite a bit locally, I am not sure how much nationally the events in Chicago have an impact, but certainly everyone is fed up with the violence. Everyone is fed up with the rioting. It has devastated the city," he said.
Boulton felt the principles of the GOP expressed during this convention will be embraced.
"We do frankly back the police, but not any policemen who are engaging in any shooting of unarmed people in murderous situations. That has to be reviewed by the criminal authorities and brought to justice, if necessary, but we generally back the police, because we generally think that there cannot be justice without order."
And especially amid the most recent allegations of corruption in the Illinois legislature, he said, Republicans are preaching sound government.
Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider, who chairs the Illinois Republican Party, was among a handful of Illinois delegates actually in Charlotte for the convention.He said the party’s focus on issues of law and order is especially relevant for the people in Illinois in general, and Chicago in particular.
"With the lawlessness in Chicago, with the rioting and protesters, you know, peaceful protest is one thing, but rioting and looting, and then allowing the Mayor of Chicago to barricade the blocks around her, protect her with 150 police, and then not protect our downtown, our Loop, and our Magnificent Mile," he said.
Schneider suggested Mayor Lightfoot has a double standard, though some protesters have said her administration has treated them too harshly.