Boehner to Speak at Hinsdale Fundraiser Friday

U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) is going to be in Hinsdale Friday attending a fundraiser, along with several Illinois politicians, to benefit an Illinois group fighting against state Democrats’ proposed redistricting.  

The fundraiser for the Committee for a Fair and Balanced Map, an organization opposed to the Democratic redistricting map in Illinois, will take place at a private residence in Hinsdale Friday and has a guest list that features Boehner, former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert as well as U.S. Reps. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) and Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), according to an event flier.

Committee spokesman John McGovern said Boehner will speak at the event. He could not confirm whether the other guests will make speeches.

Those interested in attending were given donation options that ranged from $500 to $10,000. According to McGovern, the event is not "tiered," meaning there are no additional privileges for guests that choose to donate more. 

The spokesman said people interested in attending should call Lisa Wagner & Co. at 630-752-9661 to check on remaining availability. 

Hinsdale Police Chief Brad Bloom said the Hinsdale Police Department is working with Capitol Police, Boehner’s primary security team, to make sure the event runs smoothly. 

Bloom said the department did not expect the event to get a lot of publicity. 

“Now that this has become somewhat of a public matter, it certainly has caused us to look at this event, and the potential for problems, a little differently,” the chief said.

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The Committee for a Fair and Balanced Map is a newly established, independent organization made up of Illinois citizens who think the redistricting map passed by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly provides "a partisan advantage," according to its website.

The committee is listed as one of 17 plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against the Illinois State Board of Elections and eight other individual defendants. Biggert and Roskam are among the plaintiffs.

The committee filed a motion for an injunction that would preclude the board of elections from implementing the new district map, which was passed by Springfield lawmakers in May. 

“Together, we are committed to making sure that all Illinois voters have an opportunity to elect the representatives they chose—not those forced upon them by political power-brokers in Springfield,” the “About Us” page on the committee's website reads. “We will explore every option available to us to protect Illinois voters, preserve communities of interest, and empower the democratic process.”

Hastert is one of seven people who sit on the committee's board of directors. Lynn Martin is the organization's chairwoman.