Hinsdale Police Preparing for Boehner Fundraising Visit

The Hinsdale Police Department is in the process of formulating a security plan for a visit to Hinsdale by U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Friday, according to Chief of Police Brad Bloom.

Boehner will be in town for a fundraiser at a private residence in support of the Committee for a Fair and Balanced Map, an organization that has filed a federal lawsuit against the Illinois State Board of Elections seeking to prevent the implementation of the recently redistricted Illinois congressional map passed by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.  

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Guests attending the event were asked for donations between $500 and $10,000.

Bloom would not say what time the event is taking place Friday.

The Hinsdale Police Department was notified about the event early last week, Bloom said Wednesday, and has been working with Capitol Police—the primary force providing Boehner’s security—to have a secured venue that won’t have any traffic issues or problems with people trying to get in that were not invited.

Bloom said his department was not aware that the event was going to be publicized.

“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.

Bloom did not give any specifics about the department's plan to accommodate the event and said he doesn't know how the event will affect everyday Hinsdale commuters. 

The Hinsdale Police Department has experience with security for high-profile guests.

“We’ve had foreign dignitaries in town, political figures in town, celebrities in town … this is nothing foreign to us,” Bloom said. “This is not our first rodeo.” 

Redistricting is a process by which new boundaries for a state's congressional districts are drawn to reflect changes in population and demographics. It is conducted every 10 years following the results of the U.S. Census.

The latest Illinois maps, passed by the state legislature in May, were drawn by the Democratic majority and, according to the complaints of Republicans, will likely ensure strong Democratic gains at the polls in future elections.