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Candidate For Governor Among The Trump Supporters At MAGA Rally In Rockford

Susan Stephens
/
WNIJ

Supporters of President Donald Trump held a rally and expo in Rockford Tuesday to celebrate the first year of his presidency.

Author and activist Trevor Loudon speaks to a group gathered at the "Make America Great Again Illinois" rally in Rockford.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
/
WNIJ
Author and activist Trevor Loudon speaks to a group gathered at the "Make America Great Again Illinois" rally in Rockford.

The group Make America Great Again Illinois drew about 200 politicians and Trump supporters. Anti-Communist activist Trevor Loudon was one of the featured speakers. He drew applause when he said Trump’s election prevented a complete socialist takeover of American government, which he contended had been a growing movement for 60 years. Loudon told the crowd, “And there was enough good people in this country that God basically smiled on us and gave us another shot.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives spoke at the rally because she wants voters to know she voted for President Trump and still strongly supports him. She said, “I believe in the policies that he’s implemented to date. I believe in following our federal laws. I believe in arresting illegal immigration so that we can support workers in our state first.”

State Rep. Jeanne Ives, who is running for governor
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
/
WNIJ
State Rep. Jeanne Ives, who is running for governor

Ives is a state representative from Wheaton. She says she got into the race for governor because she feels Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner isn’t conservative enough and hasn’t developed a relationship with the president. She says that relationship is key to the financial health of the state.

Copyright 2021 WNIJ Northern Public Radio. To see more, visit WNIJ Northern Public Radio.

Susan’s parents should have known she’d end up in radio: her favorite toys were tape recorders, cameras, notepads, and books. Many years later, she’s an award-winning reporter at her favorite radio station. Formerly WNIJ’s News Director, she asked to return to the role of full-time reporter/anchor/utility player in 2010 (less paperwork, more reporting!). Her #1 goal is to tell the most compelling stories in the fewest words possible…all the better if a little humor can be thrown into the mix. It should come as no surprise, then, that she can whip up a haiku for any occasion. She also enjoys the Detroit Tigers, learning pioneer skills (Gardening, canning, and the like. Just in case.), traveling with friends, and pretending she’s going to get around to playing her theremin.