The Libertarian Party of Illinois marked its 55th anniversary during its “Drive for 55” state convention this past weekend at the Northfield Inn and Suites in Springfield.
Attendees were treated to a screening of the documentary The Power to Move, with a question & answer session to follow with Thomas Quiter, founder of the Mobility Independence Foundation.
Saturday kicked off with candidate training with Russ Clark, along with sessions with Michael Milkie, LyLena Estabine, Timothy Niemeyer, and Loret Newlin. Due to severe weather in the region on Friday night, a session featuring Chelsie Leffelman was cancelled. The sessions varied from public policy to Bitcoin.
On Saturday afternoon, the business of the party took place. The results of the 2026 county conventions were certified, with the new Executive Committee and State Central Committee introduced and welcomed to the meeting. In addition to those elected, former Vice Chair Matt Piron was appointed as the SCC representative for the 8th Congressional District. The new Executive Committee comprises of Vice Chair Ray Walden IV, Secretary Ken Mattes, and Treasurer Jake Leonard. In the interim, Walden will act as chair until he is promoted to chair or if a new chair is selected.
Our 2026 statewide slate will only comprise nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Taegun Eimer and Christopher Laurent were nominated and confirmed as the united slate for the top office in the state. Julie Fox was nominated for the State Treasurer nomination, which she respectfully declined.
12 party members were selected out of LP Illinois’ 25-person delegate allocation. Those wishing to represent the party in Grand Rapids should contact the State Central Committee as soon as possible.
Other items of business involved a bylaws change regarding attendance issues of Executive Committee officers, State Central Committee members, and divisional directors, including a mechanism for removing an offender from quorum leading up to removal from the position.
The convention concluded with a supper with keynote speaker Dierdre McCloskey.
Volunteers are being sought for a convention committee to help plan the 2027 state convention, which will be the nominating convention for candidates in 2028, as well as delegate selection for the Libertarian National Convention in El Paso, Texas. Please contact Secretary Ken Mattes if you are interested.
