WTTW Exposes Richard Irvin’s Pay-to-Play History?

Written by Pastor Calvin Lindstrom

Some makeovers might cost you a couple of thousand dollars to get new clothes and a new look. Richard Irvin’s makeover is costing over $20 million dollars. For most people in Illinois this has been their first look at Aurora mayor, Richard Irvin, who with the backing of Illinois’ richest man, Ken Griffin, is now running for Illinois governor.

Undoubtedly there are admirable things about Richard Irvin. After graduating from East Aurora High School, Irvin joined the U.S. Army and served in the first Gulf War. He completed his education at Robert Morris College and Northern Illinois University College of Law. He went on to serve as an assistant state’s attorney with Cook County and Kane County. For a short time Irvin also served as Aurora’s first community prosecutor. In 2003, he opened his own law office. Also in 2003, Irvin attempted his first run for Mayor of Aurora. He lost this race and another race in 2009. Eventually he did win a race in 2017 and became Aurora’s first African-American mayor. In 2021, he won reelection to another four-year-term.

All of this sounds very admirable. But is Richard Irvin really a true conservative politician, as he claims, or simply someone who has learned to play the system and now with money is seeking the top job in Illinois?

I think we know the answer based on the absolutely detestable and dishonest smears the Irvin campaign has been running against Darren Bailey, accusing Bailey of being a Never-Trumper.

Additionally, WTTW has done a great job showing that Irvin has really learned how politics works in Illinois. As Dan Proft of WIND has insightfully noted, “Illinois is not broken; it is fixed.” WTTW reported how Irvin’s Ex-Wife, Crystal Rollins, was hired by a property development firm, JTE Real Estate Services, that received millions in Aurora City incentives.

This company has donated very generously to Richard Irvin and also to his former law partner and girlfriend, Brittany Pedersen. Pedersen is not only the mother to twin sons fathered by Irvin, but the recipient of “cushy” City of Aurora jobs.

WTTW’s investigative report is careful to say that nothing Irvin has done is “illegal.” But they do suggest that it doesn’t pass the smell test. Watch this six minute segment and draw your own conclusions:

Illinois Republican voters must look pass the $20-million-makeover and realize that Irvin is hardly the conservative who is going to clean up Illinois.

Read more:

Aurora Company that Donated Big to Richard Irvin’s Mayoral Campaign Received Millions in City Contracts (WTTW)

Richard Irvin’s Ex-Wife Hired by Development Firm Receiving Millions in Aurora City Incentives  (WTTW)