SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Thursday marked Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair.

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The party faithful gathered to get members fired up and ready for the 2026 midterm elections.

Part of their discussion focused on gerrymandered congressional maps in Illinois and Texas.

One of the issues Republicans seized upon, with a little help from Texas, is gerrymandered maps.

Chairman of the Texas Republican Party Abraham George was the breakfast keynote speaker.

“Typically, when Democrats leave Texas, we express gratitude, but this time is different,” George said. “We need them to return so we can carry out the work of our state.”

As the battle over, new maps continue in Texas, Illinois Republicans relating with their own frustration as they gather to gear up for 2026.

“The governor went against his word when he was running. He said, ‘I am not going to sign a map that is developed by legislators,’ and he did, and that’s why all this hubbub is it’s kind of ironic that Texas Democrats are coming to Illinois. There’s certainly a better state they could have went to,” State Rep. Tony McCombie, House Republican Leader said.

As Republican’s struggle to field candidates for statewide office, former GOP Chairman Don Tracy now stepping up to run for the US Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin who is retiring.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Tracy said. “It’s going to be hard work. I’m not afraid of hard work. I’ve been working hard since I was I was 10. I’ve been in this business for a while, and I see the winds are changing as the Democrat politicians go ever leftward and more socialist. That creates an opening, even in Illinois.”

Ted Dabrowski, the president of Wirepoints, a site that comments on Illinois’ economy, said he’ll be making an announcement soon about a run for governor.

Republicans consider Donald Trump a boost for them in 2026, even if his so called “Big Beautiful Bill” is coming under heavy and regular fire by democrats.

Republicans see property tax relief as a positive element in it, especially in the critically important collar counties.

“Lifting that salt deduction cap is huge for every homeowner, all throughout the state, but especially the suburbs,” State Sen. John Curren, Senate Republican Leader said. “That was something that really hurt us, that the mega bill that got that done.”

Republicans will head to the fairgrounds for a rally on Thursday afternoon, to get them motivated for the challenges ahead in the mid-term elections.