Jimmy Lee Tillman: 2026 candidate for U.S. Senate

Bio

Office sought: U.S. Senate

City: Chicago

Age: 56

Occupation: Author and Historian

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

What is your top issue and how do you propose to address it?

My top issue: Ensuring Illinois isn't left behind as America surges under America First policies.

Chicago's one-party machine has prioritized itself over families — now sanctuary policies threaten federal funding. We need a senator partnering with Washington to protect our resources, not obstructing to defend failures.

As your senator, I'll deliver:

Energy dominance: Unlock production, champion nuclear (we lead nationally). Lower costs = family relief, manufacturing edge.

Border security: Fight for HR 2, end catch-and-release. Chicago-to-southern suburbs suffer crime, fentanyl, service strain — and funding cuts.

Fiscal discipline: Slash billions in waste, return dollars to families/locals.

Parental rights: Protect women's sports by keeping boys out of girls' athletics; restore parent control over education.

Illinois deserves a doer partnering with the administration, not an obstructionist. That's how we secure funding, deliver results, put people first.

Do you support the unilateral foreign policy course President Trump has taken with such actions as the bombing of Iran, assaults on Venezuelan ships and the seizure of the Venezuelan president?

Absolutely — let me explain why I strongly support President Trump's America First foreign policy. His June 2025 strikes on Iran's nuclear sites like Fordow and Natanz showed real strength to deter threats to our security.

On Venezuela, Operation Absolute Resolve dismantled Maduro's narcoterrorist regime, unlocking the world's largest oil reserves — 303 billion barrels worth over $17 trillion. U.S. firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil invested billions, only to have assets stolen under Chávez-Maduro socialism.

They can now rebuild infrastructure, ramping production from under 1M barrels daily toward 3.5M — the pre-Chávez peak. Americans gain compensation via oil sales, jobs, lower energy costs, and less reliance on Russia, Saudi Arabia, and China.

Venezuelans escape poverty and socialism. Markets get millions more barrels daily. Critics note intervention costs, but U.S.-backed stability proves the strategy's merit.

This is energy dominance: prosperity at home, freedom abroad. Illinois families see cheaper gas and export-driven growth.

The executive branch has expanded its powers in recent years on foreign policy, economic tariffs, executive orders and more. Are you satisfied with the direction these activities are moving? If so, why? If not, what needs to be done differently?

Yes, I'm satisfied with this direction — let me tell you why.

For decades, Congress failed on nuclear reform, trade, and more — gridlock ruled. President Trump's executive authority breaks that paralysis with real results.

Illinois leads with more nuclear plants than any state, yet 1975-era regulations held us back. His order overhauls the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: science-based radiation limits cut costs safely. It ends Russian uranium dependence and fixes federal waste failures.

Tariffs? Critics predicted collapse. The reality: $100B revenue in the first half of fiscal 2025, record markets, 3.8% GDP growth. Trump secured $1T+ foreign investment, reshoring manufacturing — and thousands of jobs from Rockford to Carbondale.

This isn't power expansion. It's leadership when Congress won't act. Illinois families get stable energy, returning factories, real growth.

What should U.S. border policy be? If elected, what would you do to make it happen?

Our border policy must prioritize sovereignty and security. As a Heritage Foundation Academy fellow, I've worked to advance the Secure the Border Act—HR 2 — which gives us the comprehensive framework we need.

First, end asylum abuse. Millions claim economics, not persecution. End 'catch and release'; require asylum seekers to wait in safe third countries like Mexico, as under President Trump.

Second, finish the wall. Remaining gaps are operational corridors for cartels and traffickers — they must close.

Third, boost Border Patrol resources while fixing laws. More money without reform just speeds illegal processing. End the Flores 20-day detention limit.

Fourth, mandate nationwide E-Verify. It's highly accurate and removes a major employment magnet.

Fifth, no amnesty — period. Every past amnesty encouraged more crossings.

As your senator, I'll fight to pass HR 2 and work with President Trump for permanent protections. From Chicago to southern suburbs, Illinois feels the strain: crime, overloaded services, fentanyl deaths. Securing the border protects our families and restores American sovereignty.

What should be the government’s role in assuring health care for Americans? What should be done regarding the ACA to better perform this function?

The government's role should be empowering families to make their own health care choices, not subsidizing insurance company profits through bloated programs.

The ACA exemplifies this failure: Enhanced subsidies since 2021 triggered over 20% premium increases, fueling record insurer profits while families face crushing deductibles and delayed care. As I wrote in the Washington Times, I've spoken directly with Illinois families taxed to fund these subsidies, yet forced to skip their own treatments.

This isn't relief — it's corporate welfare.

Effective reform drives down real costs. We must replace ACA subsidy extensions with market-based solutions: mandatory price transparency so families shop procedures like cars; expanded association health plans for small businesses; strengthened health savings accounts putting dollars in family hands; interstate insurance competition dismantling monopolies.

Rather than extend subsidies insurers capture via hikes, deliver targeted, family-directed assistance — bypassing Washington middlemen.

Illinois families deserve lower costs, genuine options, and restored control — not more failed subsidies.

What is your vision for a solution to conflicts involving Israel and the Palestinians? What should the United States be doing to advance this position?

President Trump's ceasefire secured all remaining Israeli hostages and dozens of Americans — proving strength, not appeasement, delivers results. His 'new Middle East' vision, anchored by Hamas demilitarization, sets lasting peace.

My approach has three pillars:

First, deradicalization. Hamas is an ideology, not just militants. Gazans must accept Israel's existence. Israel crushed Iran's proxies, expanded Abraham Accords — that's reality.

Second, education reform. Replace UNRWA hate curricula — glorifying violence, demonizing Jews — with coexistence. Golda Meir: 'Peace comes when Arabs love their children more than they hate us.'

Third, demilitarization before reconstruction. No rebuilding until compliance. Aid continues; no October 7 rewards, no extremist military support.

America backs Israel's security, demands Palestinian accountability. Trump proved strength yields peace. This protects our interests, honors allies, secures stability. Illinois stands with Israel — results, not gestures.