Incoming Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno stopped in Illinois for a Republican holiday gathering and gave some insight about Donald Trump 2.0, immigration and his beef with the Inflation Reduction Act. “We're going to resolve immigration in the first 40 to 60 days,” Moreno told the Republican-centric crowd over a lunch of chicken Milanese and whipped potatoes at Gibson’s in Oak Brook on Friday. Speaking to the choir: “This election was ultimately about two issues at the end of the day: open borders and high prices,” Moreno told the group. Immigration “is the easiest thing to fix intellectually. It's the hardest thing to fix emotionally, and I hope to play a role in making that happen.” Moreno will be Ohio’s first Latino senator after ousting Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown last month in the most expensive Senate race ever at $441 million. The who’s who of Illinois Republicans were in a celebratory mood in spite of their tough spot as the state’s underdog party. The event was hosted by businessman Jay Bergman, Superior Ambulance Service CEO David B. Hill III and Kirkland & Ellis’ Sandy Perl and Richard Porter, who sported “Let’s Go Brandon” socks (a hat tip to the anti-Biden meme), and organized by Victoria Login and Sara Karlovics of LW&Co. The new name in the crowd was Dave Nayak, who earlier this year ran as a Democrat for state Senate and has since pivoted to be a Republican. “Switching parties was an easy decision,” he told your Playbook host. “I’m honored and proud to be part of the Republican Party.” What’s next for Nayak: He hasn’t decided about whether he’s running for office again, but he is co-hosting an event tonight featuring Tom Homan, who's been picked by Trump as border czar. Republicans don’t hold any statewide office, and they didn’t make headway in state legislative races — though they didn’t lose ground, either. They hope having Republicans in control of Washington will have a trickle-down effect in Illinois in future elections. Moreno’s big win gives them hope. The Ohio Republican was well received, though he did make one comment that fell flat with the crowd. He criticized the Inflation Reduction Act because it gives $7,500 incentives to those who buy electric vehicles. “So Ken Griffin can lease an electric Rolls Royce that costs $600 grand and get $7,500 in tax subsidies. Do you think he needs it?” There was a nervous buzz in the room from the 250-plus crowd that still pines for Griffin, a billionaire who for years opened his wallet to Illinois Republicans before he moved to Florida. SPOTTED: Illinois Republican Chair Kathy Salvi, Former Ambassador Ron Gidwitz, former Congressman Bob Dold, state Sen. Andrew Chesney, former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow, Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser, DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin, former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, former Illinois comptroller Leslie Munger, Illinois Chamber Senior Legislative Affairs Adviser Keith Wheeler, Lee County development leader Tom Demmer, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, Will County Board Member Raquel Mitchell, Metra Board Chair Joe McMahon, Palatine Committeeman Aaron del Mar and DuPage County Board candidate Greg Hart. Also in the room: former state lawmakers Jeanne Ives, Jack Schaffer, David Welter, Patricia Bellock, Bob Biggins and Tim Ozinga, former congressional candidates Esther Joy King and Jim Carris, businessman Eli Boufis, attorney Tom DeVore, philanthropist Eleni Bousis, former hospital exec Robert Christie, Strategia Chief Strategy Officer Brian Bernardoni and LW&Co.’s Lisa Wagner. RELATED Trump says he will end birthright citizenship, by Mia McCarthy and your Playbook host It’s not Just Ken Griffin. Rich Chicago residents are losing their shirts on real estate: “Wealthy homeowners in the Windy City are selling at a loss—and looking for someone to blame. … When Griffin, after selling a portion of his Chicago penthouse for a dramatic 44 percent loss last month, was quick to take a shot at its purchaser [Gov JB Pritzker], blaming ‘failed political leadership in Illinois’ for rising crime and declining luxury real-estate values in the Windy City,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Katherine Clarke.
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