The chair of the Illinois Republican Party is speaking out after a “disturbing act of vandalism” targeting a suburban GOP office, calling it a “symptom of escalating political hostility.”

The chair of the Illinois Republican Party is speaking out after a “disturbing act of vandalism” targeting a suburban GOP office, calling it a “symptom of escalating political hostility.”

Kathy Salvi condemned the incident at the Wheeling Township Republican headquarters in Arlington Heights, where two elderly suspects allegedly defaced the property with Nazi symbols, profanity, and what police described as feces or an unknown substance.

Authorities have arrested and charged the suspects – both in their late 60s and early 70s – in connection with the incident. Salvi praised law enforcement for acting quickly and said she expects the individuals will be held accountable.

Salvi pointed to what she described as increasingly extreme political language as a driving force behind such acts.

Despite the incident, Salvi said Republicans will continue to advocate for their positions and engage in public dialogue, urging a return to what she described as respectful political engagement.

Story from Illinois Radio Network