Kane County Reporter

A new effort to strengthen and unify conservative, center-right and faith-based organizations across Illinois will officially launch on Aug. 2 at the Faith & Fire Conference in Carpentersville. 

The event, organized under the banner of “Networking the Networks,” is intended to bring together dozens of like-minded groups in what organizers call the largest such alliance ever formed in the state. 

Paul Hurst, digital strategist and founder of Hurst Digital Services, is one of the event’s featured trainers and a key figure behind the broader movement.

“Our state Republican Party is not really running on all cylinders,” Hurst told the Kane County Reporter. “Unfortunately, we see a lot of people who seem like they have a lot of time on their hands, but not necessarily a record of accomplishment. And they make a lot of noise and get a big following and we really don't want that to be the next leadership in the state that helps pull us out of our fiscal and moral and whatever other crisis you perceive going on.”

Frustrated with fragmented efforts and ineffective leadership, Hurst said the idea for a broader coalition came naturally. 

“So we thought how about we find a way to strengthen the good, trusted, vetted organizations that are doing good conservative work in this state and just see if we can form a bit of an alliance,” he said. 

Hurst said the answer was to form a loose but committed coalition that encourages mutual support, shared strategy and collaboration among established grassroots groups.

“There are 20 or more good organizations in the network,” he said. “This event will launch the effort by bringing everyone together. Leaders from these groups will give quick, 15-minute updates on their priority projects, successes and ways to get involved.” 

The conference will be held at City of Joy Church in Carpentersville from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registered participants will receive a box lunch and access to all sessions, panels and exhibitor areas.

Confirmed speakers include David Smith of the Illinois Family Institute, Debbie Kraulidis of Moms for America, Jason Heffley of Americans for Prosperity–Illinois and Shannon Adcock, founder of Awake Illinois. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) and State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Charleston) will speak during the lunch hour.

The conference will feature three training sessions led by subject-matter experts. Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute will present on legal strategies to protect conservative causes. Anni Cyrus, founder of Live Up To Freedom, will lead a session on using artificial intelligence to enhance organizational strategy and content creation.  

Hurst himself will lead a workshop titled Advanced Digital Toolbox for Conservatives, which he says will draw on decades of experience in digital marketing and political campaign strategy.

"I've been doing digital marketing since it was invented, basically,” he said. “But I've acquired some good tools specifically for political candidates that I want to work with. So I'll be giving a session on that."

Hurst, who started his digital marketing career in the agriculture field, explained the motivation behind shifting his business focus. 

“I saw these out-of-state consultants roll in with empty suitcases and roll out with all their money, and they keep losing,” he said. “That's why I retooled my business to focus on political cause marketing and ministry marketing, and I never had to look back.” 

Now a trainer with the Leadership Institute’s Campaign Leadership College in Washington, D.C., Hurst said he will present campaign-tested tools designed to help local candidates and advocacy groups grow their digital presence and outreach.

A closing panel discussion titled Expanding the Ethnic Voice in the Conservative Movement will feature Latasha Fields, Dr. Shando Valdez and possibly members from Chicago Flips Red. Pastor Ceasar LeFlore is scheduled to moderate. 

Though the event is located in Kane County, Hurst says participation will come from across the state.

“This isn't necessarily a Kane County gathering, but it’s taking place in Kane County, and we have people from all around the state who are interested in it,”he said.  

Hurst emphasized the diversity behind those involved in the event. 

“The trainers are coming from two places out of state, and we have people coming from far downstate,” he said. “For example, a couple of organizations in the network are the Fellowship of Christian Farmers, located down south in the state, and Grossman on Truth, focused on hardening soft targets that schools are vulnerable to, such as mass shooting incidents. Dave Grossman is a bona fide expert with an extensive resume. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel living in a remote area down south. We are also trying to involve Illinois Christian Home Educators, whose directors are located in Bone Gap.” 

Hurst emphasized that the conference will also address what he sees as a growing disconnect between Illinois political elites and grassroots conservatives.

“As major (donors) leave the state, it is forcing the Republican Party to get to know constituents better than before,” he said. “I have been watching this shift and thinking that we will have to learn how to talk to regular, working people. Trump has reached out to those people. The Illinois Republican Party has not done that much.” 

Hurst highlighted a disconnect between party leadership and everyday voters. 

“Often, the (GOP) reaches out to their big donors, and the grassroots and regular voters respond with, ‘Where did this come from, and why do you think this is our best idea? No one ever asked us,’” he said. “I think there is a growing necessity to engage regular voters, who are a broad group willing to listen, so we hope something good can come from this. Although, you can see the coalition is not really a Republican Party function by any stretch.”

Although the conference is not affiliated with the Illinois Republican Party, many participants have ties to political and advocacy groups. Hurst, for example, serves on the board of Illinois Family Action, the political arm of Illinois Family Institute.

While the Faith & Fire Conference is not overtly religious, Hurst acknowledged that faith is a motivating force for many involved.

“This isn’t a religious movement or a rally or anything of that nature,” he said. “However, it is certainly a place where people of faith can have a voice because they feel somewhat sidelined by Pritzker and others during Covid and related events. It is a place where a fair amount of conservative voices are allowed.” 

Hurst said he likes to think of Faith & Fire as a play on words.  

“We kind of joke that it’s time to have faith that we can fire some of these politicians we have,” he said. “So, yeah, there is an element of faith in there too, but maybe that fire is also firing some of the people who are just making our state a train wreck. If we can organize and get our messages out, maybe some of the votes will take place in a slightly different manner than we’ve seen recently.” 

Addressing concerns about the state's future, he expressed uncertainty about Illinois' sustainability unless concrete actions are taken at the grassroots level by Illinoisans.

“I don’t know how much more of this Illinois can take before so many people leave that it’s doomed,” Hurst said. 

Hurst highlighted the challenges faced by residents and businesses in Illinois, emphasizing many would rather uproot and restart their lives in a different state. 

“You can take a look around and say ‘this is just too corrupt to keep fighting,’” Hurst said. “I could get a way better value for my money somewhere else, and business people who are not willing to participate in the corruption, you barely have a chance. So, there are many reasons why it’s not worth sticking around in Illinois. We’re hoping that maybe some of the problem people will leave instead of the people who just see the problem or are exhausted from fighting it. I personally think it’s very important.”

Hurst sees the conference as a step toward reversing political discouragement and building capacity across generations.

“We want to give these groups a bigger platform, help them build their bench,” he said. “Not a big tent without principles, but an open one where people, especially young people and ethnic minorities, can plug in based on their interests. There's plenty of work to go around.”

Tickets, exhibitor information, and sponsorship opportunities are available online at Ticketbud.

Organizers are encouraging attendees to forward the event to their networks, share on social media and invite friends and neighbors.

Participating organizations include the Illinois Family Institute, Breakthrough Ideas, Turning Point Academy, Moms for America, Leadership Institute, Americans for Prosperity, Illinois Conservative Union, Awake Illinois, Illinois Freedom Alliance, Salt and Light Council, Well Versed Illinois, Public School Exit, Illinois Freedom Caucus, TPUSA Faith, Illinois Grassroots Alliance, Illinois Family Action, Illinois Prayer Caucus, Self Evident, For Such a Time As This, Fellowship of Christian Farmers, Grossman on Truth, Colson Fellows and Restore Our Constitution.