“Daddy Trump?” The MAGA Extremists Have a Senator, Freeport and District 45 Paying the Price
FREEPORT, IL – July 17, 2025
Donald Trump’s return to the White House has re-energized MAGA loyalists nationwide—but here in Freeport and Northwest Illinois, the costs are hitting closer to home. Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney, known increasingly among residents as the “Sideshow Senator,” has proudly become a poster boy for the extreme-right circus that now calls itself the Illinois Freedom Caucus.
Chesney’s recent flex? Being the first and only Illinois Senator in an extremist group—an organization less focused on results and more obsessed with media stunts, MAGA talking points, and suing the state over legislative procedures they refuse to participate in - furthering the financial burden of Illinois taxpayers.
And now, in a movement where grown men refer to the president as “Daddy Trump,” Chesney isn’t just complicit—he’s desperately trying to be seen.
The People of Freeport Pay the Price
While Chesney entertains extremist groups and grins for the cameras, Freeport—the city he calls home— and District 45 is suffering:
Millions in grant dollars lost due to extreme partisanship and his refusal to collaborate
Infrastructure and economic recovery stalled, with no meaningful action from Springfield
Skyrocketing local taxes, rubber-stamped by political allies Chesney actively supports
At a time when Freeport residents need leadership and advocacy, they’re instead stuck with a senator more interested in MAGA memes than municipal funding. Not only has Chesney said nothing about rising taxes, but he’s openly supported the very people who imposed them—like Mayor Jodi Miller - “MAGA MILLER”, whose loyalty to the same national political circus has left Freeport rudderless.
He’s Not a Republican. He’s MAGA.
Despite wearing the Republican label, Chesney is anything but.
Traditional Republicans value fiscal discipline, limited government, and local control. The Sideshow Senator, however, is loyal only to Trump’s shadow, refusing to fight for his own district if it might cost him clout with MAGA diehards.
He rails against immigrants, sues the General Assembly, and attacks “Chicago elites”—but when it comes to standing up for Freeport, he’s nowhere to be found. Unless, of course, there’s a camera nearby and a stay dog.
A City in Decline. A Senator in Hiding.
From collapsing sidewalks to dwindling downtown investments, Freeport is in decline. Residents are overtaxed, underserved, and overlooked—and Chesney? He hasn’t lifted a finger.
He’s ignored the increasing cost of living, remained silent on infrastructure failures, and vanished every time constituents needed help navigating bureaucracy or accessing state aid.
But he has time to post photos with Trump, share conspiracy-laced press releases, and host Freedom Caucus fundraisers that serve one purpose: to boost his profile, not our future.
One Man Has Had Enough
Thankfully, someone’s finally stepping up.
Earlier this month, Joshua T. Atkinson, a Navy veteran, small business owner, and once-moderate Democrat, announced his candidacy to primary Andrew Chesney and bring real Republican representation back to Northwestern Illinois.
Disgusted by both parties’ political games, Atkinson promises something Chesney can’t: competence and compassion.
He’s running not to get famous, but to fix what’s broken—to bring Freeport and the rest of District 45 the resources it’s been denied, and to work with honest lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to rebuild trust and deliver results.
The Bottom Line
The Sideshow Senator may have his spot in the MAGA spotlight, but here in Freeport, we need more than showmanship.
We need representation.
We need responsibility.
We need results.
Joshua T. Atkinson has entered the ring—not for headlines, but for the people.
—Brought to you and Paid for by Fighting4Freeport
