South Cook News

As Illinois braces for a wave of “No Kings” protests scheduled for Saturday, June 14, former Republican statehouse candidate Patricia Bonk is raising alarm over public safety concerns and noted the political opportunism surrounding the unrest.

Bonk, who ran for the Illinois House of Representatives in District 30 but was defeated by incumbent Democrat William Davis in the Nov. 2024 general election, spoke out in a recent interview about the protests and their consequences. 

Her criticism comes just days after a violent anti-ICE demonstration in Chicago on June 10. 

“These ‘riots’—I refuse to call them peaceful protests from what I have seen—jeopardize the safety of our citizens who are just trying to work and manage their day-to-day activities,” Bonk told South Cook News. “This also impacts our businesses, our economy.” 

During the June 10th event downtown Chicago descended into chaos as rioters defaced a Tesla with swastikas, vandalized police vehicles, damaged public monuments and assaulted law enforcement officers. 

Officials confirmed that 17 individuals were arrested during the violent clashes. 

Critics and witnesses reported that the unrest appeared coordinated, with groups using tactics to overwhelm police, raising fears that similar strategies may be used during the upcoming suburban protests.

Saturday’s “No Kings” demonstrations are scheduled across northern Cook County, with protests planned locally in Chicago Heights and Orland Park. 

The campaign has drawn national attention for its anti-authoritarian messaging and confrontational style, prompting comparisons to the 2020 riots following the death of George Floyd. In Chicago alone, those events resulted in 15 deaths, injuries to over 284 police officers, more than 1,112 arrests and property damage exceeding $66 million.

Bonk, a longtime nurse and former volunteer firefighter, said her professional experience gives her a unique perspective on the real-world impacts of mass civil unrest.

“As a former volunteer firefighter and ED (emergency department) nurse, this also creates a burden on our first responders/EMS,” she said. “Blocking vital roadways could delay response time, jeopardizing the health of those in need of their services.” 

Bonk also voiced frustration over what she described as growing hostility toward law enforcement.

“I have a great respect for our law enforcement,” she said. “I believe that they do there best to handle these situations. The disrespect they encounter and the lack of support they receive at times makes it difficult for them to do their job.” 

The former candidate did not hold back in her criticism of current political leaders, accusing some of using the protests to bolster their national ambitions instead of focusing on governing.

“In my opinion, politicians are using this as a ‘campaign’ for whatever office they have visions of running for,” she said. “The divisiveness prevents them from doing what they have been elected to do, work in the service of their constituents.” 

She specifically called out Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Example, our Illinois Governor would rather throw barbs at the President instead of working to make Illinois safer,” Bonk said. “Why? He is already ramping up to run for President in 2028.”