Cary Grimmer

#GTBG

[Ron DeSantis @RonDeSantis]

The approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on the 4th of July, 1776 represented the ultimate political gamble.

The American revolutionaries were fighting against the world’s most powerful country, and the vast majority of colonists in America either opposed or were indifferent to independence.

While the odds were slim, the consequences for failure were severe. All 56 men who later signed the Declaration faced an assured death by hanging were the Revolution to fail.

And they had a lot to lose. The leaders of the Revolution were generally wealthy and influential in the colonies.

But they had suffered what Jefferson called a “long train of abuses” over the previous decade, and believed that failure to take a stand would lead to the destruction of their liberty.

So when they pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, they meant it.

The Declaration was the ultimate political line in the sand: rights are God-given, not government-granted; government is legitimate only upon the consent of the governed; and government’s purpose is to safeguard the natural rights of the people.

What began as a conservative rebellion seeking the preservation of traditional English rights evolved into a political revolution that laid the foundation for the rise of the greatest republic in history — and that produced transformational consequences around the world.

We as Americans in 2026 are inheritors of this legacy of liberty and the beneficiaries of the courage, wisdom and dedication of the Founding Fathers.

We can acknowledge that our society and nation face a lot of problems. Whether there will be an America 500 celebration may very well depend on how this generation of Americans tackle these challenges.

But there can be no doubt that we are fortunate to be citizens of this republic. And we have a small group of patriots, who took a risky stand 250 years ago, to thank for that.

Happy America 250!

[Illinois Policy @illinoispolicy]

Fifty years ago, Illinois politicians made a promise to taxpayers:

The tollway system would eventually become free.

Instead, it’s become a permanent, multi-billion-dollar cash cow. And now, they want even more.

Here is what the @GovPritzker-appointed @ILTollway is pushing for 2026:

>A massive 45-cent hike on passenger tolls, driving the average to $1.24 per toll.

>A 30% rate hike on commercial vehicles, which already sit at an all-time high.

>An extra $1 billion extracted from drivers every single year to fund a $26.5 billion capital plan.

>A permanent inflation escalator starting in 2029 to keep costs rising automatically.

The worst part? The Illinois Tollway is taking in more toll revenue than ever before. They are collecting far more than they need to operate and maintain the roads, with net revenues peaking in 2024.

Since 1973, Illinois taxpayers have poured at least $27 billion into these plazas.

Why are we paying for infrastructure that was supposed to be paid off decades ago?

[Jeremy Werner @JWerner247]

#illini QB Katin Houser and teammates Collin Dixon, Hudson Clement, Brayden Trimble, Jayshon Platt, Alex Perry and Jake Renfro spent four days in Southern California training and bonding ahead of the 2026 season.

[Russ Greene @GreenPlusAnE]

Since Republicans cut subsidies for EV’s, the new models have become more affordable and reliable.

[Tyler Underwood @TyUnderwoodILL]

#theretention

[Robert Rosenthal @ALionEye]

Elite Eight appearances in my lifetime:

1984
1989
2001
2005
2024
2026

[UI Zone @Recruit2Illini]

#IlliniNation, let’s welcome 4⭐️ 2027 Evanston DB Justin Johnson to the #famILLy! 🔶🔷🏈

[Tom Ramsden @tramsden21]

Slight conflict?

[OSINTtechnical @Osinttechnical]

Footage of 21 Tomahawk cruise missiles headed towards Tehran this morning.

[Illinois Men's Basketball @IlliniMBB]

Orange Krush didn't come to play today.

[Arthur MacWaters @ArthurMacwaters]

Highly ironic:

> in 14 states, you don't have to show **any ID at all** to vote in federal elections

> requiring ID to vote is "Jim Crow 2.0" according to Schumer and other politicians

> but to shovel snow in NYC you must show 2 forms of ID + social security card

This is an IQ test for our civilization

It's paramount that we see through manipulative and highly idiotic rhetoric and pass the SAVE America Act.

Proving citizenship to vote is one of the most popular policies in history (84% support across both parties).

[On3 @On3]

BREAKING: NCAA Tournament Committee’s Top 16 Seeds🚨

Do you agree?🤔

https://t.co/pVepIQ0jRu

[The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee]

Gleeful Weatherman Excitedly Announces Dangerous Storm Likely To Kill Everyone https://t.co/6Ob8nL20HR

[StaceyDales @StaceyDales]

Holy

[Commander Of Will Venables Army @Bda_co]

#DaBears

[Justin Hart @justin_hart]

Jubba Value Center and CPA offices?

[Armchair Illinois @ArmchairIllini]

Me watching Michigan and Ohio State lose their bowl games while Illinois won

[Illini Mort @IlliniMort]

It’s Game Day.
🔸🦾🔹

[Illinois Football @IlliniFootball]

When we said Navy in NashvILLe, we meant it.