The new chairwoman of the Illinois Republican Party has big plans for the heavily Democratic state: “Make Illinois red again.”

Incoming Chairwoman Kathy Salvi outlined her plan for the party, which includes calls for unity, while speaking to Illinois delegates this week over breakfast at the Republican National Convention. The former state GOP chairman, Don Tracy, announced his resignation last month from the role due to party infighting.

“Well, I’ll tell you, that blue funk is over. We’re gonna make Illinois red again,” Salvi said in her first public address to the party since being elected to the position last week.

She is pushing for a “culture of collaboration” within the party that has become somewhat irrelevant in the state. Democrats have a large majority in both chambers of the Illinois legislature.

“I promise to foster a spirit and culture of collaboration of communication and a single-minded dedication to winning elections. Expect this open-mindedness, yet faithfulness, to the principles outlined in our Republican platform: Less government, lower taxes, and more freedom,” she said.

During the meeting, she did not touch much on former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. Trump is vastly unpopular in the state, notably in the Chicago suburbs, and lost it in 2016 by 859, 319 votes and in 2020 by 1,025,024 votes.

“I pledge to get to the nitty-gritty and to help give the relief to the citizenry of the state and make sure that every honest vote is counted,” Salvi said. “Please join with me to usher in a new era of Republican victories here in Illinois. Republican unity wins in 2024.”

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Salvi will take over the party from Tracy on Friday.

“I love this party because sometimes we air our dirty laundry with one another,” Salvi said. “We need to say, ‘You know, let’s give that person the benefit of a fresh new day.’ And that’s how we win elections here in Illinois.”