Holly Kim’s Hate Burns Illinois—Unfit for Comptroller

Holly Kim’s Hate Burns Illinois—Unfit for Comptroller

Holly Kim’s campaign for Illinois Comptroller isn’t about fiscal responsibility — it’s about activism, division, and chasing headlines. Her record reveals a troubling pattern: from leading Tesla protests, to dabbling in crypto stunts, to now undermining ICE. Kim proves she’s an activist first, never a steward.

Tesla Protests: Stoking Chaos

In February 2025, Kim orchestrated a protest of more than 550 people at the Libertyville Tesla dealership, targeting Elon Musk and Donald Trump. As I documented in Lake County Democrats’ Tesla Protests: Who’s Accountable for Hate Events?, this wasn’t about policy — it was a reckless stunt that risked escalating like the Molotov attacks in Colorado and arsons in Las Vegas.

Instead of pulling back, Kim doubled down with a March 28 follow-up. As Vice Chair of the Lake County Democrats, she stoked tensions further with no factual basis, putting a local business and community at risk. I warned then that if violence erupted, Tesla could sue, and Kim would bear responsibility. The proof is on video: Tesla protest clip.

Crypto Gimmicks Over Stewardship

That recklessness spilled into her financial role. In March, Kim admitted on The Lake Forest Podcast that she converted campaign crypto donations into her own “CHKN Token,” created with T Capital Coin (watch at the 10:28 mark).

As I noted in Should Treasurer Holly Kim Be Sidelined Over Ethics Concerns?, this move blurred the line between public service and self-promotion. Instead of projecting seriousness about fiscal duty, Kim leaned into gimmicks — exactly what Illinois taxpayers cannot afford in a comptroller.

Anti-ICE Rhetoric: A Dangerous Pivot

Now, in September 2025, Kim’s activism has turned toward immigration enforcement. In a Mundelein video, she claimed:

“ICE has a quota… their bonuses on how they’re paid is tied to how many people they arrest.”

She went further, warning that “no immigrant community is safe” and urging residents to join rapid response teams to counter ICE. In her own words:

“If there’s an ICE sighting, they will be alerted so they can go verify whether it truly is ICE or not.”

Kim also promoted distributing “know your rights” flyers, stocking pamphlets in Little Free Libraries, and even running errands for undocumented neighbors. She proudly identified herself as part of the Mundelein rapid response team.

But the facts tell a different story. ICE reports show that roughly 70% of arrests involve individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges. These aren’t random pickups — they are offenders who pose real risks to communities. Yet Kim dismisses ICE as a quota-driven operation and mobilizes resistance against it.

Even if you disagree with federal immigration priorities, what does this have to do with the job of comptroller? That role is about managing Illinois’ checkbook, ensuring fiscal stability, and protecting taxpayer dollars. Instead, Kim is chasing activist causes that inflame division while ignoring her actual job description. Meanwhile, her party’s sanctuary stance adds more than $150 billion annually to taxpayer costs (FAIR, 2023).

A Pattern Illinois Can’t Afford

Kim’s record makes the pattern clear:

• Protests risking local business (March 26 Patch post)
• Crypto gimmicks converting campaign donations into meme coins (March 24 Patch post)
• Anti-ICE rhetoric urging local resistance to law enforcement

This isn’t leadership. It’s a liability.

Illinois Demands Better

Kim’s campaign website talks about “equity,” but equity without accountability is meaningless. Illinois taxpayers deserve a steward who manages budgets, not mobs. A comptroller who counts dollars, not gimmicks.

The answer is clear: Holly Kim is unfit to lead Illinois finances.