Kraulidis Faces Criticism For Attending Jan. 6 Pro-Trump Rally

WILL COUNTY, IL — A Will County Board member was criticized for her involvement in the pro-Trump rally in Washington D.C.

A pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, causing widespread damage and even loss of lives.

A rally preceded the storming of the Capitol, attended by Will County Board member Debbie Kraulidis. She even shared a video on her Facebook page stating that she was merely there to make sure "only legal votes were counted."

Some who watched her clips thought this was a reference to the claims of election fraud made by Donald Trump.

During the board's meeting Thursday, several public comments were submitted condemning her for attending the rally and asking for her removal from office.

"Will County should not be represented by a conspiracy theorist who believes the election was rigged," one comment read.

Kraulidis spoke at the meeting and said that accusations stating she was part of the violence were "false" and "ridiculous." She said she never went near the Capitol grounds or inside the building. Kraulidis also said she and the those she was traveling with apparently found out about the break-ins and were at their hotel.

She said the violence was "inexcusable."

"We were absolutely and totally shocked to find out what has happened," Kraulidis said.

Member Jackie Traynere (D-Bolingbrook) pointed out that Kraulidis was voted into her seat on the county board during the same election in which Trump was claiming voter fraud.

"I didn’t see you file paperwork to ask for an audit of your election to make sure you were legally elected," Traynere said. "The purpose for your protest was false."

Speaker Mimi Cowan (D-Naperville) said she received dozens of emails regarding the events at the Capitol and said that even if Kraulidis had done something illegal — and there was no evidence of that — the board could not remove a member. She also said she would not ask Kraulidis to resign.

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