Inside Ulinebacker

Lake County megadonors Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein donated $35 million to the Northwestern University football program. Typically when this sort of thing happens, there is one thing that is always overheard: "Give me a quarter back."

HaHa. The Uihleins are in the news again:

Northwestern's football program will receive a $35 million gift commitment from the family of Liz and Dick Uihlein, the billionaire owners of Uline supply company
Uihlein family giving $35M to NU football

Even in Wisconsin, $35M is a lot of cheese. But don't go running to your sportsbook just quite yet. The Uihleins are better known for giving dollars to right-wing candidates and PACs:

Liz and Dick Uihlein, residents of Lake Forest, are prominent Republican-party mega donors, having heavily supported GOP campaigns in the past decade, including nearly $59 million to support President Donald Trump's reelection in 2024 and $70 million this election cycle to conservative efforts, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ groups
Uihlein family giving $35M to NU football

One exception is the Lake County Republican Party, to whom the Uihleins have over the years given scant little. The last donation the Uihleins made to the Lake County GOP was in 2024, and amounted to a miserly $1050.

The Lake County GOP nonetheless is undeterred. One spokesman has a message for every Northwestern U football player: "Unlike Evanston, Lake County has plenty of affordable housing. And while you're here, vote for our candidates. And send them a donation too. Make the check out to the Lake County Republican Central Committee."