> Do folks realize how many people would need to be a part of this conspiracy to get these laws passed at the state level?

Not many.

> Maybe some people actually want to do good and are just misguided

Yes. That's why it doesn't take many to be part of this conspiracy. You can just get people to play a part in the conspiracy by rallying supporters under the guise of good intentions.

> And responding to those people as if they are evil government stooges certainly isn’t going to help them find the light

Most of those people will probably die not finding the light. They are people who won't have to live with the long term consequences. Most of the Illinois House (~70%) is 46+ [1]. The senate statistic is even worse sitting at almost 75% for individuals 46+. If life expectancy in the US is around 80, that means people who are in the first half of their expected life are drastically underrepresented (especially considering Illinois's 46+ demographic only occupies around ~45% [2])

[1] https://cypp.rutgers.edu/age-in-the-2025-illinois-general-as...

[2] https://www.impactdupage.org/demographicdata?id=16&sectionId...