GENERAL ASSEMBLY
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie Announces Leadership Team. Last week, I announced my Leadership team for the 104th General Assembly and released the following statement:
“My leadership team is built to provide a strategic advantage on how to achieve our shared objectives of creating a stronger Illinois without adding to the burdens on Illinois families. I’ve selected colleagues from districts across Illinois to work alongside me in pushing our state forward.”
I have been intentional in assembling a leadership team that reflects the diverse voices of Illinois. The team includes thoughtful leaders from southern, central, and northern Illinois, ensuring that the House Republican Caucus, which represents parts of all 102 counties, brings perspectives from every corner of the state to the table.
Leadership members include:
Deputy Minority Leaders
- Norine Hammond (94 – Macomb)
- Ryan Spain (73 – Peoria)
Assistant Minority Leaders
- CD Davidsmeyer (100 – Murrayville)
- John Cabello (90 – Machesney Park)
- Dan Ugaste (65 – Geneva)
- Patrick Windhorst (117 – Metropolis) (Floor Leader)
- Brad Stephens (20 – Rosemont)
- Jackie Haas (79 – Bourbonnais)
- Amy Elik (111 – Alton)
Conference Chair
- Jeff Keicher (70 – Sycamore)
Lawmakers will return to Springfield when the legislative session resumes on January 28th.
MADIGAN TRIAL
Former Speaker Michael Madigan concludes testimony in his own defense. Over a four-day period on the stand, Madigan, the former House Speaker and former head of the Illinois Democratic Party, presented almost 12 hours of testimony. The decision by Madigan and his defense team to put himself on the witness stand opened him up to cross-examination. On cross-examination, a member of the prosecution team confronted the former Speaker with a reference to audio evidence, obtained through a wiretap, in which Madigan can be heard discussing a possible deal in which the wife of a state representative, a member of Madigan’s caucus, would be offered a job. On the other end of the line with Madigan was his former close friend and ally Mike McClain.
On the wiretap, the job would have been offered by Jay Doherty, who was a contractual consultant with Chicago-area electric utility ComEd. Alleged ties between Madigan, ComEd, and members of Madigan’s political network are one of the elements at the heart of the current criminal trial. These ties are alleged to have resulted in criminal conduct that constitutes numerous counts of federal racketeering and may also have resulted in higher electric bills for millions of Illinois households.
A key member of the Madigan network, former Chicago alderman Danny Solis, had himself been pinpointed by federal law enforcement at an early stage of the Madigan investigation. After interviews with law enforcement, Solis agreed to participate in the wiretap element of the investigation. As an informant, Solis continued his contacts with Madigan; these contacts included discussions, by Madigan and by co-defendant Mike McClain, of influence-wielding schemes. Federal investigators used these discussions as evidence for the trial: evidence that includes what the prosecution describes as verbal proof of criminal acts of influence peddling and racketeering. On the witness stand, Madigan was forced to admit that he regretted “any time spent with Danny Solis.”
As part of the cross-examination and reference to wiretap evidence, the prosecution team was able to refer to what appeared to have been a deal-making conversation between Madigan and McClain. This conversation was a point of evidence as to the status of the two men as close dealmaking friends and allies. The significance of this point became apparent throughout the course of this week’s trial action. As a result of the evidence presented thus far, counsel for Madigan and counsel for McClain have commenced moves of in-court hostility towards each other’s respective clients. With the evidence phase of the trial concluded, the jury will return to the courtroom next week to begin hearing instructions and closing arguments.
Regardless of the jury’s verdict, do you believe House Democrats will finally take up meaningful ethics reform to restore trust in Illinois government? Let me know your thoughts by filling out this petition: HERE.
BUDGET
Concerns grow regarding the State of Illinois’ FY26 budget deficit. Gov. Pritzker’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) projects that, based on ‘locked-in’ State spending patterns and revenue estimates, funds coming in will fall $3.2 billion short of the money going out in Fiscal Year 2026.
For the current fiscal year, FY25, revenues are coming in at a pace that enables Illinois to maintain a budget that is in bare balance. However, FY25 is now more than half over. FY26 is now less than six months away, and the approaching fiscal year will see mandated increases in pension expenditures, Medicaid spending, and the cost of pay and benefits for people directly employed by the State or who are dependent upon State appropriations for their compensation. The GOMB forward-looking budget analysis reflects these locked-in spending trends. The analysis also reflects the fact that new job creation has slowed almost to a halt in Illinois, ending the period of job recovery that followed the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic. This is creating near-stagnant cash flows in Illinois income tax payments.
The ability of the State to proclaim that its FY25 spending plans were a “balanced budget” reflected the last-minute enactment, by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly in late May 2024, of a series of “midnight” tax increases that imposed higher burdens upon Illinoisans in various hidden ways. Fiscal experts are warning Illinoisans to be on the lookout for possible similar increases in May 2025 to support the FY26 budget. The Constitution of Illinois requires the State to enact and publish a nominally “balanced budget,” and this $3.2 billion budget deficit figure projected by GOMB indicates that meeting this constitutional mandate could be a challenge unless further tax increases or significant budget cuts are enacted in what is already one of America’s highest-taxed states.
With that in mind, I released the following statement:
“House Republicans stand ready to work with the administration to deliver a balanced budget without gimmicks, higher taxes, or hidden fees. By fostering economic growth, cutting wasteful spending, and prioritizing fiscal discipline, we can provide real solutions to address Illinois’ budget challenges and protect hardworking taxpayers.”
CRIMINAL LAW
Tipsword pans SAFE-T Act pre-trial release of alleged human traffickers. Even as new laws sponsored by Illinois House Republicans were enacted this year to help survivors of human trafficking, the ill-conceived Safe-T Act, passed by Illinois Democrats, is keeping traffickers out of jail pending trials after their arrests, giving them the opportunity to target new victims.
Last week, news outlets reported that six men were arrested by the Illinois State Police (ISP) for allegedly attempting to engage in commercial sex acts with underage individuals in McLean County. According to Bloomington’s 25 News, only one of the six remains behind bars until their trials.
Each of the men arrested face felony counts including traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation, solicitation to meet a child, and grooming. Yet five of the six offenders were set free until the end of January.
“This is yet again another example of what failed criminal justice policy looks like,” stated Rep. Dennis Tipsword. “The lack of accountability placed on offenders is staggering. I will continue to fight this wrong that was perpetrated on our neighborhoods with the passage of this dreadful law (SAFE-T Act). My life’s passion has been my career in law enforcement and protecting families in Woodford County, which will not stop in my work as a state legislator where I will continue this fight for all Illinoisans!”
According to an ISP news release, the state police conducted a sting in McLean County as part of a multifaceted effort to address human trafficking. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Bloomington Police Department, and the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office were among the agencies cooperating in the sting that was last week.
The operation sought to identify individuals participating in human trafficking to compel victims into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will.
Human trafficking is defined by the ISP as using force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.
ENERGY
Constellation Energy preparing to apply for a possible second nuclear reactor at Clinton. Most Illinois nuclear power plant complexes have two reactors, thereby enabling each plant to generate up to 2,000 megawatts of electricity. However, uniquely for Illinois, the Clinton Plant has only one reactor, although it was built with a “footprint” that could enable the construction of a second plant on the site. A second reactor on this site would be much easier and safer to build than a reactor complex on a wholly new site; the second reactor would have the same site security as the current one.
With future demand for Illinois electricity expected to increase sharply due to the growing need of data switching, data storage, and artificial-intelligence-oriented facilities, Clinton nuclear power plant owner Constellation Energy has told the DeWitt County Board that they are gathering letters of potential support for a possible formal application for a permit from the U.S. Department of Energy. The proposed second Clinton Constellation reactor would be a small modular reactor, made with new technology that has been computer-developed to make old-fashioned nuclear meltdowns physically a near-impossibility.
I commented on that strategy saying: “Illinois must embrace an all-of-the-above energy strategy to meet the growing demand for reliable, affordable power and to reclaim our position as an energy exporter. Supporting innovative projects like a second reactor at the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant not only strengthens our energy independence but also positions Illinois as a leader in advanced, safe nuclear technology.”
The incoming U.S. federal administration is expected to look with favor upon new energy developments of all sorts. However, the construction of a new nuclear reactor will be a lengthy process. Even if Constellation and the U.S. Department of Energy fully greenlight the proposal, no actual construction is expected at Clinton until 2026.
President Trump Inauguration
Today marks a day of renewal and a fresh start for our nation. Inauguration Day is not only a celebration of our democratic traditions but also a time to reflect on the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead.
The results of the November 2024 election showed clearly that the American people are tired of government overreach, polarizing political rhetoric, and a decline in the overall quality of life. They called for change, unity, and a government that prioritizes real solutions to real problems.
President Trump and the newly empowered Republican House and Senate now have an incredible opportunity to answer that call. Together, we can deliver relief to families, bring peace to divided communities, and restore economic success by focusing on policies that get people back to work, lower the cost of living, and strengthen our nation’s standing at home and abroad.
The next 100 days promise to be aggressive and transformative as Republicans work to enact policies that address the concerns of everyday Americans. With bold leadership and a commitment to results, this new administration has the potential to bring about meaningful change.
Here in Illinois, where Republicans represent parts of all 102 counties, we know how important strong federal leadership is to achieving progress at the state level. From rebuilding infrastructure to supporting farmers and small businesses, the policies shaped in Washington can provide the foundation for a brighter future in communities across Illinois.
I extend my congratulations to President Trump and his administration. I look forward to working with them to address the challenges we face and seize the opportunities ahead. Together, we can make our state and our nation stronger, more prosperous, and more united.
Upcoming Events
Office Hours: My office is hosting a traveling office hours event in partnership with the Community Growth Group of Shannon on January 21st. I encourage anyone to stop by!
Tuesday, January 21st
5:00-6:30pm
Cherry Grove Township Building
13 S Cedar St, Shannon, IL
Session: Lawmakers return to Springfield for the next week of legislative session on January 28th. Residents can watch the action live on ilga.gov.