REDISTRICTING REFORM
Reformers: Democrats Recruit ‘Prince of Darkness’ to Defend Illegal Maps. Illinois House Republican leaders provided the latest update this week regarding their ongoing lawsuit on redistricting filed with the Illinois Supreme Court. The lawsuit alleges that the Illinois Democratic majority has rigged legislative elections by gerrymandering electoral districts to their benefit, and at the expense of a fair process for all Illinois voters.
I was joined by Deputy Leader Ryan Spain and Assistant Leader Dan Ugaste at a press conference in Springfield to provide the latest details.
“In response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s order to address the issue of timeliness, the Illinois Attorney General has declined to take a position on behalf of the State Board of Elections,” explained Assistant Leader Ugaste. “This is contrary to what has happened in these situations in the past. Speaker Welch and Senate President Harmon have intervened, and their lawyers are now relying on a legal technicality to deny an untold number of voters their constitutional rights concerning their vote.”
This legal technicality is called ‘laches,’ a seldom-used defense mechanism that asserts the plaintiff has unreasonably delayed its legal claim and therefore is no longer subject to the relief it seeks. As Ugaste explained, the defense, which in this case is the State Board of Elections, is now attempting to prove the plaintiffs, which include myself and five registered voters, were not diligent in pursuing this lawsuit. The defense is also attempting to prove prejudice, which in a legal sense, is their ability to defend their case.
House Republicans are optimistic and eager for the legal process to continue moving forward. It’s also worth noting that Welch and Harmon are calling upon prominent election lawyer Mike Kasper to defend the case. In the past, Kasper has been called ‘Vader,’ the ‘prince of darkness’ and Democrats’ ‘chief weapon against redistricting reform.’ He was also a top lawyer for disgraced and convicted ex-speaker Mike Madigan.
“Speaker Welch has come forward and hired Mike Madigan’s favorite henchman, Mike Kasper, to defend his overtly partisan gerrymandered legislative maps,” stated Deputy Leader Spain. “It is time to end Democrat insiders conspiring with one another to disenfranchise the people of Illinois!”
I also added the following statement:
“The Illinois Supreme Court has a crucial opportunity to declare these maps unconstitutional and end political gerrymandering in our state,” stated Leader McCombie. “House Republicans recognize the gravity of this moment and are committed to supporting a fair and transparent process for Illinois. Meanwhile, Speaker Welch continues to recklessly defend extreme partisan tactics that undermine our democracy.”
For all the latest news in the case, please visit redoremap.com.
CRIMINAL LAW
House Republicans lead fight against human trafficking with legislative proposals. House Republican lawmakers presented their legislative proposals at a Capitol press conference to bring light to human trafficking and the impact it has throughout Illinois. With Illinois ranking among the top ten nationwide for human trafficking cases, State Representatives Nicole La Ha, Jennifer Sanalitro, and Dennis Tipsword discussed the importance of putting forth viable solutions.
State Representative Nicole La Ha has been a vocal advocate in the fight against human trafficking, driven not only through her commitment to justice but to protect the vulnerable. To do that, she filed three bills: HB 1114 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting crimes such as involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons when the victim was under 18 at the time of the offense; HB 1467 eliminates the affirmative defense of “mistake of age” for individuals accused of patronizing a minor engaged in prostitution; and HB 1469, which amends the Sex Offender Registration Act to include offenses such as trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, requiring offenders to register as sex offenders.
LaHa’s legislation ensures victims have the time they need to come forward, holds offenders accountable, and provides transparency in communities to promote awareness of the severity of human trafficking.
I am also a sponsor of the legislative package, and emphasized the importance of taking swift and decisive action to combat human trafficking:
“Human trafficking is a vile and unconscionable crime that destroys lives and weakens the fabric of our communities,” said Leader McCombie. “House Republicans are leading the fight to ensure victims receive justice and traffickers face the full force of the law. We cannot stand by while Illinois remains a hub for these horrific crimes. These legislative proposals take meaningful steps to hold perpetrators accountable and protect those at risk and we call on the majority party to call the bills.”
IMMIGRATION
House Republicans Fight to End Costly Sanctuary State Policies, Stop Illegal Immigration
Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer, along with State Reps. Mike Coffey and Paul Jacobs, held a Capitol news conference this week to denounce Illinois’ costly and dangerous “Sanctuary State” policy. The House Republican lawmakers highlighted their legislative package focused on stopping Illegal immigration in Illinois.
Under the Biden Administration’s Open Border policy, the United States and the State of Illinois were unable to keep up with the flood of migrants coming into the country. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Illinois is home to the fifth most foreign nationals in the country, with at least 530,000 illegal immigrants residing across the state.
“The surge of illegal immigrants into Illinois has led to a string of horrific crimes, endangered public safety, and has blown a huge hole in our already-strained budget,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said.
Representative Davidsmeyer is sponsoring legislation (HB 1317) to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act, a misguided law that prohibits law enforcement agencies from working with federal authorities to detain and deport illegal immigrants. Davidsmeyer’s bill would end Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policy.
“The truth is the Democrats’ sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and made our communities less safe,” Davidsmeyer said. “And the Democrats’ giveaways to illegal immigrants are incentives for them to come to Illinois. If you build it, they will come. And they did.”
On Governor Pritzker’s watch, the State has spent $2.2 billion in taxpayer funds on healthcare benefits for immigrant adults. In total, over $3 billion have been spent on services for migrants and illegal immigrants, while services for our most vulnerable citizens remain chronically underfunded and underserved.
Davidsmeyer has filed House Bill 1456 to end the massively expensive HBIA/HBIS program.
“With an estimated $1.2 billion budget deficit, we simply cannot afford this budget buster anymore,” Davidsmeyer added.
I also included the following statement into the narrative:
“For too long, Illinois’ sanctuary state policies have put our communities at risk and burdened taxpayers with billions in unnecessary costs. HB1317 and HB1345 are critical steps toward restoring law and order by repealing the TRUST Act and allowing local law enforcement to do their jobs. Illinois families deserve safe neighborhoods and responsible spending—not policies that incentivize illegal immigration and strain our resources. I ask the Governor to put the safety and well-being of Illinoisans first.”
Below are pictures from my trip to the border in 2023:
EDUCATION
Protecting Homeschool Freedom. House Republicans continue to fight to protect the rights of parents to choose the best educational experience for their children.
House Bill 2827, the “Homeschool Act,” was heard in committee this week and passed over the objection of tens of thousands of families choosing home or private school for their children. This bill mandates that nonpublic elementary and secondary schools register annually with the Illinois State Board of Education and requires homeschools to fill out a Homeschool Declaration Form or risk truancy, which could lead to fines and even imprisonment. It further requires homeschool administrators to submit personal information about themselves and their students to state and local authorities.
“Illinois should empower parents to place their children in education environments that help them learn and succeed,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “Bureaucrats in Springfield have bigger problems to solve than tracking parents’ schooling decisions. This bill attempts to solve a problem that does not exist.”
The public has been vocal about their opposition to this state overreach. Nearly 51,000 motivated residents filed witness slips in opposition to HB 2827. Thousands of Illinoisans went to the State Capitol on Wednesday to express their opposition and speak to lawmakers about their positive experience with homeschooling.
“Placing children in public schools does not guarantee results or safety,” Elik continued. “I oppose forcing additional mandates on responsible parents.”
HB 2827 was heard in the Education Policy Committee where Elik is the House Republican Spokesperson. Despite all Republicans voting in opposition, it passed committee and was advanced to the House Floor for further action. Residents who agree HB 2827 should be stopped can sign the House Republicans’ petition and file a witness slip at ilga.gov.
Following the committee hearing, I issued the following statement:
“Today, the Democrat majority silenced over 50,000 advocates who oppose this misguided legislation—a blatant disservice to Illinois families that must not be ignored.
“With the serious challenges facing our state, lawmakers should be addressing real problems, not creating solutions for issues that don’t exist. HB 2827 is nothing more than a strategic push for more government control, doing nothing to tackle the true root issues plaguing public education.”
I joined my colleagues to speak to the press following the committee hearing. Watch the remarks here.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
McCombie Says, “Enough is Enough! Let’s Get to Work for Illinois.” The Illinois House Committee Deadline for bill action was Friday, March 21. At the deadline, 643 House bills had been passed out of committee. Unfortunately, only 64 of the 643 bills advanced through the committee process were Republican-sponsored bills. House Republicans make up one-third of the Illinois House of Representatives, yet only 10% of the bills advanced were Republican bills.
For weeks, the Democratic supermajority has wasted time on the House floor throwing tantrums against President Donald Trump’s actions to “Make America Great Again.” Illinois Democrats have called Trump and Republicans in general Nazis and fascists. Democrats have decried Republican efforts to make life more affordable for everyday Americans, to secure our borders, and to cut wasteful government spending.
As the Democrats continued their verbal assaults of house republicans and on President Trump this week, I took to the floor Thursday and said, “Enough is Enough! Let’s Get to Work for Illinois.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Don’t miss the next round of traveling office hours! While I am in Springfield, my staff will be available to help you with questions or concerns about state issues.
Women to Watch: coming April 22nd! I am calling on residents throughout the 89th legislative district to nominate a female leader to attend the annual House Republican Women to Watch event in the Capitol. The event on April 22nd includes a full day of recognizing the work of the attendees, celebrating their accomplishments, and networking among emerging women leaders across the state.
This annual event is an opportunity for lawmakers to celebrate women leaders from all corners of our state. It is encouraging to know our state is well served throughout all communities, and having us all together makes for a wonderful day of recognition.
To nominate a resident, email [email protected] with “Women to Watch Nomination” in the subject line and include the following information in the email body: the name of the nominee, your relation to the nominee, nominee background, and reason why they should be chosen to attend. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 4th.
The Spring photo contest is upon us! I encourage anyone to get out and about in northwest Illinois and submit their favorite picture for consideration.
