In response to newly filed legislation proposing the Illinois Epstein Files Investigation Act, introduced in the Illinois House by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie released the following statement:
“The crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein and those connected to his trafficking network are among the most horrific in modern history. Every file should be released. Every name should be named. Survivors deserve truth, accountability, and justice… not politics.
“But let’s also be honest: Illinois legislators cannot subpoena federal investigators, prosecute international trafficking rings, or conduct a parallel federal criminal investigation from Springfield.
“Creating a “commission” here may generate headlines, but it does not deliver justice to victims.
“In the Illinois House, my focus has been on actions that help survivors, strengthening human trafficking laws, expanding victims’ rights, and advancing legislation like HB 1903, HB 3237, and HB 1114 so survivors can heal, and offenders can be held accountable here at home.
“If Representative Rashid wants to stand with victims, that commitment should be consistent, and focus on meaningful reforms in Illinois that protect women and hold perpetrators accountable.”