CORRUPTION Dozens of secret recordings at Madigan trial show close ties with McClain, undercutting key defense point.  This week began with opening statements in the racketeering conspiracy trial of former Illinois…

CORRUPTION Mike Madigan, once Illinois’ most influential powerbroker, now faces federal corruption trial.  The former Illinois house speaker quietly wielded power in Springfield for decades while developing a reputation as…

GENERAL ASSEMBLY Pulling back the curtain: Bipartisanship end-around.  Partisan working groups have become the favored form of policymaking for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch since he took over as the presiding officer…

On Thursday, I will be hosting my third annual Sweet Corn Day event…Come out and enjoy sweet corn and a great time with friends and family! I passed legislation in…

FY25 STATE BUDGET   The Illinois House of Representatives voted to pass a new state budget at 4:30am last Wednesday morning while most Illinois families were sleeping. The new budget includes…

DEMOCRATS PRIORITIZE BANNING KANGAROOS, HOP OUT OF TOWN.  After a legislative session day was abruptly canceled in the House of Representatives during a deadline week for legislation to pass out of…

CORRUPTION/ETHICS REFORM McCombie Calls for Reform Amid Ethics Awareness Month.  With the two-year anniversary of former Speaker Mike Madigan’s indictment coinciding with National Ethics Awareness Month, I am using the opportunity…

Quick update from the road in Northwest Illinois! This past week I met with retired teachers in Carroll County, stopped in Jo Daviess County to celebrate Manufacturing Day with more…

PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY I recently served as “Principal for the Day” at Oregon Jr/Sr High School through a program sponsored by the Illinois Principal’s Association that works to get…

PUSH FOR GREATER ETHICS CONTINUES               I have repeatedly called for ethics reform in the Illinois House of Representatives; I proudly supported initiatives of fellow members and my own to instill…