Happy Tuesday! As we start another week, I wanted to take a moment to give you an update on some stuff that’s been going on around the Metro East and Illinois! This week’s topics include the ISP Trooper Corey Thompsen, what I’ve been up to around the district, inflation, Madigan’s trial, and early voting.
TROOPER THOMPSEN
Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen was struck and killed by a truck driver in Champaign County Friday afternoon. He was 28.
My thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Thompsen’s family and friends and our entire law enforcement community during this tragic time.
WHERE’S AMY
October is Manufacturing Month, and I joined the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association as their ‘Makers on the Move’ tour came to the 111th district! We stopped by Alton Steel and America’s Central Port as they highlighted a couple of the great manufacturers we have.
I joined Senator Erica Harriss at the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated “One Stop Shop” Bethalto DMV. The upgraded DMV design will help our residents get the services they need in a more efficient manner. Introducing new technology and cross-training employees decreases wait time and better serves our community!
I also visited Riverbend Head Start and was given a tour of their facility. The resources that this group provides to our region is invaluable! Thank you to the staff and volunteers for all they do for our community.
Shoutout to Tina and Emma from my office for their decorating skills as we Painted the Town Red for AHS’ Homecoming Week!
INFLATION
It’s clear that Illinois families are facing skyrocketing grocery bills. All food prices have risen 25% in the last 3 years – and some regular grocery essentials have climbed even higher.
-MILK prices have risen 23%
-BREAD prices have risen 28%
-BEEF prices have risen 31%
-EGG prices have risen 46%
Take a look at what we’re seeing at the grocery store in 2024.
We have got to get inflation under control and the economy back on track!
MADIGAN
Jury of 12 finally selected in Madigan corruption case — but work is not done. And on the seventh day, a jury was selected.
After a long week of intensive questioning, a panel of 12 people who will decide the fate of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was finalized Thursday, although attorneys for both sides will not finish picking alternates to sit for the landmark trial until next week.
Opening statements are scheduled for this afternoon.
The eight-woman, four-man panel, which was selected on a rolling basis over long days of in-court questioning, includes at least six people from Chicago, including two from the city’s 19th Ward on the Far Southwest Side. Others hail from as far away as Aurora, Downers Grove and northern Lake County. […]
A pool of more than 150 potential jurors from all over northern Illinois was called into the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse beginning Oct. 8, and attorneys have questioned each member of the panel individually to weed out potential bias. They are being referred to in court only by their juror numbers to protect their privacy.
The process has taken about twice as long as anticipated. At times it slowed to a crawl as attorneys delved into prospective jurors’ news consumption habits, their familiarity with Madigan, and whether they have any opinions about unions, lobbying or politics.
By the end of the day Thursday, attorneys had selected four of the six alternates needed to round out the panel for the anticipated 11-week trial. Court is not being held on Fridays.
U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey said he hoped they could finish the selection process Monday morning and then proceed to opening statements — which are expected to last about four hours — after lunch. Prosecutors will begin presenting witnesses on Tuesday, he said.
As Madigan awaits his fate, I’ve been keeping up the fight for ethics reform. Under current law, former Speaker Madigan will continue to collect a taxpayer-paid pension until a guilty verdict is reached.
House Bill 4119 – Prohibits elected officials from using political campaign donations to pay for criminal defense.
House Bill 1277 – Benefit or annuity payments to a member or participant in a retirement system or pension fund shall be suspended if the member or participant is charged with a felony.
Read the rest of the Chicago Tribune’s coverage of the Madigan jury selection.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting expands across Madison County this week! Here are the sites, dates, and times you can early vote throughout Madison County, if you so choose.
Thank you for reading my Capitol Update, and please reach out to my office if you need assistance with a state agency!