This week, I wanted to give you an update on what I’ve been up to after a week in Springfield and also fill you in on some news from around the state you may find interesting.
SPRINGFIELD
Last week, I stood with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie and Representative John Cabello to demand action on immigration.
The sad reality is that Illinois’ sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions and made our communities less safe.
We are calling on House Democrats to repeal the TRUST act, so Illinois law enforcement can adequately communicate with ICE to detain and deport violent criminals.
We will continue to fight for legislation and a state budget that prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families and seniors over migrants and illegal immigrants.
Watch my remarks on this here.
This week we welcomed Jackson as a page for the day on the House floor. He’s goes to Roxana High School and looks forward to studying political science next year. He got to see some interesting floor activity! Thanks for coming Jackson!
MADIGAN TRIAL
No tea leaves from silent Madigan jury as deliberations continue. Jurors in the landmark corruption trial of Michael Madigan continue deliberations and a verdict could come at any moment.
Deliberations began Jan. 29 and as of Thursday have lasted for about 44 hours. Hanging in the balance is the fate of Madigan, formerly the most powerful person in Illinois politics, and his longtime right-hand man, Michael McClain.
The jury’s deliberations kicked off the final phase of a landmark four-month trial. Its discussions have lasted longer than those in two other recent high-profile corruption cases: The jury in the “ComEd Four” bribery case, which featured evidence that overlapped significantly with some of the evidence in the Madigan trial, reached a verdict after about 27 hours. And jurors in the racketeering trial of former Ald. Ed Burke found him guilty in about 23 hours. […]
Madigan, 82, of Chicago’s Southwest Side, was for decades the most powerful man in Illinois politics, reigning over the state Democratic Party and setting a national record for longest-serving speaker of a state house. He is charged in a racketeering indictment that accused him of running his political and government operations like a criminal enterprise. McClain, 77, is a retired lobbyist from downstate Quincy.
Jurors have to consider 23 counts against Madigan alleging an array of schemes to enrich his political allies and line his pockets. McClain is charged in six of those counts.
Read more from the Chicago Tribune.
IMMIGRATION
US sues Illinois and Chicago for impeding Trump immigration crackdown. The U.S. Justice Department sued the state of Illinois and city of Chicago on Thursday, accusing the Democratic strongholds of unlawfully interfering with Republican President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration and seeking a court order blocking so-called sanctuary laws.
Citing a national emergency regarding illegal immigration that Trump declared on his first day back in office on January 20, the department in the lawsuit sought to block several Illinois and Chicago laws that “interfere with and discriminate against” his immigration policies.
The lawsuit said sanctuary laws such as the Illinois TRUST Act, which prevents state and local law enforcement from assisting federal civil immigration enforcement, violate the U.S. Constitution’s “Supremacy Clause” that states that federal law preempts state and local laws that may conflict with it. […]
Trump has pledged to deport millions of people who are in the United States illegally, many of whom live in jurisdictions with sanctuary laws. His administration has asked local law enforcement to join the federal immigration crackdown as a “force multiplier” and warned officials who resist that effort that they could face criminal charges.
Newly installed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo, opens new tab on Wednesday that said the Justice Department should take actions against jurisdictions that impede immigration enforcement.
BUDGET
The Illinois General Assembly is preparing for one of the key events of the 2025 legislative session, the Budget Address by Gov. Pritzker that will be delivered on Wednesday, February 19. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget has indicated that the State of Illinois will face a $3.2 billion deficit in fiscal year 2026 (FY26) unless taxes are increased, budget cuts are made, or both. House Republicans demanded this week that Pritzker look at services delivered by Illinois taxpayers to migrants and undocumented immigrants, particularly health care benefits, as one element of these budget cuts.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) has reported to a General Assembly committee that based on current patient counts and spending patterns, the programs that provide health care for undocumented immigrant adults are scheduled to cost $558 million in the current fiscal year (FY25). Other programs and spending lines cover housing, social work, counseling, and education for migrants and undocumented immigrants.
VALENTINES FOR VETERANS
There is still time to drop off your Valentines for Veterans! We will be delivering all the valentines we receive to veterans who are living in long-term care facilities in time for Valentines Day. Drop them off by February 12 to ensure we get them in time!
MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
I’m hosting Mobile Office Hours later this month in Glen Carbon! Staff will be available to help with issues you’re having with a State of Illinois agency. This event is open to the public. Appointments are not required but are encouraged.
As always, my office is here to help if you need assistance with a state agency. Reach out and we’ll see how we can help!
Have a great week!