I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather! I’ve been keeping busy and wanted to give you an update on some things I’ve been up to and Illinois news. I’ll discuss my committees, an update on the General Assembly, some of where I’ve been around the district, the Madigan trial, and what’s coming up.
COMMITTEES
I’ve gotten my committee assignments for the 104th General Assembly!
I will proudly serve on the following committees, including two as the Republican Spokesperson:
- General Services Appropriations (Republican Spokesperson)
- Elementary/Secondary Education: Education Policy (Republican Spokesperson)
- Ethics and Elections
- International Relations, Tourism, and Trade
- Revenue and Finance
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Lawsuit filed by House Republicans to remedy extreme partisan gerrymandering. On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie was joined by State Representatives Ryan Spain and Dan Ugaste for a press conference in the State Capitol to discuss their latest litigation effort to combat legislative gerrymandering. McCombie, in her official capacity, filed a lawsuit with the Illinois Supreme Court to declare the current map unconstitutional and ask for a special master to draft a redistricting plan that complies with the Illinois Constitution.
The U.S. Supreme Court has given the responsibility of ending extreme partisan gerrymandering to the states, and now Illinois will potentially join other states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina who have had redistricting plans struck down on the basis of identical or comparable constitutional provisions.
McCombie’s lawsuit filed this week will address the 2021 enacted maps at the state level and challenge two key features of the maps: the compactness of the districts (Article IV, Section 3) and the partisan gerrymandering (Article III, Section 3).
“Illinois’ State House District Maps are the byproduct of extreme partisan gerrymandering,” Leader McCombie said. “They are drawn by the political party in control and intended to entrench the Democratic Party in power and prevent voters of the minority party from electing candidates of their choice. The general election outcomes are rigged.”
I believe that voters should choose their elected officials and not the other way around. Unfortunately, Democrats latest political maps were gerrymandered so profoundly that it has silenced the voices of millions of Illinoisans. That’s why we’ve filed a lawsuit against these unconstitutional maps with the Illinois Supreme Court and introduced legislation to take mapmaking out of the hands of incumbent politicians by creating an independent commission to draw legal congressional and legislative district maps.
While HJRCA05 awaits further consideration in the Illinois House, a full copy of the complaint filed today can be found online at RedoRemap.com.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
I was in Granite City on Thursday. First I attended a meeting at America’s Central Port for the Rt 3 corridor, then ended the evening with the Granite City firefighters IAFF Local 253 at their annual installation of officers. The best meal I have had in a while!
I attended the IL Credit Union League’s breakfast this week in Collinsville and got an update on various issues. Their members are my constituents and I love working with them to help people in sometimes difficult and unique situations.
Once again this year, I am serving as the Co-chair of the Illinois Manufacturing Caucus. We met this week to kick off the new session and learn about some Illinois manufacturers and their legislative agenda for 2025.
MADIGAN TRIAL
Closing arguments conclude in Madigan corruption trial. The blockbuster trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and his former associate Michael McClain went to the jury this week. The prosecution and the defense made their closing statements to the court. When federal Judge John Blakey read out the court’s instructions to the jury, this was the signal for the members of the jury to begin their deliberations. The jury’s members and alternates have sat through fourteen and a half weeks of evidence presentation and court statements. They have now been asked to decide whether the former Illinois political boss is guilty of a set of alleged federal offenses, centered around acts of alleged bribery, influence peddling and racketeering.
Integral to the federal case against Madigan and McClain were a sequence of wiretap evidence gathered by federal prosecutors and their informants. The court heard former Speaker Madigan and former insider and lobbyist McClain explicitly discussing various deals and agreements. The prosecution team described these deals and agreements as parts of a sequence. These event sequences resulted in the passage of controversial bills in the Illinois General Assembly, the hiring of politically connected insiders for “no-show” jobs, and the payments of money to Madigan’s well-connected Chicago law firm. Now, the jury has been asked to make a finding of fact about these criminal charges. Jury deliberations are expected to continue next week.
YouTube
Subscribe on YouTube. The Illinois House Republican Caucus maintains a YouTube channel, hosting hundreds of videos promoting our caucus members as well as caucus positions and news. YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world and is an important tool in getting our message out about reforming Illinois. If you have not done so already, please subscribe to the House GOP YouTube channel by going to this link: https://www.youtube.com/@ILHouseGOP and selecting the subscribe button.
LOOKING AHEAD
My office is still collecting Valentine’s for Veterans! Each year, I collect valentines and deliver them to seniors residing at long-term care facilities in the 111th District in time for Valentine’s Day. Please consider dropping off or mailing your completed Valentines to my district office, at 192 Alton Square Mall Drive, Suite C.
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.
This week I’m heading back to Springfield for session. I’ll update you again soon!