Weekly News from Leader McCombie

VETO SESSION RECAP

Leader McCombie Recaps Veto Session on Fox 32 Chicago

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie talked about legislative veto session with Fox 32 Chicago's Paris Schutz: from transit to energy, there was a lot to unpack. Check out her latest interview.

AFFORDABILITY CRISIS: Pritzker Promises Affordability, Delivers the Opposite

The Most Expensive Veto Session in Illinois History

In just 48 hours, Democrats rammed through nearly $11 billion in new spending, piling even more costs onto struggling families-while claiming they're "delivering for the people."

Governor Pritzker says Democrats are focused on affordability. In reality, he's delivering the opposite. Under his leadership, Illinois ranks:
#1 Highest Property Taxes
#1 Highest Combined State & Local Taxes
#1 Highest Cell Phone Tax

$8 Billion "Green New Giveaway"

Their so-called energy bill doesn't generate a single watt of new power. It hands unelected bureaucrats the authority to raise your bills, kills local control, and pours billions into unproven battery storage technology-all while promising "lower costs" years down the road.
This isn't an energy plan. It's an environmental giveaway that will make electricity less reliable and more expensive.

Chicago Transit Bailout

• A $220 million problem "solved" with $2.5 billion in new taxes and tolls-and downstate gets the bill:
  $1 billion in toll hikes (45¢ more per car; 30% more for trucks

• $1 billion in toll hikes (45¢ more per car; 30% more for trucks)
  • $478 million in new RTA sales taxes
  • Automatic toll increases tied to inflation
  • Over $1 billion swept from downstate road and bridge funds

Downstate families will pay for a system we don't use, while our infrastructure gets shortchanged.

House Republicans Are Delivering Solutions

While Democrats doubled down on bad policy, House Republicans fought back-and we're offering real solutions to make Illinois affordable again:
✅ An all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps the lights on and costs down
✅ Transit reform before more funding
✅ Protection for downstate infrastructure and priorities
✅ Ethics reform and government accountability
✅ Commonsense proposals like Rep. Regan Deering's bill (HB 3543) to create a Cost of Living Task Force- let's tackle the rising costs facing families

Illinoisans deserve leaders who deliver results, not rhetoric. While the Governor keeps raising costs, we'll keep fighting to make life in Illinois more affordable, more accountable, and more fair for everyone.

CORRUPTION

Convicted ex-Speaker Michael Madigan appeals corruption conviction

The former Illinois House Speaker and his legal team have officially appealed his corruption conviction, claiming the verdict was "fatally flawed" due to prosecutorial overreach and procedural errors. The appeal argues that the court failed to properly scrutinize key pieces of evidence and should have better protected the defendant's rights before allowing the case to go to the jury.

In United States vs. Michael Madigan (2025), prosecutors presented evidence showing that:

• Key Illinois stakeholders needed favorable treatment in the lawmaking process.
• Speaker Madigan and his office provided it.
• Stakeholders then funneled significant sums of money to members of Madigan's political machine.

A federal jury found Madigan guilty on 10 counts of bribery-related conduct, sentencing him to 7.5 years in federal prison, which he has begun serving in West Virginia.

In his November 2025 appeal, Madigan's attorneys did not deny that evidence of favors and money exchanges existed, but claimed those actions were part of "the rough-and-tumble business of state politics" rather than criminal conduct. The appeal seeks to overturn the conviction entirely.

While the former Speaker continues to fight his conviction, the Democrat majority in Springfield brought forward no ethics legislation during the fall veto session-despite continued corruption scandals and public mistrust in state government.

"Illinoisans are tired of the corruption and insider politics that have become business as usual in Springfield," said House Republican Leader Tony McCombie. "Instead of tightening ethics laws and restoring public trust, Democrats ignored reform altogether this session. Until we clean up the culture of corruption, Illinois will keep paying the price."

POLITICAL RHETORIC

Governor Pritzker Once Again Resorts to Inflammatory Rhetoric

Last month, Governor JB Pritzker once again proved he's more interested in division than leadership. Speaking before the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Governor launched into yet another profanity-laced tirade - declaring, "Donald Trump and his cronies can f*** all the way off!"

For someone who constantly lectures others about civility, it's clear the Governor thrives on political fights, not problem-solving. His remarks weren't just unprofessional - they directly contradict his repeated calls to "tone down the rhetoric."

This wasn't an isolated incident. Pritzker has a pattern of inflammatory comments:

• March 2025: "What we really need is to become street fighters."

• April 2025: "Donald Trump is okay if people in Chicago die."

• April 2025: "These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace."

• April 2025: "Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption - but I am now."

Illinois families deserve better than a Governor chasing headlines and applause. They deserve a leader focused on results - not resentment.

I had comments about his recent remarks: "The Governor loves to lecture others about civility, but his actions show otherwise. Words matter, and leadership requires more than a microphone and a grudge. Illinoisans deserve a Governor focused on solving problems - not stoking political fights to stay relevant."

While the Governor fans the flames, House Republicans are leading by example. , Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer has introduced HR 494, a resolution condemning political violence and calling on all Illinoisans - regardless of party - to engage in civil, respectful, and bipartisan dialogue.

SENIORS

Alzheimer's Awareness in Illinois

November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month, and Illinois House Republicans are joining families, caregivers, and advocates across the state to raise awareness and support those affected by this devastating disease.

Alzheimer's impacts more than 230,000 Illinois residents and over 300,000 caregivers who provide unpaid, around-the-clock care each year. The toll is emotional, physical, and financial-but early detection, support, and access to resources can make a real difference.

House Republicans have championed legislation to strengthen caregiver programs, expand access to respite care, and ensure the Illinois Department on Aging and local service agencies have the tools to help families navigate care and maintain their own well-being.

Illinois is also home to three world-class Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Centers-Northwestern University, Rush University Medical Center, and SIU School of Medicine-leading the way in research and treatment.

Throughout November, local organizations will host walks, educational events, and caregiver workshops across the state. To learn more or find resources, visit alz.org/Illinois or call the 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

TAXES

Voters say high taxes are No. 1 issue in Illinois

A recent survey confirms that Illinois' exceptionally high tax rates are the highest-ranking item on their list of concerns. The Illinois voters polled in October 2025 were asked to pick the top issue facing the state. More than half of the respondents picked "high taxes" as the number one issue facing Illinoisans.

The survey randomly selected 929 Illinois registered voters to help make their voices heard. Other items that voters could list as top concerns included the economy, state governance, immigration, crime, housing, and education. All these issues were deeply concerning to many respondents, with between 16% and 26% selecting each item. However, "high taxes" scored far ahead of all the other issues as the chief topic of concern.

In the survey, carried out with the help of the Illinois Policy Institute, the voters surveyed were encouraged to pick up to two top issues. This enabled voices to be heard that are concerned about more than one issue. For example, 74% of the answers mentioned both "high taxes" and "immigration."

Despite the continued and intensifying concerns raised by many Illinoisans about high taxes, the General Assembly's Democratic supermajority acted in the October 2025 Veto Session to raise taxes even higher. Complex legal language, enacted by the Democrats and sent to Gov. Pritzker for his expected signature, "decoupled" certain features of Illinois tax law from federal tax law. This tangled move is expected to increase Illinois' FY26 tax revenue by $250 million. No House Republicans voted for the tax increase bill (SB 1911).

Some business organizations worry the measure will hurt Illinois' ability to attract and retain businesses. Illinois Manufacturers' Association CEO Mark Denzler said changes to the depreciation of assets deduction will "hamper economic development efforts and put the state at a competitive disadvantage."

"This measure deprives Illinois manufacturers of important tax benefits that allow businesses to upgrade equipment, expand facilities and grow jobs," Denzler said in a statement. "It represents yet another blow to our state's manufacturing industry."

Pritzker defended the policy, arguing that businesses will still find Illinois to be an attractive place because of the state's infrastructure, education and health care systems. Republicans said the federal government's tax cuts would also be beneficial in Illinois.

"When the federal government tries to, you know, add rocket fuel to manufacturing and other industries, we shouldn't have to be the outlier," Rep. Amy Elik, R-Godfrey, said during debate in the House last week. "We should be taking advantage of those opportunities and helping businesses decide to locate here."

VETERANS DAY

Veterans Day will be observed on Tuesday, November 11

Once known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day honors the courage, sacrifice, and service of all U.S. military veterans. It marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918 - and today, we honor all who have served in conflicts since, from World War II and Korea to Vietnam, the Global War on Terror, and beyond.

As an Army brat, I grew up with a deep respect for those who wear the uniform - and for the families who serve alongside them. We are blessed in the General Assembly to serve with many veterans who continue to lead with integrity and purpose long after their military careers.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) offers vital services to veterans and their families across the state. On November 11, state offices will be closed and mail delivery suspended in observance of the holiday.

Veterans Day also falls during National Veterans and Military Families Month,, a time to express gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to keeping America safe - and to the families who have stood beside them every step of the way.

"To every veteran and every military family: thank you for your service, sacrifice, and strength. Illinois is better because of you."

UPCOMING EVENTS

Be sure to check out our upcoming Mobile DMV event in Byron! For more information and to register, visit RepMcCombie.com.