I wanted to take a minute to update you on what’s been going on in Springfield, what I’ve been up to around the district, and some other happenings around the state, including the Madigan trial, immigration, and the budget.
SPRINGFIELD
Last week’s Springfield session saw little legislative action, but the Democrats wanted to throw a Trump Tantrum. After Democrats introduced outrageous, unnecessary political resolutions to air out their grievances with President Trump, House Republicans united and all left the House Floor. We won’t be a part of the Democrats’ political games. We are here to do the work of the people of Illinois!
I rose on the floor to speak on World Cancer Day. Since announcing my cancer diagnosis, I’ve been overwhelmed with the thousands of messages, prayers, comments, and calls. I’m over half-way through my treatment, and still going strong. Watch my remarks here.
I also spoke on what would have been my father’s 100th birthday. I talked about how much has changed in 100 years. Watch my remarks on my father here.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
On my way home from Springfield, I stopped in at Weezy’s in Hamel for supper.
I did a little shopping at Wenneman’s Meat Company in St. Libory.
Last Sunday, I worked St. Peter’s UCC Wurst Markt in Okawville. 1301 meals served. Thanks to everyone who stopped out to support us.
I was happy to support the Madison County Fair at their fundraiser. It was great to see everyone out supporting one of our local county fairs.
I was happy to support the Edwardsville FFA at their fundraiser last weekend.
LUECHTEFELD
What an honor to be able to attend the ceremony for Dave Luechtefeld last week. Coach was honored for his lifetime of achievement as an athlete, teacher, athletic director, coach, and state senator. Dave “Coach” Luechtefeld has been a strong mentor of mine for many years. Below is the House Resolution that I presented to him at the ceremony.
HOUSE RESOLUTION 66
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House Representatives wish to congratulate Coach David Luechtefeld on a lifetime of achievement as an athlete, teacher, athletic director, coach, and state senator; and
WHEREAS, David Luechtefeld demonstrated exceptional talent as a high school basketball player; while playing for Okawville High School from 1954 to 1958, he scored 2,155 points, making him the 96th highest-scoring player in IHSA history and the 2nd highest-scoring player in Okawville High School history, and he scored 30 or more points in 22 games; and
WHEREAS, While playing basketball and baseball at Okawville High School, David Luechtefeld was a member of the Junior Varsity Flares as a freshman with a 10-10 record, had a perfect 7-0 season as a sophomore, had a 22-6 record in basketball and 7-5 record in baseball his junior year, and had a record of 27-2 in basketball and was undefeated in both conferences at Tri-county and Clinton his senior year; and
WHEREAS, David Luechtefeld worked at Okawville High School from 1962 to 1994, teaching history and government for 32 years and serving as athletic director for 33 years; and
WHEREAS, During his 28 years as a baseball coach, David Luechtefeld secured 506 wins and earned a place in the Illinois Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame; as a basketball coach, he won nine IHSA championships, seven IHSA Sectional championships, and a third place in the 1980 Class A State Tournament; he also coached the winning Class A South team in the 1976 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) All-Star game; and
WHEREAS, David Luechtefeld was appointed state senator for the 58th district in September 1995, serving until 2017; and
WHEREAS, During his time in office, David Luechtefeld served as the Assistant Minority Leader for 14 years and the Deputy Minority Leader for one year; and
WHEREAS, David Luechtefeld has a wife, Flo, four children, Keith, Jeff, Donna, and Ryan, and 11 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, On January 28, 2025, Okawville High School will be honoring Dave Luechtefeld at the Luechtefeld Gymnasium for his years of service and accomplishments as a coach and athletic director; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Coach David Luechtefeld on a lifetime of achievement as a truly outstanding athlete, athletic director, and coach, as well as his service as a state senator and teacher; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the special occasion honoring David Luechtefeld at Okawville High School, and we proclaim our respect and esteem for his hard-won place as one of the finest high school coaches in Illinois history.
MADIGAN TRIAL
No tea leaves from silent Madigan jury as deliberations head into 9th day. Jurors in the landmark corruption trial of Michael Madigan on Thursday concluded their seventh day of deliberations without reaching a verdict. And for the second day running, they maintained total silence, sending no questions or other communications to the judge.
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
Gov. Pritzker’s upcoming budget address. 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. Houe 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.
DOWN ON THE FARM
Carol and Alan Huelsmann presented me with a blanket. They lost their son to cancer years ago. They continue this project of making blankets for people who are going through cancer treatments. I was honored to have received one. And thank you for your kindness.
