It’s been another busy week representing you. We were in Springfield for Session on Tuesday and Wednesday, which I attended after getting my radiation treatment. I’m over halfway through and still going strong! This update will cover the General Assembly, what I’ve been up to, the Madigan trial, and more!
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
My committee appointments have been announced!
I will serve as the Republican Spokesperson on the following committees:
- Agriculture and Conservation
- Childcare Access and Early Childhood Education
In addition, I will also proudly serve on the following committees:
- Energy and Environment
- Human Services
- Immigration and Human Rights
- Small Business, Tech Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
These committee assignments will allow me to best represent the 109th district. I’m proud to lead two committees and hope to work with my colleagues to pass good, strong legislation that moves Illinois forward.
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 fully support the House Republicans’ efforts to fight for fair maps. I’ve been a long advocate for fair maps. Gerrymandering has left voters disenfranchised and politicians in hand-drawn districts.
While HJRCA05 awaits further consideration in the Illinois House, a full copy of the complaint filed today can be found online at RedoRemap.com.
WHAT I’VE BEEN UP TO
Chicken Dinner from the Highland Knights of Columbus.
Sausage supper from the Alhambra UCC Church
I went to the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala
I took some steers to the Greenville sale barn. I also stopped at the Milk House to pick up some flavored milk for my great nieces and nephews. While there I, ran into a group of ham radio operators doing a competition. It was very interesting talking with them. If there would be some type of world disaster and phone lines would disable, ham operators maybe the people communicating of us. I enjoyed learning about this group.
I was not able to attend, but I did donate a basket to the Addieville Fireman’s 16th Annual Nick Rennegarbe Trivia Night. All proceeds go the the Addieville Fireman for training and small equipment cost.
I attended the Illinois FFA Alumni Assoc. Dinner and Auction on Friday. It was nice to be available to speak with the FFA leadership. I also donated Blues Ticket to their fundraiser.
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.
LEGALIZING PROSTITUTION?
I am collecting petition signatures for residents who oppose a recent legislative proposal that seeks to legalize prostitution in Illinois. The threat to women and young girls will skyrocket if penalties for prostitution are eliminated.
Illinois Democrats will go to any length to increase revenue, even if it means putting our women and girls at risk. They will not stop at anything to find new things to tax, and this is just too far. I am so disturbed by this proposal, but I’m more concerned for the safety of women of all ages. I worry for the increase of sexual assault and human trafficking that will stem from this radical proposal.
I genuinely want to know what my constituents think on legalizing prostitution. That’s why I’m launching a petition drive. I hope to be able to present the 109th District’s opposition to this dangerous legislation to the legislators who support this movement, so they can see that their agenda has no business in Southern Illinois.
You can sign my petition here.
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.
Next week will be another busy one, and I’m planning on heading to Springfield Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday following my radiation treatment each morning. I’ll keep you in the loop with any other important updates from Springfield! It’s an honor to serve!