This year more than 180 bills will go into effect as new state laws. Those laws will affect healthcare, children in state care, reduced fees for seniors and more. Some of those new laws you should know about include:
  • The cost of license plate registration will be reduced from $24 to $10 for low-income seniors and people with disabilities (HB5304) 
CRIMINAL LAW
SAFE-T Act faces courtroom test. The controversial law is set for implementation on Sunday, January 1. Prior to that date, the constitutionality of the new law will face a series of counts in Illinois court. Elements of the new law appear to perform what lawyers call a series of “prima facie” end runs around the plain language of the Constitution of Illinois. Approximately 60 lawsuits filed by state’s attorneys against the controversial new Act have been consolidated into a single proceeding against the State of Illinois.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Second week of Veto Session concludes. The Illinois House and Senate convened this week for the second week of Veto Session. The session dealt with major issues of State policy on which action was required prior to New Year’s Day.

This will not be the final session of the 102nd General Assembly. Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield during the first week of January 2023 for a “lame duck” session to consider an assault weapons ban and further gun control measures, as well as other possible issues. The new 103rd General Assembly will be sworn into office during the January 11, 2023 Inauguration. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Illinois House Republican Caucus Elects State Rep. Tony McCombie as Leader. The Illinois House Republican Caucus elected Tony McCombie as the House Republican Leader for the upcoming 103rd General Assembly. The vote took place on Tuesday, November 15 at an internal caucus meeting in Springfield. 

CORRUPTION & ETHICS REFORM

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan pleads not guilty to latest federal corruption charges. The Chicago politician, who was Speaker of the Illinois House and head of the Illinois Democratic Party for decades, has since been indicted by federal law enforcement. Charges against former Speaker Madigan include taking bribes and participating in federal racketeering. The charge sheet against Madigan began with allegations involving himself, his senior aides, the utility company ComEd, and the state laws that govern the consumer bills that ComEd is allowed to send out to electricity customers. The federal charge sheet has since been lengthened with additional new charges. The new charges constitute a superseding indictment, a new indictment that supplements and replaces the first one.
  
CRIME

SAFE-T Act lawsuits consolidated into Kankakee County case. More than one-half of the 102 state’s attorneys of Illinois have filed lawsuits against the pending enforcement of the Democrats’ so-called “SAFE-T Act.” The new State law, set to go into effect on January 1, 2023, will end cash bail in Illinois and will make other controversial changes to Illinois’ criminal justice system. Most law enforcement officers and prosecutors who work in the offices of the state’s attorneys oppose key elements of the SAFE-T Act. Because of overall constitutional questions concerning the policies contained in the Act, the wording of the Act, and the way the Act was drafted and passed by the General Assembly, many Illinois state’s attorneys believe the Act raises constitutional questions that block its validity and enforcement. Fifty-eight Illinois state’s attorneys, who represent more than one-half of the 102 counties of Illinois, have joined these lawsuits.

CRIME

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin responds to Pritzker’s cluelessness on SAFE-T Act changes. Governor JB Pritzker showed his ignorance on television this week where he once again refused to detail any proposed changes to the SAFE-T Act – a law that he signed and has repeatedly defended, but now admits that changes are needed. This will be the fourth trailer bill for the controversial law he enacted in 2021. 

CORRUPTION

AT&T Illinois to pay $23 million fine, admit guilt, as former president charged in Madigan corruption probe. AT&T Illinois has agreed to pay a $23 million fine for trying to illegally sway former state House Speaker Michael Madigan by steering $22,500 to a Madigan ally as key legislation moved through Springfield.

Former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza, 65, also now faces charges for conspiring to influence Madigan. 

We are currently recruiting for our Communication Team. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and multi-tasking is one of your strengths, we would love to consider you for a communications analyst position.

The ideal candidate will have a college degree in a communications-related field and have an interest in government and public policy. The role requires working directly with State Representatives and staff to create content, press releases, social posts, media materials and more. 


CRIME

Democrats’ SAFE-T Act will raise property taxes in Illinois. New concerns are being raised about the Safe-T Act and the financial costs associated with the law.

Republicans are saying those costs could lead to an increase in property taxes.

At the heart of the matter, Republicans said it is the unfunded mandates associated with the law. Costs that local police departments and courts will incur because of the law which could then fall on taxpayers.

CRIME

Another lawsuit filed to strike down SAFE-T Act. Another state’s attorney has expressed concerns over dangerous provisions in the Democrats’ SAFE-T Act and challenged the constitutionality of the law.

Vermilion County's State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy is suing Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Attorney General, Kwame Raoul, for the SAFE-T Act by claiming it puts victims and their families at risk.

CRIME

Lawsuits filed to strike down Democrats’ SAFE-T Act. State’s attorneys, who are tasked with implementing the so-called “SAFE-T Act” on January 1, 2023, are asking questions about the constitutionality of the proposed new law.

The Democrat-passed SAFE-T Act, if it is allowed to go into effect, will eliminate Illinois’ cash bail system on January 1, which will have wide-ranging consequences throughout our criminal justice system. With the elimination of cash bail, criminal suspects will be detained before trial only in the case of forcible felonies which are nonprobational or unless they are considered a flight risk or a danger to someone in the community. Many violent crimes, including robbery, vehicular invasion, DUI resulting in a death, and second-degree murder, do not qualify under this new law. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has called this policy “a horrible slap in the face to victims and neighborhoods desperately seeking safety.”

CRIME

The Truth about No Cash Bail in Illinois. Starting next year, Illinois' cash bail system will be eliminated due to provisions in the Democrats' so-called “SAFE-T Act.” That means on January 1, people can no longer be held in custody prior to trial for offenses like robbery, arson, second degree murder, kidnapping and more. The elimination of cash bail will reduce public safety and put communities across the state at risk. We have to repeal the SAFE-T Act to keep Illinois residents safe from crime. 

CRIME

Elimination of cash bail will put dangerous criminals back on our streets. During the final hours of the 2021 lame duck session of the 101st General Assembly, Illinois Democrats rammed through anti-police, pro-criminal legislation under the cover of darkness.

The Democrats’ so-called “SAFE-T” Act (HB 3653, PA 101-652) contained many controversial provisions that make extensive changes to Illinois ‘criminal justice laws. The legislation abolishes cash bail, makes it more difficult for prosecutors to charge a defendant with felony murder, adds further requirements for no-knock warrants, gives judges the ability to deviate from mandatory minimum sentencing requirements, makes changes to the “three strikes” law, and decreases mandatory supervised release terms, among other changes.

JOBS

Illinois metro area unemployment rates for July. The numbers reflect the overall Illinois unemployment numbers gathered for July 2022 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with additional data reflecting the unemployment numbers in fourteen major metropolitan areas around Illinois. The statewide unemployment rate was 4.8% in July 2022, but was higher in several metro areas with traditional ties to manufacturing and heavy industry. The unemployment rate was 6.5% in Decatur and in Rockford, and was 5.7% in Danville.

BUDGET

Illinois’ Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund has deficit of more than $4 billion. This deficit, which piled up during the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic and associated spike in unemployment insurance (UI) payments, is money owed to the United States Treasury. The federal Treasury loaned the Illinois UI system the money needed to pay unemployment benefits, and the UI system promised to pay the money back. These payments will have to be made through higher UI taxes on employer paychecks, lower benefits paid to future Illinois jobless workers, or both. The Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) at the University of Illinois has examined the reason for this deficit, and this week submitted a report on the large UI deficit

BUDGET

First month of Fiscal Year 2023 shows continued Illinois revenue growth; discussion of recession fears. The July 2022 revenue report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), a nonpartisan arm of the General Assembly, shows that State of Illinois tax revenue continued to increase in the first month of FY23. Working with cash flow numbers from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and other State agencies, CGFA tracked July 2022 income tax revenues as increasing $118 million over comparable numbers for July 2021. Sales tax revenues were up $55 million, leading to an overall state-tax general funds increase from all sources of $209 million for the month. 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

Embattled DCFS director grilled by Legislative Audit Commission over massive failures. Since December, nine children have died under DCFS' watch. Meanwhile, DCFS Director Marc Smith has been held in contempt of court 12 times for failing to place children in state care appropriately.
 
CHILDREN

Eight children have died on DCFS’ watch in last eight months; Durkin calls for hearings on DCFS failures. Eight children have died since December while cases of neglect or abuse were under investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services.

The DCFS director has been held in contempt of court a dozen times since January for the agency's failures in properly caring for or protecting children. 

CRIME

Victim, former police officer, criticizes Pritzker for commuting sentences of attacker. House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, alongside Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara and former Chicago Police Department Officer Robert Mizera, criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a Tuesday news conference for his handling of the Prisoner Review Board.  

ENERGY

Illinois one of more than ten U.S. states where price of motor fuel passes $5.00/gallon; Democrats block action. The dismal news, already familiar to many motorists, was made official by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in their ongoing gas prices survey of the 50 states. Other states with gas prices above $5.00/gallon this week included Arizona, California, and Michigan. Motor fuel was slightly cheaper in the U.S. Southern states, but could not be bought for less than $4.25 a gallon anywhere. High prices for crude oil, and surging motorist demand in the traditional summer driving season, were blamed for the high gas prices.  

CRIME

Durkin says Time for Reform as Pritzker’s Prisoner Review Board Releases Convicted Murderers. Just ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend, Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Prisoner Review Board (PRB) voted to release two convicted murderers, prompting renewed calls from House Republican Leader Jim Durkin to reform the board.

“Governor Pritzker needs to stop appointing PRB members that disregard the rights of victims. His record on public safety has made Illinois a consequence-free state for criminals,” said Durkin. 

ENERGY

Illinois House holds joint hearing on rising energy prices in Ameren territory. On Thursday, May 26, the House Energy & Environment and Public Utilities Committees held a joint hearing at the Capitol to discuss rising energy prices for Ameren customers in downstate Illinois.

Ameren Illinois customers received an email Wednesday warning about higher prices on the horizon this summer. State lawmakers had the opportunity to ask energy leaders why this is happening and what they could do to help Thursday.

“The primary reason you will see an increase in your monthly bill is because of the increase in the electric supply costs, which are collected on your utility bill and paid directly to power generators,” the utility wrote to customers. “Ameren Illinois does not profit from these charges.” 

CHILDREN

Pritzker excuses for DCFS failures are endangering children; HGOP calls for change in leadership at DCFS. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin issued the following statement as DCFS Director Marc Smith has been held in contempt of court for a shocking 11th time. The record 11th citation concerns the case of an 11-year-old girl who was physically abused while in DCFS care and is considered a danger to herself and others. She has spent months waiting for appropriate placement in a secure residential treatment center.
 
BUDGET
Illinois Democrats put pork projects before people. Illinois House Republicans held a Capitol press conference Thursday to discuss the Democrats’ prioritization of pork projects over the people of Illinois.

State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, said there are “hundreds” of examples of spending for projects from Democrat-only legislators

Peace Officer Memorial Service 2022
VETERANS

Audit slams Pritzker Administration for failed response to deadly COVID outbreak at LaSalle Veterans Home. In total, 36 residents of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home died due to COVID-19. The deaths occurred between November 7, 2020, and January 1, 2021. By November 15, 2020, 17 residents had lost their lives from COVID-19 at the LaSalle Home.

CHILDREN

Durkin Calls on DCFS Director to Resign. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin called on DCFS Director Marc Smith to resign after it was recently revealed that he had been held in contempt for a ninth time for failing to protect Illinois’ children in care.

“Unfortunately, contempt of court orders against DCFS have become business as usual for the Pritzker administration. Governor Pritzker clearly isn’t bothered by a ninth contempt of court charge against DCFS Director Marc Smith and has done nothing about it – that is simply unacceptable. The Governor has had three and a half years to get this agency under control – he owns this ongoing tragedy. Since the Governor has failed to take action, I call on Director Smith to resign for the good of the children in this state who depend on DCFS.

BUDGET

CGFA March revenue summary released. The March 2022 revenue report, compiled by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, continued to show revenues buoyed by one-time tax intake factors. Personal income tax payments in March 2022 were $3,147 million, up more than $600 million from the pandemic-squashed income tax payment cash flow of March 2021. Corporate income tax payments rose year-over-year by $180 million in March 2022, and sales tax revenues rose $106 million. These three cash flows made up by far the largest share of an overall general funds cash increase of $994 million during this 31-day period. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

After an all-nighter, General Assembly adjourns spring session. The Illinois House and Senate held its final week of the scheduled 2022 spring session, and then adjourned in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 9. The General Assembly could come back prior to May 31, 2022, the constitutional adjournment date, in case of unusual circumstances or emergency.

FY 2023 State Budget 
Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer and Republican Floor Leader Mark Batinick offered the following comments on Governor Pritzker’s federally-funded budget that ignores the financial pressures in Illinois’ immediate future.

Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer:
“A year and a half ago, Gov. Pritzker was threatening Illinois voters with draconian cuts or across-the-board tax increases unless they approved his $3.4 billion tax increase amendment. But voters said no.
BUDGET
As Democrats continue budget talks, Republicans say millions of their constituents are being snubbed. As Democrats continue negotiating how to spend taxpayer dollars for the coming fiscal year, Republicans say millions of their constituents across Illinois are being snubbed.

Spring session of the Illinois Legislature ends April 8. It’s expected a plan to spend taxpayer dollars for the fiscal year that starts July 1 will be approved before then. 

Celebrating Women's History Month

In the early morning hours of October 13, 1977, Rosalyn Sussman Yalow received a phone call with the news that she had won the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology. She was the first American-born woman to win a Science Nobel and only the second woman to win a Nobel Prize in Medicine. However her road to the Nobel Prize was not an easy one.  

Borrowing money always comes with associated costs, specifically interest payments.

When we’re late paying our credit cards, we pay interest. When we borrow to buy a car or a house, pay for school or consolidate debt, we pay interest. When it’s a state that borrows money it is the taxpayers who pay the interest. 
 
To protect hardworking taxpayers, Illinois' government should pay its debts as expeditiously as possible. It is the responsible thing to do. Last week the Democrat supermajority in the House of Representatives took a different approach. Instead of using existing eligible funds to pay off a federal loan, Democrats chose to saddle Illinois taxpayers with interest payments that will increase every day until the debt is paid. By passing SB 2803, Democrats have also risked benefit cuts to the unemployed, and ensured a tax increase is coming for every job in Illinois. All so they can fund new “pork projects” in their own districts. 

TAXES & DEBT

Illinois Democrats’ UI plan prioritizes pork projects over paying off debt; will lead to tax hikes on Illinois jobs. This week, Illinois Democrats passed a supplemental appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2022 that failed to pay off the $4.5 billion Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund debt owed to the federal government.

For Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats, making and breaking big promises is becoming a way of life. If that sounds like a typical throwaway political attack line, an examination of the last year of action (or inaction) by the governor and the Illinois General Assembly reveals the truth.

From drawing fair legislative maps to promises of honesty in financial dealings, protecting children in the care of DCFS, addressing rising crime, and providing relief for families struggling to afford necessities like food and fuel, Democrats have made some big promises. To this point in the 102nd General Assembly, it seems Democrats' promises were made to be broken. 

Last week a Chicago businessman gave away $200,000 in gasoline to Illinois residents. Cars lined up for miles at 10 gas stations in Chicago to receive $50 worth of free gas. They waited for hours for what amounted (for most) to a half-tank of the precious fuel. If the long lines and waits were any indication, families are desperate for financial relief.

Gas prices are at their highest level since 2008, fueled only in part by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The fact is gas prices have been going up steadily since President Biden was sworn into office.

In honor of Women’s History month we celebrate the much beloved Judy Baar Topinka.

Judy Barr Topinka's passion for representing the people of Illinois began in 1980 in the House of Representatives. She served 2 years in the House and then was elected to the State Senate where she remained for 10 years.

After 14 years as a member of the Illinois General Assembly, Judy Baar Topinka ran for statewide office. She was chosen in November of 1994 to serve as Illinois State Treasurer becoming the first woman in Illinois history to be elected to that office. 

CHILDREN

DCFS – Blame Shifting Must End, Children Deserve Protection. One of the vital roles of government is to protect its residents, especially vulnerable children in state care. For a variety of reasons, Illinois children end up in the system, because of abuse from their parents or guardians, death of parents or guardians, homelessness, neglect, and even outright abandonment. As a society, we give up part of our income to the government to establish a social safety net to protect these children and provide them with vital services.

One of the vital roles of government is to protect its residents, especially vulnerable children in state care. For a variety of reasons, Illinois children end up in the system, because of abuse from their parents or guardians, death of parents or guardians, homelessness, neglect, and even outright abandonment. As a society, we give up part of our income to the government to establish a social safety net to protect these children and provide them with vital services.

The Democratic majority and Governor Pritzker have been busy working on their priorities: Passing gerrymandered legislative maps, defunding the police, and turning a blind eye to the corruption charges filed against the former longtime Speaker of the House Michael Madigan. All while middle-class families, children in state care, and veterans pay the price for the misdirected priorities.


Celebrating Women's History Month.


The first American woman to win an Olympic event was Margaret Abbott from Illinois. She captured first place in women’s golf at the 1900 Paris Olympic games. Except Abbott would never know she had even competed in the Olympics.

Margaret was born in Calcutta, India in 1878, the daughter of Charles and Mary Abbott. She moved to Illinois as a teenager when her mother became the literary editor for The Chicago Herald. In Illinois, the Abbott women joined the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton where they competed in local golf tournaments. Margaret was coached by several talented male amateurs including Charles Blair MacDonald and began winning championships. However, mentions of Margaret’s golf wins could only be found in the society pages of local newspapers and not the sports sections.

CRIMINAL LAW

Majority rule and rising crime rates. Illinois State Representative Deanne Mazzochi has accused the Democrat majority of not just being soft on crime, but creating state and local policies that allow crime to thrive.

Carjacking, burglaries, and retail thefts are on the rise in her district. Murders, robberies and gang violence are threatening other Chicagoland communities. And Democrats in Illinois won’t tackle the problem. They are comfortable sitting back while Illinois families endure violence in their neighborhoods with little recourse because Democratic lawmakers have refused to make laws to protect them.

Illinois State Representative Deanne Mazzochi has accused the Democrat majority of not just being soft on crime, but creating state and local policies that allow crime to thrive.

Carjacking, burglaries, and retail thefts are on the rise in her district. Murders, robberies and gang violence are threatening other Chicagoland communities. And, Democrats in Illinois won’t tackle the problem. They are comfortable sitting back while Illinois families endure violence in their neighborhoods with little recourse because Democratic lawmakers have refused to make laws to protect them.

Celebrating Women's History Month.


In 2005, Channy Lyons organized an exhibit of women artists who worked in Peoria before 1970. She managed to identify 50 artists but it was no easy task. Researching women artists was a tedious process, made more challenging because most women artists prior to 1940 remained largely anonymous. Tracking them down was thwarted by name changes after marriage, unsigned works or the use of pseudonyms.

SPEAKER MADIGAN INDICTED

Former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan indicted on federal corruption charges. On Wednesday, March 2, former Democratic Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan was indicted on federal racketeering conspiracy and bribery charges following a federal probe into political corruption in the state of Illinois. Also named in the indictment is longtime Madigan confidante Michael McClain. A joint press conference held by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) outlined the indictment.

Yesterday, former longtime Democratic Speaker of the House, Michael J. Madigan was indicted on federal racketeering conspiracy and bribery charges following a federal probe into political corruption in the state of Illinois. Also named in the indictment is longtime Madigan confidant Michael McClain. A joint press conference held by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) outlined the indictment.

Celebrating Women's History Month

Mary Louisa Page distinguished herself by becoming the first woman in the United States to graduate with an accredited architecture degree. 

Page, born in Metamora, Illinois, in 1849, enrolled in the College of Engineering at University of Illinois (then called Illinois Industrial University) in 1874. She was the first woman at the college to study architecture.

The war being waged by expansionist Russia on Ukraine has led two Illinois lawmakers to introduce bills that would impose sanctions on Russia and support Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn homeland.

Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer sponsored, HB 5702 and HB 5703, legislation that would provide additional funding to aid in the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees. As Ukraine continues to defend its boundaries from Russian assault, hundreds of thousands of refugees are making their way to Europe and the United States. Demmer wants to make sure that Illinois is well equipped to provide necessary services to Ukrainians who are displaced by the Russian invasion.

UKRAINE

Illinois House Republicans Stand with the People of Ukraine. While Russian troops move into Ukraine, an act of war the likes of which has not been seen in Europe since 1939, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has introduced legislation to send a message to the Ukrainian people that Illinois supports them and will not do business with these vicious warmongers.

COVID-19

House Republicans lead JCAR vote to halt Gov. Pritzker’s school mask mandate. On Tuesday, February 15, the bicameral Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted 9-0-2 to block re-implementation of Governor JB Pritzker’s mask mandate for K-12 public and private schools in Illinois in the wake of the February 4 temporary restraining order issued by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow declaring the Governor’s emergency rules as they apply to schools "null and void."