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Convicted ex-Speaker Madigan files appeal to put off prison deadline. Michael J. Madigan, the former speaker of the Illinois House and longtime chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, has been convicted of a series of federal criminal offenses that centered on bribery, corruption, and influence-peddling. Madigan is scheduled to begin serving a 7.5-year prison sentence on October 13, 2025.
The convicted political boss continues to assert his innocence and does not want to go to prison. While standard federal criminal procedure allows a prisoner ample opportunities to consult with counsel and continue his or her criminal appeal while incarcerated, the Speaker asserts that he deserves more. Madigan asked the federal judge with jurisdiction over his case to stay his October 13 prison reporting date, but on August 8 the judge denied his request.
Madigan is making another attempt to stay out of prison.
Madigan filed a motion Thursday asking the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to stay his surrender date, pending appeal of his conviction on 10 counts of corruption earlier this year.
CRIME
Pritzker Flubs on Face the Nation. Governor JB Pritzker appeared on national television once again this past weekend, joining Face the Nation and Meet the Press for a round of interviews that brought about more questions than answers. While the Governor attempted to project confidence and control, his remarks revealed a troubling pattern: downplaying violent crime, contradicting his own immigration policies, and defending one of the most gerrymandered congressional maps in the country.
“Chicago Is Fine”?
When asked about public safety, Governor Pritzker stated that “Chicago is fine.” Those words came just hours after a bloody Labor Day weekend that left over 50 people shot across the city, 8 of whom did not survive.
Anyone who reads news headlines knows that this is far from a one-off incident. It is part of a broader trend of unchecked violence that continues to tear apart communities across Chicago. Even so, the Governor purposefully chose to minimize the ever-present crisis, offering a dismissive soundbite instead of a sound response.
Choices such as these are not acts of leadership. They are deflections. Illinois families deserve a Governor who acknowledges the problems within their state and works to solve them, not one who downplays the pain, fear, and suffering felt by residents in neighborhoods where gunfire is a weekly reality.
Pritzker At Odds With His Own Law
The Governor also expressed that federal agencies such as ICE should “coordinate with local law enforcement,” but his record tells a much different story.
In 2021, Pritzker signed the Illinois Way Forward Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. The law prevents coordination, information sharing, and transfers of individuals into federal custody. The law is undoubtedly one of the most restrictive immigration enforcement laws in the United States.
Even further, in January of this year, the Governor doubled down, telling NBC 5 that he would “go after police” who engage in such cooperation.
So which is it? Does the Governor support coordination with federal law enforcement, or does he stand by his law that punishes it? Law enforcement officers in Illinois deserve a crystal-clear message, not contradictory statements coming from the state’s highest office.
A Gerrymandering Governor
When asked about redistricting, Pritzker defended Illinois’ heavily gerrymandered maps and went as far as to suggest he may redraw them once more. This is despite the fact that Illinois received an “F” grade for partisan fairness from independent analysts.
Democrats currently control 14 of Illinois’ 17 congressional seats, despite earning just a hair over 60% of the statewide vote. The maps are drawn to protect incumbent majority party members and suppress opposing voices, not to reflect the will of the people. Now, Pritzker is floating the idea of going even further, citing redistricting efforts in other states as justification for gerrymandering. This discussion is not, and has never been, about fairness, democracy, or just governance. It is solely about the consolidation of power. Illinois voters deserve competitive elections and fair representation. Unjust political boundaries designed to serve a supermajority party’s interests have no place here in Illinois.
The Bottom Line
All of these contradictions in the national media come together to make for what is a troubling disconnect between rhetoric and reality. While the Governor tried his best to boost his profile, he exposed a blatant disregard for telling the truth and acknowledging real issues here in Illinois. House Republicans are not afraid to speak up and highlight what we all know as fact:
Families in Chicago are dealing with rampant violence; they are not “fine.”
Local law enforcement has been handcuffed by hyper-progressive immigration enforcement laws; they are not encouraged to “coordinate.”
Voters are being boxed into districts designed for political gain; they are not being afforded “community representation.”
Governor Pritzker’s Sunday media tour was a remarkable effort in political messaging, but it could not pass the test of honest leadership. Dismissing violent crime, contradicting his own immigration policies, and defending partisan gerrymandering all seem to be common speak for the state’s most powerful politician. It appears that our Governor continues to put national ambition ahead of local accountability.
Illinois House Republicans will continue to address these contradictions, demand transparency, and fight for policies that put families, law enforcement, and voters first.
Leadership is not about soundbites; it is about results.
IMMIGRATION
Governor’s Latest Giveaway to Illegal Immigrants. Since taking office in 2019, Governor JB Pritzker has drastically expanded rights and benefits for illegal immigrants, while ignoring Illinoisans in the process. During his tenure, he has allowed non-citizens to obtain driver’s licenses, strengthened the TRUST Act (Illinois’ sanctuary state law), allowed undocumented children to have access to a free public education, offered healthcare benefits and free housing to those here illegally, required state agencies to expand their services to include non-citizens, and other high-cost projects that divert resources from Illinoisans.
Of the many expansions, the costliest to Illinois taxpayers was the healthcare benefits offered to illegal immigrants. Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) operated like Medicaid services, but just for undocumented immigrants. From Fiscal Years 2023 – 2025, an estimated $2 billion was spent to fund free healthcare for illegal immigrants. The costs ballooned so much that at the end of FY25, Governor Pritzker authorized the ending of HBIA, noting that the State of Illinois needs to live within its means. As of now, HBIS remains funded by taxpayers.
Outside of healthcare, Illinois has funded many support services for non-citizens and expanded privileges. One of those measures, HB 3125, was recently signed by the Governor and allows non-citizens to become driving instructors. The new law sets loose provisions, requiring the individual to be a licensed driver for the past two years.
The Governor’s newest immigration initiative was just signed into law. HB 460 allows undocumented students to access the same financial aid as students here legally. The law applies to state public universities and institutions.
In response, State Rep. Regan Deering, an advocate for college affordability and putting Illinoisans first, filed HB 4097, to end preferential treatment for non-citizens in Illinois’ public higher-education system and ensure no non-citizen receives a better tuition or financial-aid benefit than a U.S. citizen.
“College is expensive, and many students rely on financial aid to help pay for their education. Taxpayers expect those limited dollars to help U.S. families first,” said Rep. Deering. “Under the Democrats’ policy, non-citizens are prioritized over citizens. That’s not a level playing field, and it’s not fair.”
HB 4097 would prevent a system in which non-citizens receive better treatment than U.S. citizens, including citizens from neighboring states who are currently disadvantaged under Illinois Democrats’ policy.
“Punishing U.S. citizens while rewarding unlawful presence is upside down. We will not treat citizens like they are second-class,” continued Deering. “My legislation restores basic fairness and keeps our state on the right side of federal law. The Governor’s decision to, once again, put illegal immigrants above citizens is abhorrent. We should govern with common sense and basic fairness — not with an eye on the White House.”
Rep. Deering noted that her reasoning for filing the new bill is that the current policy is divorced from common sense and basic fairness and appears more aimed at advancing Governor Pritzker’s political ambitions than fulfilling governing responsibilities.
Deering’s HB 4097 was filed on August 18 and has already garnered support from her colleagues. HB 460 will go into effect on January 1, 2026, unless legislative action is taken to stop it.
The Justice Department Files Complaint Challenging Illinois Laws Providing In-State Tuition and Scholarships for Illegal Aliens
The United States is challenging Illinois laws providing in-state tuition and scholarships for illegal aliens. These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens, who are not afforded the same reduced tuition rates or scholarships, in direct conflict with federal law. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in the Southern District of Illinois against the State of Illinois, Governor Pritzker, the State Attorney General, and the boards of trustees of state universities in Illinois seeking to enjoin the State from enforcing the Illinois laws and bring them into compliance with federal requirements.
In the complaint, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of Illinois laws that requires colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates for all aliens who maintain Illinois residency, regardless of whether those aliens are lawfully present in the United States. Federal law prohibits institutions of higher education from providing benefits to aliens that are not offered to U.S. citizens. The Illinois laws blatantly conflict with federal law and are thus in conflict with the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
“Under federal law, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice has already filed multiple lawsuits to prevent U.S. students from being treated like second-class citizens — Illinois now joins the list of states where we are relentlessly fighting to vindicate federal law.”
“Illinois has an apparent desire to win a ‘race to the bottom’ as the country’s leading sanctuary state. Its misguided approach mandating in-state tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to illegal aliens plainly violates federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois. “This policy treats illegal aliens better than U.S. citizens living in other states and incentivizes even more illegal immigration, all on the taxpayer’s dime. Illinois citizens deserve better.”
This lawsuit follows two executive orders signed by President Trump that seek to ensure illegal aliens are not obtaining taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment. The first, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” orders all agencies to “ensure, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens.” The second, “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens,” directs relevant officials to “take appropriate action to stop the enforcement of State and local laws, regulations, policies, and practices favoring aliens over any groups of American citizens that are unlawful, preempted by Federal law, or otherwise unenforceable, including State laws that provide in-State higher education tuition to aliens but not to out-of-State American citizens.”
State Representative Regan Deering released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against Illinois challenging laws that unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. Citizens by providing in-state tuition and state-funded scholarships to individuals here illegally:
“Yesterday’s DOJ action underscores exactly why I filed HB 4097. College costs are high, aid dollars are limited, and families expect their tax dollars to be used fairly. The Justice Department made it clear: Illinois can’t tilt the playing field toward illegal immigrants. My bill restores equal treatment, so no illegal immigrant gets a better deal than any American student, period.”
JOBS
House Republican licensing reforms aim to get Illinois working. The State of Illinois has been notorious in recent years for delays in processing applications and renewals for several professionals who require state professional licensing. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees licenses for over 100 professions.
IDFPR is responsible for licensing and regulating more than 1.2 million professionals. These professionals represent a wide breadth of occupations, including medical practitioners, barbers and hair stylists, pharmacists, engineers, architects, geologists, roofing contractors, accountants, and many more.
In 2024, several Republican legislators introduced a plan and legislative package aimed at improving the licensing process and ultimately keeping healthcare providers practicing here in Illinois. The proposed measures would require IDFPR to accept online payments, lower costs, allow for reciprocity, and expedite licenses for critical shortage occupations, especially in healthcare.
In legislative hearings, House Republicans zeroed in on the continued practice of remote employees working at the department, pointing out that the COVID-19 pandemic was long over, and in-person employees are often far more productive than remote employees.
House Republicans also focused on collaborating with Department leadership to implement new technology systems, specifically to expand the online application and renewal process and address delays.
“When we started working with IDFPR, their systems were antiquated to the point that professionals were waiting months to receive their licenses,” said State Rep. Dave Severin. “We took a proactive approach, introduced some bills that would improve their processes and upgrade their technologies. The Department began taking action to improve its services and bring down the backlog of unprocessed renewals and applications. Our work has paid off for dozens of professions and thousands of professionals seeking employment in Illinois.”
Severin is referencing the online portal, which has expanded from a mere 18 professional licenses to the 114 that are now available to be applied for or renewed online.
State Rep. Dr. Paul Jacobs says the updates and expansion have been critical in addressing workforce shortages in critical areas.
“As a licensed optometrist, I have experienced delays with my own license renewals, and as State Representative, one of the biggest issues we have in southern Illinois is onboarding health care professionals like doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals,” said Rep. Jacobs. “I applaud IDFPR for moving rather quickly to expand the list of professional licenses that can be applied for and renewed online. The more people who can skip the paper application process, the more professionals we will have working for our people here in Illinois.”
As a way to connect constituents with IDFPR’s services, State Rep. Jackie Haas, a licensed clinical social worker who has served patients for over 30 years, has hosted pop-up IDFPR license events in her district. In addition to the online portal, Rep. Haas says the pop-up events have benefited local professionals.
“Ensuring that applicants are able to smoothly move through the application process is one way to start filling the gaps in critical roles statewide,” Rep. Haas said. “These pop-up events offered local professionals a great chance to get one-on-one help to ensure speedy licensing, which helped more Illinoisans get to work and fill gaps we have in critical industries.”
To learn more about how to apply for or renew your professional license through the state of Illinois’ Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, visit idfpr.illinois.gov.
BUDGET
Accounting of State spending for 2023 released after two years. The Illinois “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report” for Fiscal Year 2023 covers audited State spending for the 12-month period that ended on June 30, 2023. The document was presented to the Illinois General Assembly in August 2025 more than two years after the conclusion of FY23. The audited account of State spending is an essential way for the House and Senate appropriations committees to determine essential elements of future taxpayer-funded cash outflows. However, the delayed nature of this report robs State lawmakers and spending watchdogs of important oversight over the State’s spending and finances.
The Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) states that the two-year release date delay from Springfield was a record delay for an audited financial report released by one of the 50 states. The Government Finance Officers Association strongly encourages the financial managers who follow their guidelines to develop, audit, and release reports no more than 180 days after the conclusion of the financial period being reported on and audited. The 750-day delay of the Illinois FY23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report falls well outside these guidelines.
State spending for FY24, the twelve-month period that ended June 30, 2024, has not been audited. The Illinois Comptroller has released an un-audited “Interim Report” that covers FY24.
CGFA reports on August 2025 revenue
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) works with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and other State agencies to monitor the revenues that are coming into the State coffers. CGFA publishes a monthly report on these cash flows. The monthly report also works with overall U.S. economic numbers to issue a monthly projection on the fiscal prospects of the State. These projections are useful in comparing tax and fee collections from prior years as well as gauging potential future State revenue performance.
The CGFA Labor Day report contains sobering news about Illinois’ near-term economic prospects. Global and national U.S. numbers appear to be pointing towards stalled employment growth and a reawakening of inflationary pressures.
In August 2025, the tax-and-fee cash flow numbers showed the State of Illinois experienced slow growth. The key personal income tax cash flow number ticked up 3.7% from a year earlier, rising from $1.804 billion in August 2024 to $1.87 billion in August 2025. This increase helped to overcome flat or negative trends in other cash flow lines, such as corporate income tax payments and the Illinois cigarette tax.
CGFA’s August 2025 report tracks Illinois cigarette tax rates and revenues over a 10-year period and describes the pressure on this cash flow exerted by long-term declines in conventional cigarette smoking. To some extent this has been counterbalanced by Illinoisans who consume other taxed nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. However, in the recently concluded FY25 (ended June 30, 2025), State tax revenues from cigarettes continued to be almost three times as high as the tax revenues garnered from all other tobacco-related products ($191 million vs. $65 million). In May 2025, majority Democrats in the General Assembly enacted a major tax increase on non-cigarette tobacco products. Signed by Gov. Pritzker as P.A. 104-6, this tax increase may partly close this gap but will also serve as another “hidden” tax increase on Illinoisans.