Living in Illinois means homeowners have to always be prepared for changes in the weather. The climate encapsulates all four seasons in Illinois, and staying ahead of the game can save a homeowner thousands of dollars and days and weeks of unwanted challenges or issues. Winter is a beautiful season, with falling snow and cooler temperatures. But it can also be fierce, with arctic-cold temperatures, ice and risks of damage to homes. 

The Illinois House Republican Caucus wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving filled with the warmth of family and friends. 

This year, we are more grateful than ever for the opportunity to serve our communities and be your voice at the State Capitol in Springfield. 

From Chicago to Cairo, from Danville to Quincy and everywhere in between, House Republicans are honored to serve parts of all 102 counties in Illinois. All across our beautiful state, we celebrate this Thanksgiving with appreciation for the people and organizations that make our communities thrive -- and who give so generously of their time and their talents in service to neighbors in need. 

In 1691, the French explorer Henri de Tonti established a settlement along the banks of the Illinois River and Lake Peoria. That settlement, the oldest established by a person of European descent, according to the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, would become the City of Peoria, named after the Peoria Tribe.

Peoria has a rich history in the annals of the United States. The city is where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous speech against the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, was once the leading producer of whiskey in the U.S., and has remained a major shipping city with its port on the Illinois River. 

From left: Rep. Dennis Tipsword, Rep. Nicole La Ha, Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro. 

Human trafficking is a hidden crisis that devastates lives. Often described as modern-day slavery, trafficking involves the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for sex or labor. While it thrives in secrecy, the data and survivor testimonies reveal its presence in communities large and small. Illinois lawmakers, advocates, and survivors are working to expose this crime and strengthen protections for victims.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Illinois has reported over 10,000 trafficking signals since 2007, leading to thousands of identified victims. In 2024 alone, the hotline received 792 signals from Illinois, resulting in 385 identified cases and 627 victims. Of those victims, 83 were minors and 289 were adults, with the majority being women.

In the United States, a new person is added to the national transplant waiting list every 8 minutes. According to Donate Life, even the largest football stadium in the U.S. could not fit the number of patients currently waiting for organ, eye, or tissue donations. As of right now, the figure surpasses 103,000 people on the national transplant waiting list. 

TAXES
Record property tax increases slam Chicago homeowners. Chicago homeowners are being walloped with a record property tax hike, with some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods absorbing the steepest increases even as downtown office owners see their bills fall, according to new data from the Cook County treasurer’s office.

An analysis from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office found the median property tax bill for a Chicago homeowner jumped 16.7% since last year, the largest percentage increase in at least 30 years. The surge follows similar spikes in Cook County’s north and south suburbs over the last two years and complicates the job of the Chicago City Council as it considers tax hikes to help close a historic budget gap. 

November 21st is National Rural Health Day. Today, we celebrate the incredible healthcare workers who provide care to rural communities but are also reminded of the struggles that rural Illinoisans currently face when it comes to accessing healthcare. In recent years, rural Illinoisans have seen a massive decline in both access to and quality of healthcare services.

According to the National Rural Healthcare Association, the ratio of physicians to patients in rural areas is far below the rate in urban communities. For every 100,000 patients, there are 263 urban doctors and 30 rural doctors, which is an astounding gap in care for rural communities. 

Deer hunters in Illinois will be busy this weekend, as firearm hunting season begins this Friday and continues through Sunday, November 23. A second round of firearm deer hunting will be coming in two weeks, from December 4 through 7.

During Firearm Season, hunters can use shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and centerfire rifles. Vertical, traditional, and crossbows can also be used, but only on private property. Hunters also must adhere to clothing requirements, which call for a solid blaze orange or blaze pink hat and an outer garment that displays at least 400 square inches of orange or blaze pink material. 

Rep. Jed Davis (left) hosts a Blood Drive w/Versiti Blood Center of Illinois 

Illinois hospitals and clinics depend on a steady supply of donated blood to care for patients statewide. When the blood supply runs low, it puts everyone at risk. A reliable supply of blood allows our healthcare systems to function effectively, as providers can properly plan surgeries, treat traumas, and respond to emergencies without delay.

Donating blood is an easy and practical way to save lives and benefit your community. The blood collected at these drives can be used in a number of different treatments, including for patients with cancer, burns, sickle-cell disease, chronic illness, and more. 

One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of nature and fresh air of the outdoors is to visit one of the hundreds of great hiking trails Illinois has to offer. And with over 270 hiking trails that total over 700 miles, the Prairie State provides plenty of options for residents and tourists in all areas from north to south, east to west, and everywhere in between.

Depending on the temperature and the weather conditions, hiking can be a year-round activity with some limitations in Illinois. The peak seasons for hiking are in the spring and fall, due to milder and friendlier weather conditions. Fall could be considered the best time for hiking, especially for those that enjoy cooler but manageable temperatures along with the beauty of fall foliage. 

BUDGET
House Republicans call out Pritzker for lack of transparency on budget cuts. State Representatives Amy Elik and Regan Deering held a press conference Thursday to call out Governor JB Pritzker for his political posturing. In September, Governor Pritzker directed his agencies in Executive Order 2025-05 to identify immediate spending reductions, but blamed the Trump Administration rather than his own for the need to rein in spending. Governor Pritzker gave his agencies a deadline of October 23rd to identify areas to cut. 

Photo Credit: Yordy Turkey Farm, Morton, Ill.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Illinois families gather around tables filled with gratitude—and turkey. But behind every golden roast is a hardworking network of farmers, processors, and small businesses that make up Illinois’ proud turkey industry. While our state is often celebrated for corn and soybeans, turkey producers are quietly driving economic growth, supporting rural communities, and keeping America fed.

For the 27th year, Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train will be touring Canada and the U.S. while raising money, food and awareness to support food banks. This year’s schedule is set for Nov. 19 through Dec. 2, with two stops here in Illinois.

Each year, the dazzling festive train invites guests to experience the holiday spirit by enjoying the vibrant colorful lights, live music, and giving to local charities. The musicians play for free as the train rolls across the rails spreading holiday cheer. Once the train stops at its destination, the doors open, the stage lowers, and the music kicks off! 

Veterans Day, since November 11th, 1919, has been celebrated annually in the United States as a way to show gratitude to those who have selflessly served in one of the branches of the United States Armed Forces.

The holiday grew out of the commemoration of Armistice Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs says, when fighting between the Allied countries and Germany ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was to have been the end of “the war to end all wars," and is observed annually on Nov. 11, no matter what day of the week that date falls. 

November 10, 2025, marks the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, a day set aside to recognize the strength, bravery, and sacrifice made by countless men and women throughout our nation’s history. For nearly a quarter millennium, the Marine Corps has stood as one of the world’s most elite military forces, ensuring domestic security and global peace. 

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. In yet another exaggerated claim, Governor JB Pritzker told reporters Wednesday that Democrats have been “delivering for the people” of Illinois. But the actions taken by the Governor and his allies in the General Assembly last week prove the opposite.

The 2025 holiday hiring season is here, with thousands of part-time and seasonal jobs available. Early projections are calling for a 2.7 percent bump in job openings when compared with 2024, but overall figures are still expected to be below pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Nearly two-thirds of seasonal jobs are in retail, led by associates, sales associates, and cashier positions.

Though job postings may be slightly up, worker interest has surged. That means job seekers will have a more difficult time finding seasonal employment this year. In addition, economic uncertainty is expected to affect staffing levels in some areas, and more companies are not announcing their hiring goals for the upcoming holiday season. 

Since the 19th century, children have participated in the tradition of writing letters to Santa Claus during the Christmas season. At the start of the tradition, children were not the ones writing the letters, rather receiving them from Saint Nick himself. The letters to the children would discuss their behavior throughout the year, encouraging them to keep up the good behavior or start obeying their parents. 

As November marks National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Illinois House Republicans are joining families, caregivers, and advocates across our state to raise awareness and support efforts to combat this devastating disease.

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 230,000 Illinois residents and their families. It is the most common cause of dementia, leading to memory loss, confusion, and the gradual loss of independence. The impact extends far beyond those diagnosed -- millions of family members, friends, and neighbors share in the challenges of providing care and navigating a complex healthcare system. 

MASS TRANSIT
Illinois Democrats Pass a $2.5 Billion Mass Transit Bailout. It was déjà vu all over again at the Capitol this week, with Illinois Democrats passing more tax hikes in the early morning hours of the final day of the fall veto session.

After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, House Democrats dropped multiple versions of their mass transit bailout in the waning hours of veto session. This came after the Senate Democrats had passed their own mass transit bailout bill at the end of the spring session, a bailout funded by extremely unpopular taxes like a delivery tax on packages and food.