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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.
During a media availability, Pritzker said: “I think that is what the Democratic Party is all about, delivering for the people. And here in Illinois, we’ve been doing that, I’ve been doing that for the last several years.”
In reality, during last week’s veto session, Pritzker and legislative Democrats passed a $8 billion “Green New Giveaway” that will drive up energy costs for families, and a $2.5 billion Chicago Transit bailout that raises taxes and hikes tolls by 60%.
To his credit, Governor Pritzker has delivered, just not in the way Illinois families hoped. Under his leadership, Illinois ranks:
- #1 Highest Property Taxes
- #1 Highest Combined State & Local Taxes
- #1 Highest Cell Phone Tax
While the Governor talks about affordability, his record shows rising costs, higher taxes, and fewer opportunities for working families.
Meanwhile, House Republicans are offering real solutions to make Illinois more affordable. In addition to filing multiple bills that help address the cost of living, Representative Regan Deering’s HB 3543 would establish a Cost of Living Task Force to identify the key factors driving up expenses for families and develop commonsense reforms to lower costs across the board.
Illinoisans deserve leaders who deliver results, not rhetoric. While Governor Pritzker keeps raising costs, House Republicans are focused on making life affordable again.
BUDGET
CGFA report: State revenues up $474 million in first four months of FY26. Through the first four months of FY 2026, revenues deposited into the State’s General Funds have increased by $474 million, representing a solid 2.9% gain compared to the same period in FY 2025.
Despite this month’s declines in Personal Income Tax receipts, the gross totals are still $177 million or 1.9% higher than FY 2025’s year-to-date totals. On a net basis, receipts are up $149 million. For the Corporate Income Tax, October’s $42 million increase helps alleviate a portion of the first quarter declines. Still, the gross totals remain $228 million (-14.1%) behind last year’s pace, with net receipts down $181 million.
Sales Tax revenues continue to be a bright spot this fiscal year, with a cumulative gain in gross receipts of $196 million (+5.1%). After accounting for statutory distributions to the Road Fund and other certain transportation-related funds, the net increase stands at $51 million (+1.4%)
The modest gains in October lifted the “All Other State Sources” cumulative gain to $25 million. Notable growth in revenues from the Estate Tax (+$42 million) and Insurance Taxes (+$26 million) helped offset declines from Other Sources (-$23 million), Cigarette Taxes (-$7 million), Public Utility Taxes (-$5 million), Corporate Franchise Taxes (-$5 million), and Liquor Taxes (-$3 million).
The Transfers-In category remains the strongest area of revenue growth for the General Funds, with receipts through October up $303 million (+36.2%). Much of this growth stems from the Income Tax Refund Fund Transfer, which is up $201 million year-to-date. Other notable contributors include the Sports Wagering Transfer (+$68 million), Gaming Transfers (+$31 million), and Lottery Transfers (+$7 million). These increases have more than offset minor declines in Other Transfers (-$3 million) and Cannabis Transfers (-$1 million).
Federal Sources also continue to perform well, rising $126 million (+9.7%) through the first third of FY 2026, supported by slight gains in October.
CORRUPTION
Convicted ex-Speaker Michael Madigan appeals corruption conviction. The appeal, filed by the former Illinois House Speaker and his legal team, asserts that his verdict was fatally flawed by the actions taken by an over-reaching prosecution team. The appeal also implies a lack of proper due diligence by the trial court; the appellate brief asserts that the court should have further protected the defendant’s rights by further scrutinizing certain key points of evidence prior to presentation by the prosecution.
In the case United States vs. Michael Madigan (2025), the prosecutors presented evidence that (i) key Illinois stakeholders needed to get things out of the Illinois lawmaking process, (ii) Speaker Madigan and his office gave them these things, and (iii) the stakeholders paid out significant sums of money to members of the party boss’s political machine. Following the presentation of this evidence, a jury found Madigan to be guilty of 10 separate counts of bribery-related criminal conduct. Madigan was sentenced to 7.5 years in federal prison, which he has begun to serve in a federal correctional center in West Virginia.
In his November 2025 appeal, Madigan and his legal team do not fully deny that key items were presented as evidence to the federal court, but the defense team asserts that these items were improperly presented as proof of criminal conduct. These exchanges of money and favors, the appellate brief asserts, were signs of “the rough-and-tumble business of state politics” rather than bribery-related conduct. The appellate brief also raises a series of technical points of federal case law to assert that major subsets of prosecution evidence should have been stopped by the judge and should never have been presented to the jury. The brief asserts that Madigan’s trial was fatally flawed and asks that the verdict be thrown out, which would allow the former Speaker to go free.
POLITICAL RHETORIC
Governor Pritzker Once Again Resorts to Inflammatory Rhetoric. Last month, Governor JB Pritzker took the stage at the Illinois Federation of Teachers’ annual conference and once again chose to fan the flames of political division instead of bringing people together.
While addressing Illinois educators, Governor Pritzker launched into yet another profanity-laced tirade, this time declaring, “Donald Trump and his cronies can f*** all the way off!”
The Governor’s remarks weren’t just unprofessional; they were a blatant contradiction of his own repeated calls to “tone down the rhetoric.”
For someone who claims to champion civility in politics, Governor Pritzker’s record tells a very different story. Time and again, he has chosen inflammatory, partisan attacks over respectful dialogue:
March 2025: “What we really need is to become street fighters.”
April 2025: “Donald Trump is okay if people in Chicago die.”
April 2025: “These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”
April 2025: “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption — but I am now.”
As Governor Pritzker continues to fan the flames with divisive and inflammatory rhetoric, House Republicans are calling for a return to civility and respect in public discourse.
Leading by example, Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer has introduced HR 494, a measure that condemns political violence and calls on all Illinoisans, regardless of party, to engage in civil, respectful, and bipartisan dialogue.
SENIORS
Alzheimer’s Awareness in Illinois. 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.
Behind every person living with Alzheimer’s are caregivers – often family members – who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring their loved ones are safe and supported. In Illinois, more than 300,000 caregivers provide unpaid care each year. The responsibilities they shoulder are immense, often requiring round-the-clock attention, patience, and compassion.
House Republicans have consistently supported initiatives that provide resources for caregivers, expand access to respite care, and ensure the Illinois Department on Aging and local service agencies have the tools they need to assist families. These supports can help caregivers take a break, seek guidance, and maintain their own health and well-being—critical factors in long-term care sustainability.
Early detection can make a tremendous difference. Identifying the signs of Alzheimer’s early allows individuals and families to plan for the future, seek treatment, and access community-based support. Though there is no cure, advances in treatment and new therapies are offering hope and improving quality of life.
Illinois is home to three world-class Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Centers leading the charge in Alzheimer’s research: The Northwestern Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center at Rush University Medical Center, and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. These institutions, along with public health initiatives and research partnerships, help bring us closer to breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. House Republicans are committed to ensuring the state remains a strong partner in these efforts, supporting both scientific progress and compassionate care.
“It is critical that Illinois continues to support and strengthen Alzheimer’s assistance centers and local organizations that provide care, education, and resources,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Brad Stephens. “By investing in these institutions and programs, we are not only helping families today but also advancing the fight to end Alzheimer’s for future generations.”
Throughout November, local organizations and Alzheimer’s associations will host walks, educational events, and caregiver workshops across Illinois. These activities not only raise funds for vital research but also provide comfort and connection to families who may feel alone in their struggle.
Residents can learn more or find resources by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter at www.alz.org/illinois or by calling their 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
TAXES
Voters say high taxes are No. 1 issue in Illinois. A recent survey confirms that Illinois’ exceptionally high tax rates are the highest-ranking item on their list of concerns. The Illinois voters polled in October 2025 were asked to pick the top issue facing the state. More than half of the respondents picked “high taxes” as the number one issue facing Illinoisans.
The survey randomly selected 929 Illinois registered voters to help make their voices heard. Other items that voters could list as top concerns included the economy, state governance, immigration, crime, housing, and education. All these issues were deeply concerning to many respondents, with between 16% and 26% selecting each item. However, “high taxes” scored far ahead of all the other issues as the chief topic of concern.
In the survey, carried out with the help of the Illinois Policy Institute, the voters surveyed were encouraged to pick up to two top issues. This enabled voices to be heard that are concerned about more than one issue. For example, 74% of the answers mentioned both “high taxes” and “immigration.”
Despite the continued and intensifying concerns raised by many Illinoisans about high taxes, the General Assembly’s Democratic supermajority acted in the October 2025 Veto Session to raise taxes even higher. Complex legal language, enacted by the Democrats and sent to Gov. Pritzker for his expected signature, “decoupled” certain features of Illinois tax law from federal tax law. This tangled move is expected to increase Illinois’ FY26 tax revenue by $250 million. No House Republicans voted for the tax increase bill (SB 1911).
Some business organizations worry the measure will hurt Illinois’ ability to attract and retain businesses. Illinois Manufacturers’ Association CEO Mark Denzler said changes to the depreciation of assets deduction will “hamper economic development efforts and put the state at a competitive disadvantage.”
“This measure deprives Illinois manufacturers of important tax benefits that allow businesses to upgrade equipment, expand facilities and grow jobs,” Denzler said in a statement. “It represents yet another blow to our state’s manufacturing industry.”
Pritzker defended the policy, arguing that businesses will still find Illinois to be an attractive place because of the state’s infrastructure, education and health care systems. Republicans said the federal government’s tax cuts would also be beneficial in Illinois.
“When the federal government tries to, you know, add rocket fuel to manufacturing and other industries, we shouldn’t have to be the outlier,” Rep. Amy Elik, R-Godfrey, said during debate in the House last week. “We should be taking advantage of those opportunities and helping businesses decide to locate here.”
REMEMBERING VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY
Flags lowered this week to honor the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney. The 46th Vice President shared all eight years of the terms in office of President George W. Bush. In addition to being Vice President, Cheney had been President George H.W. Bush’s Secretary of Defense and had been President Gerald Ford’s chief of staff. Cheney had Illinois ties, as he had been mentored in Washington, D.C. by former Illinois congressman Donald Rumsfeld (R-13).
All persons and entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are asked to fly their flags at half-staff until sunset on Thursday, November 13. The former Vice President passed away on Monday, November 3.
VETERANS DAY
Veterans Day will be observed on Tuesday, November 11. Once called Armistice Day, the Veterans Day remembrance recounts the life experiences of U.S. service personnel in all wars. It is the date of the armistice and cease-fire that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. In 2025, Veterans Day also recalls those who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Global War on Terror, and other conflicts.
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) provides services to veterans of the U.S. armed forces who reside in Illinois. State offices will be closed on Veterans Day, and mail deliveries will be suspended for the day.
Veterans Day is also the centerpiece of National Veterans and Military Families Month, which covers the entire month of November and offers the opportunity to give thanks to those who spent years of their lives keeping America safe.