After promising to return to Springfield to work for their districts and address affordability, House Democrats spent the first week of session doing anything but.

On the opening day of session, Democrats were in the chamber for less than 30 minutes. The following day was consumed almost entirely by politically motivated resolutions attacking federal law enforcement, resolutions that did nothing to lower costs for Illinois families, or address the affordability crisis Democrats themselves created. 

AFFORDABILITY
House Republicans Prioritize Affordability for Illinois Families. As legislative session resumed in the Illinois House this week, House Republican lawmakers held a press conference in the Capitol to talk about their session priorities. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie stood beside Assistant Leader Amy Elik and State Representative Joe Sosnowski to talk about delivering affordability to Illinois families.

“House Republicans have long focused on reining in spending, providing real tax relief for hardworking families, and creating opportunities for growth,” said Leader McCombie. “What is new is hearing House Democrats suddenly embrace the word ‘affordability.’ Here’s the problem: you can’t have affordability without accountability.” 

During remarks earlier this month at the City Club of Chicago, Speaker Welch claimed that Democrats are working to bring down the cost of living. That statement is difficult to square with reality, given how much Democratic policies have increased costs for Illinois families over just the past year.

Since May of last year alone, Democrats have driven up the cost of living through a series of tax hikes and expensive policy decisions. 

AFFORDABILITY
Republicans Will Continue to Expose and Oppose Bad Policy. As lawmakers in the Illinois House prepare to return to legislative session next week, Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has set expectations as to where her caucus’ priorities will be when the House convenes on January 20th.

At a recent City Club of Chicago event, Speaker of the House Emmanuel “Chris” Welch said the legislature is focused on “bringing down the cost of living,” and suggested that meeting the everyday needs of Illinoisans takes precedence over requests for new high-profile projects like a Bears stadium. 

ENERGY
Pritzker signs CRGA energy bill, costing consumers billions in higher energy rates. Governor JB Pritzker signed a controversial battery storage and energy omnibus bill into law Thursday. Senate Bill 25, also known as CRGA, is another example of flawed green energy policies that Illinois ratepayers are already all too familiar with.

Pritzker’s signing of SB 25 comes on the heels of a study released last month by three state agencies that detailed the ‘credible risk’ of electricity shortages across Illinois within the next five years.