After seven years in office, Illinois families are still being squeezed by high taxes, rising crime, and a governor who governs with arrogance instead of accountability. Governor JB Pritzker promised stability and progress, but his tenure has delivered bigger government, higher costs, and policies that continue to fail the people of Illinois.

Illinois deserves an honest accounting of where we are and how we got here. Governor Pritzker’s record speaks for itself. Below are just a few examples of how his leadership has failed Illinois: 

Every year on October 28th, we come together as a nation to recognize and celebrate the brave men and women who stand on the front lines during our most challenging moments. National First Responders Day is a time to honor the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other emergency personnel who respond to calls for help, often risking their own lives to protect and serve their communities. 

First responders are the backbone of public safety. They are the first ones there when we need them most, working under extreme conditions to save lives, restore order, and provide immediate care. These individuals often work long hours, put themselves in dangerous situations, and deal with high-stress environments to ensure the safety and well-being of others. 

Improving public safety for everyone in Illinois is a top priority for House Republicans. Unfortunately, the majority party continues to back legislation that puts innocent people at risk while blocking any attempts at needed reforms. In recent years, laws such as the SAFE-T Act and its Pre-Trial Fairness Act provision, which abolished cash bail in Illinois, have allowed dangerous criminals who should have been detained back out on the streets.

House Republican lawmakers held a press conference in the Capitol on March 12, 2025, to discuss the dire state of public safety in Illinois and present their pathway forward, aiming to deliver a state where families can succeed.

Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie announced her leadership team for the 104th General Assembly.

“My leadership team is built to provide a strategic advantage on how to achieve our shared objectives of creating a stronger Illinois without adding to the burdens on Illinois families,” McCombie said. “I’ve selected colleagues from districts across Illinois to work alongside me in pushing our state forward.”

Every day, across towns and cities, law enforcement officers quietly step into their roles as protectors, peacekeepers, and pillars of safety in our communities. They wear their badges as a commitment to uphold justice and ensure that our neighborhoods remain places where families can thrive. On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we pause to honor these individuals who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Six months after the full implementation of the cashless bail, and other provisions, of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, Illinois residents are finding themselves anything but safe.

“House Republicans warned against the passage of the SAFE-T Act because of problematic provisions in the law that make the work of law enforcement officials harder to do, and because the law will make our communities less safe.

At a Capitol press conference on Thursday, House Republican State Representatives Patrick Windhorst, David Friess, Dan Ugaste, and John Cabello laid out a bold legislative package aimed at improving public safety, recruiting and retaining police officers and other law enforcement officials, and providing assistance to victims of violent crime.

“There is a concerning trend we see here in Illinois where criminals are treated better than law-abiding citizens and as leaders, we cannot continue to jeopardize the safety of our communities,” said Cabello.

In a move to uphold Illinoisans’ Second Amendment rights, State Representative John M. Cabello today announced the filing of House Bill 4328 (HB4328). This bill would fully repeal the Illinois Assault Weapons Ban which went into effect on January 1, 2024 – despite the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) having yet to approve the rules that implement the ban.

National Police Week is celebrated May 14th through May 20th to honor the dedication, bravery, and unwavering commitment of the men and women who wear the badge. This annual commemoration is a reminder of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers, who, day in and day out, stand as our communities' first line of defense.

Every police officer begins their day with the fact that they might be called upon to face danger, to protect a life, or to keep the peace. Their uniform isn't just a piece of clothing; it's a symbol of courage, service, and public trust. These individuals are our neighbors, friends, and family members and have chosen a profession that puts others' safety above their own. For that, they deserve the highest level of respect and gratitude. 

Illinois House Republicans are asking for more transparency and open communications from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and the Pritzker administration on policy changes and communications regarding prison furloughs or inmates released early during the coronavirus pandemic.

State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville), whose district includes correctional centers in Taylorville and Hillsboro, said inmates released into her district include high-level drug and meth dealers.

State Representative Brian Stewart filed House Bill 4147 to make attacking a DCFS workers in performance of their duties an aggravated battery and a Class 1 felony.

House Bill 4147, filed this week, would make battering a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in the performance of his/her official duties or in response to their official duties an aggravated battery and a Class 1 felony. Aggravated battery subject perpetrators to more severe penalties when facing prosecution and sentencing.

“My deepest sympathies and get well-wishes go out to the victim of this horrible attack, her family and everyone in her DCFS family.  Everyday DCFS workers put themselves at risk to protect the most vulnerable children in our communities,” said Rep. Stewart. “This legislation will give DCFS workers the same protections as policemen, firemen, and peace officers who also put themselves in harm’s way.”  Read more.

Stateline lawmakers are being told to stay home from Springfield for the next month and they're not happy about.

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R) and Rep. John Cabello (R) called for a compromise on the issue of higher education.  They described the democratic majority as playing games with students' lives.  On Wednesday, they echoed the words of Gov. Bruce Rauner (R-IL) on their disappointment that they won't be in session until April 4. Read more on MyStateline.com.

The newspaper ran an editorial posted Feb. 13 urging a common police chase policy for Winnebago and Boone counties. We noted that Winnebago County sheriff's police have increased the number of chases, while the city of Rockford police have stopped chasing anybody, not even a kid pedaling his tricycle too fast.

Well, career police officer and state Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, is trying to do something about that. He introduced a bill Feb. 1 in the Illinois General Assembly to create statewide standards for police chases. Read the story in the Rockford Register Star.

State Representatives John Anthony (R-Morris), John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) and Elgie Sims (D-Chicago 34th) along with Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago 13th), were pleased to announce today that a landmark law enforcement reform package they negotiated has become law. The groundbreaking, bipartisan measure includes standards for the use of officer-worn body cameras and makes Illinois one of the first states to codify recommendations issued this year by President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

Rep. John Anthony & John Cabello were instrumental
in crafting bipartisan body camera rules. 

The Illinois House passed a police reform bill Thursday that includes rules for the use of body cameras.

Senate Bill 1304 passed by a 107-3 vote. It includes provisions for body camera guidelines, independent investigators, special prosecutors and new training. Illinois would be the first state in the nation to pass a comprehensive package of recommendations put forth by President Barack Obama's police task force.

Rep. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, said the bill is the result of months of negotiations between Democrats, Republicans, police organizations and community groups.

Rep. John Anthony, a Plainfield Republican and former police officer, said that overall he is pleased with the compromise. Read more from the SJ-R.

Pensions – Illinois Supreme Court SB 1 Ruling
Illinois Supreme Court strikes down pension reform law. On Friday, May 8, the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously reaffirmed a lower circuit court ruling on State pension system reforms contained in SB 1 (P.A. 98-599). In response to enactment of P.A. 98-599, five separate actions were filed in Cook County and Sangamon County courts to enjoin implementation of the pension reforms, claiming the reforms were unconstitutional due to a violation of the provision in the Illinois Constitution (Article XIII, Section 5) that asserts pensions are a contractual right and cannot be diminished or impaired. The five suits were subsequently consolidated into one action in Sangamon County Circuit Court.

Tornado Outbreak – Rochelle Area
Tornado that hit Rochelle and Fairdale classified as EF-4 twister. The classification placed the deadly April 9 Fairdale tornado in the next-to-the-highest category of storm severity. As of Wednesday, April 15, two persons were confirmed dead. Massive property damage was being inventoried assessed. Governor Bruce Rauner has mobilized the State of Illinois’ emergency-response efforts and declared DeKalb and Ogle Counties to be disaster areas.

Rep. John Anthony and John Cabello

Two House Republican legislators with law enforcement backgrounds advanced separate criminal justice reform bills in the Illinois House of Representatives on Thursday aimed at strengthening the ability of current and former inmates who complete an educational degree during their sentence to gain employment upon re-entering the community.

The House approved HB 3884, sponsored by Rep. John Anthony (R-Plainfield), which increases from 60 days to 90 days the length of service credit an eligible offender can earn by completing their high school equivalency testing while in the custody of the Department of Corrections. HB 3884 passed the House by a vote of 95-19 with overwhelming bipartisan support.