Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) is hosting a Holiday Food Drive again this year. 

All across Illinois, House Republican legislators are hosting drives to collect essentials like food, winter clothing and more for individuals and families in our communities this holiday season. 

In this spirit of giving and supporting neighbors in need, please consider donating to a drive in your area: 

Leader Tony McCombie is hosting a Holiday Blood & Food Drive in Savanna on December 19.

Rep. Kevin Schmidt is hosting a Holiday Food Drive at his district office in Cahokia Heights December 8-10. 

As the fall season continues, Illinois families are in for a scare. Not one from ghosts and goblins, but from a revived parade of Democrat tax hikes that are expected during veto session. These frightening tax hikes will hit Illinois families the hardest as Democrats work to fill in budget gaps created by their own overspending.

In fact, taxpayers are already feeling the effects of Springfield’s fiscal recklessness. Earlier this year, Democrats rammed through nearly $1 billion in new taxes on a variety of things, such as sports betting, hotel and short-term rentals, cell phones, tobacco, and more. 

Education is the single greatest lever we have for hope. But in Illinois today, families who want a better fit for their children’s schooling face needless barriers. A new federal law has handed us a chance to expand educational opportunities in Illinois, if Governor Pritzker has the courage to act.

In 2025, Congress passed what’s formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA). Within that bill is the Educational Choice for Children provision, a federal tax credit allowing individuals to receive a dollar-for-dollar credit (up to $1,700) on their federal taxes when they donate to state-approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). Those SGOs in turn can allocate scholarship funds for qualifying education expenses: tuition, fees, tutoring, special needs services, books, transportation, technology, and more. 

In a couple of weeks, the Illinois General Assembly will return to Springfield to convene for the annual two-week Veto Session. The session is scheduled for October 14-16 and October 28-30. The Veto Session is generally intended for the legislature to review legislation passed in the spring that has received a total veto or an amendatory veto from the Governor. The legislature can seek to override a Governor’s veto by a 3/5 majority vote in each chamber or vote to accept an amendatory veto. 

The risk of harm or death from overdose is a struggle that impacts families across Illinois, regardless of zip code, race or background. Synthetic opioids, particularly from fentanyl-laced substances, have been the primary driver of this rise in fatal overdoses. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois experienced 3,261 fatal opioid-related drug overdoses in 2022 and 2,855 in 2023. More telling is that since 2013, fatal overdoses from synthetic opioids have increased by 3,341%.

Illinois families are being asked to dig deeper into their pockets and House Republicans say enough is enough!

This spring, Democrats in Springfield passed a $55.2 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026, the largest in Illinois history. To pay for it, they leaned on over $1 billion in new taxes and fund sweeps and paused statutory transfers.

“Tax-and-spend Democrats are thriving in Illinois,” said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie. “But their success is coming at a steep cost to working families who are already stretched to the limit.”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield on Wednesday, where she blasted Illinois' sanctuary state policy protecting undocumented immigrants. During her visit, Secretary Noem highlighted how sanctuary policies in Illinois have unleashed violence on American citizens — including rape, sexual assault, murder, and more — while shielding the illegal aliens responsible from facing consequences.

The 2028 Presidential election is still more than 3 years away, but you wouldn't know it by the way Governor JB Pritzker is behaving. Pritzker has been making the rounds at national political events, turning speaking engagements into opportunities to bash President Trump and fellow Republicans with increasingly heated rhetoric.

After the Illinois Supreme Court refused to take up Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie’s lawsuit to fight for Illinois voters through a fair map, she released the following statement:

"Today is a shameful day in Illinois history. The voices of voters have once again been silenced by a Democratic machine that will stop at nothing to cling to power. This isn't leadership — it's a raw, cynical power grab. Every Illinoisan, regardless of political affiliation, should be outraged by what just happened.

Illinois House Republican leaders provided the latest update this week regarding their ongoing lawsuit on redistricting filed with the Illinois Supreme Court. The lawsuit alleges that the Illinois Democratic majority has rigged legislative elections by gerrymandering electoral districts to their benefit, and at the expense of a fair process for all Illinois voters.

House Republican Leader Tony McCombie was joined by Deputy Leader Ryan Spain and Assistant Leader Dan Ugaste at a press conference in Springfield to provide the latest details.

Women's History Month has been an annual celebration in the United States since 1987, but its roots go back to a weeklong event in Sonoma, California, in 1978. The celebration was expanded to a month-long observance by Congress in 1987, to recognize the often-overlooked achievements of women throughout history.

Here in Illinois, we're proud to have several women stepping up to represent their communities in the House Republicans. These women bring a wealth of diverse experiences and a shared commitment to public service. They've made significant strides in healthcare, education, and economic development, showing us all what dedicated leadership looks like. Their hard work and advocacy have opened doors for future generations of women leaders.

Enjoy the wonders of winter at this year’s Annual Winter Carnival in Galena in Jo Daviess County. Whether you are looking for family-friendly activities, a romantic get-away for Valentines Day weekend or looking for an opportunity to learn about our 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant, on a tour of his Galena Home as part of the Presidents’ Day Weekend, there is something for everyone!

On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (Savanna) was joined by State Representatives Ryan Spain (Peoria) and Dan Ugaste (Geneva) for a press conference in the State Capitol to discuss their latest litigation effort to combat legislative gerrymandering. McCombie, in her official capacity, filed a lawsuit with the Illinois Supreme Court to declare the current map unconstitutional and ask for a special master to draft a redistricting plan that complies with the Illinois constitution.

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.”

This month, the Illinois General Assembly returned to session, with a scheduled conclusion in May. During session, legislators spend a significant amount of time in Springfield. This can make it difficult for residents to engage with the legislative process, but there are options to stay involved.

“Your voice matters, and your participation makes all the difference,” House Republican Minority Leader Tony McCombie said. “When constituents take the time to learn the process, share their perspectives, and hold their representatives accountable, democracy thrives. Together, we can ensure that every voice is heard, and every concern is addressed.”

Every year the General Assembly passes hundreds of bills which are signed into law by the Governor. Many of these new laws take effect on January 1 – this year there are 293. Here are five new laws for 2025 that you need to know about.

Keeping emergency responders safe
House Bill 4255, sponsored in the House by Rep. Amy Elik of Alton, would help keep emergency responders and motorists approaching accident sites safe by allowing emergency responder vehicles to display flashing green lights.

Deer hunters in Illinois will be busy this weekend, as firearm hunting season begins this Friday and continues through Sunday, November 24. A second round of firearm deer hunting will be coming in two weeks, from December 5 through 8.

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. In 2018, Rep. Tony McCombie co-sponsored legislation that allowed deer hunters to wear solid pink gear in addition to solid orange. 

In 2021, Governor Pritzker signed the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act into law. The measure set deadlines for phasing out fossil-fuel energy sources starting in 2030, with the ultimate goal of shutting down all Illinois coal and natural gas-fired power plants by 2045. It also incentivizes renewable energy development and at the same time imposes diversity hiring requirements, with the additional expectation that providers will hire from the state-sponsored workforce programs. The hiring requirements have slowed things down for renewable energy providers because the state’s workforce training programs are not fully ramped up yet.

In August of last year, House Republicans were fielding calls from doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals fearful that they would lose their jobs due to continued delays at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the state agency responsible for approving and renewing their licenses.

Something had to be done, Illinois couldn't afford to lose more healthcare professionals as we face a growing nursing shortage.

In Urbana on the University of Illinois campus sits a historical marker that reads:  "In 1953, John R. Laughnan discovered that kernels of mutant corn were "unusually sweet." Within eight years, Laughnan had developed the "Illini Supersweet" hybrid that revolutionized the sweet corn industry. Supersweet, now a dominant variety internationally, is higher in protein and lower in calories than conventional sweet corn."