Illinois House Republican Organization

We had a great event tonight in Rosemont with some of our candidates. The momentum is building for 2024. Let’s Go!!

After years of questions by the House Republicans going unanswered, an alarming new audit reveals that "Illinois overpaid unemployment benefits to the tune of $5.2 billion during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with much of it paid to fraudulent claimants."

Even more shocking, this includes "$6 million paid to 481 dead people and $40.5 million in unemployment checks written to incarcerated individuals." And to make matters worse, the audit warns that these figures could be a significant undercount.

This kind of mismanagement is unacceptable everywhere by everyone except by insiders in Springfield.

COVID unemployment surge led to $5.2 billion in overpaid benefits in Illinois – including fraud By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois overpaid unemployment benefits to the tune of $5.2 billion during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with much of it paid to fraudulent claimants, according to a comprehensive new audit. Includ...

Every. Single. Republican. voted against the anti-police SAFE-T Act.

We will always support our law enforcement who work to keep our communities safe 🚓 Their thoughts on the SAFE-T Act are clear:

"Law enforcement groups have spoken in ominous terms about what the change would mean for public safety. In a court brief, lawyers for the union representing rank-and-file Chicago police officers said the law 'sets forth a recipe for increases in crime, recidivism, dysfunction in the criminal prosecution system, and danger to police officers and the communities they serve.'”

Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Measure Designed to End Cash Bail A law ending cash bail was supported by Democratic legislators and Gov. J.B. Pritzker but challenged by prosecutors who said it would make the state less safe.

Today the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Safe-T act making IL the first state in the country to end cash bail and allowing many accused of violent crimes back out on the streets.

While a large, bipartisan group of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs from around the state challenged this extreme and anti-police bill, they we’re thwarted by a Democrat-led party-line vote in the Illinois Supreme Court.

The best way to repeal this law is by making a change at the ballot box next year.

Illinois set to be first state to end cash bail after state Supreme Court ruling Landmark criminal justice reform isn’t unconstitutional, should take effect in September, justices rule Tuesday.

Illinois Democrats are not serious about long term tax relief.

Their election year gimmicks for "tax relief" are gone leaving Illinois families to pay more.

They say one thing during an election year and then go to Springfield and pass bigger budgets that spend more taxpayer dollars. And Governor Pritzker's biggest complaint about our request for permanent tax relief? He wants us to raise taxes somewhere else. We don't think so.

Illinois Consumers Set to Pay More for Gas, Groceries as Tax Relief Measures Expire Get ready to pay more for gas and groceries. Illinois rings in the fiscal new year on July 1, which brings with it changes.

What say you... should this program have been stopped?

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services filed emergency and regular rules Friday for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors programs found in Senate Bill 1298 Pritzker signed.

“In passing the FY24 State budget and Senate Bill 1298, the General Assembly directed the Department to ensure the HBIA and HBIS programs do not exceed the funds available and appropriated by the General Assembly for FY24,” the department said. “At this time, enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program will remain open. However, HBIS enrollment will be temporarily paused for FY24 if the number of individuals enrolled in the program reaches 16,500.”

The department said the changes are necessary to bring the program costs within the budgeted amount for the coming fiscal year that begins July 1.

2 articles to explain the situation more...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/with-costs-soaring-gov-j-b-pritzker-to-close-enrollment-for-many-in-insurance-program-for-immigrants/ar-AA1cEV5L?cvid=1cd581a0801f43d3b2a733cb323ec80a&ei=39 =1

https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_22321ed2-0c7d-11ee-b2d8-efaae2d2ad16.html

With costs soaring, Gov. J.B. Pritzker to close enrollment for many in insurance program for immigrants Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration will close enrollment for a state-funded health insurance program for immigrants under 65 who are in the country without legal permission, and cap enrollment for those 65 and older, after ballooning costs forced last-minute compromises on the state budget. The m...

To all you dads... Happy Father's Day!

As IL House candidates begin to announce around the state... HRO will keep you posted!!

https://www.decaturtribune.com/2023/06/14/conservative-republican-regan-deering-launches-campaign-for-state-representative/

This team put together an amazing campaign kickoff day as I announced my candidacy for the 88th Illinois House District. If we didn’t see you at one of our 4 county stops, be sure to sign up on the website to stay informed and join our team! www.reganforillinois.com

Happy Flag Day! 246 years ago today, Old Glory was adopted as the official flag of our great nation. Since its adoption, the American flag has proudly served as a symbol of freedom around the world.

High property taxes are often driven by our top of the nation status for number of units of local government. Why are there so many units of government in Illinois?!?

WTTW News Explains: Why Are There So Many Units of Local Government? Illinios ranks first in the nation in the number of individual units of local government. WTTW News Explains what is going on with all of those property tax line items.

The "ComEd Four" have been found guilty on all counts related to a conspiracy to bribe ex-Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The verdict carries a clear message: the people of Illinois will not tolerate the shenanigans and backroom deals in our state.

While this is a positive step, there's much work to be done to end the culture of corruption.

Guilty verdict in 'ComEd 4' trial is likely to be bad news for Mike Madigan Madigan is set to go on trial next year.

Are you following the Com-Ed democratic corruption trial of Madigan’s closest friends? Listen to their own words ⬇️.

Tapes show Madigan’s ‘assignments’ carried out by McClain in corruption case (The Center Square) – The so-called ComEd Four trial continues Monday with more phone-recorded evidence expected to show the inner workings of what federal prosecutors call “Madigan Enterprise.”

A year after Mike Madigan was indicted and the week corruption-busting U.S. Attorney John Lausch steps aside, House Republicans outline the next steps needed on ethics reform.

✅ Stronger Legislative Inspector General
✅ Better revolving door protections
✅ Remove pensions from corrupt officials
✅ Ban legislators from serving as lobbyists for local governments
✅ Redistricting reform

Year after Madigan indictments, Republicans push for more ethics reform (The Center Square) – A year after former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was hit with 22 federal corruption charges, Republicans in the minority at the statehouse say more needs

Yesterday, House and Senate Republicans laid out a plan to address long-standing issues at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, urging the Governor to work with them in an accountable and transparent way.

“These are the families’ loved ones. We need to fix it. This is a plan. Is it the perfect plan? No. But it’s a plan and it’s a start. And it’s more than we’ve had from this administration,” said state Rep. Charles Meier.

GOP lawmakers make proposals for Choate while decrying Pritzker’s handling of troubled downstate mental health center Republican lawmakers criticize Pritzker administration's response to issues at troubled downstate mental health center where residents have been mistreated, and offer some proposals for addressing the problems.

Madigan’s shadow looms large over Springfield as his corruption trial presents new information on how Democrats operate behind closed doors.

Feds: Madigan confidant was interviewed twice by FBI in years leading up to bombshell indictments As the federal ComEd Four bribery conspiracy trial nears, prosecutors revealed in a court filing that a longtime confidant of Speaker Michael Madigan was interviewed twice by federal authorities before the probe became public.

Corrupt Illinois politicians often still receive their full pensions. Leader Tony McCombie, Rep. Amy Elik, and our House Republican caucus are trying to stop them.

How admittedly corrupt ex-Illinois lawmakers get to keep their pensions Illinois has paid out millions in pension payments to ex-lawmakers who have admitted criminal wrongdoing or are awaiting trial.

Prices for everyday food items are on the rise, but Illinois Democrats still want families to pay more. How much more can we afford to pay for poor leadership?

How much? Tracking prices at Midwest grocery stores for eggs, milk, bacon, beef, bananas, beer, wine and more. See which commonly purchased grocery items are increasing — or decreasing — in price.

Voters overwhelming rejected the Tax Hike Amendment, but Democrats once again ignore the will of the voters and push even more tax increases.

A graduated income tax revival is in the works A veteran state lawmaker is preparing a new effort to enact one of the Democratic party's few unfulfilled priorities in Springfield.

Welcome to the 103rd General Assembly!

House Republicans made history yesterday, electing Tony McCombie as the first female member to lead a caucus in the House of Representatives.

Leader McCombie and our caucus will focus on providing balance in the Capitol as legislators work to solve the big problems facing Illinois families and job creators.

Members of the 103rd General Assembly take the oath of office (The Center Square) – The 103rd Illinois General Assembly is officially underway for a new two-year term after members of the House of Representatives and the Senate were sworn in

Democrats across the board gave themselves a massive pay raise this week, and taxpayers will foot the bill. Their tone-deaf “leadership” of this state is just too expensive, and doesn’t make sense.

Illinois legislators to get raises after Pritzker signs $1.7 billion spending bill (The Center Square) – Hours after the Illinois Senate approved a bill to spend $1.7 billion of taxpayer resources and give themselves raises, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into

Illinois residents are fleeing our state in search of better opportunity elsewhere. To keep families together here, lawmakers must enact policies to support job growth and opportunity for all.

Report: Illinois is the #2 state people moved away from in 2022 According to United Van Lines’ 46th Annual National Movers Study, Illinois was the second state on the list of places that people were moving out of in 2022.

A Kankakee County judge ruled portions of the SAFE-T Act unconstitutional, potentially pausing the elimination of cash bail in most of Illinois.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for the often neglected victims of crime and the men and women of law enforcement who wear the badge every day. Legislation of this magnitude must not only be judged on substance, but also on process. In that regard, the Illinois Democrats failed Illinoisans," said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.

Judge Rules Elimination of Cash Bail in SAFE-T Act Unconstitutional A Kankakee County judge has ruled portions of the SAFE-T Act unconstitutional, putting a pause on the elimination of cash bail in the state of Illinois.

Unless changes occur in the courts, cash bail will be eliminated on January 1st, making our streets less safe.

“We have a responsibility under the Constitution as lawmakers to keep people safe," said Illinois state Rep. Jim Durkin, the House GOP leader. "There are some people who are a threat to society who should be detained at trial. Move slowly. Don't take this national progressive approach."

Illinois set to become 1st state to eliminate cash bail On Jan. 1, Illinois will become the first state in the nation to entirely eliminate cash bail amid high concern about crime.

New laws coming your way in 2023, including smoke detectors, snakes, and the elimination of cash bail.

End of Cash Bail, Smoke Detector Changes and More: See All the New Laws Taking Effect in 2023 in Illinois More than 100 new laws will be taking effect in Illinois starting on Jan. 1, 2023.

The high cost of living in our state doesn't just affect the human members of our family. Sadly, pets pay a price as well.

Illinois shelters overwhelmed as high cost of living forcing many to give up their pets (The Center Square) – Illinois animal shelters are reporting an overwhelming number of surrendered pets this year.

House Republicans made history, electing the first female Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives. Rep. Tony McCombie, a tireless and strategic member, said, “The House Republican Caucus is focused on helping Illinois families by offering commonsense solutions to the many problems our state faces. We will be a unified force that will grow our party by sticking to our core values and ending the corruption that has pervaded state government.”

Please join us in congratulating our next House Republican Leader, Tony McCombie!

McCombie to head Illinois House GOP, become chamber's first female leader Illinois House Republicans on Tuesday chose state Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, to succeed longtime House Minority Leader Jim Durkin.

Vote Republican today! 🇺🇸

"The 2022 election represents a unique opportunity for voters to change the course of our state and make generational reforms to how Illinois does business. State government plays an essential role in our communities and affects the well-being of your family on issues like taxes, schools, and law enforcement.

It is the job of every state legislator to consider the effects of every vote taken in Springfield carefully. Each legislative decision should be leveraged to attract and retain talented people and foster thriving businesses in our state. Democrats are not delivering for Illinois. They are only delivering for themselves.."

Read more:

HRM Chair Op-Ed: 2022 represents historic opportunity Has total control of state government by Democrats served Illinois well? That is the question all voters should ask as they head to the polls this Election Day. As a Republican State Representative serving in the super-minority, I believe the answer is an emphatic no. In reality, complete Democratic...

"In an election year roiled by a sputtering economy and divisive issues including abortion and crime, two decades of Democratic dominance in the Illinois General Assembly will be put to the test on Nov. 8.

In the House, there are contested races for 78 of 118 seats, and in the Senate, voters will face a choice in 25 of 59 seats. The election is the first since Democrats, who hold advantages of 73-45 in the House and 41-18 in the Senate, drew new district boundaries last year with the aim of maintaining their edge"...

Read more:

Focusing on crime and economy, GOP seeks to chip away at Democratic dominance of General Assembly In an election year roiled by a sputtering economy and divisive issues including abortion and crime, two decades of Democratic dominance in the Illinois General Assembly will be put to the test on Nov. 8.