Weekly News from Leader McCombie

ENERGY

A few weeks ago, a Senate subject-matter hearing on energy made one thing crystal clear: Illinois families and job creators are paying the price for shortsighted, politically driven policies.

Speaker Welch and Governor Pritzker like to pretend Illinois is leading the way on energy. But the truth is we are falling further behind while utility bills skyrocket, manufacturing jobs are at risk, and investment dollars leave our state.

From Rockford to downstate, green energy companies testified that the loss of federal tax credits could grind Illinois' solar industry to a halt. Manufacturers and business groups sounded the alarm about rising rates, long permitting delays, and endless red tape.

In 2021, I voted for what's known as CEJA, the so-called Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. I supported it for one reason: to keep Illinois' nuclear plants like Byron and Cordova alive. Illinois is blessed with one of the strongest nuclear fleets in the nation and protecting that baseload power was essential. But let me be clear, if it weren't for the support given to our nuclear fleet, CEJA would never have been needed. Unfortunately, Democrats used it as a vehicle to slip in unrealistic shutdown dates and expensive subsidies for other energy sources.

That's why I filed legislation to repeal those harmful portions and have done so every year since. I will keep fighting to fix the bad parts of CEJA because Illinois cannot afford an energy policy that puts politics before people. Other states are extending the use of coal plants and delaying shutdown deadlines to protect reliability and affordability. Illinois should do the same, rather than racing toward policies that drive prices higher and reliability lower.

Consider the numbers:

ComEd rates are up 88% since 2011 and Ameren is up 49% due to supply. Families are already stretched thin.

Illinois has only added 900 megawatts of utility-scale renewable energy in five years. Texas, with no "clean energy" mandates, added 40 gigawatts in the same period. Northern Illinois produces more energy than it consumes, yet downstate is forced to import 80% of its needs because of rushed fossil fuel plant retirements.

The cost of transmission is rising faster than the cost of capacity, another hidden tax on families and businesses.

Instead of chasing unrealistic deadlines and expensive subsidies, we should focus on what works:

Supporting nuclear power, the most reliable and clean energy Illinois has. Expanding natural gas to keep the lights on and stabilize prices.

Streamlining permitting solar and storage projects that make sense can move forward quickly, while respecting local control.

Requiring data centers and other large energy users to come to the table with an energy plan as part of the building and permitting process, so costs aren't blindly shifted onto families.

Energy policy should be about reliability, affordability, and security not political theater. Families don't care about slogans; they care about whether they can afford their electric bill and whether the lights stay on when it's 100 degrees or -10.

Illinois can and should do better. As House Republican Leader, I'll continue fighting for real, practical solutions that keep costs down, protect jobs, and ensure our energy future is secure. That means embracing all energy as good energy and putting Illinois families first.

CRIME

Pritzker Flubs on Face the Nation

Governor JB Pritzker appeared on national television once again this past weekend, joining Face the Nation and Meet the Press for a round of interviews that brought about more questions than answers. While the Governor attempted to project confidence and control, his remarks revealed a troubling pattern: downplaying violent crime, contradicting his own immigration policies, and defending one of the most gerrymandered congressional maps in the country.

Watch a recent interview where I share my thoughts on public safety.

"Chicago Is Fine"?

When asked about public safety, Governor Pritzker stated that "Chicago is fine." Those words came just hours after a bloody Labor Day weekend that left over 50 people shot across the city, 8 of whom did not survive.

Anyone who reads news headlines knows that this is far from a one-off incident. It is part of a broader trend of unchecked violence that continues to tear apart communities across Chicago. Even so, the Governor purposefully chose to minimize the ever-present crisis, offering a dismissive soundbite instead of a sound response.

Choices such as these are not acts of leadership. They are deflections. Illinois families deserve a Governor who acknowledges the problems within their state and works to solve them, not one who downplays the pain, fear, and suffering felt by residents in neighborhoods where gunfire is a weekly reality.

Public safety is not optional. It's a fundamental responsibility of leadership, and Illinois families deserve real solutions. While public trust in our state has been eroded by endless corruption and the very leaders who distort facts, shift blame, or ignore problems for the sake of appearances, it's time to acknowledge where systems are failing:

• Repeal the SAFE-T Act: we must prioritize victims over criminals, and back law enforcement officers
• Repeal the TRUST ACT: the burgeoning migrant crisis has exponentially impacted Illinoisans from their wallets to neighborhood violence
• Work to reduce the tax burden, and grow our economy, and keep families and businesses in our state

Pritzker At Odds with His Own Law

The Governor also expressed that federal agencies such as ICE should "coordinate with local law enforcement," but his record tells a much different story.

In 2021, Pritzker signed the Illinois Way Forward Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. The law prevents coordination, information sharing, and transfers of individuals into federal custody. The law is undoubtedly one of the most restrictive immigration enforcement laws in the United States.

Even further, in January of this year, the Governor doubled down, telling NBC 5 that he would "go after police" who engage in such cooperation.

So which is it? Does the Governor support coordination with federal law enforcement, or does he stand by his law that punishes it? Law enforcement officers in Illinois deserve a crystal-clear message, not contradictory statements coming from the state's highest office.

I was recently on the Furthermore podcast with Amanda Head to talk more about this: listen here!

A Gerrymandering Governor

When asked about redistricting, Pritzker defended Illinois' heavily gerrymandered maps and went as far as to suggest he may redraw them once more. This is despite the fact that Illinois received an "F" grade for partisan fairness from independent analysts.

Democrats currently control 14 of Illinois' 17 congressional seats, despite earning just a hair over 60% of the statewide vote. The maps are drawn to protect incumbent majority party members and suppress opposing voices, not to reflect the will of the people. Now, Pritzker is floating the idea of going even further, citing redistricting efforts in other states as justification for gerrymandering. This discussion is not, and has never been, about fairness, democracy, or just governance. It is solely about the consolidation of power. Illinois voters deserve competitive elections and fair representation. Unjust political boundaries designed to serve a supermajority party's interests have no place here in Illinois.

Here is what I had to say about the Governor's hypocrisy:

"It's rich that the Governor now claims to support playing by the rules-after he enthusiastically signed into law the most gerrymandered maps in the nation. When it was convenient, he promised to reject partisan maps in favor of fair representation. Illinois Republicans remain committed to fairness and transparency."

Check out more here.

The Bottom Line

All of these contradictions in the national media come together to make for what is a troubling disconnect between rhetoric and reality. While the Governor tried his best to boost his profile, he exposed a blatant disregard for telling the truth and acknowledging real issues here in Illinois. House Republicans are not afraid to speak up and highlight what we all know as fact:

Families in Chicago are dealing with rampant violence; they are not "fine."

Local law enforcement has been handcuffed by hyper-progressive immigration enforcement laws; they are not encouraged to "coordinate."

Voters are being boxed into districts designed for political gain; they are not being afforded "community representation."

Governor Pritzker's Sunday media tour was a remarkable effort in political messaging, but it could not pass the test of honest leadership. Dismissing violent crime, contradicting his own immigration policies, and defending partisan gerrymandering all seem to be common speak for the state's most powerful politician. It appears that our Governor continues to put national ambition ahead of local accountability.

Illinois House Republicans will continue to address these contradictions, demand transparency, and fight for policies that put families, law enforcement, and voters first.

Leadership is not about soundbites; it is about results.

Here's a great audio wrap up of where I stand on the issue, along with some thoughts from my House Republican colleagues: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CSBjmt31S/.

IMMIGRATION

Governor's Latest Giveaway to Illegal Immigrants

Since taking office, Governor JB Pritzker has drastically expanded rights and benefits for illegal immigrants while ignoring Illinoisans. He has allowed non-citizens to obtain driver's licenses, strengthened the TRUST Act (Illinois' sanctuary state law), expanded taxpayer-funded healthcare programs, and most recently signed legislation opening state financial aid to undocumented students.

The costliest of these programs has been healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants, which drained nearly $2 billion from taxpayers between FY23-25. Even Governor Pritzker was forced to admit the state couldn't afford it, ending one program (HBIA) while keeping others intact.

The Governor's newest immigration initiative was just signed into law. HB 460 allows undocumented students to access the same financial aid as students here legally. The law applies to state public universities and institutions.

In response, State Rep. Regan Deering, an advocate for college affordability and putting Illinoisans first, filed HB 4097, to end preferential treatment for non-citizens in Illinois' public higher-education system and ensure no non-citizen receives a better tuition or financial-aid benefit than a U.S. citizen.

As a co-sponsor of HB4097, I understand families are already struggling with the high cost of college. Taxpayer dollars should go to help U.S. students first not to fund benefits for those here illegally. Illinois needs fairness and common sense, not political games.

DOJ Challenges Illinois Law

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Illinois, arguing that providing in-state tuition and scholarships to illegal immigrants violates federal law and discriminates against U.S. citizens. The DOJ is seeking to block enforcement of Illinois' law and restore equal treatment under federal requirements. The United States is challenging Illinois laws providing in-state tuition and scholarships for illegal aliens.

My Take:
I am grateful that the DOJ is stepping in to enforce the law. Illinois should not be handing out financial aid to those here illegally while citizens struggle to afford college. Rules matter, and this action is a step toward fairness.

BUDGET

Accounting of State spending for 2023 released after two years

The Illinois "Annual Comprehensive Financial Report" for Fiscal Year 2023 covers audited State spending for the 12-month period that ended on June 30, 2023. The document was presented to the Illinois General Assembly in August 2025 more than two years after the conclusion of FY23. The audited account of State spending is an essential way for the House and Senate appropriations committees to determine essential elements of future taxpayer-funded cash outflows. However, the delayed nature of this report robs State lawmakers and spending watchdogs of important oversight over the State's spending and finances.

The Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) states that the two-year release date delay from Springfield was a record delay for an audited financial report released by one of the 50 states. The Government Finance Officers Association strongly encourages the financial managers who follow their guidelines to develop, audit, and release reports no more than 180 days after the conclusion of the financial period being reported on and audited. The 750-day delay of the Illinois FY23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report falls well outside these guidelines.

State spending for FY24, the twelve-month period that ended June 30, 2024, has not been audited. The Illinois Comptroller has released an un-audited "Interim Report" that covers FY24.

CGFA reports on August 2025 revenue

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) works with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and other State agencies to monitor the revenues that are coming into the State coffers. CGFA publishes a monthly report on these cash flows. The monthly report also works with overall U.S. economic numbers to issue a monthly projection on the fiscal prospects of the State. These projections are useful in comparing tax and fee collections from prior years as well as gauging potential future State revenue performance.

The CGFA Labor Day report contains sobering news about Illinois' near-term economic prospects. Global and national U.S. numbers appear to be pointing towards stalled employment growth and a reawakening of inflationary pressures.

In August 2025, the tax-and-fee cash flow numbers showed the State of Illinois experienced slow growth. The key personal income tax cash flow number ticked up 3.7% from a year earlier, rising from $1.804 billion in August 2024 to $1.87 billion in August 2025. This increase helped to overcome flat or negative trends in other cash flow lines, such as corporate income tax payments and the Illinois cigarette tax.

CGFA's August 2025 report tracks Illinois cigarette tax rates and revenues over a 10-year period and describes the pressure on this cash flow exerted by long-term declines in conventional cigarette smoking. To some extent this has been counterbalanced by Illinoisans who consume other taxed nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. However, in the recently concluded FY25 (ended June 30, 2025), State tax revenues from cigarettes continued to be almost three times as high as the tax revenues garnered from all other tobacco-related products ($191 million vs. $65 million). In May 2025, majority Democrats in the General Assembly enacted a major tax increase on non-cigarette tobacco products. Signed by Gov. Pritzker as P.A. 104-6, this tax increase may partly close this gap but will also serve as another "hidden" tax increase on Illinoisans.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Constituent Service in Byron. My office is offering office hours by appointment only in Byron!

This option gives you more flexibility to connect so we can better serve you. Whether you have questions, need help navigating state services, or want to share your concerns, we are here to listen and assist.