Weekly News from Leader McCombie

CORRUPTION

Mike Madigan, once Illinois' most influential powerbroker, now faces federal corruption trial. The former Illinois house speaker quietly wielded power in Springfield for decades while developing a reputation as a reclusive political wizard, well-schooled in the playbook of the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. His trial begins Tuesday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

The FBI's decadelong pursuit of one of the most dominant politicians in Illinois history led to bombshell indictments and shocking betrayals. It toppled the untouchable and changed the course of Chicago history.

But prosecutors still have one crucial task ahead of them: proving former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan guilty of a racketeering conspiracy.

That work finally begins Tuesday, in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge John Blakey, where the once-powerful Southwest Side Democrat is expected to face a jury of fellow Illinois residents whose lives have all been affected by Madigan - whether they know it or not.

Facing trial alongside Madigan will be Michael McClain, Madigan's longtime friend and confidant, who was among those convicted last year of scheming to bribe the speaker.

Madigan spent a record 36 years leading the Illinois House of Representatives, where he controlled legislation that shaped every facet of life across the state until he resigned in 2021.

The feds now say he led a criminal enterprise over nearly a decade, enhancing his political power and generating income for his allies and associates. McClain allegedly acted as an agent of the so-called "Madigan Enterprise," making unlawful demands on the speaker's behalf while trying to shield the speaker from criminal liability.

Read the rest of the Chicago Sun-Times article.

BUDGETS

CGFA report shows continued State revenue decline. The report, from the nonpartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), is based on cash-flow numbers from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and the departments that collect matching aid payments and other payments from the U.S. federal government. These departments reported a sharp decline in September 2024 income relative to the prior year. While in September 2023 the State took in $6,171 million for purposes of General Funds spending, in September 2024 the State took in only $5,514 million, signaling a decline of $657 million (down 10.6% year-over-year) in general funds receipts.

Two key lines of recurring income, which ought to show stability from the State's point of view, demonstrated sharp declines in September 2025. Corporate income tax payments to the State dropped by $89 million in September 2024 relative to one year earlier. Sales tax payments dropped year-over-year by $45 million during the same period, signaling a sharp decline in Illinois purchases of taxable consumer goods such as motor vehicles and furniture. Continued economic worries among U.S. consumers could be having a negative effect on Illinois consumer buying decisions and sales tax payments.

Worries about the U.S. and global economies helped spur a recent interest rate cut carried out by the U.S. Federal Reserve. This rate cut may, or may not, re-spur the U.S. economy - but will also have secondary effects on other lines of State income and expenditure. For example, in September 2024 the amounts earned by Illinois as interest on our State's funds and investments dropped year-over-year by $36 million. If interest rates are cut, the State of Illinois is likely to earn less in interest. This was yet another segment of the overall General Funds year-over-year decline for September 2024.

ENERGY

LIHEAP program applications available now. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available for income qualified households. This energy bill assistance program can assist with natural gas, propane, electricity bills and furnace assistance. Applications are open now through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

LIHEAP provides one-time payments directly to energy service providers on behalf of recipients. While the amount of support varies based on the needs of individual families, last year over 333,000 households received LIHEAP with an average of over $724 per household.

Residents in need are urged to visit helpillinoisfamilies.com to get started or to visit their local agency (a list of partners throughout the state can be found here). Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages.

FALL IN ILLINOIS

Illinois is the top pumpkin-producing state in the nation. When fall arrives and homes across America start filling with pumpkin pies and jack-o'-lanterns, chances are those pumpkins came from Illinois. Known as the nation's pumpkin powerhouse, Illinois leads by a wide margin, producing over 650 million pounds of pumpkins annually. This accounts for nearly 40% of the entire U.S. pumpkin production, which is more than the next five states combined!

Beyond the well-known canned pumpkins, Illinois also produces plenty of decorative jack-o'-lantern pumpkins and sugar pumpkins, a sweeter variety commonly used in pies. Pumpkin patches across the state also offer visitors the chance to pick their own pumpkins directly from the fields, creating a fun fall tradition for many Illinois residents.

We have a number of pumpkin producers in the region which are wonderful to celebrate this time of year like Selmi's in Rock Falls…and McGinnis Market in Thomson provides a great opportunity to pick out a perfect pumpkin!

Check out some fun pumpkin facts from the Illinois Farm Bureau Partners: Farm Facts: Pumpkins - Illinois Farm Bureau Partners (ilfbpartners.com).

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

This week I joined my colleagues Reps. Jeff Keicher and Brad Fritts to meet with Trisha Thompson, the new IDOT Region Two Engineer. We invited township road commissioners, county highway dept, and other local officials to our discussion to learn more from IDOT and updates happening in and around DeKalb County. I always post IDOT updates on my website: repmccombie.com, so check it out for any upcoming local road projects.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Be sure to check out the Autumn parade this weekend in Oregon! This fun-filled family-friendly event celebrates small town charm and is a storied tradition since 1970! For more details about the market and other staple event details visit their website.

I also have a host of fun fall events from in and around our community listed HERE!

Be sure to mark your calendars for a few of my own upcoming events:

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