Weekly News from Leader Tony McCombie

We are coming off an exciting week celebrating the Illinois State Fair, but in case you missed it, there are still plenty of fair opportunities to round out the summer. I hope to see you in and around the 89^th District, and as always, reach out to my district office if you have questions or concerns about state issues!

CORRUPTION

Federal prosecutors argued ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidant and current co-defendant Michael McClain should not be tried separately later this year, as it would give each man the ability to "blame a missing person."

Prosecutors late Tuesday filed their response to McClain, whose attorneys last month filed a motion seeking to sever his case from Madigan's before the men are set to go to trial on racketeering charges later this year.

McClain in his motion argued that Madigan could try to point the finger at him during trial, but prosecutors contend that Madigan would also benefit from the cases being tried separately.

"This makes it obvious that Madigan, even though he has not joined the motion, wants severance just as badly as McClain, for it will allow him (and McClain at his own trial, if there were one) to do precisely what the Seventh Circuit has cautioned joinder is meant to avoid: blame the absent defendant," assistant U.S. attorneys wrote in the 11-page response.

The longtime House speaker is accused of participating in, and benefitting from, a variety of corruption schemes. Among the charges he's facing are counts of racketeering conspiracy, using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion.

AGRICULTURE

The current predicted median corn yield is 227 bushels per Illinois acre. Soybeans, which generate a smaller yield but enjoy a higher price per bushel, are expected to come in at 70 bushels per acre. Continued hybrid seed improvements, and adequate summer moisture, are combining to generate the expected bumper crops. The per-acre yield numbers for Illinois corn are expected to be 9% higher than last year and up +5% per acre for beans.

The continued progress of farm fields towards harvest has driven down bushel prices for both corn and beans. Farmers are seeing lower offers for their primary Illinois cash crops. Even if yields increase, lower sales prices for corn and beans, combined with higher prices for fuel, ag equipment, seed, and chemicals will impose a squeeze on farmers' cash flows throughout Illinois.

CORRECTIONS

Stateville, the major State prison north of Joliet, began operations in 1925 and is nearly 100 years old. Prisoner advocates had filed a federal lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), claiming conditions at the aging prison are a violation of the rights of those imprisoned there. The judicial order handed down by Judge Andrea R. Wood, a response to this lawsuit, pointed to vacant beds at other Illinois prisons. The judge ordered that more than 420 Stateville prisoners be transferred to other facilities.

A facility complex that includes maximum-security penitentiary space, Stateville Correctional Center has been the home of some of Illinois' most notorious prisoners. Persons imprisoned or executed here have included William Heirens, Larry Hoover, Nathan Leopold, Richard Speck, and John Wayne Gacy. IDOC has indicated that Stateville costs taxpayers more than $61,000 per prisoner per year to operate. The judge's ruling was issued on Friday, August 9.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Legislation filed by State Representative Jeff Keicher to help child victims of human trafficking heal and move on with their lives following their trauma has been signed into law by the Governor. I proudly backed this legislation as a co-sponsor of House Bill 5465, which passed through both houses of the Illinois General Assembly unanimously.

"Victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, especially children, represent our most vulnerable, and we need to do everything we can to help them through their recovery process," said Keicher. "House Bill 5465 builds on a law we passed last year by creating an easier process for child victims of trafficking to have their juvenile records expunged or sealed as a result of any criminal acts they were forced to take part in while being abused."

It is essential that we not only improve our laws to help victims of human trafficking, but also continue to raise awareness about this issue! When talking about this issue, my colleagues and I have stressed to members of the media and the public to utilize the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 888-373-7888, to report any suspected trafficking taking place in our communities.

TRAVELING OFFICE HOURS

I am continuing to host office hours throughout the 89th District to accommodate all residents in the northwest corner of Illinois! Check out these upcoming opportunities to access state resources and talk to my staff about any state related issues:

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