Illinois House Republicans joined farmers and industry stakeholders at the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting held December 6-9. The multi-day conference brought together agricultural leaders from across the state to discuss current challenges, explore new opportunities, and outline policies that will strengthen Illinois’ agricultural future.

Throughout the event, lawmakers met with Farm Bureau members, participated in policy discussions, and emphasized their shared commitment to advocating for Illinois’ farm families. Topics ranged from land use and environmental stewardship to regulatory reform and support for the next generation of farmers. 

The stain of corruption on Illinois’ government is sadly well known. In recent years, federal prosecutors have been cleaning up the mess caused by Illinois’ lax ethics laws with several high-profile corruption convictions against some of the most powerful politicians in Illinois history. The ComEd Four, the longest-serving House Speaker in Illinois, Michael Madigan, long-time Chicago Alderman Ed Burke, Madigan’s Chief of Staff Tim Mapes, and others are now behind bars. 

Despite these many corruption cases, Illinois Democrats who control the state legislature still refuse to pass the meaningful ethics reform necessary to stop the graft in Illinois politics and restore trust in government to the people of Illinois. 

Near the Capitol stands a building constructed to celebrate Illinois’ first 100 years of statehood. The Centennial Building (today called the Howlett Building) features an area for exhibiting battle flags of Illinois regiments from the Civil War and other conflicts. The flags have been removed to another facility to be better preserved, but the hall still includes displays marking the history of the Illinois National Guard.

Since its founding on this date in 1636, the National Guard has been a staple of the defense and public safety of this nation before there even was a nation. 

Bitter cold temperatures are expected in Illinois this weekend. Warming centers are available across the state for those struggling to keep warm.

Find a participating location near you HERE.

PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE
Gov. Pritzker signs bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide in Illinois. On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation allowing assisted suicide to become law. The legislation, SB 1950, faced significant objections from coroners, medical experts, religious communities, and disability-rights advocates. Throughout debate, concerns were raised about the bill’s lack of guardrails, the exclusion of key stakeholders, and the potential risks it creates for vulnerable families.

In response to today’s bill signing, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie released the following statement:

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. 

A large crowd of local residents lined the streets and watched respectfully as Machinist’s Mate First Class Keith Tipsword was laid to rest at Moccasin Cemetery in Beecher City, Illinois, on November 15, 2022.

An honor guard of Navy pallbearers carried the fallen hero to his final resting place, and a Navy chaplain presented his sister with the folded flag from his casket at the conclusion of the service.

In a nation which has been at war since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, this was a scene that has become all too familiar. But this ceremony stood out for another reason. It had taken 81 years for MM1c Keith Tipsword to reach his final resting place, a journey which began on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.