As House Democrats continue to face a growing list of ethics scandals involving members of their caucus, it is clear that this House Democratic Caucus continues to dissolve into disarray.

From allegations of corruption and misuse of taxpayer-funded programs to findings of unethical conduct by former members, House Democrats have failed to provide meaningful accountability while blocking ethics reforms that would hold public officials responsible.

In the span of just over a month, three members of a Champaign County family have been indicted on federal charges including pandemic/unemployment fraud, wire fraud, making a false statement and obstruction charges.

On July 7, the latest federal criminal indictments were filed, this time against Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, a former drug dealer, and his wife, State Representative Carol Ammons, who has served as Democrat State Representative of the 103rd District since 2015, on a series of criminal charges.

The latest indictments against Carol & Aaron Ammons include wire fraud, making a false statement to the FBI, and obstruction charges, as well as receiving alleged personal cash kickbacks.

As part of President Donald Trump’s pitch to the nation on affordability and a provision of Trump’s tax legislation, Trump Accounts are meant to give $1,000 to every newborn of parents who open an account. That money is then invested in the stock market by private firms, and the child can access the money when they turn 18. This new tool and benefit stands in addition to 529 savings plans, as another tool for long-term savings for children.

Rather than taking responsibility for the challenges facing Illinois, Governor Pritzker continues to point fingers and shift blame. Whether it's the state budget, affordability, immigration, or now the future of the Chicago Bears, the Governor's response is the same: blame someone else.

Earlier this week, Speaker Welch took a victory lap for the way House Democrats passed their end-of-session agenda, including the largest budget in Illinois history and $800 million in new tax hikes.

During a press conference, Speaker Welch praised Democrats' approach, stating:

"By using our processes and taking the time to listen and to get it right, we delivered finished products that were better than we could have ever imagined."

What Speaker Welch failed to mention was the lack of transparency, the suspension of House rules to take up bills quicker, and the fact that Illinois families will ultimately be left footing the bill.

Throughout the spring legislative session, Democrats repeatedly claimed affordability was their top priority for Illinois families. But when it came time to deliver, they did what Illinois families have come to expect: said one thing and did another.

Instead of providing relief to working families struggling with rising costs, House Democrats passed the largest budget in Illinois history, a $55.9 billion spending plan propped up by $800 million in new tax hikes.

After spending months promising to focus on affordability, Speaker Welch and House Democrats abandoned that pledge and instead passed $800 million in tax hikes as part of the largest budget in Illinois history.

During a City Club of Chicago event in January, Speaker Welch declared, "Everything is about affordability and that's going to be our focus." But Illinois families struggling with rising costs may find that hard to believe after Democrats approved a record-setting $55.9 billion state budget packed with new taxes, spending, and political giveaways.