No tea leaves from silent Madigan jury as deliberations head into 8th day. Jurors in the landmark corruption trial of Michael Madigan on Thursday concluded their seventh day of deliberations without reaching a verdict. And for the second day running, they maintained total silence, sending no questions or other communications to the judge.
Deliberations began Jan. 29 and as of Thursday have lasted for about 44 hours. Hanging in the balance is the fate of Madigan, formerly the most powerful person in Illinois politics, and his longtime right-hand man, Michael McClain.
The jury’s deliberations kicked off the final phase of a landmark four-month trial. Its discussions have lasted longer than those in two other recent high-profile corruption cases: The jury in the “ComEd Four” bribery case, which featured evidence that overlapped significantly with some of the evidence in the Madigan trial, reached a verdict after about 27 hours. And jurors in the racketeering trial of former Ald. Ed Burke found him guilty in about 23 hours. […]
Madigan, 82, of Chicago’s Southwest Side, was for decades the most powerful man in Illinois politics, reigning over the state Democratic Party and setting a national record for longest-serving speaker of a state house. He is charged in a racketeering indictment that accused him of running his political and government operations like a criminal enterprise. McClain, 77, is a retired lobbyist from downstate Quincy.
Jurors have to consider 23 counts against Madigan alleging an array of schemes to enrich his political allies and line his pockets. McClain is charged in six of those counts. Read more from the Chicago Tribune.
IMMIGRATION
US sues Illinois and Chicago for impeding Trump immigration crackdown. The U.S. Justice Department sued the state of Illinois and city of Chicago on Thursday, accusing the Democratic strongholds of unlawfully interfering with Republican President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration and seeking a court order blocking so-called sanctuary laws.
Citing a national emergency regarding illegal immigration that Trump declared on his first day back in office on January 20, the department in the lawsuit sought to block several Illinois and Chicago laws that "interfere with and discriminate against" his immigration policies.
The lawsuit said sanctuary laws such as the Illinois TRUST Act, which prevents state and local law enforcement from assisting federal civil immigration enforcement, violate the U.S. Constitution's "Supremacy Clause" that states that federal law preempts state and local laws that may conflict with it. […]
Trump has pledged to deport millions of people who are in the United States illegally, many of whom live in jurisdictions with sanctuary laws. His administration has asked local law enforcement to join the federal immigration crackdown as a "force multiplier" and warned officials who resist that effort that they could face criminal charges.
Newly installed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo, opens new tab on Wednesday that said the Justice Department should take actions against jurisdictions that impede immigration enforcement. Read more from Reuters.
McCombie Demands Transparency and Accountability on Immigration. In a press conference in the Capitol Tuesday, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie discussed the impact of the ongoing migrant crisis on the State of Illinois. She demanded greater transparency and accountability from Democratic leaders, calling the current situation something Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “recklessly invited to our state.”
McCombie was critical of the Governor’s routine fearmongering regarding the migrant crisis, which included blatantly false information.
“When the truth came out, did he retract his words? Apologize? Correct the record? No. Instead, he doubled down on fear and misinformation, putting his political agenda ahead of the facts and the safety of our communities,” said McCombie.
The Leader posed a number of questions, saying “instead of political grandstanding, let’s get to the bottom of what is going on. Today, we are calling on the Immigration Committee to hold hearings immediately to get all of the facts.”
The questions McCombie demands answers to include:
- How much is this policy costing Illinois taxpayers?
- How many illegal immigrants/noncitizens have faced criminal charges and been released?
- How many crimes are connected to these illegal immigrants/noncitizens?
- How many incarcerated individuals in Illinois have an ICE detainer?
- What is Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson’s plan to address this crisis?
Leader McCombie concluded by saying, “Sorry boys…you invited this crisis to Illinois. If Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson can’t—or won’t—solve this crisis, then House Republicans are ready to step up.”
House Republicans call for repeal of Illinois’ TRUST Act, end of sanctuary state policy. Under the Biden Administration’s Open Border policy, the United States and the State of Illinois were unable to keep up with the flood of migrants coming into the country.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Illinois is now home to the fifth most foreign nationals in the country with at least 530,000 illegal immigrants residing across the state.
The surge in migrants and illegal immigrants in Illinois has led to a string of horrific crimes, endangered public safety, and has blown a huge hole in our already-strained budget.
Recent headlines have underscored how the surge in illegal immigration has made our communities less safe.
House Republicans call for repeal of Illinois’ TRUST Act, end of sanctuary state policy. Under the Biden Administration’s Open Border policy, the United States and the State of Illinois were unable to keep up with the flood of migrants coming into the country.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Illinois is now home to the fifth most foreign nationals in the country with at least 530,000 illegal immigrants residing across the state.
The surge in migrants and illegal immigrants in Illinois has led to a string of horrific crimes, endangered public safety, and has blown a huge hole in our already-strained budget.
Recent headlines have underscored how the surge in illegal immigration has made our communities less safe.
In Champaign-Urbana, two college students were killed in a hit-and-run incident perpetrated by a Guatemalan illegal immigrant who had previously been deported. In a truly horrific crime, two illegal immigrants allegedly tied up, tortured and killed a 63-year-old Chicago man. And the first arrest made in Chicago by ICE agents under the Trump Administration was a convicted sex offender and child predator from Thailand.
From a fiscal standpoint, illegal immigration has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and taken critically needed funding away from social service programs for Illinois citizens.
The State of Illinois provides better healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants than most Illinois families receive. In fact, on Governor Pritzker’s watch, the State has spent more than $2 billion in taxpayer funds on healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrant adults. Additionally, the State has spent at least $820 million to address Chicago’s migrant crisis.
In total, nearly $3 billion have been dedicated to services for migrants and undocumented immigrants, while services for our most vulnerable citizens remain chronically underfunded and underserved.
The sad reality is that Illinois’ sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions and made our communities less safe.
We are calling on House Democrats to repeal the TRUST act, so Illinois law enforcement can adequately communicate with ICE to detain and deport violent criminals.
We will continue to fight for legislation and a state budget that prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families and seniors over migrants and illegal immigrants.
BUDGET
CGFA report shows a significant decline in corporate income tax payments. On a year-by-year basis, Corporate Income Tax receipts dropped 42% in January 2025 compared to one year earlier. Corporate income tax payments credited to general revenue dropped from $347 million in January 2024 to $202 million in January 2025, a decline of $145 million. In another sign of a troubled Illinois economy, January 2025 Sales Tax receipts remained negatively stagnant compared to last year, showing a decline of $4 million in January-to-January receipts. Although the State’s general funds also received a new January 2025 cash infusion of $28 million from taxes levied on electronic sports wagers, the Corporate Income Tax payment drop helped lead to an overall $66 million decline in state-sourced general funds moneys.
The U.S. business climate, on which Illinois corporate profits and corporate income tax payments depend, continued to be unsettled in January. In their monthly report to the members of the Illinois General Assembly, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) described a comprehensive lack of assurance that the Illinois economy and its tax revenues will show much growth from existing taxes in 2025. The effects of these shocks and uncertainty are likely to spill through the remainder of the State’s FY25 fiscal year and will also affect the first half of the approaching FY26 fiscal year.
Gov. Pritzker’s upcoming budget address. The Illinois General Assembly is preparing for one of the key events of the 2025 legislative session, the Budget Address by Gov. Pritzker that will be delivered on Wednesday, February 19. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget has indicated that the State of Illinois will face a $3.2 billion deficit in fiscal year 2026 (FY26) unless taxes are increased, budget cuts are made, or both. Houe Republicans demanded this week that Pritzker look at services delivered by Illinois taxpayers to migrants and undocumented immigrants, particularly health care benefits, as one element of these budget cuts.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) has reported to a General Assembly committee that based on current patient counts and spending patterns, the programs that provide health care for undocumented immigrant adults are scheduled to cost $558 million in the current fiscal year (FY25). Other programs and spending lines cover housing, social work, counseling, and education for migrants and undocumented immigrants.
JOBS
Decatur-based Archer-Daniels-Midland announces pending layoffs of up to 700 employees. This week’s announcement came with a weak quarterly earnings report from the global agribusiness giant. Wall Street analysts expressed sharp disappointment at the numbers posted by ADM for the fourth quarter of 2024. After revenues and profits fell sharply during the three-month period, ADM’s public-traded stock fell to the lowest share price in the four-year period that began in early 2021. ADM’s management responded to their declining sales and profits with the layoff announcement, which will take place during the remainder of 2025.
ADM specializes in the processing of corn, soybeans, and other crops into food and energy products. The firm has made significant investments in the processing of oilseeds, particularly soybeans, into biodiesel energy products. Weakness in U.S. and global biodiesel demand and pricing was seen as a major factor in the 2024-4Q numbers posted by ADM. The Illinois-based firm is centered on its Decatur flagship complex, an employer of approximately 4,000 people.
From a fiscal standpoint, illegal immigration has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and taken critically needed funding away from social service programs for Illinois citizens.
The State of Illinois provides better healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants than most Illinois families receive. In fact, on Governor Pritzker’s watch, the State has spent more than $2 billion in taxpayer funds on healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrant adults. Additionally, the State has spent at least $820 million to address Chicago’s migrant crisis.
In total, nearly $3 billion have been dedicated to services for migrants and undocumented immigrants, while services for our most vulnerable citizens remain chronically underfunded and underserved.
The sad reality is that Illinois’ sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions and made our communities less safe.
We are calling on House Democrats to repeal the TRUST act, so Illinois law enforcement can adequately communicate with ICE to detain and deport violent criminals.
We will continue to fight for legislation and a state budget that prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families and seniors over migrants and illegal immigrants.
BUDGET
CGFA report shows a significant decline in corporate income tax payments. On a year-by-year basis, Corporate Income Tax receipts dropped 42% in January 2025 compared to one year earlier. Corporate income tax payments credited to general revenue dropped from $347 million in January 2024 to $202 million in January 2025, a decline of $145 million. In another sign of a troubled Illinois economy, January 2025 Sales Tax receipts remained negatively stagnant compared to last year, showing a decline of $4 million in January-to-January receipts. Although the State’s general funds also received a new January 2025 cash infusion of $28 million from taxes levied on electronic sports wagers, the Corporate Income Tax payment drop helped lead to an overall $66 million decline in state-sourced general funds moneys.
The U.S. business climate, on which Illinois corporate profits and corporate income tax payments depend, continued to be unsettled in January. In their monthly report to the members of the Illinois General Assembly, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) described a comprehensive lack of assurance that the Illinois economy and its tax revenues will show much growth from existing taxes in 2025. The effects of these shocks and uncertainty are likely to spill through the remainder of the State’s FY25 fiscal year and will also affect the first half of the approaching FY26 fiscal year.
Gov. Pritzker’s upcoming budget address. The Illinois General Assembly is preparing for one of the key events of the 2025 legislative session, the Budget Address by Gov. Pritzker that will be delivered on Wednesday, February 19. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget has indicated that the State of Illinois will face a $3.2 billion deficit in fiscal year 2026 (FY26) unless taxes are increased, budget cuts are made, or both. Houe Republicans demanded this week that Pritzker look at services delivered by Illinois taxpayers to migrants and undocumented immigrants, particularly health care benefits, as one element of these budget cuts.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) has reported to a General Assembly committee that based on current patient counts and spending patterns, the programs that provide health care for undocumented immigrant adults are scheduled to cost $558 million in the current fiscal year (FY25). Other programs and spending lines cover housing, social work, counseling, and education for migrants and undocumented immigrants.
JOBS
Decatur-based Archer-Daniels-Midland announces pending layoffs of up to 700 employees. This week’s announcement came with a weak quarterly earnings report from the global agribusiness giant. Wall Street analysts expressed sharp disappointment at the numbers posted by ADM for the fourth quarter of 2024. After revenues and profits fell sharply during the three-month period, ADM’s public-traded stock fell to the lowest share price in the four-year period that began in early 2021. ADM’s management responded to their declining sales and profits with the layoff announcement, which will take place during the remainder of 2025.
ADM specializes in the processing of corn, soybeans, and other crops into food and energy products. The firm has made significant investments in the processing of oilseeds, particularly soybeans, into biodiesel energy products. Weakness in U.S. and global biodiesel demand and pricing was seen as a major factor in the 2024-4Q numbers posted by ADM. The Illinois-based firm is centered on its Decatur flagship complex, an employer of approximately 4,000 people.