Tag: Press Release

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J.B. Pritzker’s Unbalanced Budget Proposal: Pritzker Is The New Blagojevich

ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider issues statement on Governor Pritzker’s first budget address

“Skipping pension payments, borrowing new debt, raising taxes, increasing spending – it’s clear that J.B. Pritzker is the new Rod Blagojevich. Pritzker’s unbalanced budget proposal is more of the same, failed policies that got our state into the mess it’s currently in. Illinois taxpayers cannot afford to return to the budget deficits and failed policies of the Blagojevich era. Pritzker pledged to deliver a balanced budget, and he failed.” – Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider

Today, Governor J.B. Pritzker gave his first budget address where he outlined his first, and probably not last, unbalanced budget proposal. In his speech, Pritzker advocated for a return to the same, failed budgeting that got our state in the mess it’s in:

  • Skip pension payments, $800 million a year for the next seven years
  • Issue $2 billion in new pension obligation bonds to make up for skipping pension payments
  • Increase spending by hundreds of millions of dollars
  • Levy new taxes
    • Theoretical graduated income tax, could not be enacted unless voters approve referendum in fall 2020, and Pritzker still refuses to release rates or revenue projections, yet Pritzker promises it will pay for everything – from pensions, to property and income tax cuts
    • Enact statewide plastic bag tax
    • Legalize recreational marijuana use, tax sales
    • Legalize sports betting, tax winnings
    • Increase video gaming taxes
  • Phase out the bipartisan Invest In Kids tuition tax credit scholarship program for low-income schoolchildren

Shorting the pension system $800 million a year might be the most irresponsible proposal from Governor Pritzker’s FY2020 budget. Pritzker’s decision to skip pension payments will cost billions of dollars more down the road. This is the exact opposite of what Pritzker pledged he would do during his campaign for governor. Last year, Pritzker told the Crain’s Editorial Board that the state should increase, not decrease, yearly contributions to the state pension systems.

Furthermore, Governor Pritzker’s spending plan relies on tax revenue the state has not yet received. It will take years to enact a theoretical graduated income tax, yet Pritzker is already committing that revenue to new projects. Pritzker’s budgeting is reckless and fiscally irresponsible.

It’s clear – J.B. Pritzker is the new Rod Blagojevich. Illinois taxpayers cannot afford to return to the budget deficits and failed policies of the Blagojevich era. Pritzker pledged to deliver a balanced budget, and he failed.

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Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider Statement On Governor Pritzker Signing Minimum Wage Legislation

Moments ago, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation into law that will nearly double Illinois’ minimum wage over the next six years. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider issued the following statement in response:

“This is only the beginning of J.B. Pritzker’s war on taxpayers and small business. Nearly doubling the minimum wage will destroy entry-level jobs, raise prices for consumers, and bust budgets at every level of government. Pritzker pledged to govern differently and listen to all parties and stakeholders, but those turned out to meaningless words.”

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lllinois Republican Party Statement on the Illinois House’s Passage of Minimum Wage Hike

The legislation passed on a partisan basis; No Republicans supported it

Moments ago, the Illinois House of Representatives voted on a partisan basis to nearly double the state’s minimum wage. No Republicans supported the legislation. The Illinois Republican Party issued the following statement in response:

“Illinois House Democrats had a chance to govern differently and compromise with Republicans and the small business community, but they failed. Like the Senate Democrats, they chose to ram through this costly and short-sighted piece of legislation just so they could make good on a vacuous campaign slogan. In reality, their “Fight for 15” will bust budgets at every level of government, destroy jobs, and make our state an even less desirable place to start and grow a business. Governor Pritzker has one last chance to show he really meant it when he said he wanted to compromise and take bipartisan action on major issues facing the state. We hope he follows through, but we aren’t holding our breath.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

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J.B. Pritzker Falsely Says He Compromised With Republicans On Minimum Wage Hike

Pritzker: “We listened to [Republicans] and included many of their ideas in [the minimum wage legislation]”

 

“Governor Pritzker is misleading the people of Illinois about his minimum wage plan by falsely claiming it’s the product of compromise and Republican input, even though no Republicans support it. If Pritzker thinks it’s a ‘Republican idea’ to phase in the wage hike over six years as opposed to three or enact insufficient tax credits for small business, he’s wrong. Pritzker pledged to listen to Republicans and compromise, but it turns out those were just empty, meaningless words.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

 

Governor Pritzker is falsely claiming that his minimum wage plan is the product of bipartisan compromise and Republican input.

From Governor Pritzker’s press conference yesterday:

“We brought all the parties together, including Republicans, and we listened to them and included many of their ideas in [the minimum wage legislation]. There were people who wanted a three-year ramp to 15 dollars. It’s six-years. That’s quite the compromise… We listened to all parties and made sure we had a bill that is a compromise of interests.”

Republican State Senators have suggested the minimum wage rate vary based on geographic region, cost of living, and other factors, but Pritzker has refused to incorporate those concerns. Republicans have also warned of the negative impacts employers, nursing homes, non-profits, colleges, local units of government, and others will face, yet Pritzker’s only response has been that his budget will address those some or all of those issues.

Additionally, groups that represent small businesses, like the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, have offered an alternative proposal, yet Pritzker still refuses to compromise and insists that the Illinois House of Representatives pass the bill without any changes whatsoever.

Pritzker pledged to listen to Republicans and compromise on policy, but it turns out those were just empty, meaningless words. Pritzker’s reckless proposal will cost taxpayers and small businesses dearly, destroying jobs and government budgets along the way.

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Illinois Republican Party Opposes Pritzker’s Reckless Minimum Wage Plan, Citing Huge Cost To Taxpayers, Small Business

Taxpayers will pay at least an additional $1 billion a year in increased spending by the time the plan is fully implemented, and that’s a low estimate

 

“Did Governor Pritzker have any intention to return to the ‘agreed-bill’ process? On his first major legislative initiative, that answer is a hard no. This is the same failed form of governing that put Illinois in the poor fiscal condition it’s in. Pritzker is ignoring the concerns of Republican lawmakers and business leaders as he attempts to ram through legislation that would nearly double the state’s minimum wage just so he can chalk up a ‘win’ before his budget address, but at what cost?

“Pritzker’s minimum wage hike will crush small businesses and will cost taxpayers at least a billion dollars a year once the plan is fully implemented, and that’s not even a complete estimate. Pritzker’s administration has not disclosed the full amount of increased spending his wage hike would require. Pritzker’s reckless budgeting will cost taxpayers and small businesses dearly. It is yet another Pritzker proposal that will bankrupt Illinois.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Moments ago, the Illinois State Senate voted on a partisan basis to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15/hour. No Democrats voted against the measure.

In early December of last year, the Chicago Tribune reported that a “confidant” of Governor J.B. Pritzker said Pritzker would like to return to the “agreed-bill” process, where all stakeholders on an issue reach a compromise on legislation before it moves forward for passage in the General Assembly.

It turns out that was only talk from Pritzker. He, along with Democratic lawmakers, have so far ignored the concerns of the business community and Republican lawmakers on his first major legislative initiative to nearly double the state’s minimum.

Pritzker has shown no interest in compromise. He has set an arbitrary political deadline of February 20th, the day of his first Budget Address, for passage his minimum wage plan. Pritzker is attempting to ram through this hugely consequential piece of legislation just so he can chalk up a “win” before his first big speech.

The plan has huge consequences for Illinois taxpayers and small businesses:

Capitol News Illinois: Leaked Pritzker memo details minimum wage increase

“…making the total annual cost of the wage increase about $1.1 billion annually by [FY2026]”

Illinois News Network: Minimum wage increase will cost taxpayers in all levels of government

“During a House hearing on the issue, representatives asked staff from the governor’s office if he’ll include the tens of millions of estimated additional costs to taxpayers from an increase in the minimum wage. They couldn’t immediately say.”

Pritzker’s administration has not disclosed a complete estimate of the total increase in spending his wage hike would require. It does not include increased costs other government programs, public universities, community colleges, counties, towns, park districts, and all other units of local government will face.

Pritzker’s reckless budgeting will cost taxpayers and small businesses dearly. It is yet another Pritzker proposal that will bankrupt Illinois.

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Illinois House Democrats Are The Only Legislative Caucus To Not Have Leadership Term Limits

At least 31 House Dems, including 3 members of Speaker Madigan’s leadership team, have stated they support or are open to some form of leadership term limits

 

“The people of Illinois do not vote for legislative leaders, but they strongly support the concept of term limits. That’s why Illinoisans deserve the opportunity to amend the constitution via a binding ballot referendum and term limit the four legislative leaders. Governor Pritzker, all members of the State Senate, all House Republicans, and at least 31 House Democrats, including 3 members of Speaker Madigan’s leadership team, have voiced support for some form of leadership term limits.

“There is a bipartisan super-majority that supports leadership term limits. The votes are there to pass a constitutional amendment referendum in both chambers. It’s time for the General Assembly to finally act on this critical issue and take one step towards restoring the people’s control over state government.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

 

Three of the four legislative caucuses in the Illinois General Assembly have instituted some form of leadership term limits.

Through a unanimously-adopted resolution of their chamber rules, Illinois Senate Democrats and Republicans imposed a five-term, ten-year limit on the Senate President and minority leader for the 101st General Assembly. The Senate first enacted this term limit in the 100th General Assembly. That resolution was also unanimously-adopted.

Illinois House Republicans have enacted term limits on their caucus leader via their caucus rules.

And even Governor J.B. Pritzker has stated he supports leadership term limits.

That leaves the Illinois House Democrats – the only legislative caucus without some form of leadership term limits. The House Democratic caucus has been led by Speaker Michael Madigan for decades – 18 terms as Speaker of the House and several more terms as minority leader – but that doesn’t mean House Democrats are opposed to leadership term limits.

At least 31 House Democrats, including 3 members of Speaker Madigan’s leadership team, have affirmatively stated that they support or are open to some form of leadership term limits or term limits on all legislators.

Here are House Democrats in their own words:

Kelly Cassidy: “Yes… I have cosponsored legislation creating leadership term limits.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Asst. Majority Leader Linda Chapa LaVia: “Chapa LaVia pointed out… that she has voted for term limits for the legislative leadership.” (The Beacon-News, 2/10/17)

Deb Conroy: “I am supportive of leadership term limits.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/15/18)

Melissa Conyears Ervin: “I believe voters could benefit from having new voices and new ideas on a regular basis. But if term limits are going to be applied to the legislature, they should be applied so they include statewide officials, as well.” (Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire)

Terra Costa Howard: “I think term limits sound like a really good idea to voters who are frustrated with unresponsive governments and legislative deadlock.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/10/18)

Jerry Costello, II: “Costello said he supports term limits for the leadership of the General Assembly.” (Republic-Times, 7/18/18)

Asst. Majority Leader Fred Crespo: “I support term limits for legislators as well as constitutional officers.”  Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/13/16)

Anthony DeLuca: Introduced a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would prohibit State Representatives and State Senators from serving more than 3 terms in their respective chambers  (HJRCA 1, 101st G.A.)

Mary Edly-Allen: “While term limits on leaders may help, the only way to keep so much power out of the hands of so few is to overhaul our campaign finance system and limit the amount of money in our elections.” (Daily Herald, 10/31/18)

Sara Feigenholtz: “Yes, [I support term limits for legislative leadership positions].” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Robyn Gabel: “I support term limits for leadership and proposed such legislation in 2011.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz: “I believe in term limits for legislative leadership because those positions are not directly elected by the voters of Illinois.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Mike Halpin: “Halpin ok with term limits for leadership positions” (WHBF-TV, 9/12/16)

Fran Hurley: “I do support term limits on leadership positions.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Stephanie Kifowit: “I am open to considering proposals for leadership term limits.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Theresa Mah: “I do support term limits for legislative leaders.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Asst. Majority Leader Natalie Manley: “If a term limit proposal ever appears on a ballot, I will support whatever decision my constituents make.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Joyce Mason: “I am supportive of term limits for legislative leaders.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/23/18)

Rita Mayfield: “I support term limits at every level: local, county, state and federal.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/13/16)

Bob Morgan: “I support term limits for legislative leaders to ensure that voices from across Illinois are heard in the lawmaking process.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Marty Moylan: “I support term limits for legislators.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/12/18)

Michelle Mussman: “I support giving voters a say in a constitutional amendment to establish term limits for statewide and legislative offices.” (www.votemichelle.org/issues)

Diane Pappas: “I believe in a democracy it should be up to the voters, not the legislature, to decide whether Illinois should adopt term limits via a referendum placed on the ballot.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/12/18)

Delia Ramirez: “I am open to considering legislation that establishes term limits but cannot offer unilateral support on this issue without seeing the specific language for the legislation being proposed.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Lamont Robinson, Jr.: “Voters should decide their representation, but we should lean towards limiting decades-long legacies from developing. I think 20 years is plenty of time to perfect your craft and really make improvements in your districts. I will commit to sponsoring legislation to that end.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Anne Stava-Murray: “Term limits for legislative leaders are necessary to avoid dangerous consolidations of power.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/22/18)

Karina Villa: “Villa supports term limits for all state representatives, including Madigan.” (Daily Herald, 9/24/18)

Mark Walker: “Yes, I think there should be term limits on legislative leaders and I would vote in favor of this.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/12/18)

Ann Williams: “I’m open to limits on leadership, though I don’t believe there will ever be another leader who will serve as long as the Speaker so I don’t think the issue will be very relevant in the future.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Lance Yednock: “What [Yednock] is certain about is term limits… [Yednock] believes a decade is enough time for one individual to hold office but is open to discussing alternative limits.” (The Times, 10/20/18)

Sam Yingling: “I have always supported term limits…Yes, [I support term limits for legislative leadership positions].” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Republican State Rep. Tim Butler is currently carrying a leadership term limit constitutional amendment in the House, HJRCA 12. Democratic State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is currently carrying a similar measure in the Senate, SJRCA 3. Last session, Senate Republican leader Bill Brady also carried a similar measure, SJRCA 2, that had bipartisan support.

There is a bipartisan supermajority that supports leadership term limits. It’s time for the General Assembly to finally act on this critical issue and take one step towards restoring the people’s control over state government.

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ICYMI: Corrupt Chicago Alderman Referred Legal Business To Mike Madigan, FBI Recorded The Meeting

“From what I’m hearing, there’s lots more to come out on the speaker.”

In a bombshell report from the Chicago Sun-Times, a court affidavit revealed Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was the subject of a secret FBI recording.

In 2014, Chicago Alderman Danny Solis arranged a meeting between Madigan and a real estate developer concerning legal business with Madigan’s property tax appeals law firm, Madigan and Getzendanner. Solis is alleged to have told an associate of the developer that “if [the developer] works with the speaker, [the developer] will get anything he needs for that hotel… [the developer]’s going to benefit from being with the speaker . . . okay?”

Speaker Madigan has denied any wrongdoing, but one reporter is saying that he’s heard “there’s lots more to come out on the speaker.” The revelation dominated yesterday’s news:

Chicago Sun-Times: FBI secretly recorded Mike Madigan at his law office pitching firm’s services

The FBI secretly recorded Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan trying to get business for his private law firm from a developer brought to him by Ald. Danny Solis, who was weighing the developer’s request to build a hotel in Chinatown, according to a federal court affidavit obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

…Madigan’s law firm’s legal fees were discussed during the meeting — and the Southwest Side Democrat  made it clear he wanted more than a short-term deal with the developer.

“We’re not interested in a quick killing here,” Madigan said during the meeting. “We’re interested in a long-term relationship.”

 

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Corruption in Chicago — and what nobody has to say

…A developer in 2014 wanted to build a hotel in Chinatown, but he needed a zoning change. So he asked Ald. Danny Solis (25th) for a letter of support.

Solis hemmed and hawed through the summer. Then he invited the developer and an associate of the developer to a meeting with Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, who runs a law firm that does property tax work.

At some point in the meeting, according to the affidavit, Madigan said his law firm would like to do tax work for the developer. Solis chimed in to say there was “no better firm” to do such work.

Three days later, the developer’s associate called Solis to tell him the developer had agreed to hire Madigan’s law firm.

 

Chicago Sun-Times: Pritzker has little to say about Madigan being recorded by feds

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday that public officials should avoid outside occupations that conflict with their public responsibilities — but he said he did not know whether House Speaker Mike Madigan had done so.

And the newly seated Democratic governor declined to offer any opinions on a report by the Chicago Sun-Times that revealed Madigan was recorded by authorities in his private law office as they investigated Ald. Danny Solis.

 

Chicago Tribune Editorial: ‘Operation Illinois Politics’: The FBI is on the prowl

The investigation has reached blockbuster status: The FBI has surreptitiously recorded the speaker of the Illinois House as well as Chicago’s two most influential aldermen — City Council committee chairmen who’ve overseen zoning and finances.

…Some of those federally-enshrined chats were with the second alderman, Edward Burke, whom the U.S. Department of Justice has accused of attempted extortion. Prosecutors have released only fragments from a few of the thousands of Burke telephone conversations they wiretapped with judicial permission.

Then there’s that other pol who spoke into a little microphone. The opening of a news story that reverberated Tuesday through this city’s, this state’s, corridors of power: The FBI secretly recorded Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan trying to get business for his private law firm from a developer brought to him by Ald. Danny Solis, who was weighing the developer’s request to build a hotel in Chinatown, according to a federal court affidavit obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

Chicago Tribune: House Speaker Michael Madigan’s public and private roles back in spotlight after bombshell involving Ald. Danny Solis

…Madigan has faced several probes over his decades in office, including into allegations of government staffers doing political work, patronage hiring at Metra, and a university union contract dispute involving a top campaign donor. While critics have raised questions about Madigan’s ethics, he has never been charged.

But it’s Madigan’s public career as House speaker and private career as founder and rainmaker of one of Chicago’s top property tax appeals law firms that has come under the most consistent scrutiny over the years. The Tribune’s 2010 “The Madigan Rules” series showed that in some cases, Madigan took public actions that benefited his private clients, and he and the firm have faced criticism over the years for representing clients that also have business before the state.

…Some of Madigan’s decisions as speaker have the potential to affect someone who has hired Madigan’s firm in hopes of having a tax bill lowered. The Tribune has reported that as a public official, Madigan got a private road behind a shopping mall repaved, helped secure state funding for an expanded tollway interchange and intervened for a developer looking for state cash. In each case, Madigan was a private lawyer for businesspeople who stood to benefit.

 

Crain’s Chicago Business: Mike Madigan shocker rocks state, city politics

Mike Madigan says he did nothing wrong. But the news that he was taped by Ald. Danny Solis, 25th, as part of a federal corruption probe is providing another stunning shock to Illinois politics and further roiling an already unpredictable race for mayor.

In separate statements, both Madigan and his longtime private attorney, Heather Wier Vaught, dismissed allegations in a Chicago Sun-Times report that Solis arranged a meeting with a zoning applicant who needed Solis’ backing for a Chinatown hotel project. Solis reportedly told the developer that hiring Madigan’s law firm to handle property tax appeals would clear the way for the zoning approval, but though the zoning was secured, Madigan’s firm was not retained and the hotel never was built.

 

Illinois News Network: After news of Madigan’s secret FBI tape, Pritzker wants to ‘see the investigation play out’

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he wants to “see the investigation play out” after news that a federal investigation into the Chicago City Council included a secretly recorded conversation between House Speaker Michael Madigan and a developer who wanted to build a hotel in Chinatown.

Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, who spent two years cooperating with investigators arranged the meeting between Madigan and the developer at Madigan’s law office 2014. Madigan was recorded pitching his legal services and seeking a longterm relationship with the developer, according to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times. Madigan denied wrongdoing through his attorney.

 

WGN Chicago: FBI secretly recorded Mike Madigan at his law office, report says

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was secretly recorded by the FBI trying to secure a developer’s business for Madigan’s private law firm, according to a published report.

…Madigan denies any wrongdoing.

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ILGOP Statement On Sun-Times Report That The FBI Secretly Recorded Speaker Mike Madigan At His Law Office

In affidavit, FBI agent alleges a Chicago alderman said that if a developer hired Madigan’s law firm, then the developer would benefit from official action of Speaker Madigan and the alderman

 

“Like Ed Burke, developers and wealthy real estate holders don’t consider Speaker Madigan for legal work just because he’s a competent lawyer. Madigan acquires legal clients because he is one of the most powerful political leaders and lawmakers in the State of Illinois. That’s wrong. The fact remains that it is an incredible conflict of interest for Madigan to simultaneously serve as Speaker of the Illinois House and as a property tax appeals attorney. The people of Illinois will not see real reform of our broken and punitive property tax system until lawmakers ban that practice.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

In a bombshell report from the Chicago Sun-Times, a court affidavit revealed Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was the subject of a secret FBI recording.

In 2014, Chicago Alderman Danny Solis arranged a meeting between Madigan and a real estate developer concerning legal business with Madigan’s property tax appeals law firm, Madigan and Getzendanner. Solis is alleged to have told an associate of the developer that “if [the developer] works with the speaker, [the developer] will get anything he needs for that hotel… [the developer]’s going to benefit from being with the speaker . . . okay?”

Alderman Solis is the subject of a recently-revealed federal investigation following the corruption indictment against Alderman Ed Burke.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

The FBI secretly recorded Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan trying to get business for his private law firm from a developer brought to him by Ald. Danny Solis, who was weighing the developer’s request to build a hotel in Chinatown, according to a federal court affidavit obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

The affidavit makes clear for the first time that the federal investigation that has snared powerful Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke extends beyond City Hall and into the Illinois statehouse, examining politicians’ longstanding practice of merging personal and political business.

…Madigan, who isn’t facing any criminal charges, was recorded by an associate of the developer during a meeting at Madigan’s law office that Solis had arranged, according to the affidavit. That associate, who’d been secretly working for the feds, made a “video and audio recording” of the meeting, which occurred in 2014.

…An FBI agent alleges in the 120-page affidavit: “I understand Solis to mean that by hiring Madigan’s private firm, [the developer] would ensure that Solis and Madigan would take official action benefitting [the developer] in their capacity as public officials.”

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Underwood & Casten Missing from Freshman-led Letter Urging Pelosi Work To End Government Shutdown

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi controls the House, and it’s her duty to show up and negotiate with the Republican-controlled Senate and President Trump. But Pelosi has refused to even consider a compromise to end the partial government shutdown, and Congresswoman Underwood, Congressman Casten, and other Illinois Democrats have enabled her with their silence. It’s time for Underwood, Casten, and others to stop playing political games and join their Democratic colleagues in standing up to Speaker Pelosi. If they do, this partial shutdown would be over, Dreamers would be protected, and we would have stronger border security.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

A letter, sent yesterday by freshman Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Va.), encouraged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to compromise with President Trump, protect Dreamers, and initiate a process to enact increased border security measures. Thirty Congressional Democrats wrote, “We promised our constituents that we would seek bipartisan solutions, and we feel that this proposal would gain bipartisan support and allow a transparent process to evaluate the true needs of border security and provide much-needed reform to our immigration system.”

Illinois Congressmen Dan Lipinski and Brad Schneider even signed onto a similar letter urging Pelosi to make a deal. Neither freshman Congresswoman Lauren Underwood nor Congressman Sean Casten signed onto either letter.

Additionally, neither Underwood nor Casten joined some of their freshman Democratic colleagues in voting to immediately pay federal workers while a deal is negotiated. Instead, they voted against all three motions to pay federal workers while the government is shutdown. If eight of Illinois’ thirteen Democratic members supported the motion, the effort to pay federal workers potentially could’ve been enacted into law.

Voters in IL-14 and IL-06 deserve better than Pelosi pawns currently representing them in Congress.

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ILGOP Statement on Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order Concerning Taxpayer-Funded Abortion

Yesterday, Governor J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order concerning taxpayer-funded abortion and stated Illinois will be the “most progressive state in the nation” on abortion under his administration. Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot issued the following statement in response:
“Making Illinois the ‘most progressive state in the nation’ on taxpayer-funded abortion is not something to be proud of. Rather, it’s tragic. At a time when our state budget is strained already, allowing this new and unfettered entitlement program to continue is beyond fiscally irresponsible. The Illinois Republican Party is deeply disappointed in Governor Pritzker’s executive order and will continue to oppose taxpayer funding of abortion.”

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