Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie released a weekly update on Apr. 13 highlighting recent legislative initiatives and ongoing economic issues in the state. The update addressed affordability concerns, job numbers, public corruption cases, and state revenue figures.
McCombie said that high taxes and fees continue to affect Illinois families. She reported supporting House Bill 5738, which proposes a six-month suspension of the state’s sales tax on gasoline from July 1 to December 31, 2026. “After JB Pritzker and Democrats raided Downstate road funds for transit, Downstate taxpayers deserve relief,” Deputy House Republican Leader Ryan Spain said at a press conference with State Representative Regan Deering. Spain added that downstate infrastructure has suffered from disinvestment while resources were shifted to Chicago-area transit systems.
The update also referenced comments by House Speaker Chris Welch regarding efforts to lower costs such as gas and groceries. McCombie said Republicans have already introduced proposals aimed at affordability but criticized Democrats for not prioritizing these bills. She included her own statement: “For Governor Pritzker, this budget is about blame. It is clear the Governor is more focused on his presidential ambitions than delivering for Illinois families. He emphasized that everything is ‘too d*mn expensive,’ while proposing higher taxes, more spending, and expanded government. There’s nothing affordable about this budget proposal.” According to Politico (no link provided), Speaker Welch attributed some of Illinois’ fiscal challenges to Washington policies.
On employment trends, McCombie reported that the state’s unemployment rate rose from 4.7% to 4.9% in January 2026—higher than the national average of 4.3%. Indiana’s most recent unemployment rate was noted as lower at 3.5%. Despite an increase of approximately 18,000 payroll jobs in January within construction and manufacturing sectors, the number of unemployed individuals also grew significantly.
In matters of public corruption, McCombie cited ongoing legal appeals by former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s attorneys seeking to overturn his conviction on bribery charges before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Commission on Budget Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) reported March general fund revenues up $233 million or nearly five percent over last year due largely to income tax payments and utility taxes; however CGFA warned lawmakers about rising structural deficits driven by healthcare costs for over 380,000 employees and retirees—a projected nine-point-eight percent increase next year outpacing revenue growth rates.
McCombie was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ eighty-ninth District in 2023 after Andrew Chesney left office according to available records.
