By Illinois Review
Illinois families are struggling under record taxes, rising utility bills, and an ever-growing cost of living. Yet House Minority Leader Tony McCombie and the Republican caucus remain effectively powerless to stop it.
With Democrats holding veto-proof supermajorities in Springfield, Republican proposals to lower costs are routinely ignored or quietly killed – while Democrats push through massive spending hikes with no real resistance.
Democrats control the Illinois House 78-40 and the Senate 40-19. That dominance was on full display during the most recent veto session, when Democrats rushed through nearly $11 billion in new spending in just 48 hours.
The package included an $8 billion green energy scheme projected to raise utility bills statewide and a $2.5 billion bailout for Chicago’s failing transit systems, funded in part through higher tolls and sales taxes that hit downstate and suburban families hardest.
McCombie has put forward ideas aimed at easing the burden on taxpayers – however, none of those proposals advanced. Without Democratic approval, Republican bills simply do not move.
Earlier this year, Democrats also passed the largest budget in Illinois history – $55.2 billion. That plan included more than $800 million in new taxes on sports betting, cigarettes, and employers, along with expanded spending on programs for undocumented immigrants.
Republicans warned the budget would worsen Illinois’ affordability crisis. They were ignored.
A follow-up tax decoupling bill, SB 1911, passed without a single House Republican vote and is expected to generate another $250 million in FY26.
McCombie’s legislative record highlights the reality of Republican powerlessness. In the 103rd General Assembly, she sponsored or co-sponsored roughly 150 bills. About 120 never made it out of committee. Only four became law, mostly narrow measures like propane pricing transparency or stronger penalties for gun crimes.
Major cost-relief proposals – raising the estate tax exemption, offering foster care tax credits, or reducing tax burdens – never received a floor vote.
The pattern continues every General Assembly, where substantive Republican reforms remain stalled in Rules.
Despite this, Americans for Prosperity – largely funded by the Koch Brothers – recently awarded McCombie a 2025 Prairie State Promise Award. AFP praised her for “holding Springfield accountable from reckless spending” and for “property tax relief work.” The glowing language may read well in a press release, but it bears little resemblance to reality.
AFP continues traveling around the state awarding Republican legislators with awards for standing up to the Democrats, reining in spending and standing up for taxpayers. In fact, no Republican awards have translated into lower bills.
Springfield is not being held accountable. Spending continues to explode, and property taxes remain among the highest in the nation.
That disconnect becomes even clearer when considering AFP’s broader political agenda. With annual budgets often exceeding $100 million, Koch-linked funding to AFP is estimated to surpass $1 billion since 2004.
The Koch network has also had a long and often adversarial relationship with President Donald Trump. Through AFP and allied groups, the network publicly vowed to oppose Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, raising more than $70 million to derail his nomination – including $50 million directly from Koch-affiliated entities.
They backed Nikki Haley, spending tens of millions attacking Trump and funding alternative campaigns.
For Illinois families struggling to pay the bills, none of this lowers taxes or stops spending. Awards, donor-funded praise, and political theater do not change the facts on the ground.
As long as Democrats maintain total control of Springfield, Republican lawmakers – no matter how often they are applauded by outside groups – will remain sidelined, and Illinois residents will keep paying the price.
