As the temperature drops and the leaves begin to change, I hope you and your family are enjoying all this season has to offer. Fall is a time for reflection, harvest, and preparation for the months ahead.
While the days may be getting shorter, there is no shortage of events that I will be hosting across the 26th District. On Saturday, October 26th, I will be hosting a Prescription Drug Take Back Event at the Barrington Police Department. On Tuesday, October 29th, I will be partnering with State Representative Marty McLaughlin and the Illinois Tollway to host an IPASS On Demand Event at the Mundelein Village Hall. And on Saturday, November 2nd, I will be hosting a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon & Expo at the Lake Zurich Knights of Columbus Hall to honor the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country. More detailed information about these events is included at the end of this newsletter. For additional information, please feel free to call my office at 224-662-4544.
I look forward to seeing you at some of these upcoming events! If you have any questions or comments, please reach out here. As always, your voice and feedback guide my work.
LATEST NEWS
Senate Republicans Honor Veterans
To pay tribute to veterans and honor their legacies and sacrifices, State Senator McConchie is encouraging constituents to submit a photo and story of their loved one who served our nation so it can be displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois Capitol from November 11 to 25 in honor of Veterans Day.
The tribute honors the brave men and women who have served their country, preserving their stories and sacrifices for future generations. Families are asked to submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary. Submissions should be emailed to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by November 8 to be included in the Veterans Day Display at the Illinois State Capitol. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 110 D Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, please call (217) 782-1154.
Madigan Trial Nears as Jury Selection Begins
Jury selection recently began in the long-awaited trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who now faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery, and official misconduct charges.
The former Speaker, who was once one of the most influential political figures in Illinois, was indicted in March 2022 with charges stemming from Madigan’s alleged involvement in a years-long bribery scheme with the state’s largest utility, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd).
Madigan, who served in the Illinois House from 1971 until his resignation in 2021, held the speakership for much of his tenure and was also the chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
As Madigan’s trial begins, Senate Republicans are once again highlighting the need for sweeping ethics reforms to prevent future abuses of power. Republican lawmakers have introduced several bills aimed at closing loopholes and increasing accountability for public officials, including stronger revolving door prohibitions, banning elected officials from working as paid lobbyists, and campaign finance reforms. With Veto Session scheduled to take place in November, Republican lawmakers are urging immediate action, arguing that without substantive ethics reforms, the state remains vulnerable to further corruption at the highest levels of government.
IDFPR Warns of Increased Scams Targeting Students
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is making families with children who are currently attending or have attended college aware of an uptick in scams targeting those who have taken on student loans.
Due to recent challenges to federal relief programs, scammers have taken this opportunity to attempt to scam students by promising lower rates, loan forgiveness, and requests to sign over power-of-attorney. Most often, there will be a request for immediate action, which is a red flag. Students should also be wary of claims that the servicer has ties to the government.
Scammers commonly communicate through the use of telephone calls, text, email, or physical mail. Those who believe they may have been a target of a student loan scam should immediately contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Student Loan Hotline by calling 1-800-455-2456. The Attorney General’s website can also be a valuable resource to file a complaint for those who believe they have been targeted.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Senior Health Fair – Oct. 23rd – 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
No RSVP Required
Prescription Drug Take Back Event – Oct. 26th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No RSVP Required
I-PASS on Demand Event – Oct. 29th – 3 a.m. to 7 p.m.
No RSVP Required
Veteran Appreciation Luncheon & Expo – Nov. 2nd – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
RSVP Required – Please email bomalleywest@sgop.ilga.gov or call 224-662-4544
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS
As always, I look forward to hearing from you! If you have any feedback, concerns, or questions, I would love to hear from you. You can contact me here.