Illinois Democratic leaders at the 2024 State Fair. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Illinois Democrats already have a record supermajority in the House with 78 members, but they have their eyes on adding even more seats this year.

The Illinois sign at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

House Republicans were able to pick up a seat during the last presidential election in 2020 but suffered a tough blow in 2022 when they lost five seats.  

Under new Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), the caucus is seeking to make incremental annual gains over several election cycles this decade as they try to bring House Democrats down from a 78-member super majority.  

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) holds a news conference in her Springfield office. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) is revising expectations for her caucus in November, saying she is “cautiously optimistic” the results will turn out well for Republicans. 

Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), left, and North Barrington Democrat Maria Peterson, right. 

Democrats have their eyes set on flipping the 52nd House District seat held by Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) as contributions pour in for Democratic challenger Maria Peterson of North Barrington.  

A Southwest Airlines plane parked at the gate. [Provided]   

Southwest Airlines will become the second carrier to take advantage of Illinois’ sustainable aviation fuel tax credit under an agreement announced this month. 

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) has named a new budget director after Endra Curry departed after less than a year on the job. And polling by a group supporting consolidation of public transportation agencies released a poll showing support for the proposal.  

Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine), left, and Ela Township Trustee Tosi Ufodike, right.   

Rep. Nabeela Syed’s (D-Palatine) election in 2022 came under a bright spotlight as she became the youngest Democrat elected to Springfield at 23 years old. With one term under belt, Syed is looking to further establish herself as part of the northwest suburbs’ political future.  

Former House Speaker Mike Madigan leaves federal court in Chicago on Monday after opening arguments in his corruption trial. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

“This is a case about corruption at the highest level. Defendant Michael J. Madigan was the most powerful politician in the state of Illinois.” 

Those were the opening words of Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker to a 12-person jury at the start of former Speaker Mike Madigan’s and lobbyist Mike McClain’s criminal trial for bribery, extortion and fraud charges. Prosecutors allege following a years-long investigation that Madigan and McClain sought to benefit themselves in exchange for supporting initiatives pursued by ComEd and other key players.  

AFSCME Council 31 members who work for the Illinois Department of Corrections protest in Lincoln on Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Members of the AFSCME Council 31 who work for the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) held statewide pickets at or near Illinois prisons on Thursday to draw attention to safety concerns at their workplace, specifically increasing exposures to drugs.

Illinois Capitol   

Fall quarterly financial reports continued to confirm an ongoing trend in Illinois politics: despite Republicans’ best efforts, Democrats have virtually unlimited resources thanks to a multi-million-dollar cash advantage.