Rock Island Today

Savanna Mayor Tony McCombie has been hitting the campaign trail for the state House District 71 seat hard. She is meeting voters door to door, at events, and in the mad, organized chaos of parades.

“The campaign is going very well,” McCombie said to Rock Island Today. “We are working hard to meet voters at the door – one on one, at events, and while walking in parades. We have participated in events in Fulton, Colona and Hillsdale.”

Tony McCombie | Contributed photo

As she hit the trail seeking to make changes last month, House Speaker Michael Madigan canceled planned assembly sessions to hash out the state's budget. 

“The sessions are an opportunity for lawmakers to sit down and bring together a balanced budget,” McCombie said. “The No. 1 concern among the voters I have talked to over the last few weeks is the lack of a budget. People within the 71st District – Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island and Henry Counties – are suffering at the hands of the budget impasse.”

McCombie is confounded as to why Madigan didn't want the legislature to meet. 

“I cannot speak on his reasons and, honestly, I have no understanding of his inability to work for the residents of Illinois,” McCombie said.

When asked if she believes Madigan is irresponsible in canceling the session, she said Illinois needs people in office who would put in the time to iron out an effective and balanced compromise. She said the state needs people who are willing to get to work.

Getting people who are willing to put in the time and work for the voters may be a difficult task. One such method that may help balance the field and lead to a better representation is the Re-Mapping initiative that has been gaining traction. It garnered more than 560,000 signatures. It also has gained approval from the State Election Board, pending the resolution of a lawsuit.

McCombie approves of the re-mapping efforts.

”I support the re-mapping initiative being put on the ballot in November,” McCombie said. "This process needs to be done by an independent group to prevent corruption.”

As for the lawsuit, McCombie vehemently disapproves of it and believes it hinders progress and change.

"The lawsuit is another lawyer trying to stop the voters from having a voice, bringing reforms and healing Illinois,” McCombie said about the suit brought by several lawyers, one of whom is Michael Kasper, who represents some of Illinois' top Democrats.

The suit is now on its way to the state Supreme Court after a Cook County judge ruled the proposed amendment goes beyond what citizen-led amendments can do.

As the re-mapping effort is awaiting ballot inclusion, education funding is still being debated and scrutinized at the Capitol. Almost every lawmaker acknowledges that education is vital to the success of Illinois, but not everyone agrees on how to fund it. Adding fire to this blaze is the veto by Gov. Bruce Rauner of a $3.9 billion bill aimed at funding higher education and human services. 

Rauner said the bill lacked a funding source, and that students, universities, educators and social service workers need permanent, real solutions. The governor urged lawmakers to create a balanced budget so that the state can handle its financial obligations.

 McCombie agrees with the governor, concluding that the residents of Illinois need more than just promises.

“Gov. Rauner wants the citizens and lawmakers of Illinois to realize that our state cannot continue to make empty promises,” she said. “An unbalanced and under-funded bill for human services (and education) is nothing more than a blank check. Those in need of these services deserve more than an unfunded bill – they need a solution.”