McLean County Times

Increased positive COVID-19 test rates, pandemic small business relief, the state's FY21 budget and an impending ethics investigation into House Speaker Mike Madigan are among the topics being discussed by Illinois House Republicans.

In its Week in Review Caucus Blog, House Republicans addressed several issues and gave an overview to constituents with the majority of the news focused on the current pandemic. 

House Republicans noted the more than 460,000 new COVID-19 cases in the state as of the first week of November while emphasizing a 4% infection rate across Illinois, stating "Well more than 90% of those infected have recovered or are recovering, but the deaths of more than 10,000 Illinois residents have been attributed to the coronavirus pandemic."

Also addressed in the weekly review was the $787 million in tax revenues for October 2020 which was a $44 million improvement from October of last year. However, new pandemic mitigation efforts, the Republic Caucus warned "may impose a harsh blow to Illinois' revenue picture in November 2020."

The caucus also noted the postponement of a Special Investigating Committee II tasked with hearing evidence against Madigan, alleging bribery and corruption.