Illinois House Republican leader Tony McCombie will speak at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on September 9. McCombie, who became the first woman to lead Illinois House Republicans in January 2023, will share her party's policy agenda and her views on the issues that will shape the November general elections. With Democrats holding a significant 78 to 40 supermajority in the Illinois House, McCombie's leadership is focused on narrowing that gap in the upcoming elections.
The event will be moderated by John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom B. A reception will precede the discussion at 5 p.m. in the John W. Corker Lounge. The program is open to the public, and while registration is recommended, it is not mandatory. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions beforehand via the registration form or by emailing the institute.
McCombie, a native of Savanna, Illinois, has a background in local government, having served on the Savanna City Council and as the town's mayor before her election to the Illinois General Assembly in 2016. In addition to her legislative duties, she is a small business owner, operating Blue Appraisals, and works as a real estate broker for the Mel Foster Company. McCombie represents the 89th Illinois House District, covering parts of Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties.
This event is part of the institute's ongoing series of public discussions with key political figures to provide insights into current policy debates and electoral strategies. McCombie’s visit offers a unique opportunity for the community to engage with a leading figure in Illinois politics and to better understand the Republican Party’s direction under her leadership.
