(The Center Square) – A conservative branch of Illinois Republicans is calling out the party’s House leader.
The Illinois Freedom Caucus, made up of six state representatives and one senator, is accusing House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, of playing “silly games” after she denied several services at the Capitol for not voting for her as leader.
Some of the services the group said they are being denied include access to their state websites, emails, and email newsletter services, access to communications staffers including access to social media sites, audio and visual services and press release services, and all outreach assistance services.
“At the end of the day, what she’s doing here is she is punishing tax paying voters,” said Vice Chairman Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City.
This comes after Aaron Del Mar, the co-chair of the Illinois Republican Party, abruptly resigned, saying Republican principles of transparency and integrity are being compromised. Del Mar did not offer specifics.
Wilhour said it is time for new party leadership.
“I think the only way to unify the caucus at this point is for her to step aside,” said Wilhour.
A request for comment from McCombie’s office was not returned.
The Illinois Freedom Caucus issued a statement after they learned the Statehouse services were being denied.
“Minority Leader Tony McCombie has officially declared war on conservatives. She seems to be more interested in going after conservative members of her own caucus than she is in taking on the Democrats who control every level of government in our state and who have run our state into the ground,” the statement read.