MONEY, POWER, AND PILLOWS:
Inside the McCombie Machine
FREEPORT, IL – October 16, 2025
The Money Flood Behind McCombie
When voters in northwestern Illinois head to the polls for the March 17th Republican Primary, they’ll see two very different names — and two very different approaches to leadership. On one side, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R–Savanna), who’s spent the last year amassing a mountain of campaign cash. On the other, Retired Police Officer Victoria Onorato, a newcomer running a shoestring campaign built on principle rather than power.
McCombie’s most recent D-2 Quarterly Report, filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, reveals just how deep the political money runs. Between July 1 and September 30, 2025, the McCombie for Illinois committee reported $487,795.87 in new receipts, bringing her cash on hand to a staggering $745,352.92.
That figure isn’t just impressive — it’s revealing. The vast majority of McCombie’s funding comes from outside her own district, and a closer look at her donors exposes a network of corporate, union, and industry PACs with clear interests in keeping the status quo firmly intact.
Top Donors: Who Really Owns the McCombie Machine
Fighting4Freeport’s review of McCombie’s 2025 third-quarter filing identified her top three donors — each from powerful industries with long-standing influence in Springfield.
1. Marquis Energy, LLC – $25,000 (Hennepin, IL)
Marquis Energy is one of the Midwest’s largest ethanol and biofuel producers, a company with strong lobbying interests tied to state and federal renewable fuel standards. McCombie’s district includes vast agricultural territory, and supporting ethanol interests plays well politically — but it also raises questions about how state subsidies and energy policies are influenced by these corporate relationships. Marquis has contributed heavily to multiple Illinois campaigns this cycle, particularly those aligned with leadership positions.
2. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits – $14,600 (Miramar, FL)
This national liquor distribution giant isn’t based in Illinois at all. As one of the most powerful alcohol wholesalers in the country, Southern Glazer’s regularly donates to politicians who control licensing, taxation, and transportation regulations affecting their industry. Their large contribution to McCombie — far above typical PAC donations — suggests an investment in maintaining favorable alcohol-sales policies statewide.
3. Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC – $12,500 (Bolingbrook, IL)
Accel is Illinois’ largest video gaming terminal (VGT) operator, the company behind many of the slot machines and gaming systems scattered throughout small-town bars and truck stops. The company has been a consistent big spender in Springfield, targeting legislators on key gaming and revenue committees. With the state considering new gaming expansions and tax adjustments, Accel’s contribution appears less like a donation and more like insurance — a way to keep Illinois’ gambling laws tilted toward corporate profit.
Collectively, these three donors represent nearly 11% of McCombie’s entire quarterly haul, underscoring how dependent her campaign is on large, industry-tied contributions rather than local support. Not a single donor from Freeport, Lena, Mount Carroll, or other Stephenson and Carroll County communities appeared in her itemized filings.
Top Expenses: Where the Money Goes
McCombie’s spending paints a picture that mirrors her fundraising — polished, political, and far removed from the realities of rural Illinois.
1. Leonard Hammond Interiors – $6,012.50
Perhaps the most controversial line item in the entire report. Leonard Hammond Interiors is owned by the husband of State Rep. Norine Hammond, whose vote and influence helped McCombie secure her position as House Minority Leader. Payments for “office design work” were issued to the firm, raising eyebrows following the “PillowGate” scandal, in which taxpayer dollars were previously spent on similar luxury furnishings. The overlap between public and political money deepens suspicions of cronyism and quid-pro-quo arrangements.
2. Illini Country Club – $9,599.36
Located in Springfield, the private Illini Country Club is a frequent venue for political fundraisers and elite networking events. McCombie’s nearly $10,000 tab there for “fundraising events” — complete with catering, staff, and venue costs — highlights just how insulated state leadership has become. While residents across northwestern Illinois wrestle with rising grocery prices and property taxes, their representative’s campaign dollars are buying wine, golf outings, and catered dinners in the capital.
3. Byron Hills Golf Course – $5,850.00
Closer to home, but no less exclusive, McCombie’s “fundraising event” at Byron Hills Golf Course carried a price tag that rivals an entire small-town campaign budget. The expenditure reflects a broader pattern: using high-end recreational venues for donor entertainment while grassroots engagement remains nonexistent.
Together, these top three expenditures — totaling $21,461.86 — represent nearly a quarter of her total campaign spending for the quarter.
Follow the Money, Follow the Power
McCombie’s report reveals a politician more comfortable with corporate boardrooms and country club banquets than town halls and coffee shops. Her fundraising dominance may impress Springfield insiders, but for voters in District 89, it signals a deep disconnect between leadership and the people it’s meant to serve.
Her opponent, Victoria Onorato, is running a campaign that couldn’t look more different. With just $137.64 raised and no expenditures, Onorato’s effort is fueled by volunteer energy and grassroots determination. She told Fighting4Freeport:
“The American people, Illinoisians, and local Republicans are tired of the corruption—and they will decide the outcome of this election, not big donors and special interests.”
While McCombie’s donor list reads like a who’s who of big-business lobbyists and corporate players, Onorato’s stands empty — not from neglect, but from purpose. Her campaign is built on restoring trust in public service, one voter at a time.
A Race That Defines the Party’s Future
As the March 17th Republican Primary approaches, the contrast between McCombie and Onorato couldn’t be clearer. One represents the well-funded establishment that has ruled Springfield for decades. The other represents a return to common-sense, community-driven Republican values.
For voters in northwestern Illinois, this race isn’t just about a seat in Springfield. It’s about reclaiming integrity in government — and sending a message that the people’s voice is worth more than any PAC check.
Those who believe in that mission can learn more or support Victoria Onorato by visiting OnoratoRepDist89.com.
Because in Illinois, sunlight is still the best disinfectant — and Fighting4Freeport will continue to shine it wherever the money leads.
