Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Halfway through Illinois lawmakers’ lame duck session, House Republicans have compiled a list of grievances against the supermajority Democrats.

While some members and support staffers got to Springfield Saturday and typically stay within walking distance of the Capitol, others do not. And House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (pictured, left) (R-Savanna) said Sunday the snowstorm in Springfield put them in jeopardy – for little benefit.

McCombie said there are not the right people in place anyway to nail down some of the higher-profile legislation which could be finished before the new General Assembly is inaugurated Wednesday. “Concerning the delta-8 bill, or whether it’s a gaming bill, or whether it’s an energy bill, lame duck (session) is not the time to push through initiatives without having everybody at the table.”

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said it’s not a requirement to have a lame duck session to begin with. “The main purpose is in case of emergency; if something comes up which needs to be done,” said Davidsmeyer. “Lame duck and veto session have become a time where we skip around the normal procedure” of running legislation through committees and reading bills three times on three days in each chamber.

McCombie also took a shot at House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), who is beginning the New Year by replacing four top staffers. Chief of staff Tiffany Moy is departing in favor of Clayton Harris III, runner-up in the Cook County state’s attorney election two months ago. After that news broke, three others – counsel Kendra Piercy, legislative director Kylie Kelly, and press secretary Jaclyn Driscoll – gave their two weeks’ notice.

“I mean it just goes to show the arrogance of the speaker,” said McCombie, “that, ‘hey, you know what? I’m the king, and I’m gonna get rid of a bunch of women.’”

McCombie, Davidsmeyer, and another representative at an impromptu post-session news conference Sunday, Ryan Spain (R-Peoria), said the House will run even less efficiently without the foursome’s knowledge, skills, and institutional memory.

Welch spokesman Jon Maxson responded:

“Speaker Welch has tremendous appreciation for the work of all staff. He has expressed that appreciation to Tiffany, Kylie, Kendra, and Jaclyn in person—rather than holding a press conference to make natural staff transitions into a political issue.

“House Democrats are aware of Leader McCombie’s desire to not do the work people sent us to do. We choose to continue our work advancing legislation to better serve youth in care, make our roadways safer, and protect the workplace rights of our first responders.”