Legislator luncheon with Leader Tony McCombie, Rep. Joe Sosnowski and Rep. Nicole La Ha (for IVCA Investor members only)

 At the core of IVCA’s mission is our commitment to advocating for Illinois’ venture capital and private equity community. On July 15, IVCA Executive Director Christie Pruyn and IVCA-PAC Legislative Liaison Dave Stricklin will meet with:

Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:15 PM | Gibsons Italia, 233 N Canal, Chicago

• Leader Tony McCombie
• Rep. Joe Sosnowski
• Rep. Nicole La Ha

These meetings are part of the ongoing work of the IVCA-PAC), which builds relationships with policymakers, educates them on the importance of private capital in Illinois’ economy, and advocates for a policy environment that supports innovation and investment.

Together, we’re working to ensure that Illinois remains a strong and competitive home for private equity and venture capital.

Interested in attending?
This opportunity is open to IVCA Investor Members only. Please contact Kathy Pyne at kpyne@illinoisvc.org to RSVP.

Biographies:

Illinois State Representative Tony McCombie (R)

House Minority Leader

District: Leader McCombie has represented the 89th district since 2017. The district consists of all or parts of Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago counties in northwestern Illinois. McCombie represented the 71st district prior to the 2021 decennial redistricting.

Early Life and Education: A proud Savanna, IL native, Tony McCombie earned a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University, focusing on Business and Sociology. Before heading to Springfield, McCombie served as an Alderperson and later as the Mayor of Savanna, Illinois.  She made history in 2023 as the first woman elected House Minority Leader in Illinois. McCombie resides in Savanna, Illinois, with her husband, Curt, whom she married in 2006.  Outside of her role in the Illinois House, McCombie owns and operates Blue Appraisals and is self-employed as a realtor with Mel Foster Company.

Committee assignments: McCombie has served on the Executive committee, the Judiciary- Criminal committee, Restorative Justice committee, and the Public Safety & Violence Prevention Task Force.

Illinois State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R)

69th District

District: Rep Sosnowski has represented the 69th IL house district since 2010. It includes the municipalities of Belvidere, Caledonia, Capron, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, South Beloit, Timberlane.

Early Life and Education: Joe Sosnowski was born in Hanover Park, IL. He graduated from West Chicago High School and earned his B.A., in English from Northern Illinois University. He is the former Director of Institutional Advancement for the Rockford Christian Schools, an Illinois licensed real estate salesperson, former alderman in DeKalb; former alderman in Rockford and recipient of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 Award. Joe Sosnowski is married to Roxanne and they have two sons, Aidan and Roman, and a daughter, Ellie.

Committee Assignments: Int Relations, Tourism, & Trade (Republican Spokesperson); Revenue & Finance (Republican Spokesperson); Cities & Villages; Mental Health & Addiction; Trans: Regulation, Roads & Bridges; Elem Sec Ed: Adm., Lic. & Charter; Tax Credit and Incentives; Property Tax Subcommittee; Sales Tax Subcommittee; Income Tax Subcommittee; Finance Subcommittee; Tax Policy: Other Taxes Subcommittee; Tax Policy: Sales Tax Subcommittee; Tax Policy: Income Tax Subcommittee; Tax Policy: Finance Subcommittee.

Illinois State Representative Nicole LaHa (R)

82nd District

District: Nicole LaHa has represented the 82nd District since December 2023. The district includes Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, Willow Springs, Darien, Western Springs, Homer Glen, Lemont, and portions of Countryside, Downers Grove, Hickory Hills, Hinsdale, Indian Head Park, LaGrange, Justice, Orland Park, Palos Park, and Woodridge.

Early life and Education: La Ha grew up in the 82nd district and earned her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2004. Later, she pursued a degree in Science and Health with a Dental Hygiene accreditation from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry and Kennedy-King College. A former Mrs. America beauty contest winner, Nicole La Ha began her career as a public servant by serving as a Homer Glen village trustee. She served as the Illinois Senate Press Secretary for the 102nd General Assembly and remained on Senate staff until December 2023. Nicole was also named to the prestigious 2024 Edgar Fellows class and was recognized by the National Foundation for Women Legislators with the “2024 Elected Women of Excellence Award,” reflecting her leadership and impact within her community. La Ha is a licensed dental hygienist and author of a children’s book about inclusion entitled My Sister is Just Like You and Me. She resides in Homer Glen with husband and two children.

Committee Assignments: She is a current member of the following legislative committees: Child Care Access & Early Childhood; Elementary Secondary Ed: Admin, License & Charter; Health Care Availability & Access; Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertain; Police & Fire Committee; and Adoption & Child Welfare