104th General Assembly Inauguration and Preview
The 104th General Assembly inauguration occurred on January 8. The Senate welcomed 3 new members (1 Democrats and 2 Republicans), while the House saw 7 new members (5 Democrats and 2 Republicans) inaugurated. The partisan makeup of the House and Senate will remain identical to the outgoing 103rd General Assembly. Democrats will maintain supermajorities in both chambers with a 40 to 19 split in the Senate and a 78 to 40 split in the House. Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Chris Welch, Senate Republican Leader John Curran and House Republican Leader Tony McCombie will all hold their leadership positions in the new General Assembly.
Nearly 1,200 bills were pre-filed in the House, and additional bills will be filed in the coming weeks. 2025 session deadlines are approaching quickly with the LRB request deadline coming up on January 24 and the bill introduction deadline on February 7. Gov. Pritzker is scheduled to give his annual state of the state and budget address on February 19. The General Assembly will work to pass a budget before their scheduled adjournment date of May 31. The 2025 General Assembly session will be influenced by upcoming decisions to run for another term from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Sen. Dick Durbin. If Pritzker or Durbin decide not to run for reelection, Illinois state politics will see a major shakeup as other elected leaders look to replace them.
103rd General Assembly Lame Duck Session Recap
Both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives adjourned the 103rd General Assembly session sine die on Tuesday, January 7, concluding a four-day lame duck session. Key legislation from the 103rd General Assembly lame duck session includes a skinny energy omnibus, the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, and the Safe Public Drinking Water Act. Notably, legislation to regulate intoxicating hemp products, which passed the Senate back in May 2024 and was supported by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, did not receive consideration in the House. See attached for additional details on key lame duck session legislation.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
January 24 – LRB Request Deadline
February 7 – Bill Introduction Deadline
February 19 – Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address
March 21 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline
April 11 – Initial Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 9 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment
In the News
House Republicans ask for changes to House rules – The Daily Line, January 10, 2025
The House Republican Caucus is asking for a change to House rules for debates, audio recordings and the time given to review budget bills.
Illinois joins Justice Department lawsuit against RealPage and big landlords – Chicago Sun Times, January 9, 2025
The real estate companies kept rents high with RealPage’s software and by sharing information, the antitrust complaint says.
State slow to overhaul downstate mental health facility plagued by abuse, watchdog finds – Chicago Sun Times, January 9, 2025
Midway through Gov. JB Pritzker’s three-year plan to relocate 123 residents from the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, the state faces “significant barriers” to fixing a troubled system, according to a independent monitor.
Illinois small businesses brace for potential TikTok ban – Chicago Sun Times, January 9, 2025
A looming TikTok ban that might go into effect on Jan. 19 could affect the millions of small businesses that use the short-video social media app to help them grow.
Welch, Harmon reelected as leaders as 104th Illinois General Assembly sworn into office – The Daily Line, January 9, 2025
Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Chicago) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) were each re-elected to their posts on the first day of the 104th General Assembly Wednesday. The Illinois House of Representatives took the oath of office at the University of Illinois Springfield.
New General Assembly sworn in as House, Senate take different tones – Capitol News Illinois, January 8, 2025
Lawmakers face potential budget shortfall as new legislative term begins.
‘How might we react to that:’ Pritzker says administration is preparing for possible Trump policy changes – The Daily Line, January 9, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s confident Illinois lawmakers will achieve a balanced budget but says there could be some complications from Washington.
Jim Dey | Illinois continues its downward economic spiral – The News-Gazette, January 9, 2025
Illinois’ economic picture continues to disappoint, particularly as compared to neighboring states. A new report released by state analysts reaffirms that reality by noting that all but one of the state’s 12 metropolitan areas — Kankakee — trails the national economic growth average.
Former Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan testifies about “quid pro quo” call from former Ald. Danny Solis – CBS News, January 8, 2025
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was back on the witness stand on Wednesday, for a second day of questioning in his federal corruption trial.
Lawmakers advance ‘Karina’s bill’ to remove guns from domestic violence situations – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 7, 2025
It’s been 18 months since Karina Gonzalez and her 15-year-old daughter Daniela were shot and killed on Fourth of July weekend at their Chicago home, allegedly by her husband. Gonzalez had filed for an order of protection from her husband just two weeks before her death. That order caused his Firearm Owner’s Identification card to be revoked, but law enforcement never removed the gun he owned from his possession.
Mike Madigan tells of father’s alcoholism, Lisa’s pain from her biological father — and a ‘toxic’ political relationship – Chicago Sun-Times, January 7, 2025
Mike Madigan grew up with an alcoholic father, never heard the words “I love you” from either parent and later helped shield his adopted daughter Lisa Madigan from a biological father he said reduced her to tears.
Madigan takes witness stand, denying he traded ‘public office’ for ‘private gain’ – Capitol News Illinois, January 7, 2025
Over the last 2 ½ months, the jury in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial has heard the longtime Democratic leader’s voice dozens of times on wiretapped phone calls and in secretly recorded video footage.
Capitol Connection: Lawmakers have short priority list for Lame Duck Session – WCIA, January 6, 2025
Lawmakers are back in Springfield for a short lame duck session before the new General Assembly is sworn in on Wednesday. Lame duck sessions are typically reserved for last-minute pushes for big pieces of legislation that didn’t make it to the finish line in the Spring, but it is possible for new ideas to take shape and pass quickly.
House Republicans propose legislation to allow for recall of local and state officials – The Daily Line, January 7, 2025
Republican lawmakers are making a push to pass a statewide recall amendment. Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-St. Charles) has filed two pieces of legislation that aim to give voters the ability to recall local and state elected officials. House Bill 5924 would allow for any local government official elected during a general or consolidated election to be recalled.
Jim Dey | Revenues lagging as Pritzker, legislators contemplate state budget – The News-Gazette, January 7, 2025
Illinois’ tax revenues for the first six months of the 2024-25 fiscal year grew at a glacial pace compared with the same period last fiscal year, an event that signals trouble for officials preparing the new state budget.
Illinois May Make It Easier for Migrants to Change Their Name – Newsweek, January 6, 2025
On Monday, Illinois looked poised to make it easier for immigrants to change their name without fearing that their personal information could be used against them. A bill passed by the state Senate scraps the need for those seeking a name change to have to announce the move in a local newspaper, which was affecting privacy and safety, the bill’s sponsor said.
House could give guv “Karina’s Bill” – Capitol City Now, January 7, 2025
As the 103rd Illinois General Assembly enters its final full day, lawmakers just may pass “Karina’s Bill.” This might have given a judge a chance to disarm Karina Gonzalez’ husband, accused of killing his wife and daughter in Chicago’s Little Village in 2023.
Illinois lawmakers send nursing home resident whistleblower protection bill to Pritzker – WAND, January 6, 2025
The Illinois Senate passed a plan Sunday night to protect nursing home residents from retaliation if they report abuse or neglect. This legislation could allow residents to file civil lawsuits against nursing homes if they are threatened or face retaliation for reporting actions that occur within the facility. Residents would have up to two years to file lawsuits against the facility, licensee or employees if they faced retaliation.
Madigan defense team kicks off New Year with new narratives for jurors as corruption trial gets back underway – Chicago Sun-Times, January 6, 2025
More than two months and most of the fall and winter holidays have passed since longtime Michael J. Madigan aide Will Cousineau told jurors in October that the then-Illinois House speaker sent him to round up votes for a bill crucial to ComEd’s bottom line amid an alleged bribery scheme.
Legislature approves bill to prioritize family members in foster care – Capitol News Illinois, January 6, 2025
A bill soon heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk would direct foster care officials in Illinois to prioritize placing children with relatives. The House voted unanimously on Monday to pass the Kindship in Demand Act, or KIND Act. House Bill 4781 puts an obligation on the Department of Children and Family Services to use a “kin-first approach” when placing children in foster care settings. Lawmakers and advocates said it’s better for children to be placed with a family member or another person close to the child when possible.
Zoning committee approves rezoning of property owned by former Bear, new land use rules for Elston Corridor planned manufacturing district – The Daily Line, January 10, 2025
The City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards on Thursday approved new land use allowances for the Elston Corridor, a rezoning for a Motor Row District property owned by a former Chicago Bears player that is planned to become a mixed-use development. The committee also approved multiple other zone change and variation requests to accommodate new developments.
Elgin police, social service workers reach out to homeless tent city residents before move – Chicago Tribune, January 9, 2025
Elgin police officers and social service staff walked through the eight-acre homeless encampment along the Fox River this week, letting the people who live there know about the city’s plans to relocate them to a hotel this winter and assessing their needs.
Notorious Chicago cops tied to nearly $34 million more in proposed settlements – Chicago Sun Times, January 9, 2025
Jon Burge, Ronald Watts and Reynaldo Guevara — former police officials implicated in scores of wrongful conviction cases — continue to haunt Chicago taxpayers.
2 Alds Want To Change Sanctuary City Rules Ahead Of Trump Term, Allowing Cops To Work With ICE – Block Club Chicago, January 9, 2025
Alds. Raymond Lopez and Silvana Tabares want to see certain crimes exempt from the city’s Welcoming City ordinance, which prevents Chicago police from cooperating with federal agents when they arrest an undocumented person.
Johnson running out of time for course correction with Pritzker, City Council – Chicago Sun Times, January 8, 2025
An already contentious relationship still can be salvaged if a mayor and governor who need each other to solve their respective budget troubles start communicating frequently and privately, instead of taking public shots at one another.
Zoning committee to consider changes to zoning administrator’s powers over special use permits, rezoning of property owned by former Bear – The Daily Line, January 9, 2025
The City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards will meet Thursday and consider proposed changes to the powers of the city zoning administrator, new land use allowances for the Elston Corridor and multiple zone change and variation requests to accommodate new developments. The zoning committee will meet at 10 a.m. in council chambers.
Board of Ethics said it did not give Mayor Brandon Johnson an opinion about CPS leave – Chicago Tribune, January 8, 2025
Despite City Hall’s claims, the Chicago Board of Ethics said it did not provide Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration with an opinion about whether he should resign from Chicago Public Schools to avoid a conflict of interest.
Lightfoot Campaign Emails to CPS Teachers Raised ‘Significant Constitutional Issues,’ But Watchdog Finds No Coordination With District – WTTW, January 8, 2025
Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection campaign had already been warned twice about sending electioneering emails to public employees before the incumbent drew widespread criticism in January 2023 when her campaign sent emails to Chicago Public Schools teachers asking them to encourage students to volunteer to help Lightfoot win a second term, a watchdog investigation found.
Johnson pressured to cooperate with Trump’s mass deportations – Chicago Sun Times, January 8, 2025
Ald. Ray Lopez and Ald. Silvana Tabares hope to revive exceptions to Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance. Chicago police would be allowed to work with feds when encountering people arrested and accused of crimes related to gangs, drugs, prostitution — and loitering.
Housing committee to consider economic disclosure requirement changes, sales of vacant city lots for community space development – The Daily Line, January 6, 2025
The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate’s first meeting of the new year on Tuesday will include proposed changes to the requirements for economic disclosure documents from people seeking city action and the sale and purchase of land by the city. The committee is slated to meet at noon in the council chambers.
Johnson administration passes on state funding for publicly owned grocery store – Chicago Tribune, January 7, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration passed on applying for state funding for a city-owned grocery store, raising questions about the future of the bold proposal the mayor floated more than a year ago.
Johnson defends Springfield relationships, handling of CPS – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 7, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson defended his relationship with Gov. JB Pritzker today after the second-term governor bristled at the mayor’s role in blocking a bill regulating the hemp industry.
Chicago’s ‘other’ convention center isn’t languishing in McCormick’s shadow – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 8, 2025
McCormick is big, yes. But for those willing to widen their scope to the broader metro Chicago market, it must be recognized that another of the nation’s biggest meeting facilities, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, straddling O’Hare International Airport, lies just beyond the city’s borders.
Chicago ‘Should Explore’ Congestion Tax To Reduce Traffic, Mayor Says – Block Club Chicago, January 7, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson is backing away from his earlier support to possibly launch a city-run grocery store but is open to exploring the possibility of bringing New York-style congestion pricing to Downtown Chicago, he said Tuesday.
Chicago’s office market is still in recovery mode but showing promise for 2025 – WBEZ Chicago, January 6, 2025
Chicago’s office market is still recovering from the pandemic, but a recent report expects 2025 to be a more positive year for one of the city’s most crucial real estate sectors. Avison Young named Chicago one of its markets to watch in 2025, in a report released last month. The global commercial real estate firm tracks the use of office space in the U.S. through its “Office Busyness Index,” defining “busyness” as the “degree or intensity of activity within an office environment.”
Chicago leaders prepare for ‘TIF cliff’ as several city special taxing districts expire – Chicago Tribune, January 6, 2025
One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s signature projects is an ambitious plan to spend $1.25 billion over five years to build affordable housing, rehab or construct new commercial buildings and issue small business loans across Chicago. Helping fund the progressive program is a seemingly unremarkable fiscal detail: The money borrowed for the work will be paid back with property tax dollars being freed up across the city as controversial tax increment financing districts, or TIFs, begin to expire.
Johnson administration passes on state funding for publicly owned grocery store – Chicago Tribune, January 6, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration passed on applying for state funding for a city-owned grocery store, raising questions about the future of the bold proposal the mayor floated more than a year ago. Johnson first raised the idea of a publicly owned grocery store in September 2023. He framed the idea as a way to improve food access on the city’s South and West sides, where supermarket closures have left many residents with limited access to fresh groceries in their neighborhoods.
Police and fire committee to consider four Police Board appointments – The Daily Line, January 7, 2025
The City Council Committee on Police and Fire will vote on four appointments to the Chicago Police Board Wednesday. The committee will meet at 10 a.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The committee will consider the reappointment (A2024-0014222) of Steven Block to the police board. Block is an attorney at the law firm Holland and Knight LLP representing corporations and executives in federal criminal and regulatory investigative matters.
Chicago companies expect higher profits in 2025 but wary of local economy – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 7, 2025
Business owners in Chicago are more optimistic about their prospects in 2025 than national counterparts even though they showed less confidence in their local economy, according to a new survey. JPMorgan Chase’s annual survey of small and mid-sized business owners showed 71% of respondents in the Chicago market expected profits to rise in 2025. The survey showed 70% of Illinois respondents expected rising profits. Overall, 65% of business owners in the survey expected profits to rise this year.
CTA to lock in federal funding for Red Line extension before Trump takes office – Chicago Tribune, January 6, 2025
The CTA is set to formally lock in needed federal money for the extension of the Red Line before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, paving the way for the long-planned addition through Chicago’s Far South Side to move forward. A large, nearly $2 billion federal grant, key to moving the $5.3 billion project forward, had been promised to the CTA but the formal agreement not yet signed. That put the transit agency under pressure to finalize the agreement before the change in administration and a Republican-controlled Congress could potentially throw the commitment into jeopardy.
