February 7 marks the official bill filing deadline for both the Illinois House and Senate. As of now, the Senate has filed over 2,000 bills, while the House has surpassed 3,300, signaling a busy and ambitious legislative session ahead.
One of the more notable proposals this year is the “United We Move Illinois” bill (SB 1938/HB 2963), introduced by the Labor Alliance for Public Transit (LAPT) and sponsored by Senator Ram Villivalam and Assistant House Majority Leader Marcus Evans. The bill aims to address the looming Transit Fiscal Cliff, with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace facing a projected $750 million budget shortfall by 2026. If passed, the measure would focus on improving transit safety, efficiency, and financial stability while preventing service cuts, job losses, and the deterioration of vital infrastructure. Supporters argue that without action, millions of Illinois residents who rely on public transportation could face major disruptions.
In other developments this week, the Trump administration took legal action against Illinois, Cook County, and the city of Chicago over their sanctuary policies. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is challenging laws like the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, arguing they prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. According to the DOJ, these policies obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. Attorney General Pam Bondi has made it clear that this lawsuit is just the start, with the administration planning to target other sanctuary jurisdictions as well.
Another major issue gaining attention this week is Illinois’ “trigger” law for Medicaid expansion. The law, enacted in 2013, stipulates that if federal reimbursement for Medicaid falls below 90 percent, Illinois would have to withdraw from the expansion program. With congressional threats to reduce Medicaid funding, lawmakers are bracing for potential challenges. If federal contributions were to decline, Illinois would face a severe financial strain, as the state would be forced to cover a significantly larger portion of the Medicaid expansion costs. This issue is growing in urgency as legislators prepare for the possibility of losing a critical funding source, putting access to healthcare for many vulnerable Illinoisans at risk.
Looking ahead, the Illinois General Assembly will hear Governor Pritzker deliver the State of the State and Budget address on February 19. This speech will provide key insights into his administration’s legislative and fiscal priorities for the year, including potential proposals to address the state’s ongoing budget challenges, economic development initiatives, and pressing policy concerns. Meanwhile, legislative committees will be gearing up for a busy few weeks leading up to the March 21 committee deadline. This period will be critical as lawmakers work to refine bills, negotiate amendments, and build support for key proposals before they can move forward in the legislative process.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
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
RTA pitches $1.5B restructuring proposal after Illinois lawmaker files public transit reform bill – The Daily Line, February 7, 2025
Days after an Illinois lawmaker filed a bill that would combine the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace mass transit systems into one under a newly formed Metropolitan Mobility Authority, current Regional Transit Authority officials announced a proposed $1.5 billion plan to create more synergy with Illinois’s existing three public transit systems while still keeping those systems siloed.
Bill proposed to end student ticketing for minor misbehavior – The Daily Line, February 7, 2025
The legislation stems from a 2022 investigation conducted by ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune which found that Illinois police ticket thousands of students each year for behavior once handled by internal school discipline.
Illinois braces for impact of new and potential tariffs: ‘Who will feel the consequences? Everyday Americans.’ – Chicago Tribune, February 7, 2025
IL House Dems approve resolution condemning Trump for Jan. 6 pardons, GOP walk out – WAND, February 6, 2025
Illinois House Democrats approved a resolution Wednesday condemning President Donald Trump for pardoning people convicted of crimes tied to the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. House Republicans had the opportunity to vote alongside their colleagues, but they left the floor in protest.
Illinois locked in legal battles with Trump administration over immigration policy – Capitol News Illinois, February 6, 2025
Illinois participated in one court battle with the Trump administration Thursday when a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of an executive order that sought to end “birthright citizenship” under the U.S. Constitution.
Pritzker warns federal workers in Illinois against Musk buyout – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 5, 2025
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is warning federal employees in his state about risks related to the buyouts President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk are offering to shrink the US government’s workforce.
Illinois lawmakers advance measure to untangle student test scores from teacher evaluations – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 5, 2025
Senate Bill 28, if approved, would roll back changes made 15 years ago that were aimed at improving teacher evaluation systems amid a push by the federal government under the Obama administration to link teacher quality to students’ success in the classroom.
Pritzker signs KIND Act into law – The Daily Line, February 6, 2025
Grandparents and other relative caregivers can now receive full financial support from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Illinois.
2nd bill in Springfield aims to get rid of single-family zoning – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 5, 2025
Replacing houses with multi-flat buildings would be allowed on the great majority of residential lots in Illinois under legislation introduced last week in Springfield.
Raoul announces Illinois will continue to protect gender-affirming care, announces settlement with National Women’s Soccer League over player harassment – The Daily Line, February 6, 2025
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 13 state attorneys general are doubling down on their commitment to protect access to gender-affirming care, following an executive order to restrict care signed by President Donald Trump.
Jury concludes sixth day of deliberations in Madigan corruption trial without verdict – Chicago Tribune, February 5, 2025
Jurors in the trial of Michael Madigan left the courthouse Wednesday, their sixth day of deliberations, without having reached a verdict – and without having sent any notes or asked any questions.
Jim Dey | Slow revenue growth complicates Pritzker’s budget plans – The News Gazette, February 5, 2025
Protestors gather outside Illinois Capitol, call for Trump’s impeachment – Capitol News Illinois, February 5, 2025
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday to protest President Donald Trump’s administration and Elon Musk.
Pritzker says gutting Department of Education would devastate K-12 schools – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 5, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker says the Trump administration’s widely reported plans to slash funding and staff at the Department of Education, or eliminate it altogether, could cost the state’s schools billions.
Illinois Republicans call for hearing on immigration, repeal of TRUST Act – The Daily Line, February 5, 2025
The TRUST Act was signed into law by former Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2017. It prohibits local law enforcement from detaining, searching or arresting a person based solely on their immigration status.
New study finds Illinois retail generates $112 billion in economic investment annually – WAND, February 4, 2025
A new study conducted by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center shows Illinois retailers generate $112 billion in economic investment annually.
Illinois House Republicans demand Pritzker cut migrant services – WAND, February 4, 2025
Illinois House Republicans want to cut migrant services as a way to handle the budget deficit facing Illinois.
Pritzker goes from saying state should ‘not resort to tax increases’ to balance the budget last week, to taxes ‘should not be the first, but rather the last’ resort today – Capitol Fax, February 4, 2025
COGFA: Base state revenues up 2.8 percent over last fiscal year, but lots of weakness in corporate and sales taxes – Capitol Fax, February 4, 2025
Dolton activists march miles to Pritzker’s home, calling on gov to ‘act’ on embattled Mayor Tiffany Henyard – NBC 5 Chicago, February 4, 2025
The activists began their journey from Dolton to the Gold Coast following Monday’s village board meeting, after trustees learned that the life insurance policy for all village employees was canceled for nonpayment
Federal transit money for Chicago, state of Illinois could be jeopardized via Trump administration directive – Chicago Sun-Times, February 4, 2025
The order, issued in a U.S. Department of Transportation memo late last week, calls on the department to “give preference to communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average.”
Madigan jurors end fifth day of deliberations with no verdict – Chicago Tribune, February 4, 2025
Jurors in the Michael Madigan trial closed out their fifth day of deliberations Tuesday afternoon without reaching a verdict.
Abortion funding in ‘dire’ situation more than two years after Dobbs decision – The Daily Line, February 4, 2025
Abortion foundations and providers saw an uptick in donations after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. More than two years later, financial support has decreased, creating a “dire” situation for abortion funds.
Hoping to ‘Trump proof’ students’ rights, Illinois lawmakers aim to end police ticketing at school – Chicago Tribune, February 4, 2025
Citing an urgency to protect students’ civil rights in a second Trump administration, Illinois lawmakers filed a new bill Monday that would explicitly prevent school police from ticketing and fining students for misbehavior.
Trump tariffs could impact hundreds of billions of dollars of trade in Illinois – Capitol News Illinois, February 3, 2025
President Donald Trump’s plan to implement tariffs on key United States trading partners could affect more than $100 billion worth of goods imported to Illinois from Canada, Mexico and China.
Illinois lawmaker defends rescinded funding freeze; transparency provision remains – The Center Square, February 4, 2025
While the White House rescinded its federal funding freeze, an Illinois lawmaker is echoing the comments president Donald Trump made about the order. Trump said the freeze didn’t affect Social Security and Medicaid. Rather, his administration was looking at parts of the “big bureaucracy” where there has been waste and abuse.
Jury ends deliberations Monday in Madigan case without reaching a verdict – Chicago Tribune, February 4, 2025
Jurors in the Michael Madigan trial left the courthouse late Monday afternoon without reaching a verdict, bringing their total deliberation time to more than 21 hours since last week. They are expected to resume discussions Tuesday morning.
Trump’s federal defunding efforts go beyond Bruce Rauner’s strategy – Chicago Sun-Times, January 31, 2025
Rauner thought he could use massive funding cuts to force Democrats to break their ties with labor unions. The Trump administration offered no such “grand bargain.”
Judge blocks retailers from joining credit card fee fight between Illinois and banks – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 31, 2025
A federal judge denied retailers their bid to join Illinois as defendants in a lawsuit brought by bankers attempting to block a law limiting the amount of fees collected in credit card transactions.
Madigan jury ends third day of deliberations without verdict – Chicago Tribune, January 31, 2025
The Michael Madigan jury has ended its third day of deliberations without a verdict in Illinois’ highest-stakes public corruption trial in years.
Dolton, Thornton Township leaders call on Pritzker and others to remove Tiffany Henyard – FOX 32 Chicago, January 31, 2025
Local leaders and residents from Dolton and Thornton Township are urging Illinois officials to take immediate action to remove Tiffany Henyard from her roles as mayor and supervisor.
Gov. JB Pritzker bans convicted Jan. 6 participants from consideration for state jobs, in memo – CBS News, January 31, 2025
Governor JB Pritzker is calling on the Department of Central Management Services to reject those pardoned by President Trump for their involvement in the Jan. 6 attacks at the U.S. Capitol for consideration for state jobs.
Illinois GOP lawsuit over House map the latest salvo in long-running battle against gerrymandering – Daily Herald, January 31, 2025
A lawsuit filed this week with the Illinois Supreme Court aims to do what years of reform pleas, a previous lawsuit and a proposed referendum that never made it to the ballot have all failed to accomplish: create a House legislative map that is not “rigged” to favor Democrats.
33 Illinois counties explore formation of a new state. Here’s what could happen – The State Journal-Register, January 31, 2025
Two Springfield-area counties have passed referendums voicing a preference to explore the possibility of forming a separate Illinois by distancing themselves from Cook County.
Illinois vs. Indiana: How the two states stack up amid border rhetoric – Peoria Journal Star, February 3, 2025
Was it a “serious proposal” or a political “stunt” when a Republican legislator in Indiana proposed a bill that would allow counties in Illinois to secede from the Land of Lincoln and join The Hoosier State?
Applications open for 26th Senate District seat – Daily Herald, January 31, 2025
Suburban Republican Party leaders are accepting applications for the soon-to-be-vacant 26th Senate District seat.
What will happen to McConchie’s campaign cash after he leaves office? – Daily Herald, February 1, 2025
When Republican state Sen. Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods leaves office Sunday, he’ll have a campaign war chest that as of December contained nearly $98,000 — but he can’t take it with him.
Gov. JB Pritzker says “working families will pay the price” for President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China – CBS News, February 1, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker on Saturday said “working families will pay the price” of new tariffs President Trump has ordered on imports from the country’s three biggest trading partners – Canada, Mexico, and China.
Trump tariffs on Canada and Mexico could hit Illinois hard – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 31, 2025
President Donald Trump unleashed the first salvo of his tariff war, with general levies of 25% on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China — the start of a wave of promised trade barrages against foreign allies and adversaries alike.
Your bakery order is about to become more expensive – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 3, 2025
Some bakeries in and around Chicago are readying to raise prices as one of their most frequently used ingredients becomes increasingly expensive and hard to find.
Black West Side Leaders Blast Trump’s Move To Restrict Diversity, Inclusion Policies: ‘We Are Not Going Back’ – Chicago Block Club, January 31, 2025
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and other officials spoke out against President Donald Trump’s crackdown on DEI policies and his bid to freeze federal funding, saying they’re prepared to “fight tooth and nail.”
State’s attorney took $50,000 campaign contribution from studio head turned mole who helped convict crooked Teamsters boss – Chicago Sun-Times, January 31, 2025
Former Cinespace Chicago Film Studios executive Alexander S. “Alex” Pissios worked undercover for federal authorities after they threatened to charge him with bankruptcy fraud. Recently, he gave a $50,000 campaign contribution to Cook County’s new state’s attorney, Eileen O’Neill Burke
David Greising: Conflict between Donald Trump and Illinois will test state’s rights vs. federal power – Chicago Tribune, January 31, 2025
President Donald Trump has leaped into office relishing his role as disruptor-in-chief, and much of that disruption is aimed at Chicago and Illinois.
Heading into budget season, Gov. JB Pritzker faces major challenge to show ‘Illinois can govern itself’ – Chicago Tribune, February 3, 2025
With Gov. JB Pritzker still weighing whether to seek a third term, the firmer foundation he’s laid for Illinois’ historically shaky finances faces a major stress test from ballooning deficit projections, increased spending pressures and uncertainty over federal assistance with President Donald Trump back in the White House.
A second judge pauses Trump’s federal funding freeze, siding with Raoul and other attorneys general – Chicago Sun-Times, February 2, 2025
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, joined by 21 other states and the District of Columbia, filed a lawsuit last week against President Donald Trump after he ordered a freeze on federal grants, loans and other funding assistance. The directive sparked widespread concern and confusion in Illinois and across the country.
How our state stacks up: New report shows how Illinois compares to others on taxes, spending, other metrics – Daily Herald, February 1, 2025
A new report from the state legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows how Illinois stacks up against the other 49 states in terms of taxes, spending, employment and other key financial metrics.
Rep. Buckner on the transit fiscal cliff: “We need the right mix of revenue and reform to make the system work the way it’s supposed to.” – Streetsblog Chicago, January 31, 2025
Finance committee to hold annual hearing on municipal depository designations – The Daily Line, February 7, 2025
The City Council Committee on Finance on Friday will hold an annual hearing on municipal depositories before proposed designations are to be considered next week by the committee. The finance committee will meet at 11 a.m. in council chambers.
Ban those involved in Jan. 6 rioting from Chicago government jobs, City Council veterans say – Chicago Tribune, February 6, 2025
A group of Chicago aldermen want to ban people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol — including the ones recently pardoned by President Donald Trump — from working for the city.
Justice Department sues Illinois, Chicago and Cook County over sanctuary status – Chicago Sun Times, February 6, 2025
The federal lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, claims sanctuary policies in Illinois that keep local authorities from cooperating with the deportation effort are “exacerbating” a crisis at the U.S. Southern border.
Committee holds contentious hearing on controversial Cultural Center artwork, vetting process – The Daily Line, February 6, 2025
The City Council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation on Tuesday held a contentious hearing about a controversial art piece on display at the Chicago Cultural Center that more than half of the council have deemed antisemitic.
Mayor expresses openness to retrying Bring Chicago Home measure – The Daily Line, February 6, 2025
Earlier this week Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his support for trying again to convince voters to approve raising taxes on high-value property sales to create a revenue stream to combat homelessness.
Mayor Brandon Johnson accepts GOP congressman’s invitation to testify on sanctuary city protections – Chicago Tribune, February 5, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson will testify before Congress next month in a Republican-led hearing on sanctuary cities, his office confirmed Wednesday.
Trump’s immigration arrests in Chicago raise questions about 4th Amendment violations – Chicago Sun Times, February 5, 2025
President Donald Trump has said his administration is targeting dangerous criminals, but attorneys working with those detained in Chicago say many do not have criminal records. Attorneys say many arrests appear to flagrantly violate protections against unreasonable search and seizure.
Johnson continues push for Bears lakefront stadium – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 4, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to advocate for a new Chicago Bears lakefront stadium, urging state legislators to get on board with a plan that calls for $2.4 billion in public subsidies.
City asks judge to reconsider ruling on how TIF dollars are awarded – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 4, 2025
Arguing it could grind government to a halt, city attorneys are asking a Cook County judge to reconsider a ruling that Chicago’s process to award economic development funding broke public meeting requirements.
Mayor’s office plans to post gift logs, video of ‘gift room’ publicly – The Daily Line, February 5, 2025
The mayor’s office as soon as next week plans to publish a log of gifts it has accepted on behalf of the city and post a video tour of the room in which the gifted city inventory is stored.
Chicago police commander violated rules in raid on unlicensed strip joint, report says – Chicago Sun-Times, February 4, 2025
Calumet District Cmdr. Tyrone Pendarvis resigned after the 2023 raids on an unlicensed Far South Side strip club and another building. A sergeant faces a 30-day suspension. Investigators praised the cop who blew the whistle on the raids.
Alderman told to leave City Council meeting after he appeared to call colleague a white supremacist – Chicago Tribune, February 4, 2025
A City Council debate over whether a controversial pro-Gaza puppet display at the Chicago Cultural Center is antisemitic or a fair expression of free speech descended into disorder Tuesday, with an aldermanic ally of Mayor Brandon Johnson being told to leave the council chambers after he appeared to call another alderman a “white supremacist.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign pledge to ban no-knock warrants uncertain amid renewed talks on Anjanette Young ordinance – Chicago Tribune, February 4, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson indicated Tuesday he is moving ahead with a stalled ordinance to overhaul guidelines on Chicago police raids but hedged on whether his latest plan would preserve a key ban on no-knock warrants that he campaigned for two years ago.
Chicago Brewers Fear Trump Tariffs Will Hit Canadian Suppliers: ‘I Can’t See Any Good For Us’ – Block Club Chicago, February 4, 2025
While President Donald Trump has agreed to a 30-day pause on tariffs on Canadian imports, local craft breweries struggling to stay afloat are left in “wait and see” mode.
Lawsuit claiming Cook County tax sales violate property rights seeks class-action status – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 4, 2025
Attorneys are ratcheting up their attack on Cook County’s tax sale system, which is in a precarious spot as several states have changed their laws on tax sales in the wake of a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Plans for Old Town tower shrink to gain alderman’s support – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 4, 2025
A developer’s proposal for an apartment tower in Old Town is shrinking by more than 100 units after an alderman rejected a larger-scale proposal.
Circuit breaker legislation expected to be filed in Springfield this week, Kaegi says – The Daily Line, February 4, 2025
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi said state legislation to provide property tax bill relief to the most burdened homeowners is coming.
Council culture and events committee to hold hearing on Cultural Center artwork that most alderpeople called ‘antisemitic’ – The Daily Line, February 4, 2025
The City Council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation on Tuesday will hold two subject matter hearings, including one about a controversial piece of artwork that more than half of alderpeople have deemed offensive.
Business affairs, health departments discuss potential to regulate hemp businesses at committee hearing – The Daily Line, February 4, 2025
Alderpeople heard from experts about how the city might regulate the sale of intoxicating hemp products during a joint hearing of the City Council Finance Subcommittee on Revenue and Committee on Health and Human Relations on Thursday.
Trump’s impending tariffs on Chinese goods create uncertainty, higher costs for Chicago businesses – Chicago Sun Times, February 4, 2025
The 10% tax on Chinese imports has Chicago businesses bracing for higher costs and other rippling effects on their operations, including getting caught in an escalating trade war.
Businesses across Chicago area close, some CPS students stay home for ‘a day without immigrants’ – Chicago Sun Times, February 3, 2025
The national movement encouraged participants to skip work, school and refrain from shopping for one day. The initiative spread across social media in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Council culture and events committee to hold hearing on Cultural Center artwork that most alderpeople called ‘antisemitic’ – The Daily Line, February 3, 2025
The City Council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation on Tuesday will hold two subject matter hearings, including one about a controversial piece of artwork that more than half of alderpeople have deemed offensive.
What will Mayor Brandon Johnson’s playbook be against ‘raggedy’ Trump White House? – Chicago Tribune, February 2, 2025
The question before Brandon Johnson is, how does the freshman mayor come out on top against a reality TV-bred GOP president made famous for breaking the rules?
‘They will not break us’: Chicago becomes an epicenter of resistance amid Trump’s immigration crackdown – Chicago Tribune, February 3, 2025
A brief recording appeared to show a half-dozen federal agents, one with the acronym for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement emblazoned on his back, walking past a street of brick bungalows in a western suburb of Chicago.
When Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Came to Chicago – Politico, February 1, 2025
The city’s version of a Latin American open air market might very well be a mall in a predominantly Mexican American neighborhood here.
