After concluding a busy committee deadline week, the House briefly returned to business last week. While initially scheduled for a four-day week in Springfield, the House wrapped up after only two days. During that time, the House moved several bills from second to third reading, and a few committees met to hear amendments. With the April 11 third reading deadline fast approaching, lots of work remains.
While the Senate was not in session this week, it did hold a few critical subject matter hearings. On Tuesday, March 25, the Senate Executive Subcommittee on Gaming, Wagering, and Racing convened remotely to discuss several bills that could make their way into a broader gaming omnibus package at the end of session. Two competing fantasy sports bills were considered: SB 1224 (Collins), the Fantasy Sports Protection Act, and SB 2145 (Cunningham), the Sports Wager-Fantasy Contest bill. While both bills cover the topic of daily fantasy sports, each one has its own nuances when it comes to licensing requirements, consumer protections, and tax structures. This was likely just the beginning of what’s sure to be a larger, ongoing conversation.
Similarly, the Senate Executive Subcommittee on AI and Social Media held a robust virtual hearing on Wednesday, March 26, where thirteen bills were discussed bills focusing on the growing use of artificial intelligence across sectors such as education, healthcare, elections, and business. Similar to the gaming proposals, it is possible that these discussions are laying the groundwork for a broader AI package later this session. The subject matter hearing brought light to important, recurring themes including data privacy (particularly for children), the need for stronger safeguards around data use, and increased transparency in how AI tools collect and apply personal information.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
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
‘ComEd Four’ Now Set to be Sentenced in July, More Than 2 Years After Guilty Verdicts – WTTW, March 27, 2025.
Four former Commonwealth Edison officials convicted of conspiring to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are now expected to be sentenced this summer — a decision defense attorneys slammed as “reckless” while the case remains under review by the Department of Justice.
In texts, Gov. JB Pritzker expressed doubts about Mayor Brandon Johnson amid rumors United Airlines might move – Chicago Tribune, March 28, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker, in a text exchange with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, expressed concerns about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ability to keep United Airlines’ headquarters in Chicago, another stark shot from the governor amid his ongoing friction with the mayor.
‘No Answers’: Illinois State Rep. left in limbo after water floods hotel elevator in Springfield – WAND News, March 27, 2025.
Illinois State Representative Joyce Mason said she and her dog were fast asleep in her 17th-floor room at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre when something felt off Thursday morning.
Illinois unemployment rate down slightly, but state leaders worry about loss of federal jobs – WAND News, March 27, 2025.
On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced that the unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage point to 4.8 percent in February, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Illinois’ January unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
Democrats argue Republicans waited too long to file latest redistricting lawsuit – Capitol News Illinois, March 26, 2025.
Two elections have come and gone since the Illinois General Assembly passed new legislative maps, and Democrats’ attorneys argue in a new court filing that Illinois Republicans have lost their opportunity to challenge the maps in court.
Editorial: Gov. JB Pritzker goes to bat for Illinois’ business climate, earning union brickbats – Chicago Tribune, March 27, 2025.
It’s not news that Illinois’ economy is in the doldrums. So it was encouraging to see Gov. JB Pritzker, with a clear eye to improving the state’s economic climate, take the rare step of vetoing legislation backed by organized labor that had passed with overwhelming support from his fellow Democrats.
Editorial: Illinois has too many townships. Pritzker-backed bills to prune them should get action. – Chicago Tribune, March 27, 2025.
Do you know which township you live in? Many people don’t. But Illinois has 1,426 of them, so it’s worth paying attention to what they do.
Bob Anderson is. The former McHenry Township trustee-turned-watchdog is championing legislation to reduce the number of townships in Illinois.
Opinion: Illinois’ current sales tax system does not reflect a modern economy – Daily Herald, March 26, 2025.
Tax policy is a deeply misunderstood topic. In general, most people believe that “conservative” states levy fewer taxes than states with more “left-leaning” leadership. This is not always the case. For example, Texas and Florida each levy taxes on much more stuff than does Illinois — about 300% and 200% more, respectively. Every one of Illinois’ neighbors, except Missouri, taxes more stuff too.
Tip credit legislation changed and could cost the state of Illinois millions – The Center Square, March 26, 2025.
Legislation to eliminate the tip credit in Illinois is moving through the General Assembly. The House Executive Committee recently approved House Bill 2982 which will eliminate the state tip credit by 2027. The bill includes a recent amendment to offer a $1.50 tax credit per hour per employee for employers who choose to forego the tip credit before it is eliminated. The 120,000 servers and bartenders in Illinois work a total of approximately 180 million hours per year.
Illinois AG pushes for more funding amid legal battles with Trump administration – Chicago Tribune, March 26, 2025
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is pushing for additional funding for his office as it takes on a host of lawsuits and legal filings against actions by the Trump administration.
Bills banning phones in schools, student ticketing and ‘Styrofoam’ clear committees, while hemp legislation, community college degree expansion stalls – The Daily Line, March 25, 2025
With a little more than two months to go before the May 31 scheduled adjournment, the Illinois General Assembly has moved most of the bills they’ll pass this year through committee.
Sen. Michael Hastings alleges smear campaign in 2022 tight race to hold office – Chicago Tribune, March 25, 2025
State Sen. Michael Hastings alleges in a lawsuit that Republican operators conspired to organize a “smear campaign” leading up to the November 2022 election, which included sending out what the Frankfort Democrat’s lawsuit describes as obscene text messages to voters.
Ethics reform stalls in Illinois General Assembly as committee deadline passes – The Daily Line, March 24, 2025
Ethics reform has remained a top area of discussion in Illinois — especially after former House Speaker Mike Madigan was charged with and found guilty of bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud charges. But despite lawmakers from both parties proposing measures to reform Illinois’ ethics laws, very little has been done this legislative session.
Upcoming ‘New Illinois’ convention to split state driven by rural, urban divide – The Center Square, March 24, 2025
The divide between rural and urban areas in Illinois is one of the main drivers of many looking to split the state in two.
Old State Capitol State Historic Site renovation ‘95% complete,’ Illinois Capital Development Board says – WAND TV, March 24, 2025
“This incredible transformation is a big win for both Illinois tourism and the capital city economy,” the board said in a Facebook post. “The blend of historical preservation, modern technology, and safety and accessibility improvements will enhance the visitor experience and ensure the preservation of the Old State Capitol for years to come!
DCFS attorney fired after working second job with bank on state time, watchdog says – Chicago Tribune, March 24, 2025
An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services attorney collected a state paycheck while also working at a local bank, at times doing both jobs during regular business hours, in violation of state rules, according to a report from the Office of Executive Inspector General.
Amid Donald Trump 2.0, Gov. JB Pritzker ponders running for third term and his national ambitions – Chicago Tribune, March 24, 2025
The day after Donald Trump won the presidency last November, two-term Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statement that said as much about his plans for the state’s future as his own political future.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker tries to chart a path for national Democrats to counter Trump – Newsday, March 22, 2025
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sits at a table surrounded by University of Illinois researchers who will soon be out of work, their lab set to lose its federal funding and close next month. One researcher, saying she feels betrayed by the government, turns to thank Pritzker.
Durbin, Pritzker put pressure on Republicans to oppose cuts to key programs – Capitol News Illinois, March 21, 2025
Voters must put pressure on congressional Republicans to oppose any budget bill that makes major cuts to services, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Gov. Pritzker highlights Rockford Mass Transit District expansion project during statewide tour – WIFR, March 21, 2025
Illinois Gov. Pritzker stops in Rockford Friday morning, highlighting the city’s mass transit district facility expansion and other area transportation initiatives.
Efforts underway to restore crumbling site where Abraham Lincoln began his political rise – Chicago Tribune, March 22, 2025
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site has fallen into disrepair as the tab for deferred maintenance on properties managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has grown to an estimated $1 billion statewide, according to IDNR spokesperson Jayette Bolinski.
City breaks ground on first downtown office-to-residential conversion as mayor announces new economic development strategy – The Daily Line, March 28, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and city officials on Thursday celebrated the groundbreaking for the city’s first conversion of office space to residential units under an initiative to reuse vacant commercial space downtown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Johnson has days to find $175M for CPS pension payment to city – Chicago Sun Times, March 24, 2025.
A critical mass of Chicago school board members has come out against reimbursing City Hall for a disputed pension payment, dooming its chances of passing. That leaves Mayor Brandon Johnson with less than a week to either change their minds or figure out another way to come up with the money to close the city’s 2024 budget in the black.
RTA warns of how drastic service cuts would be to CTA, Metra, Pace without bailout from state – CBS News, March 27, 2025.
The Regional Transportation Authority on Thursday issued details about just how much the CTA, Metra, and Pace need to cut if they fall off what the agency says is an approaching fiscal cliff.
CPS is close to a deal with the teachers union — but bargaining continues – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 27, 2025.
A deal between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools on a new contract is all but done, but the pens have not touched paper.
Alderpeople call for Council input on solving gap left by CPS pension non-payment – The Daily Line, March 27, 2025.
As Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration awaits a $175 million pension payment to cover the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) employees in the Municipal Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund (MEABF), a group of City Council members issued a letter this week calling for the mayor and his finance team to work with the council on a solution as the end-of-month deadline approaches.
Democratic push to unseat Aurora Mayor Irvin grows amid development and debt concerns – Fox 32 Chicago, March 26, 2025.
The Illinois Democratic Party has poured significant funds into the Aurora mayoral race, aiming to unseat Republican Mayor Richard Irvin. Irvin, who ran in the 2022 Republican primary for governor, made his case for re-election Wednesday night in a campaign-style speech.
City Council wants answers on City Hall’s pension dispute with CPS – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 25, 2025
With it becoming increasingly unlikely the Board of Education reimburses Chicago for a disputed $175 million pension payment, members of the City Council are demanding answers from the Johnson administration.
Reformers push Mayor Brandon Johnson to adopt Law Department changes – Chicago Tribune, March 25, 2025
Would-be reformers are firing back against Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration, arguing ethics changes targeting the city’s Law Department can move forward.
Trump shrinks list of federal buildings for sale — but one Chicago property remains – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 25, 2025
The federal government has narrowed its strategy for reducing its real estate footprint, naming eight properties it wants to sell in the near future, including one in Chicago that’s been on the market since 2023.
‘Are We Waiting For Someone To Die?’: NW Siders Beg City To Address Dangerous Intersection – Block Club Chicago, March 25, 2025
Irving Park neighbors say car crashes at Belmont and Karlov are a daily occurrence. Demands for a solution escalated after two pedestrians were hit at the intersection this month.
Jenner & Block latest law firm to be targeted by Trump – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 25, 2025
President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the law firm of Jenner & Block over the role of a former partner at the firm who aided onetime special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigations.
Some alderpeople don’t like Mayor Johnson’s new pick for Springfield lobbyist – Chicago Sun Times, March 24, 2025
Arena has no prior relationships or track record in Springfield, and is getting a late start on the city’s formidable to-do list with just over two months to go in a spring session dominated by the state’s massive budget shortfall.
Chicago Bears add former Big Ten CFO Laura Anderson to front office – Chicago Tribune, March 24, 2025
The Chicago Bears hired Laura Anderson to be their senior vice president of administration and chief financial officer, the team announced Monday. Anderson comes to the Bears after seven years at the Big Ten Conference, where she most recently was the chief financial officer and treasurer.
Raising Cane’s soon-to-be Fulton Market location up for sale – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 24, 2025
A prominent Fulton Market retail corner is up for sale, with a long-term lease from a national fast-casual chain boosting its value.
Our newest list ranks Chicago’s largest wealth management firms – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 24, 2025
Chicago’s largest wealth management firms, which serve the region’s most affluent clients, oversee hundreds of billions in local assets. Crain’s newest list highlights 24 of these financial institutions, ranked by local assets under management, or AUM, as of Dec. 31.
Mayor Johnson takes campaign cash from lawyer whose firm has pending lawsuits against City Hall – Chicago Sun Times, March 23, 2025
Although legal, the campaign contributions to Friends of Brandon Johnson from a prominent Loop law firm are the latest conflict-of-interest questions to arise with the mayor’s fundraising operation.
Chicago’s piping plover monitors help endangered birds feather the nest at Montrose Beach – Chicago Sun Times, March 23, 2025
Volunteers are preparing to welcome the birds back to the lakefront soon.
Chicago police traffic stops have left 230 people injured and hospitalized in recent years – Chicago Sun Times, March 21, 2025
That’s happened as a result of the use of force by cops, an investigation by the Chicago Sun Times and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity found.