On Sunday, August 3, Texas Democrats left the state in a bid to block a vote on the redistricting of the state’s congressional map to add additional Republican seats. The redistricting move was orchestrated by Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump in an effort to hold onto the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm election. Texas Democrats fled to various Democrat-led states, with many coming to Illinois and appearing at events and press conferences around the state this week.
Gov. JB Pritzker voiced his support for the Texas Democrats, stating, “We’re fighting for democracy. There are no rules anymore, apparently.” However, many Illinois Republicans were quick to point out that Pritzker did not follow through on a campaign promise to veto any partisan redistricting plan. In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Pritzker pushed back against that claim on the grounds that Illinois drew a legal congressional map in 2021, rather than a mid-decade redistricting plan like the one proposed by Texas Republicans.
Gov. Pritzker’s support for Texas Democrats has drawn national attention, placing Illinois at the center of the ongoing debate over partisan gerrymandering. His stance has been echoed by other Illinois Democrats running for Congress, including U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, during recent events. Republican State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) added to the situation by introducing a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the threshold for a legislative quorum in Illinois from a simple majority to two-thirds. With Illinois Democrats being one seat from losing a two-thirds majority in the Senate and one seat from gaining a two-thirds majority in the House, this constitutional amendment would provide the super minority Republicans with a point of leverage within the General Assembly. As the situation in Texas unfolds, Illinois lawmakers from both parties are using it as a key campaign talking point ahead of the upcoming midterm election.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1
October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2
In the News
Illinois NPR and PBS stations see donations surge after federal funding blow – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 8, 2025.
Chicago NPR affiliate WBEZ-FM/91.5 has raised $984,000 from 4,788 supporters since July 18, when the rescission package was approved, according to Victor Lim, vice president of marketing and communications at Chicago Public Media, which owns WBEZ. PBS member station WTVP-TV/Channel 47 in Peoria has raised $40,000 since mid-July and is expecting additional matching funds, according to Jenn Gordon, the station’s president and CEO.
FBI agrees to help find Texas Democrats in Illinois, but Gov. JB Pritzker calls move ‘grandstanding’ – Chicago Tribune, August 8, 2025.
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker accused Republicans of “grandstanding” Thursday after Texas GOP U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said the FBI granted his request that they assist Texas law enforcement in locating House Democrats who fled the southern state, many of them to west suburban St. Charles. It was unclear what the FBI’s activities would entail since the Texas lawmakers have not been charged with state- or federal-level criminal activity.
Rep. Amy Grant of Wheaton to step aside after current term – Daily Herald, August 7, 2025.
State Rep. Amy Grant, a Wheaton Republican who held a seat on the DuPage County Board before voters sent her to Springfield, has announced her current term will be her last. Grant served six years on the county board and then won four elections to the Illinois House.
Sources: Kathy Salvi to Resign as State Party Chair — Proof IL GOP Isn’t Dying, It’s Dead – Illinois Review, August 7, 2025.
Now, multiple sources have confirmed to this publication that Illinois GOP Chairwoman Kathy Salvi – after just one year in the role – plans to step down this summer, following the State Fair. In seven months, Salvi has overseen only one meeting of the state central committee, the GOP’s governing board.
Bomb threat reported at St. Charles hotel hosting Texas Democrats; hundreds evacuated – Chicago Sun-Times, August 6, 2025.
Hundreds of people, including politicians, were evacuated from a hotel and conference center in St. Charles after a bomb threat Wednesday morning, police said. Around 400 people were evacuated from the building, and the Kane County sheriff’s office and St. Charles police conducted a thorough search and found nothing, the statement said. The scene was cleared, and guests and staff returned to the property.
Illinois Launches New Endowment Fund for State Parks as Feds Disinvest in Natural Areas – WTTW, August 6, 2025.
On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker announced the creation of a new endowment for Illinois state parks, with the intention of providing a permanent source of funds that can’t be redirected or taken away. “From our wooded trails and caverns to our beaches and mighty rivers, our state parks are a great source of pride for Illinoisans — and these spaces must be protected,” Pritzker said in a statement. The Illinois State Park Fund will be housed under the Illinois Conservation Foundation, which is the official charitable partner of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
Illinois Senate candidates ramp up campaigns, as one earns key endorsements – WGNTV, August 6, 2025.
The biggest prize coming up in the March primary, however, is the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. On Wednesday, two towering figures in Illinois politics announced their pick in the competitive primary: current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “Juliana is a proven fighter,” said former Congressman Bobby Rush. “As a U.S. Senator, she will lead with compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to working families across our state.”
State Rep Ford believes Davis’ endorsement gives him frontrunner status for 7th Congressional District Seat – The Daily Line, August 6, 2025.
Along with his announcement Thursday that he would not seek a 16th term in Congress, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis endorsed state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, giving him the inside track as the favorite in the solidly blue 7th Congressional District. Davis’ endorsement may be the key in the crowded race which now has nine candidates.
Opinion: Pritzker must use the power of the pen to protect Illinois’ economy – The Daily Line, August 6, 2025.
Illinois’ economy is on the road to recovery, with our annual GDP recently surpassing $1 trillion a year, fueled by more than 660 business expansions and relocations in 2024 alone. This is due in no small part to Gov. JB Pritzker’s efforts to expand our state’s economy and demonstrate that Illinois is “Open for Business.”
Gov. JB Pritzker riffs on his wealth and staying out of prison in Stephen Colbert appearance – Chicago Sun Times, August 6, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker is “OK” with being a billionaire, takes pride in bucking a tradition of Illinois governors doing prison time and said he’s “preserving democracy” by taking in Texas Democrats in an appearance Tuesday on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
‘They decided to cheat.’ National Democrats, Gov. JB Pritzker vow to do whatever it takes to win redistricting battle – Chicago Tribune, August 5, 2025.
As Texas House Democrats hunker down in Illinois and other blue states to try to stop a Republican-led redistricting plan in their state, national Democrats and one of their hosts, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, ratcheted up their rhetoric Tuesday, saying anything goes in the face of such Republican aggression.
Texas Democrats ready to stay in Illinois ‘as long as it takes’ to fight GOP congressional maps – Chicago Sun Times, August 4, 2025.
The Texas quorum-breakers met Monday in west suburban Warrenville alongside Illinois and Texas Congress members to denounce Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott’s redistricting efforts and “to call out the injustices.” In Warrenville, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi called the situation a “man-made catastrophe for democracy” while standing alongside some of the 40 Texas Democrats taking refuge in Illinois.
Former GOP official Porter won’t run for Durbin’s Senate seat – Daily Herald, August 4, 2025.
After months of speculation, former Illinois National Committeeman Richard Porter of Northfield on Sunday announced he wouldn’t seek the seat now held by veteran Democrat Dick Durbin. Porter’s recusal from the race leaves John Goodman, Casey Chlebek, Pamela Denise Long and R. Cary Capparelli as the GOP candidates. None has elected experience.
Gaza policy divides Senate contenders running to succeed Durbin – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 4, 2025.
In separate statements, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, who represents portions of Chicago’s South Side and south suburbs, called for the U.S. to stop providing arms to Israel until more food gets through to the Israeli-occupied area. But two others — northwest suburban U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, stopped short of that step, and instead urged Israel and Hamas to first agree on a ceasefire that would ease food deliveries and free Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Opinion, John Curran: Illinois Democrats’ delivery tax is a short-term cash grab paid by those who can least afford it – Chicago Tribune, August 5, 2025.
A new delivery tax, which was passed in the final night of the spring session, would force each Illinoisan to pay an additional $1.50 on nearly every order placed in our state, regardless of its cost, size or supplier. Whether you are making a bulk order of expensive items or just need a pack of diapers for a sick child, the tax will charge you $1.50 on every order.
Illinois adds more than 20 license-types to new online system. Here’s the list – The State Journal-Register, August 5, 2025.
More people seeking professional jobs in Illinois can now apply for their licenses online, as the state agency responsible for licensure of things like barber and cosmetology school eliminates paper applications and digitizes the system.
Ex-City Club head Jay Doherty final ‘ComEd Four’ defendant to be sentenced in Madigan bribery case – Chicago Tribune, August 5, 2025.
On Tuesday, more than two years after his conviction in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial, Doherty is finally set to learn his fate for his role in an elaborate scheme to funnel do-nothing subcontractor payments to associates of then-Speaker Michael Madigan in a bid to help ComEd’s legislative agenda in Springfield.
As political petition passing begins, Illinois Democrats have flood of candidates; Republicans have a trickle – Chicago Tribune, August 4, 2025.
More than seven months before votes are cast, Illinois’ 2026 political campaign season officially kicks off this week as candidates for federal, state and county offices fan out across the state to gather petition signatures to appear on the March 17 primary ballot.
Eye On Illinois: Rather than gerrymandering spree, why not uncap the U.S. House? – Shaw Local News, August 2, 2025.
Amidst the current social media squabbling over Gov. JB Pritzker hinting Illinois and other blue states could retaliate if Texas proceeds with plans to abruptly redraw its Congressional districts, one suggestion remains almost entirely overlooked.
No harm in asking: Illinois Senate President Harmon answers questions about the likelihood of a summer vote on a transit funding bill – Streets Blog Chicago, August 1, 2025.
“We’re eager to hear constructive criticism of HB 3434 and counter-proposals, and to-date we haven’t heard many,” Senate President Harmon said.
Pritzker signs 124 bill impacting Chicago pensions, AI, buses, bicycles and more – The Center Square, August 1, 2025.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed 124 bills Friday impacting everything from Chicago police and fire pensions to the use of artificial intelligence for mental health therapy.
New Illinois law requires seat belts on school buses – WAND News, August 1, 2025.
The new law mandates that any school buses manufactured in Illinois have three-point seat belts starting in 2031.
Top Republicans Critical of Illinois GOP Recruitment – IlliniNoize, August 1, 2025.
Tensions appear to be rising in many top Republican circles around the state as the party struggles to recruit top tier candidates for statewide offices in 2026 and much of the ire is being directed at the Illinois Republican Party apparatus and chair Kathy Salvi.
Johnson, officials tout city’s growth in hotel stays, air travel – The Daily Line, August 7, 2025.
The mayor and leaders from the city’s economic development, aviation and tourism arms took a victory lap Tuesday following a record-breaking number of Lollapalooza attendees last weekend. CEO of choose Chicago Kristen Reynolds stressed that continued investment in the city’s tourism and visitor economy is crucial to the city’s overall growth.
Civic leaders: The mayor and City Council should use these 10 principles to steer Chicago to fiscal stability – Chicago Tribune, August 8, 2025.
Beyond the deep structural issues of a transit system grappling with potentially devastating service cuts and grossly underfunded Chicago police and fire pension funds, the city is heading into this fall’s budget season contending with pandemic relief funds drying up at the same time the federal government continues to slash funding, among other challenges. It is critical for the city to institute changes.
Mayor may seek broader power if Springfield won’t let city pursue ‘progressive revenue,’ top aide says – Chicago Sun Times, August 7, 2025.
If the Illinois General Assembly refuses to support progressive revenue sources needed to help dig Chicago out of its massive budget hole, Mayor Brandon Johnson may seek a dramatic expansion of the city’s home rule authority to allow the city to help itself, a top mayoral aide said Thursday. “If there’s no viable option, but there is momentum on giving Chicago more home rule authority, sure, we would be willing to take that on and do what’s necessary for the people of Chicago,” senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee told the Sun-Times.
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley making a move — potentially for mayor – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 6, 2025.
He’s assembling a fair-sized campaign war chest and forming a local political action committee to spend it. He’s abruptly scheduled a series of high-profile speaking appearances, gone out of his way to take positions on highly controversial issues, and is running for one new job — with a second quite possibly in his sights.
County to allocate $2M from abortion-related budget amendment to Chicago Abortion Fund to finance wraparound services – The Daily Line, August 6, 2025.
Cook County Health plans to award grant funding to an organization that provides wraparound services to people seeking abortion care. The grant funding, announced Tuesday, stems from a county budget amendment approved last fall. Examples of wraparound services include things like lodging, childcare, meal costs and transportation tickets.
RTA warns: Fare hikes are coming, one way or another – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 6, 2025.
The RTA says there needs to be at least $50 million more in fare revenue — or nearly 10% of the total fares collected last year by the three transit agencies. There was a lot of discussion in Springfield about possible funding sources before the legislative session ended May 31, including potential surcharges on everything from online deliveries and rideshare trips to highway tolls.
Brandon Johnson says city and state finances are at a ‘point of no return’ – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 5, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson sounded the alarm today, saying Chicago and Illinois are at the “point of no return” in a quest for new revenue to address structural budget problems, mounting pension debt and funding shortages for transportation and education.
Lawmaker ‘all ears’ for transit funding while facing opposition to tax proposals – The Center Square¸ August 4, 2025.
Regional transit agencies are facing a fiscal cliff of at least $760 million in 2026. State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, said reforms have been negotiated at length and he has put his funding plan forward in House Bill 3438. Villivalam said any funding plan would have to invest $1.5 billion and keep at least $200 million for downstate transit.
CPS cuts 480 janitor positions as it tries to close $734M budget gap – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 4, 2025.
Chicago Public Schools will cut 480 custodian jobs, end all private custodial contracts, and directly oversee the work of keeping schools clean. CPS officials said the move is not only about cutting costs, but also part of the district’s goal to bring 25% of privatized positions back under direct district oversight, as outlined in the five-year strategic plan.
Chicago alderman defends Tier 2 pension upgrade signed by governor – The Center Square, August 4, 2025.
Chicago taxpayers will be expected to provide larger payments for retired police and firefighters after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a Tier 2 pension bill into law. Chicago Alderman Nicholas Sposato told reporters he appreciated the signing of the bill, saying firefighters in Chicago deserve a raise after 4 years.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, facing a yawning budget deficit, could be in for a fight with corporate tax proposals – Chicago Tribune, August 3, 2025.
By opening the door to a pair of polarizing corporate taxes, Mayor Brandon Johnson could galvanize a progressive base itching to see him deliver on a campaign promise to “make the ultra-rich pay their fair share,” but also infuriate business opponents already set on defeating him in 2027.
