On August 18, the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee held a subject matter hearing on the impact of recent federal policy changes on Illinois’ clean energy sector and the broader electricity market. Lawmakers heard from a variety of stakeholders on how recent federal policy changes, including the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill’s rollback of residential clean energy tax credits, are affecting Illinois’ energy sector and electricity markets.
Solar companies testified that the loss of federal incentives has already slowed residential sales, led to staff reductions, and created uncertainty for future projects, while commercial projects face increased costs and supply chain disruptions. Utility companies and market experts discussed rising electricity prices, driven by a mix of market dynamics, capacity constraints, and surging demand from data centers in the PJM region. Consumer advocates called for stronger energy efficiency programs and continued renewable support to protect households from surging prices, while labor and industry groups emphasized threats to clean energy jobs, despite state initiatives like the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act providing some relief.
Additional testimony addressed nuclear energy, geothermal energy, and reliability concerns, as well as equity workforce programs struggling to match trained workers with projects. Lawmakers signaled that they will likely consider energy omnibus legislation during the October Veto Session or 2026 regular session of the Illinois General Assembly to address many of the issues discussed in the hearing.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1
October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2
In the News
RTA officials agree to transfer $74M from Metra, Pace to CTA to help delay city service cuts – Chicago Tribune, August 21, 2025.
Regional transportation officials agreed Thursday to transfer $74 million from Pace and Metra to the CTA in an effort to delay catastrophic transit cuts in Chicago next year.
A make-or-break veto session looms for Chicago transit – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 21, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker sounded an optimistic note that a mass transit rescue will be ready for the General Assembly’s fall veto session, confidence that was echoed by a key legislative leader.
Equality Illinois has named its next CEO – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 21, 2025.
Equality Illinois, a leading LGBTQ+ civil rights nonprofit, tapped Channyn Parker as its next CEO.
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports – The Center Square, August 21, 2025.
Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023, but they’re still waiting for the report for the fiscal year that ended over a year ago.
Sen. Durbin questions Attorney General Pam Bondi about ‘politicized’ firings of immigration judges – Chicago Sun Times, August 21, 2025.
Dick Durbin has been outspoken about Jennifer Peyton, a former assistant chief immigration judge in Chicago, who was fired on July 3 via email, about two weeks after Durbin met with her at a Chicago immigration court.
Gov. Pritzker says he supports independently drawn legislative maps if done on national basis – ABC7 Chicago, August 20, 2025.
“I think having an independent commission is a good idea. It has to be done on a national basis, though; it can’t be done state by state. We’d be unilaterally disarming as Democrats if we did that, but I think we should make it happen,” Pritzker said.
Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher – The Center Square, August 20, 2025.
Robert Gordon, senior vice president of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said Illinois has been a success story with below-average insurance rates, strong competition and market stability. “Property losses are escalating in Illinois, like every other state, because of building inflation and climate change. Illinois homeowners insurers, though, lost money over the decade and particularly high property insurance losses in the last two years,” Gordon said.
Senate President Harmon appeals $10M fine for improper campaign contributions – Capitol News Illinois, August 20, 2025.
The Illinois State Board of Elections had a different take earlier this year when they fined Harmon’s campaign $9.8 million following Chicago Tribune reporting that Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, accepted $4 million more than was allowed during the 2024 election. The donations in question involve a state law that limits contributions to campaigns during an election cycle.
Retired State Police officer Brad Beekman launches bid for Illinois 36th State Senate district – WGIL News, August 20, 2025.
Beekman said his decision to run for office was significantly influenced by his time serving on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s security detail for four years, a period that overlapped with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s detail. The role provided him with proximity to Illinois politics, including access to the Governor’s mansion and the Capitol building, offering a unique perspective on political events and the impact of decisions on the state.
‘How do we get there?’ State reps weigh transit rescue options ahead of fall veto session – Daily Herald, August 20, 2025.
Illinois senators in May approved a bill strengthening oversight of the three agencies and raising over $1 billion through various taxes. But House members balked at the last-minute fix. “The House working group continues to meet and discuss policy options to not only fully fund public transportation, but ensure we’re reforming the system to work better for riders and taxpayers,” Chicago Democratic state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado said.
Bipartisan group led by ex-Obama officials ‘rolling the dice’ on new remapping plan for Illinois legislature – Chicago Tribune, August 19, 2025.
The departure of Texas Democrats who spent two weeks in suburban Chicago evading a vote in their state on a Republican-backed redrawing of congressional district boundaries has not ended the conversation on partisan gerrymandering in Illinois.
Darren Bailey mulls another run for Illinois governor, matchup with Pritzker – FOX 32 Chicago, August 19, 2025.
Former Republican State Sen. Darren Bailey suggested he’s mulling another run for governor after losing to JB Pritzker in 2022.
Top candidates for the US House in Illinois’ 2nd, 7th, 8th and 9th districts for the 2026 election – Chicago Tribune, August 19, 2025.
A slew of candidates are vying for four U.S. House seats being vacated by veteran members of Congress — two of whom are retiring, while the other two are seeking to become Illinois’ next U.S. senator.
Texas lawmakers return home after walking out of legislature and spending two weeks in Illinois to prevent GOP remap – Chicago Tribune, August 18, 2025.
Texas House Democrats returned to their state Monday after spending two weeks in the Chicago area and other parts of the country to prevent the Republican majority in their legislature from passing a new gerrymandered congressional map aimed at eliminating five Democratic seats.
Republican challenger starts out swinging in bid to oust ‘radical’ Sorensen from Congress – 25 News Now, August 18, 2025.
The chair of the Carroll County Board in northwest Illinois is looking to oust two-term Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen, saying he represents everything that’s wrong with politics.
Illinois sues Trump administration over attempt to block funding for crime victims – The Daily Line, August 19, 2025.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a lawsuit to stop immigration enforcement conditions added to the Reagan-era Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The act, created by Congress in 1984, provides resources and services to victims and witnesses of crime. These can include housing, sexual assault exams, and medical, funeral and burial expenses. Funding also supports victim advocacy groups.
Pritzker, taking aim at Trump, crypto ‘bros,’ signs laws to regulate digital currency industry, crypto ATMS – Chicago Sun-Times, August 18, 2025.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which has been given the power to regulate digital asset exchanges and businesses, will require the crypto industry to comply with protections now in place for consumers of traditional financial services, such as banks. To prevent fraud, the state will cap daily transaction amounts at kiosks at $2,500 for new customers, limit transaction fees at kiosks to 18% and provide full refunds to new customers who get defrauded.
Over objections, Gov. JB Pritzker vetoes nonprofit investment bill, citing extremism concerns – Chicago Tribune, August 18, 2025.
The governor issued a veto late Friday on a three-page bill that would have allowed fellow Democrat Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs to create an investment pool for nonprofits and labor organizations. The treasurer would then be able to invest it in the same way he invests state treasury funds, resulting in potentially lower fees and greater returns than the options available to nonprofits now, according to bill supporters.
‘A terrible position’: Illinois sprints to lower new SNAP costs without booting people who need it – Chicago Tribune, August 17, 2025.
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration is sprinting to figure out how to avoid a potential $700 million price tag by changing operations to achieve a level of payment accuracy that the vast majority of states currently do not meet. At the same time, Illinois also must handle the federally mandated work requirements on new groups that experts say could lead to people losing benefits.
Pritzker signs toxic-tort bill that biz groups fear will open door to more lawsuits – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 15, 2025.
The bill passed late in the General Assembly’s spring session, and business groups urged Pritzker to veto it. The bill was aimed at toxic-tort legislation involving lawsuits for injuries from exposure to toxic substances, but it also creates “general jurisdiction,” which means companies that do business in the state could be sued in Illinois courts even if they’re not based here and the actions occur outside the state.
Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs ‘lawsuit inferno’ measure – The Center Square, August 15, 2025.
In a Friday announcement of the status of 269 bills, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which led opponents to call Illinois a “Lawsuit Inferno.” He vetoed two other measures. Senate Bill 328, sponsored by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, expands jurisdiction for claims alleging injury or illness resulting from exposure to toxic substances.
Chicago’s new aviation chief aims to transform the feel at O’Hare. ‘We really want to push the envelope.’ – Chicago Sun Times, August 21, 2025.
One of the biggest bundles of concession contracts ever awarded by a U.S. airport gives newly appointed Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray a rare opportunity to make passengers more comfortable at O’Hare Airport.
Johnson to unveil budget plan mid-October, starting months of tension over $1B gap – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 21, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council will likely be in negotiations over the 2026 budget into early December in what’s expected to be a fraught process without easy options to close a shortfall hovering around $1 billion. Johnson is tentatively scheduled to deliver his 2026 proposal on Oct. 16, according to a schedule provided to some members of the City Council obtained by Crain’s.
Navy Pier seeks ideas to revamp eastern end – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 20, 2025.
The nonprofit that operates Navy Pier is looking for ideas on how to give the tourist hotspot’s eastern end a major makeover. Kicking off a potential new phase of modernization to the pier, Navy Pier Inc. last month issued a request for concepts for “the redevelopment and potential operation” of the pier’s east end facilities, according to a solicitation posted on the non-profit’s website.
Eileen O’Neill Burke’s top aide out at state’s attorney’s office after just 8 months – Chicago Sun Times, August 18, 2025.
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke said her top assistant, Anna Demacopoulos, resigned and is returning to private practice after helping restructure and “stabilize” the prosecutor’s office.
Meet The 7 Candidates Vying To Replace Ald. Walter Burnett In The 27th Ward – Block Club Chicago, August 18, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson will appoint a replacement for former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., who retired as alderman. Burnett’s successor will take over a ward that has seen massive growth in recent years.
Chicago Bears officials, legislators, fighting a spin battle over potential property tax legislation – The Daily Line, August 19, 2025.
As speculation increases about the Chicago Bears possible move to Arlington Heights, lawmakers and team officials are seemingly battling over semantics for public sentiment. While there has been no appetite for tax breaks for the franchise from both lawmakers and the public, team officials recently have been pushing for what it calls “tax certainty,” or the ability to negotiate with local taxing authorities like school districts over the amount of property taxes that should be paid on the site for up to 40 years.
CPS seeks $1 billion of short-term debt as cash gone – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 18, 2025.
The school system plans to seek authorization to issue $1.25 billion in tax-anticipation notes. For the first time in three years, the district closed the fiscal year ending on June 30 with a negative net cash position, according to budget documents. Making matters worse, it’s unclear when property-tax collections, originally due on Aug. 1, will arrive.
Work begins on $730M O’Hare concourse. Take a look at the final designs. – Crain’s Chicago Business, August 18, 2025.
Work is underway on a $730 million new concourse adjacent to Terminal 1 at O’Hare International Airport, the first of three major projects remaining that are part of a major upgrade and expansion of the airport’s terminals.
RTA drills down into costs of fiscal crisis from ‘pizza tax’ to 10% higher fares – Daily Herald, August 16, 2025.
Transit agencies are preparing two budgets for 2026. One is a worst-case scenario with drastic reductions in buses and trains. The other anticipates a funding antidote from the General Assembly. The RTA is recommending raising fares system wide by 10% in both cases, noting there’s been no increase since before the pandemic. That action would raise about $50 million.
