Fiscal Year 2026-31 Proposed Highway and Multimodal Improvement Program
Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation have announced a historic $50.6 billion six-year plan to modernize transportation infrastructure across all 102 counties. “Over the next six years, we’ll continue investing across the board in order to build the best infrastructure system in the nation – and create good jobs for Illinoisans in the process. From Chicago and Rockford to Springfield and Decatur, to Carbondale and Metropolis, every corner of our great state will benefit,” proclaimed Gov. JB Pritzker. The initiative covers every mode of transportation—roads, bridges, transit, rail, aviation, marine, and pedestrian systems—with the goal of strengthening economic growth and creating jobs statewide. The infrastructure plan is funded through a mix of federal, state, local, and bonded funds, with $15.8 billion from the federal government, $13.8 billion from state funds, $1.3 billion from local reimbursements, and $1.6 billion coming from bond proceeds.
Over the next six years, $32.5 billion will be dedicated to roads and bridges, including $25.7 billion for the state highway system and $6.8 billion for local roads and bridges. This funding is intended to improve 1,707 miles of state roads, 1,654 lane miles, and more than 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck. $15.8 billion comes from federal sources, $1.6 billion from bond proceeds, $1.3 billion from local reimbursements, and $13.8 billion in state funds. Notable bridge projects include I-190 at Bessie Coleman Drive to I-90 and I-294, I-80 from Ridge Road to U.S. 30, and the Quincy Memorial Bridge.
The remaining $18.1 billion will be dedicated to enhancing transit, rail, aviation, and marine infrastructure across the state. Specifically, the plan provides $13.8 billion for 90 transit projects, $2.9 billion for 29 rail projects, $1.2 billion for 244 airport improvements, and $197 million for 28 marine initiatives. Notable projects include a $388 million passenger rail line connecting Chicago to the Quad Cities, $175 million for a new Chicago Transit Authority training and control center, and targeted airport upgrades across Illinois.
This Week’s Veto Session
Lawmakers return to Springfield this week for the fall veto session. Major issues on the agenda include data center regulations, the stalled energy omnibus bill, and long-term transit funding. Data centers are expected to be a top focus. Illinois has promoted their growth through tax incentives, but critics point to their high energy use and unclear environmental impact. Lawmakers may revisit proposals requiring new facilities to use clean energy or meet stricter reporting standards, while the industry continues to push for updates to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, which it says deters investment. Transit funding will also resurface, even though a short-term cash transfer recently gave the CTA some breathing room before its next budget crunch. Overall, this veto session is expected to focus less on new legislation and more on advancing policies that stalled earlier in the year. Overall, it’s expected that the veto session won’t spark conversations on brand-new ideas so much as it is about picking up where lawmakers left off and trying to make progress on issues that have been hanging over from earlier in the year.
National Guard Deployment in Chicago
President Trump ordered the National Guard to deploy to Chicago to help manage the city’s alleged growing crime rates as well as provide security at key sites, despite strong opposition from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and other elected officials. That plan is now on hold after U.S. District Judge April Perry issued a 14-day restraining order temporarily blocking the deployment across Illinois. In her decision, Perry said the administration failed to show credible evidence of an immediate threat that would justify federalizing the Guard. The order also halts plans to send troops to federal facilities, including the ICE facility in Broadview, while the court reviews whether the move violates state sovereignty and due process. The ruling adds another layer of uncertainty to an already tense standoff between federal and state leaders over how best to handle the crisis.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1
October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2
In the News
Civic leaders: State lawmakers should reject massive pension benefit sweetener – Chicago Tribune, October 10, 2025
At issue is whether Gov. JB Pritzker and legislative leaders have the courage to soundly reject a union-backed proposal to roll back Tier 2 pension reforms that would saddle Illinois taxpayers with $80 billion-plus in additional pension contributions over the next 30 years.
Illinois gas price drop sparks mileage tax talk, road fund healthy – The Center Square, October 9, 2025
As gas prices fall across Illinois, state and local governments may see a decrease in revenue from fuel and sales taxes, though experts say the effect on overall state finances is limited.
IL House GOP leader: Pritzker ‘deliberately lied’ to score political hit – The Center Square, October 8, 2025
Pritzker said he called state GOP legislative leaders and asked them to speak out about social media influencers he said were embedded with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel in Chicago.
Cook County, California say National Guard could disrupt court proceedings, hurt economy in court filings – The Daily Line, October 9, 2025
Attorneys from the Illinois Attorney General’s office and the Department of Justice will meet in court Thursday for oral arguments in Illinois’ lawsuit against the deployment of the National Guard in the state.
Illinois Press Association CEO Resigns After Dispute Over ICE Lawsuit – Medill Local News Initiative, October 8, 2025
The CEO of the Illinois Press Association, who had joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration for actions toward journalists outside a Chicago-area ICE facility, resigned this week following a dispute with the IPA’s board over the litigation.
IL House GOP leader: Pritzker ‘deliberately lied’ to score political hit – The Center Square, October 8, 2025
Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie says Gov. J.B. Pritzker lied about her record to score political hits.
EPA reversed regulations delay for steel coke plants, environmental group says – Chicago Tribune, October 8, 2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reversed plans to delay regulations for steel industry coke plants, the Environmental Integrity Project announced.
As Trump says Pritzker ‘should be in jail,’ Illinois’ governor taunts: ‘Come and get me’ – Capitol News Illinois, October 8, 2025
President Donald Trump posted to social media Wednesday that Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers.” Pritzker in turn said he won’t back down and taunted Trump to “Come and get me” in a Wednesday TV interview.
Illinois rideshare drivers organize for labor rights – Chicago Reader, October 8, 2025
In response, drivers across the country are battling Uber and Lyft state by state, urging local governments to regulate the rideshare industry. In Illinois, it’s illegal for the 85,000 drivers in Chicago and the 100,000 across the state to unionize. But that is not stopping thousands of drivers with the Illinois Drivers Alliance from fighting for fair working conditions.
Supreme Court seems ready to revive GOP challenge to Illinois mail-in ballot law – APNews, October 8, 2025
The Supreme Court seemed ready Wednesday to revive a Republican challenge to an Illinois law that allows the counting of late-arriving mail ballots, which have been a target of President Donald Trump.
Illinois sues Trump administration to stop deployment of Illinois, Texas National Guard in Chicago – The Daily Line, October 7, 2025
After more than a month of back-and-forth, the state has sued the Trump administration over orders to deploy federalized National Guard troops in Illinois.
Illinois sues Trump administration to stop deployment of Illinois, Texas National Guard in Chicago – The Daily Line, October 8, 2025
After more than a month of back-and-forth, the state has sued the Trump administration over orders to deploy federalized National Guard troops in Illinois.
Jesse Jackson Jr. to announce congressional run on father’s 84th birthday – Chicago Sun-Times, October 7, 2025
Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. will officially launch his campaign for the 2nd Congressional District Wednesday to honor his father’s 84th birthday
Gov. JB Pritzker says President Trump deploying troops to Chicago due to ‘dementia’ and obsessive fixations – Chicago Tribune, October 7, 2025
In a scathing critique of President Donald Trump, Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday accused the Republican president of deploying National Guard troops to the Democratic cities of Chicago and Portland based on fixations that stem in part from his being mentally impaired.
Texas National Guard arrives in the Chicago area – Chicago Tribune, October 7, 2025
The Texas National Guard has arrived in the Chicago area despite the repeated objections of Illinois officials, who have rejected President Donald Trump’s pledge to deploy the military domestically in response to increasingly heated immigration crackdown protests here and in other Democratic-run cities across the country.
State Reparations Commission holds public forum at University of Illinois – Chambana Today, October 7, 2025
The Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission held a public hearing Saturday at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. The event brought together local leaders, professors, researchers, and community members to discuss the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery on African American descendants in Illinois.
Judge declines to immediately block Guard deployment in Illinois – The Center Square, October 6, 2025
A federal judge on Monday declined to immediately block President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Chicago to address violence in the city.
Is it legal to record a conversation in Illinois? Here’s what state law says – Journal Star, October 6, 2025
It is only legal to record a conversation in Illinois if those involved follow the state’s two-party consent laws. Namely, both parties must consent for a conversation to be legally recorded.
Jesse Jackson Jr. to launch bid for his old seat – Politico, October 6, 2025
Jesse Jackson Jr., once a rising Democratic star who saw his congressional career unravel in scandal, is returning to the political stage. He will announce his bid this week for the same Illinois congressional seat he vacated over a decade ago.
Editorial: We strongly support this bipartisan plan to fix Illinois’ broken state elections – Chicago Tribune, October 5, 2025
Illinois elections are broken — with roughly half of legislative races uncontested after politicians drew maps to lock in power. Now, two political veterans, Ray LaHood and Bill Daley, think they’ve found a way to fix it.
Local IL lawmakers push Dems to nix clean energy proposal – WAND News, October 3, 2025
As the clock ticks closer to the start of the veto session, Central and Southern Illinois lawmakers are becoming skeptical of a massive energy plan. Some are concerned Democrats will pass the bill without considering how it will impact consumers.
Pritzker calls on state agencies to investigate feds’ treatment of children at South Shore raid – Chicago Sun-Times, October 3, 2025
The governor said Friday that two state agencies will contact families and children impacted by the raid to gather more information and hold federal agents accountable if allegations of abuse or neglect emerge.
Michael Madigan’s bid to stay out of prison denied by appeals court 10 days before his surrender – Chicago Sun-Times, October 3, 2025
A federal appeals court has rejected former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s bid to remain free while challenging his historic corruption conviction, meaning the country’s longest-serving state House leader is almost certainly headed to prison this month.
Business, community leaders urge support for Latino communities at IL Hispanic Chamber of Commerce conference – Chicago Sun-Times, October 9, 2025
Business and political leaders at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference on Thursday called for support and solidarity, as the federal government continues its aggressive deportation campaign in Chicago that targets Latino communities.
Judge declares a partial halt to National Guard deployment in Illinois – Crain’s Chicago Business, October 10, 2025
U.S. District Judge April Perry’s order says, “the National guard of the United States should not be deployed within the state of Illinois,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul told reporters after this afternoon’s hearing.
Illinois urges judge to stop National Guard deployment after Trump administration ‘plowed ahead’ – WPSD Local, October 9, 2025
Illinois urged a judge Thursday to order the National Guard to stand down in the Chicago area, calling the deployment a constitutional crisis and suggesting the Trump administration gave no heed to the pending legal challenge when it sent troops overnight to an immigration enforcement building.
Preckwinkle unveils $194.1M Forest Preserves budget for 2026, up slightly from last year – The Daily Line, October 9, 2025
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Wednesday unveiled a $194.1 million budget for the Cook County Forest Preserve District for 2026. The president’s proposed budget marks a more than $4.78 million, or 2.5 percent, increase compared to the previous year’s adopted budget.
Health committee to consider DFSS commissioner appointment, hold hearing on animal welfare services – The Daily Line, October 9, 2025
The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations on Thursday will consider the appointment of a permanent family and support services commissioner and hold a hearing on improving animal welfare services.
Gabel says transit solution still needed – Evanston Now, October 9, 2025
House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) said Democrats in Springfield are still eyeing a more long-term solution to the transit cliff, despite the Regional Transportation Authority projecting a far smaller deficit in 2026 than initially estimated.
Workforce development committee advances Chicago fire union contract – The Daily Line, October 8, 2025
The City Council Committee on Workforce Development on Tuesday swiftly approved a tentative collective bargaining agreement between the city and Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2, placing the city one step closer to resolving four years of contract negotiations.
Housing committee approves property tax break ordinance related to Sterling Bay tower development, SRO affordability covenant, city lot sales for new housing – The Daily Line, October 8, 2025
The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Tuesday approved a property tax break-related designation for Sterling Bay’s recently approved residential development in Lincoln Park, a lease agreement to allow the city’s electric vehicles to charge in two downtown parking garages and the sale of multiple city lots.
Workforce development committee advances Chicago fire union contract – The Daily Line, October 8, 2025
The City Council Committee on Workforce Development on Tuesday swiftly approved a tentative collective bargaining agreement between the city and Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2, placing the city one step closer to resolving four years of contract negotiations.
Lawmakers ‘ready to move’ on transit reform, but funding agreement remains elusive – Capitol News Illinois, October 7, 2025
Illinois lawmakers are optimistic a plan to reform and fund Chicago-area public transit agencies will pass the General Assembly this month, but agreement on funding remains a major hurdle.
Staffing issues cause ground delay at O’Hare amid government shutdown – Chicago Tribune, October 7, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay at O’Hare International Airport on Tuesday due to staffing issues as a federal government shutdown nears the end of its first week.
Housing committee to consider property tax break ordinance related to Sterling Bay tower development, SRO affordability covenant, city land sales for new housing – The Daily Line, October 7, 2025
The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Tuesday will consider a property tax break-related designation for Sterling Bay’s recently approved residential development in Lincoln Park, a lease agreement to allow the city’s electric vehicles to charge in two downtown parking garages and the sale of multiple city lots.
Workforce development committee to consider tentative fire union contract agreement – The Daily Line, October 7, 2025
The City Council Committee on Workforce Development on Tuesday will consider advancing a long-awaited, new collective bargaining agreement for the union that represents Chicago firefighters.
Pritzker says Trump’s ‘thuggery’ has made Chicago less safe – NBC, October 6, 2025
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the actions taken by ICE and other federal agents deployed to Chicago by President Trump have made citizens less safe. Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to stop the deployment of National Guard troops to the state.
Trump freezes $2.1B for Chicago projects, Red Line extension in shutdown fight with Dems – Chicago Sun Times, October 6, 2025
The White House on Friday said it is withholding $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago infrastructure projects, including the CTA’s Red Line extension, as President Donald Trump escalates his fight with the city and follows through on his threat to punish Democrats over the government shutdown.
Are Illinois State Police helping ICE in Broadview? – WBEZ Chicago, October 5, 2025
Illinois State Police were among several state and local agencies in Broadview Friday morning during a protest in what’s becoming a series of near-daily demonstrations at the suburban ICE processing facility.
Over Pritzker’s objections, Trump sending 300 National Guardsmen to Chicago, governor says – Capitol News Illinois, October 4, 2025
The governor claimed military officials gave him an ultimatum Saturday morning to either activate the Illinois National Guard or have the Trump Administration deploy and take command of state troops over his objections.
Trump freezes $2.1B for Chicago transit projects in latest ‘punishment’ of blue states – Capitol News Illinois, October 3, 2025
The White House on Friday froze $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago infrastructure projects in the latest move targeting Democratic cities and states amid the federal government shutdown.
Transit fiscal cliff much smaller than projected, but severe CTA cuts still expected next year – Chicago Tribune, October 3, 2025
The budget gap looming over the CTA, Metra and Pace next year is about $200 million — much smaller than previously estimated, regional transportation officials said Friday.
