In his $16.6B 2026 budget proposal, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed resurrecting the city’s head tax to help close a projected $1.15B budget shortfall. This tax would charge businesses with at least 100 employees, entirely or primarily based in Chicago, a fee of $21 per person per month. The proposed fee, which would affect roughly 3% of businesses in Chicago, is estimated to generate $100M in new annual revenue. Revenues from the head tax would be used to help close the city’s budget deficit and to provide a long-term and stable funding source for the Community Safety Fund.
Chicago previously had a long-standing head tax of $4 per employee per month on businesses with more than 50 employees who worked at least half of their hours in Chicago, before it was eliminated in 2014 under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Gov. JB Pritzker, along with business groups and some alderpeople, came out against the head tax. The governor is “absolutely, four-square opposed” to the tax, saying it would penalize business growth in Chicago. “It penalizes the very thing that we want, which is more employment in the City of Chicago,” said Gov. Pritzker. He believes the tax would make it harder to attract and retain businesses in Chicago, which is an area of concern for a state that is still recovering from the impacts of a two-year budget impasse under then-Governor Bruce Rauner. Pritzker agrees that the $1.15B projected Chicago budget deficit is an issue that must be addressed but suggests making up the deficit by weeding out inefficiencies in city government and not a head tax.
The General Assembly returns this week for the final week of the fall veto session. Lawmakers are still negotiating several major omnibus bills, including a sweeping energy package and a possible transit funding plan. With the clock winding down, it’s unclear whether these big-ticket items will get resolved before adjournment or be pushed to the January session.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2
In the News
Pritzker creates commission to track ICE activity in Illinois, report illegal activity to police – The Daily Line, October 24, 2025
Following weeks of increased immigration raids in the Chicago area, Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday creating a commission to track immigration enforcement actions and make recommendations for state policy changes.
Rahm Emanuel points to record, trust with Republicans as he considers presidential bid – Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2025
Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Thursday a decision on whether to pursue the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination comes down to whether he thinks he can meet “both the challenge and the promise of tomorrow” and execute on it.
Pritzker forms independent commission to document misconduct of federal agents – Capitol News Illinois, October 23, 2025
The commission has three primary goals: Creating a public record of abuses, examining the impact on families and communities, and recommending actions for harm reduction and restoration of justice.
President Trump issues disaster declarations for several Republican-led states but denies Illinois and Maryland – Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2025
The decisions fell mostly along party lines, with Trump touting on social media Wednesday that he had “won BIG” in Alaska in the last three presidential elections and that it was his “honor” to deliver for the “incredible Patriots” of Missouri, a state he also won three times.
Former IL Sen. Darren Bailey’s family members killed in Montana helicopter accident – CBS News, October 23, 2025
Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Illinois Senator Darren Bailey’s family members were killed in a helicopter accident on Wednesday.
Gov. JB Pritzker and GOP House leader bickered in texts after conservative influencer filmed Pritzker’s home – Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2025
When a right-wing provocateur last month posted a video outside Gov. JB Pritzker’s Chicago home encouraging viewers to “take action” after conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the governor reached out to both Republican leaders of the Illinois legislature.
New committee discusses possible Illinois-Indiana border change – WIBQ, October 22, 2025
A newly formed Illinois-Indiana Boundary Adjustment Committee met for the first time on Wednesday at Indiana State University. The committee heard two hours of testimony from experts on why Illinois counties want to join the Hoosier State. One speaker, Scott Carpenter, said residents are tired of being in a Democrat-controlled state.
Behind closed doors, Illinois lawmakers discuss potential redistricting effort – WGN9, October 22, 2025
As the redistricting battle plays out across the county, political leaders in Illinois are staying quiet about their plans to redraw congressional maps here.
Drug kingpin Larry Hoover asks Gov. JB Pritzker for freedom – Chicago Sun Times, October 22, 2025
Despite a commutation issued by President Donald Trump, Hoover’s lawyers say he remains in “extreme conditions of confinement” at the Colorado State Penitentiary and has had three heart attacks.
Opinion: Illinois becoming the lawsuit capital of America, and Springfield to blame – The Center Square, October 22, 2025
As someone who has spent decades building and rebuilding businesses in Illinois, I’ve grown accustomed to challenges that come with the territory: tight deadlines, rising costs, complex regulations. What I can’t get used to is watching our state lawmakers continue to make it harder for businesses to operate here. The passage of Senate Bill 328 is just the latest example of how Illinois politicians continue to tip the scales in favor of special interests at the expense of working families and employers.
Illinois treasurer promises to pass nonprofit legislation vetoed by Pritzker – The Center Square, October 22, 2025
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says he will keep pushing nonprofit investment legislation that was vetoed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Illinois aims to crack down on ICE cars with illegal license plates after Sun-Times report – Chicago Sun Times, October 22, 2025
Two weeks after the Sun-Times first asked about federal immigration vehicles with questionable plates, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias launched a hotline to report license plate tampering. He said penalties include potential jail time.
Pritzker says proposed Chicago corporate head tax would ‘penalize’ business growth – The Daily Line, October 22, 2025
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed reviving the city’s head tax as part of his 2026 budget proposal last week. The tax would charge businesses with at least 100 workers entirely or primarily based in Chicago a fee of $21 per employee per month.
Republican race for Illinois governor already spiraling downward over questionable campaign tactics – Chicago Tribune, October 21, 2025
At a brief news conference, GOP governor candidate Ted Dabrowski refused to discuss the public disclosure of a years-old draft harassment complaint involving rival Darren Bailey and his 2022 campaign. The allegations, stemming from Bailey’s failed 2022 bid for governor, were never formally filed in court and have not been verified, but were linked to a politically motivated news article shared online.
Illinois elections board divided, meaning nearly $10 million fine against Senate President Don Harmon unlikely – Chicago Tribune, October 21, 2025
The Illinois State Board of Elections split evenly along party lines Tuesday on state Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a recommendation that he violated state campaign finance laws, making it unlikely that it has the legal authority to impose a nearly $10 million fine against him for accepting campaign contributions in excess of legal limits.
Illinois takes steps to lower SNAP error rate to avoid $800 million penalty – The Daily Line, October 21, 2025
With changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) potentially costing Illinois as much as $800 million in 2027, the state is taking steps to lower that price tag.
Illinois asks Supreme Court to deny Trump’s ‘dramatic’ request to clear National Guard deployment – Chicago Tribune, October 21, 2025
Attorneys for Illinois on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to deny the Trump administration’s “dramatic” request to be allowed to send National Guard troops to the Chicago area to help with immigration enforcement while the issue is on appeal.
New Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy looks to move past Legionnaires’ disease – STLPR, October 20, 2025
There has been a veterans home of some kind in Quincy for nearly 140 years. But that history was marred in 2015 when an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease was linked to the deaths of 14 residents and the illnesses of dozens more.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accuses Gov. JB Pritzker and media of ‘trying to demonize’ immigration officers – Chicago Tribune, October 20, 2025
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday criticized the media and politicians, including Gov. JB Pritzker, for “trying to demonize” federal immigration agents and the Trump administration’s enforcement operations, and she urged citizens to thank law enforcement officers and “cook a meal for their families.”
Illinois ranks in lower half in new ‘Safest States’ poll – The Center Square, October 20, 2025
Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller views the state’s bottom-feeder ranking in a new Safest States in America survey as indisputable evidence of how the state has become its own worst enemy.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker stops in Moline – KWQC, October 17, 2025
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made a stop in Moline to discuss the state’s Rebuild Illinois multi-year program.
Water Management commissioner promises to ‘ramp up’ lead service line replacements during budget hearing – The Daily Line, October 24, 2025
Alderpeople asked the water department about lead service line replacement and disaster relief for recent flash floods during the department’s 2026 budget hearing Thursday.
Chicago area transit agencies share 2026 budget proposals — including when they expect funds to run out – The Daily Line, October 24, 2025
As Illinois lawmakers prepare for the second week of veto session, Chicago-area public transit agencies shared a more detailed look at their 2026 budgets — and when they expect funding to run out.
Alderpeople criticize communication from CDOT over downtown bridge construction project closures – The Daily Line, October 23, 2025
During a presentation on the Chicago Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) proposed 2026 budget on Wednesday, department leadership fielded questions from downtown and North Side alderpeople about the impacts of multiple construction projects that have created traffic gridlock in the area.
Now we know what United’s doing with those new O’Hare gates – Crain’s Chicago Business, October 23, 2025
United Airlines says it will add 10 new domestic routes, including six destinations not served by other carriers at O’Hare, as it takes advantage of new gates awarded earlier this month.
Alderpeople voice concerns about TIF sweep, reduced supplemental pension payment, head tax during first day of budget hearings – The Daily Line, October 22, 2025
Alderpeople voiced concerns about a potential credit downgrade stemming from a proposed lower supplemental pension payment, project delays from a planned record-high sweep of city tax increment financing (TIF) districts and the economic impacts of a new proposed head tax during the first day of 2026 city budget hearings.
Chicago transit violent crime at 7 year high, funding concerns persist – The Center Square, October 21, 2025
With federal authorities now threatening to cut Chicago Transit Authority funding due to rising violence across the system, Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford worries actions being taken by the federal government could put vulnerable riders even more at risk.
Trump agrees to extend judge’s block on deploying National Guard as Supreme Court weighs case – Capitol News Illinois, October 21, 2025
The Trump administration on Tuesday agreed to a 30-day extension on a judge’s temporary restraining order prohibiting the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago.
Ordinance would expand ADU rights in single-family zones across nearly 20 wards – The Daily Line, October 21, 2025
A group of 18 alderpeople last week introduced a measure that would opt their wards’ single-family residential zoning districts into allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as attic and basement conversion units or coach houses. The proposal came after the City Council last month approved a compromise ordinance legalizing ADUs in multifamily and business districts citywide while exempting most single-family areas.
Budget hearings to kick off as mayor’s budget and finance team present to committee – The Daily Line, October 21, 2025
Members of the Chicago City Council on Tuesday will kick off the first week of 2026 budget hearings with presentations from the Office of Budget and Management (OBM), Department of Finance and Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Immigration officials seek to justify use of force on Chicago-area protesters – Capitol News Illinois, October 20, 2025
Federal immigration enforcement officials overseeing the Trump administration’s ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicago area testified Monday that all uses of aggressive crowd control tactics on protesters in recent weeks have been justified.
Moline to Chicago passenger rail depends on Transit Bill passing in Springfield – 4 The Record, October 20, 2025
This year’s veto session for Illinois state lawmakers in Springfield is missing one ingredient. No vetoed legislation to consider. However, there is unfinished business from the Spring session. One proposal important to the Quad Cities is the Transit bill. It includes $380 million for Amtrak from Moline to Chicago.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sues Trump over threat to cut emergency funding – Chicago Tribune, October 20, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration filed another lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s administration, this time in a bid to protect threatened emergency preparedness funding.
Thousands mobilize in Chicago, across Illinois to send a message: ‘No Kings’ – Capitol News Illinois, October 18, 2025
Tens of thousands turn out for a “No Kings” demonstration Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s aggressive and sometimes violent immigrant enforcement in Chicago.
