2025 Illinois General Assembly Veto Session Report
The Illinois General Assembly concluded a two-week fall veto session in the early morning hours of Friday, October 31. Following an uneventful first week of veto session from October 14-16, the House and Senate returned to Springfield after a one-week break with a great deal to accomplish.
An energy omnibus (SB 25) focusing on battery energy storage and Chicago area public transportation governance and funding reform (SB 2111) were expected to be the most significant items under consideration. Both the energy and transit packages ended up passing after agreements were reached in the second week of veto session.
Other notable legislation that passed in veto session include a revenue package (SB 1911) to decouple Illinois from two tax changes enacted under the federal government’s budget reconciliation package (HR 1), an immigration enforcement package (HB 1312), a sunset extension omnibus (HB 1437), the Public Official Safety and Privacy Act (HB 576), a tax increment financing (TIF) extension omnibus and changes to the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (SB 642), updates to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s (ISAC) scholarship programs to conform with federal requirements (HB 3065), and a Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act Omnibus (SB 243) approved during the first week of veto session.
Click here for a summary of key legislation that passed in veto session.
2026 Illinois Primary Election Candidate Filing Results
Candidate filing for the 2026 Illinois election cycle officially closed on November 3 at 5:00PM, finalizing the field for the upcoming races. The 2026 primary election is set for March 16, with the general election to follow on November 3. One of the most notable developments in the early stages of the election cycle is that U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-4) announced he will not seek reelection in the 4th Congressional District, likely paving the way for his longtime Chief of Staff Patty García to replace him, as the only other Democrat who filed to run for the seat.
Click here for a complete list of all the filings for every seat in Illinois.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
February 6 – Bill Introduction Deadline
February 18 – Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address
March 13 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline (Senate)
March 27 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline (House)
April 17 – Initial Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 8 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 22 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment
In the News
COGFA: State revenues up a ’solid’ $474 million in first four months of fiscal year – Capitol Fax, November 6, 2025
Through the first four months of FY 2026, revenues deposited into the State’s General Funds have increased by $474 million, representing a solid 2.9% gain compared to the same period in FY 2025.
Bill aimed at regulating ‘excessive’ insurance rates fails to pass Illinois House – The Daily Line, November 7, 2025
The bill came after State Farm announced in July that it would raise homeowners’ insurance rates in Illinois by an average of 27 percent. That decision impacted nearly 1.5 million homeowners in the state.
What Illinois’ new transit spending bill means for riders, drivers – Chicago Sun Times, November 6, 2025
State lawmakers passed a major transit reform bill last week to prop up the CTA, Metra and Pace with $1.5 billion in additional tax revenue — helping to stave off cuts that would have affected millions of transit users.
Bill requiring new safety, privacy protections for public officials heads to Pritzker’s desk – Wand News, November 5, 2025
A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk could protect the safety and privacy of public officials. Sponsors filed the plan following the assassinations of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman and conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Gov. JB Pritzker says an Indiana remap might force Illinois to act as he celebrates Democratic wins Tuesday – The Chicago Tribune, November 5, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker credited Democratic successes in Tuesday’s elections across the country to candidates’ focus on affordability as well as voters who used their ballots to rebuke Republican President Donald Trump’s second-term leadership.
Governor Pritzker’s Visit Could Bring Major Changes to Food and Housing Access in the Metro East – First 4 Alert, November 5, 2025
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is making two key stops in the Metro East today — each focused on improving access to basic needs many families still struggle to meet: food and housing.
Illinois treasurer faces no GOP challenger as 2026 primary ballots take shape – Capitol News Illinois, November 4, 2025
Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs won his first statewide race in 2014 by fewer than 10,000 votes against his Republican opponent. More than a decade later, Frerichs — at least for now — is unopposed for a fourth term as the state’s chief investment officer. No Republican filed to run for state treasurer by the close of the weeklong filing period for the March 17 primary election, marking, according to Frerichs’ campaign, the first time in at least 90 years a major party has failed to field a candidate for a statewide office.
As he runs for Congress, Jesse Jackson Jr. takes campaign cash from ally under federal investigation – Chicago Sun-Times, November 5, 2025
As ex-U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) attempts a comeback more than a decade after he resigned from Congress and was convicted on corruption charges, one of his financial contributors is a south suburban politician who’s under investigation for the same type of campaign-finance misconduct that sent Jackson to prison.
Pritzker among 9 candidates running for Illinois governor. Meet the candidates – The State Journal Register, November 5, 2025
Hundreds of candidates stood in line at the State Board of Elections in Springfield on Oct. 27 to file their petitions and submit the necessary 5,000 signatures, among other requirements. The filing period ended Nov. 3.
IL Speaker Welch talks immigration, transit bills on way to Gov. Pritzker – ABC 7, November 4, 2025
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch joined ABC7 to talk about several bills on their way to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk.
Video gambling mogul Rick Heidner joins Republican primary for governor – Chicago Sun Times, November 3, 2025
Packed fields for Chicago-area congressional races also are shaping up, though ballot challenges will cull the list over the next few weeks.
Rep. Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia won’t seek reelection, leaves seat for chief of staff in move panned as ‘coronation’ – Chicago Sun Times, November 3, 2025
Garcia’s decision is the latest to shake up Illinois politics this year, and there are now five open congressional seats and an open Senate race in the March 17 primary.
Illinois General Assembly sends medical aid in dying, federal tax decoupling, Clean Slate Act to governor’s desk – The Daily Line, November 3, 2025
The Illinois General Assembly last week approved bills to legalize medical aid in dying, decouple from a corporate tax cut included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and allow automatic record sealing for some ex-offenders.
Judge to consider sanctions against state Sen. Michael Hastings in lawsuit alleging smear campaign – Chicago Tribune, October 31, 2025
State Sen. Michael Hastings could end up paying the legal fees of political opponents he alleges led a smear campaign against him ahead of his Nov. 8, 2022 election.
Illinois House Speaker Welch stands by revenue choices made in $1.5B mass transit bailout – Chicago Sun-Times, October 31, 2025
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch on Friday defended the revenue choices state lawmakers made to deliver a $1.5 billion mass transit bailout that he believes will serve as a long-term fix for Chicago area transit agencies.
Restrictions on federal immigration agents’ use of riot control weapons extended indefinitely – Capitol News Illinois, November 6, 2025
S. District Judge Sara Ellis on Thursday issued an injunction that essentially means her previous prohibitions on use of force contained in her Oct. 9 temporary restraining order will be in effect indefinitely.
Juliana Stratton endorsed for Senate for rejecting corporate PACs – Chicago Tribune, November 6, 2025
A group that aims to curb corporate influence in Washington by increasing transparency in campaign fundraising and enacting stricter federal campaign finance laws has endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in Illinois’ March Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, citing her pledge not to accept contributions from corporate political action committees.
Fire commissioner discusses Ernst and Young cost-saving recommendations, aldermanic notification at CFD budget hearing – The Daily Line, November 7, 2025
Alderpeople asked the head of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) about cost-saving suggestions from a city-commissioned budget study and about aldermanic notification during emergencies at a budget hearing Thursday.
RTA board approves new funding estimates, says layoffs and service cuts will be avoided in 2026 – The Daily Line, November 7, 2025
RTA Chair Kirk Dillard said the measure will prevent the agencies from cutting service or laying off staff in 2026 and will allow them to make additional investments to increase and improve service.
Snelling, police leaders discuss overtime mitigation, ShotSpotter replacement contract at CPD budget hearing – The Daily Line, November 6, 2025
Alderpeople asked leaders of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) about managing excessive personnel costs and replacement acoustic gunshot detection technology during a budget hearing Wednesday.
Alderpeople ask about TIF surplus impact, ‘Cut the Tape’ progress during Planning and Development Department budget hearing – The Daily Line, November 6, 2025
Alderpeople asked the head of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) about the mayor’s proposed massive sweep of tax increment financing (TIF) districts in his 2026 budget plan, as well as its efforts to reduce bureaucratic sluggishness and invest proceeds of the mayor’s billion-dollar bond deal during a budget hearing Tuesday.
Judge orders ICE to clean up conditions in Broadview facility that’s ‘become a prison’ – Capitol News Illinois, November 6, 2025
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials overhaul its processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview in order to make it more humane.
State revenue, bond rating both get a boost – The News Gazette, November 6, 2025
Illinois got some good news — but not great — about increases in October tax revenue. At the same, it got some good news — but not great — about an improvement in the state’s bond rating.
RTA walks back 2026 fare increases for CTA, Metra and Pace – Chicago Sun-Times, November 4, 2025
The Regional Transportation Authority on Tuesday said it is no longer requiring the CTA, Metra and Pace to implement 10% fare increases next year, following the passage last week of a historic transit funding package in the General Assembly.
Crucial hearing over feds’ use of force could reveal ‘incredible’ Bovino testimony Wednesday – Chicago Sun-Times, November 5, 2025
A federal judge has been deluged with claims that the feds have violated a temporary restraining order, including an allegation that U.S. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino personally tossed tear gas into a crowd in Little Village without justification.
CTA logs 14,000 smoking complaints in 14 months – Chicago Sun Times, November 4, 2025
Here’s where — and when — most smoking complaints are filed as the CTA grapples with snuffing out the problem of smoking on the system.
Mayor Johnson scores win in legal battle with Trump over frozen federal funds – Chicago Sun Times, November 3, 2025
Homeland Security, FEMA can’t kill a program created to reimburse cities for costs tied to the care and feeding of migrants, judge rules.
Chicago-area restaurants offering free and discounted meals to SNAP recipients – Chicago Sun Times, November 3, 2025
Funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is frozen. Reduced benefits are expected to restart later this month. In the meantime, area restaurants are stepping up to help. This list will be updated.
What to know about immigration enforcement raids in Chicago after 3 months – Chicago Tribune, November 3, 2025
As the Trump administration’s mass deportation raids begin their third month, their impact has stretched across the Chicago region and the nation.
Alderpeople ask about SNAP suspension, gender-based violence spending cuts during Department of Family and Support Services budget hearing – The Daily Line, November 3, 2025
Alderpeople questioned the newly confirmed head of the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) on reductions in spending on gender-based violence and the impacts of the government shutdown during a budget hearing last week.
Lawsuit alleges ICE detainees denied access to counsel while held in ‘inhumane’ conditions – Capitol News Illinois, November 1, 2025
A lawsuit alleges the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview is a “black box” where detainees are denied access to counsel while held in squalid, overcrowded cells.
