It was a busy week in Springfield as lawmakers pushed toward the April 11 initial chamber third reading deadline. Upon adjourning on April 10th, the House had already sent more than 220 bills to the Senate. In the Senate, more than 150 bills had cleared the floor.
As the General Assembly approaches May, budget negotiations and discussions are also ramping up. Governor JB Pritzker surprised everyone this week, indicating that because of increasing uncertainty on the federal level and chaos in the world economy, lawmakers could have to return to session after the session adjourns at the end of May to consider revisiting the state budget. A spokesman later clarified that the administration is preparing for unpredictable actions from President Trump, who is slashing federal agency and state and local government budgets and slapping on sweeping import tariffs. While there are no concrete plans yet for a special session, lawmakers have had to come back to Springfield for special sessions in times of fiscal uncertainty before, so this wouldn’t be unprecedented.
Despite the uncertainty ahead, Pritzker said he is still in talks with legislative leaders to get a balanced budget passed before the adjournment deadline. He stated that revenue is tracking as forecasted at this point, but cautioned that it can quickly be turned on its head based on the future of Washington. The governor also acknowledged that while lawmakers are eager to introduce new investments, no one has surfaced with a package of reductions necessary to balance out those additions, something he said will be necessary. With the weeks left in the spring session dwindling down, the pressure is on not just to pass legislation, but to produce a budget that can withstand uncertain times.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
May 9 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment
In the News
Pritzker called to testify on Illinois’ immigrant policy in D.C. – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 10, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker is one of three Democratic governors being called to testify before the same congressional committee that called Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to Washington last month regarding sanctuary cities.
Senate approves bills to ban certain food additives, commission crash study on DuSable Lake Shore Drive – The Daily Line, April 11, 2025.
The Illinois Senate on Thursday approved bills to ban certain food additives, require municipalities keep a public list of large infrastructure contracts and commission a
Illinois House Democrats pass bill banning Native American school mascots, logos – WAND News, April 10, 2025.
A monumental bill to ban Illinois schools from using Native American names, logos, and mascots passed out of the House after a controversial debate Thursday.
Illinois bill requiring food handlers to undergo celiac disease training passes Senate – WCIA, April 10, 2025.
A proposal to help safeguard Illinois foodservice consumers with a common disease passed one chamber in the Capitol.
Editorial: Illinois Supreme Court’s refusal to hear gerrymandering case is a blow to democracy – Chicago Tribune, April 11, 2025.
Last month, we urged Illinois Supreme Court justices to consider state Republicans’ strong arguments against extreme gerrymandering in the Land of Lincoln. To no one’s surprise, on Wednesday the Democratic majority on the high court seized on a technicality to avoid confronting the obvious and refused to hear the GOP’s case.
IL gun storage bill approved as Homeschool Act could still pass before deadline – The Center Square, April 10, 2025.
Gun owners would have to lock up their firearms anywhere they are under a measure that passed the Illinois Senate late Thursday.
‘Politics for profit’: Jurors see lawmakers’ wheeling and dealing as trial of Sen. Emil Jones III begins – Chicago Sun Times, April 9, 2025.
Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III raved in 2019 to a red-light camera executive about Steak 48, the swanky downtown Chicago steakhouse where Jones said he’d visited “countless, countless, countless, countless” times — and always got the “Wagyu filet.”
Sonya Massey bill to require stricter hiring practices for police passes the IL Senate unanimously – WAND News, April 9, 2025.
A plan made in response to the death of Sonya Massey passes unanimously out of the Illinois Senate.
Illinois Senate unanimously approves school cell phone ban, sends bill to House – WAND News, April 9, 2025.
State senators passed a bill Wednesday night to ban cell phones in classrooms.
Homeschooling, transit reform hot button issues as Springfield faces May deadline – WGN, April 9, 2025.
Lawmakers in Springfield continue to debate hot button measures before their session ends in May, including a proposal that would change homeschooling in Illinois and another to bail out Chicago-area transit agencies.
Illinois politicians, advocacy groups fight back as Trump cuts funding for libraries and museums – Chicago Sun Times, April 9, 2025.
Illinois officials and cultural institutions are fighting back against President Donald Trump’s efforts to cut federal funding for libraries and museums.
Democratic-led Illinois Supreme Court rejects GOP challenge to legislative maps that kept Democrats in control – Chicago Tribune, April 9, 2025.
The Democrat-led Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday said Republicans waited too long to contest the 2021 redrawing of legislative districts that has maintained Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate.
Mad dash in crowded Springfield – Politico, April 10, 2025.
It was the biggest lobbying day of the year at the Capitol on Wednesday — elbow to elbow at the brass rail, a crowded tunnel and a line to get into Boone’s for lunch.
Scherer Recovering From “Significant” Car Accident – The Illinoize, April 9, 2025.
According to a release from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Scherer, who has served in the House since 2013, was involved in the crash April 1 at 8:17AM at the corner of Wyckles Road and Park Road in far northwest Decatur.
House passes bills to restrict offensive mascots, clarify parole law – The Daily Line, April 9, 2025.
The Illinois House approved measures Tuesday to restrict offensive mascots, remove a barrier for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking licensure and clarify parole law.
Who could replace Sen. Durbin if he retires? Lauren Underwood leads in new poll – 5Chicago, April 8, 2025
Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin hasn’t yet announced whether he will run for another term in 2026 — but there’s already new polling on potential candidates ready to step in if he retires.
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon improperly accepted $4 million in campaign cash, election authorities say – Chicago Tribune, April 9, 2025.
Illinois Democratic Senate President Don Harmon improperly accepted $4 million more in political contributions than allowed under campaign donation laws he championed years ago, according to the State Board of Elections.
Illinois House passes violent crime reporting proposal, sends plan to Senate – Wand News, April 8, 2025.
The Illinois House unanimously approved a bill Tuesday to require law enforcement submit quarterly reports on the number of homicides and violent crimes in their communities.
The plan calls on the Illinois State Police to send the number of homicides and aggravated assaults with a firearm to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
Amid global tariff war, Pritzker vows to be ‘stable’ trading partner with United Kingdom – Capitol News Illinois, April 8. 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker vowed Tuesday that Illinois will remain a “stable” trading partner with nations around the world, despite President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs that have disrupted global markets.
IL bill to expand what constitutes stalking unanimously passes the House – Wand News, April 8, 2025.
A bill to expand what is considered stalking in state law passed unanimously out of the House. Under the plan, a victim can more easily obtain a Stalking No Contact Order if the victim feels under emotional distress.
IL commission to reduce food deserts passes the House – Wand News, April 8, 2025.
A State Democratic plan would create a commission that would recommend policies to reduce food deserts in Illinois. It would also review current policies to see if they are working as intended.
Jury empaneled in bribery trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III – Chicago Tribune, April 8, 2025.
After two lengthy days of questioning, a jury has been selected in the bribery trial of Democratic state Sen. Emil Jones III, who is accused of conspiring to accept $5,000 and other perks from a red-light camera company executive in exchange for his help with legislation in Springfield.
Illinois House approves bills to prohibit third-party reservations sellers, protect medicated abortion – The Daily Line, April 8, 2025.
The Illinois House passed its first bills out of the chamber Monday, including measures to codify federal merit-based hiring requirements, prohibit third-party reservation sellers and ensure medicated abortion remains legal in Illinois, even if there are federal attempts to revoke access.
WATCH: Price gouging measure criticized for being harmful to Illinois small businesses – The Center Square, April 7, 2025.
Legislation that goes after price gougers after a natural disaster in Illinois is itself being called a disaster.
Pritzker sees tariff troubles – Politico, April 3, 2025.
President Donald Trump kept his promise Wednesday to enact sweeping tariffs with the goal of helping the economy grow.
Tens of thousands of Illinoisans take to the streets to protest Trump and Musk agenda – Capitol News Illinois, April 7, 2025.
Tens of thousands of Illinoisans across the state took to the streets Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s and billionaire Elon Musk’s government downsizing, foreign policy choices and actions on the economy, immigration and human rights.
Families turn to Illinois Attorney General to help bring back surgeries for transgender youth – Wbez News, April 4, 2025.
Dozens of families and medical students are calling for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to prompt two major hospitals in Chicago to resume transgender surgeries for young people.
Here are the Illinoisans on Forbes’ latest billionaires list – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 4, 2025.
Forbes released its 2025 “World’s Billionaires List” this week, and Crain’s sifted through the 3,028 names to identify the billionaires with ties to Chicago and the greater Illinois business community. We found more than 20 billionaires who either call the state home or have compelling relevance to the happenings here.
In dispute over Wirtz project’s impact fees in Mundelein, legislators want to give schools more power – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 4, 2025.
Four state legislators have entered the heated dispute over how much money the Wirtz family’s planned Ivanhoe Village development should pay local schools to prepare for the influx of new students it will generate. There’s a gap of about $86 million between what the school districts say they’ll need in order to build space and what the developers have offered.
Opinion: Joe Ferguson and David Greising: It’s time to slash the number of Illinois local governments – Chicago Tribune, April 6, 2025.
Illinois has 8,923 local governments — more than any other state. Texas, which has more than double Illinois’ 12.7 million residents and nearly five times Illinois’ land mass, is next-highest, with 5,433 government units — about two-thirds as many as Illinois’.
IL property tax bill called bandage avoiding ‘bigger problem’ – The Center Square, April 4, 2025.
An Illinois lawmaker calls his bill a “Band-Aid,” and urges Democrats to look at the “bigger problem” when it comes to property tax relief. Senate Bill 2086 seeks to raise the income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption to $75,000 for taxable year 2025. State Sen. Chris Balkema, R-Champaign, is the sponsor.
‘His day in court’: State Sen. Emil Jones III finally heading to trial on 2022 bribery charges – Chicago Sun Times, April 7, 2025.
When word surfaced in February that prosecutors might be in plea talks with state Sen. Emil Jones III, it seemed the longtime legislator might follow the lead of so many colleagues who faced federal criminal charges. Resign from the Legislature, plead guilty and avoid trial.
Pardoned by Trump, Rod Blagojevich has new job: Lobbying for Bosnian Serbs – Illinois State Politics, April 5, 2025.
Less than two months after President Donald Trump pardoned Rod Blagojevich, the former Democratic governor of Illinois who served prison time on corruption charges has been hired to lobby on behalf of the Bosnian Serb republic.
Abrupt $1 million loss for Illinois Humanities after Trump cuts funding tap – Webez Chicago, April 4, 2025.
An abrupt cessation of federal humanities funding will leave Illinois Humanities short an estimated $1 million for this fiscal year, which could have a trickle-down effect on the state’s museums and historical preservation efforts.
Mayor Brandon Johnson responds to Trump threat to revoke federal aid for sanctuary cities – Chicago Tribune, April 10, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson sought to reassure Chicagoans on Thursday that his administration would defend itself against President Donald Trump’s latest threat to strip cities with sanctuary policies for immigrants of federal aid.
Inspectors general association adopts position papers in line with proposed Chicago OIG changes toward law department – The Daily Line, April 10, 2025.
A worldwide association of inspectors general recently adopted two position papers that reflect proposed changes the Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has suggested to increase the independence and effectiveness of her office’s work.
Chicago aldermen move to ban Jan. 6 rioters from city work – Chicago Tribune, April 9. 2025.
Convicted Jan. 6 rioters have won sweeping pardons from President Donald Trump. They might nonetheless soon lose their ability to hold Chicago government jobs.
Cook County to expand guaranteed income after end of taxpayer-funded pilot – The Center Square, April 9, 2025.
An Illinois county is moving forward with plans to expand a taxpayer-funded guaranteed income program for residents.
Chicago law firms sign on to Trump challenge — but not many – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 9, 2025.
Nathan Eimer, a veteran Chicago litigator, says his mother Charlotte and her parents escaped from Austria just days before World War II erupted. A great-grandmother later perished at Theresienstadt, a ghetto and concentration camp waystation in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. His family’s history, Eimer says, drove him to work on a friend-of-the-court brief supporting one of the law firms singled out by the Trump administration for representing political opponents or employing federal prosecutors who investigated Trump-related cases.
Trump administration freezes $790M in federal funds for Northwestern – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 8, 2025.
The Trump administration has frozen $790 million in federal funding for Northwestern University and more than $1 billion in funding for Cornell University, according to the New York Times, which cites two administration officials.
License and Consumer Protection Committee approves new regulations to crack down on ‘rogue’ tow truck operators – The Daily Line, April 9, 2025.
The City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection on Tuesday approved new regulations for tow truck companies that operate in the city to crack down on bad actors and approved a new geographical ban on hemp-derived intoxicant sales.
Joint finance, housing committee to consider Green Social Housing ordinance – The Daily Line, April 9, 2025.
A City Council joint committee on Wednesday will consider a proposal for the city to establish an independent nonprofit that would serve as the developer for the city’s Green Social Housing program.
Illinois lawmakers urged to pass ‘United We Move’ bill for safer, smarter transit – My State Line, April 8, 2025.
Transit workers called on Illinois lawmakers to pass the “United We Move” bill on Tuesday in Springfield. The bill would create safer, smarter and more realistic public transit for Northeastern Illinois, according to supporters.
CPD striving for diversity on the force, but results depend on how new officers are counted – Chicago Tribune, April 9, 2025.
Who wants to be a cop in Chicago? Who gets to be a cop in Chicago? Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters last month that working toward long-standing goals to diversify the Chicago Police Department, the city has seen an increase in CPD applications from communities of color.
Mayor Brandon Johnson sounds alarm on Chicago city budget, but critics say he’s late to the game – CBS News Chicago, April 8, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson is looking down the financial road from City Hall, and sounding an alarm of sorts for members of the Chicago City Council. From the city’s own looming budget deficit to instability on Wall Street and in Washington, it’s setting up to be a challenging budget year in 2026.
CTA to break ground on Red Line extension in early 2026 as prep work begins on Far South Side – Chicago Sun Times, April 8, 2025.
The Chicago Transit Authority is anticipating breaking ground on the Red Line extension early next year, officials announced Tuesday.
Circuit court clerk’s office launches new caseload data dashboard – The Daily Line, April 9, 2025.
Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos’ office on Wednesday launched a new public data dashboard that will allow people to view case statistics dating back five years.
Wheaton OKs municipal grocery tax, as Lombard, other towns look to follow suit – Daily Herald, April 8, 2025.
Wheaton has joined a growing list of suburban towns enacting a municipal 1% percent sales tax on groceries to replace a state-imposed tax set to be repealed at the start of next year.
One-on-one with CPD’s Supt. Snelling as he details new strategic plan – WGN, April 7, 2025.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling introduced a new strategic plan Monday that includes his vision of CPD in 2025.
Andrew Boutros sworn in as Chicago’s US attorney – Chicago Tribune, April 7, 2025.
Veteran Chicago lawyer and former federal prosecutor Andrew Boutros was sworn in Monday as the 42nd U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
Quezada confirmed as next 35th Ward alderperson by council – The Daily Line, April 8, 2025.
The City Council voted to confirm the appointment of Cook County Comm. Anthony Quezada (D-8) to be the next 35th Ward alderperson at a special meeting Monday, with the young progressive succeeding former Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and allowing Mayor Brandon Johnson to maintain a likely favorable vote in that seat for the remainder of his term.
Mayor Brandon Johnson still mired in firefighters contract standoff, despite dropping reorganization plan – Chicago Tribune, April 8, 2025.
When rank-and-file firefighters joined them to demand a contract last month, the Chicago Teachers Union framed the team-up in powerful terms: “Two unions. One fight.”
Biz community anxious as Johnson preps industrial zoning plan – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 8, 2025.
Named for an environmental justice advocate from the city’s Southeast Side, Mayor Brandon Johnson is preparing new legislation meant to address the environmental impact caused by decades of clustering polluting companies in Chicago’s Black and Brown neighborhoods.
Chicago-area transit leaders discuss spending plan with Senate Transportation Committee – The Daily Line, April 4, 2025.
As the Illinois General Assembly looks for a possible funding solution for a $771 million fiscal cliff Chicago-area transit is facing, the Senate Executive Committee heard from transit leaders Wednesday on how a bailout would be spent.
Cook County leaders are touting the success of their guaranteed income pilot program – WBEZ Chicago, April 8, 2025.
Cook County’s pilot program to provide guaranteed income to more than 3,000 people did what it was intended to do, early findings suggest — it helped provide some economic stability.
Feds make long-promised move to drop charges against ex-Ald. Daniel Solis – Chicago Tribune, April 4, 2025.
The U.S. attorney’s office officially has moved to drop the criminal case against high-profile government mole Daniel Solis, the former alderman who played key roles in federal prosecutions that brought down two of Chicago’s Democratic kingpins, ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan and ex-Ald. Edward Burke.
The $265 million tech bill – Chicago Tribune, April 6, 2025.
In a flurry of contracts inked a decade ago, some of Illinois’ most powerful political figures declared it was time to fix their obsolete and expensive computer systems. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle called for an online method to deliver error-free property records and tax bills.
Anointed by powerful father, state Sen. Emil Jones III heads to trial on bribery charges – Chicago Tribune, April 6, 2025.
Chicago Democrat Emil Jones III was made a state senator in 2008 in a classic Illinois way, on a path paved by his powerful father that left little to chance. Now, Jones is rolling the dice with a federal jury that could send him packing in equally time-honored Illinois fashion: as a convicted felon.
Sean Morrison stepping down as Cook County GOP chair – Chicago Tribune, April 5, 2025.
Sean Morrison announced Saturday that he will resign effective April 14 as Cook County Republican chairman after nine years, saying it was time to infuse “new energy” into the GOP leadership in a county dominated by Democrats.
United Airlines makes a play for O’Hare’s road warriors – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 7, 2025.
United Airlines is trying to convince Chicago-area travelers to switch sides, promising they can keep their coveted frequent-flyer status if they change loyalty programs.
Chicago stocks take even worse beating as trade war fears intensify – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 4, 2025.
Roughly another $125 billion in value has been wiped out among Chicago’s largest public companies as warnings from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that the damage of a trade war will be worse than expected escalated a mass sell-off among traders today.
As teens ‘take over’ downtown once again, Chicago faces a choice – Chicago Tribune, April 7, 2025.
When Khalil Cotton was growing up on Grand Boulevard on the city’s South Side, he and his friends often struggled to find places to hang out outside of school. A hoop with a crate on a pole was a replacement for a basketball court because there wasn’t one nearby, he said. Cotton, now 21, started to attend “trend gatherings” — large meetups of young people downtown — when he was in middle school, simply for a place to go.
‘Hands Off’ protesters rally against Trump policies – 5 Chicago, April 5, 2025.
Planned demonstrations are happening today across the country. Protesters say they’re upset with the Trump administration, Elon Musk and the agenda coming from the White House.
‘We’re gonna sue’: Chicago mayor says Trump threat to cut funding over DEI is ‘unconstitutional’ – Chalkbeat Chicago, April 4, 2025.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson threatened to sue the Trump administration if it follows through on a threat to withhold billions in federal education funding to states and districts over diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch says City of Lights Center project ‘pretty much dead’ – Chicago Tribune, April 6, 2025.
Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch told The Beacon-News in a recent interview that he has no intention of pursuing the City of Lights Center project.
