The 2026 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit took place at McCormick Place in Chicago from July 27 through July 29 with Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Marcus Evans serving as the NCSL President this year. The event brought together more than 7,000 lawmakers, legislative staff, and policy experts from all 50 states and U.S. territories for three days of policy discussions, networking, and professional development.
The agenda covered a broad range of topics, such as AI, election administration ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, data centers and energy demand, prediction markets, and state budget forecasting. This year’s Summit coincided with the nation’s 250thanniversary which served as the basis for the event’s core theme of national unity. NCSL CEO Tim Storey even described the event as an opportunity to “hear new points [and] challenge our own assumptions.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker participated in the Summit’s opening general session on Monday, July 27, titledHow to Disagree Better: Leading in Polarized Times. He was joined by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Marcus Evans, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, iO Theater’s Director of Education Gretchen Eng for a discussion on leadership and navigating partisan disagreement.
The Summit also featured several nationally recognized speakers. On Tuesday, July 28 Nobel laureate and AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton spoke about the opportunities and challenges presented by AI technology. On Wednesday, July 29 former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivered remarks during the Democratic Legislator’s Luncheon, discussingAmerica’s Promise at 250: Building Bridges. Wednesday also featured the Republican Legislator’s Luncheon with remarks from TV host and author Rachel Campos-Duffy.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
November 3– Illinois General Election
November 17-19– Veto Session Week 1
December 1-3– Veto Session Week 2
In the News
GOP makes political push in House races amid lawmaker controversies–The Center Square, July 26, 2026
Months out from the upcoming general election in November, a number of races for the Illinois House of Representatives are gaining momentum following multiple recent controversies involving Democrat lawmakers.
Illinois Democrats’ single-party rule and diminished GOP may shield Springfield from Benton scandal reforms–Chicago Tribune, July 26, 2026
With only 100 days until the Nov. 3 general election, it would seem that questions surrounding Democratic House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against former state Rep. Harry Benton would be an issue ripe for Republicans looking to make gains in the chamber where they are a superminority.
Illinois Lt. Gov. candidate Aaron Del Mar wants to talk affordability, not abortion–Quad-City Times, July 25, 2026
The Republican ticket for Illinois governor wants to emphasize affordability, not social issues, ahead of the 2026 election.
IL Governor Candidate Bailey Calls for Immediate Halt to Data Centers in the State–WVIK, July 24, 2026
Darren Bailey, Republican candidate for Illinois Governor, talks about the reasons for his candidacy, how he would address the skyrocketing cost of living, ethics reform, an Illinois DOGE, property tax reform, jobs and much more. He also discusses his decision to live in Chicago to help bridge the partisan and rural-urban divide.
Area lawmakers weigh in on speaker’s handling of allegations against disgraced representative–25 News Now, July 27, 2026
A Democratic state lawmaker representing Central Illinois said she still has confidence in Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch about his handling of sexual harassment allegations against disgraced former State Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield).
Laura Washington: JB Pritzker and Rahm Emanuel are on a collision course in the 2028 presidential race–Chicago Tribune, July 29, 2026
Gov. JB Pritzker and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may be gearing up for a 2028 White House bid. If both run, they would be jumping into a contest that will be congested and fraught with peril.
Opinion: Did Illinois’ Speaker of the House normalize sexual harassment?–Chicago Tribune, July 29, 2026
Rep. Fred Crespo writes an opinion piece on current Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch
As Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch navigates a new crisis, an older scandal remains unresolved–Chicago Tribune, July 28, 2026
When long-ago allegations of sexual harassment and domestic violence resurfaced against the Hillside Democrat in 2021 as he was vying to replace Michael J. Madigan as speaker, an influential female legislator and a women’s advocacy group called for an inquiry into the accusations against Welch. But that apparently never happened.
Pritzker signs pet custody dispute, boat insurance bills into law–The Daily Line, July 28, 2026
Gov. JB Pritzker signed 77 bills into law last week, including measures dictating custody disputes for pets and requiring one-hour notice for home service arrival.
Governor Pritzker Launches FRESH Program to Support up to 175,000 Illinoisans the Trump Administration Kicked Off SNAP–Office of the Gov., July 30, 2026
Illinoisans will automatically receive a one-time benefit of $400 per eligible household member starting Aug. 1.
Illinois lawmakers seek families hurt by courthouse immigration arrests as more states weigh right-to-sue laws–Chicago Tribune, July 30, 2026
Illinois elected officials in the Latino Caucus and allied advocates are seeking to connect families of people arrested at courthouses with civil rights attorneys for potential legal action, Democratic state Rep. Lilian Jimenez of Chicago said Wednesday.
Rep. Fred Crespo: Speaker Welch should resign over handling of Benton situation–Capitol News Illinois, July 29, 2026
State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is urging his colleagues to call on House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, to resign over his handling of sexual harassment allegations made against ex-Rep. Harry Benton by a former district staffer.
Illinois state elections board tells DOJ it follows federal law on voting integrity–Capitol News Illinois, July 29, 2026
Letter responds to Trump administration threats of criminal prosecution for noncitizen voting.
New state program providing $400 dollars to people who lost SNAP benefits to begin Aug. 1–The Daily Line, July 31, 2026
A new state program to provide one-time payments to families who lose their federal food benefits will launch Aug. 1, the governor’s office announced Thursday.
Opinion: Rep. Carol Ammons indictment exposes Illinois’ ethics failures–Chicago Tribune, July 31, 2026
Thefederal indictment of state Rep. Carol Ammonsis the latest reminder that Illinois’ ethics laws remain too weak to prevent conflicts of interest before they become criminal investigations.
Springfield Haitians receive letters from ICE, ankle monitors–MSN, July 30, 2026
Springfield’sHaitian residents have received lettersto report to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Cincinnati, particularly on Aug. 2.
Giannoulias’ money is reshaping the Chicago mayor’s race — before he’s even entered it–Crain’s Chicago Business, July 25, 2026
As candidates for mayor begin collecting signatures this week seeking a place on the 2027 ballot, two likely contenders who have yet to officially enter the race are hovering over the field.
Chicago’s mayoral campaign revs up as circulation of nominating petitions starts–Chicago Sun-Times, July 28, 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday is expected to begin circulating petitions for his reelection, though his political director, Christian Perry, says Johnson still hasn’t decided whether to run.
Chicago’s mayoral campaign revs up as circulation of nominating petitions starts–Chicago Sun-Times, July 28, 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday is expected to begin circulating petitions for his reelection, though his political director, Christian Perry, says Johnson still hasn’t decided whether to run.
Chicago’s mayoral campaign revs up as circulation of nominating petitions starts–Chicago Sun-Times, July 28, 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday is expected to begin circulating petitions for his reelection, though his political director, Christian Perry, says Johnson still hasn’t decided whether to run.
County commissioners ask fiscal leaders about impacts, solutions for county’s looming $550M 2027 budget gap–The Daily Line, July 29, 2026
Cook County commissioners at a mid-year budget hearing last week inquired about the largest forecasted gap in a decade and a half but did not get many clear answers about the specific solutions fiscal leaders will employ to respond to it.
Former Chicago Housing Authority operating chair running for mayor after ouster–The Daily Line, July 29, 2026
Matthew Brewer, the former interim executive and former chair of the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) Board of Commissioners, is one of many seeking to win the city’s mayor’s race next February.
Mayor Johnson Signs Executive Order Designed to Ban Purchases From Gun Dealers That Flout Laws–WTTW, July 29, 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Wednesday designed to ban purchases of guns and ammunition from firms that flout federal law and do not take steps to prevent weapons trafficking.
State’s attorney talks hiring spree, upcoming Supreme Court battle over assault weapons ban at mid-year budget hearing–The Daily Line, July 28, 2026
County commissioners heard about the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office’s (CCSAO) staffing successes and the limits of its authority to prosecute federal immigration agents during a mid-year budget hearing with State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke last week.
Mayor Johnson explains why he hasn’t decided whether to seek a second term–Chicago Sun-Times,July 28, 2026
A day before driving his oldest son to college, an emotional Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he would like to “hold on to this moment for a little while longer” — both as father and as Chicago’s mayor — before deciding whether to seek a second term.
Giannoulias planning ’special announcement’ rally in Bronzeville this Sunday–Capitol Fax, July 29, 2026
Mayor’s race, here he comes.
Trade union jabs Mayor Brandon Johnson as mayoral petitions circulate–Chicago Tribune, July 29, 2026
As nominating petitions began circulating for Chicago’s upcoming mayoral election this week, another local trade union accused Mayor Brandon Johnson of hypocrisy — highlighting the political fractiousness within the city’s powerful labor movement.
Editorial: Public disservice announcement — beginning Saturday, Chicagoans will pay $10.50 on every $100 in retail purchases–Chicago Tribune, July 31, 2026
When the state pushed through a massive legislative package last year worth $1.5 billion annually to
rescue our mismanaged, broke transit systems, the full weight taxpayers would be expected to shoulder was hard to see. Saturday, it’s coming into focus. On Aug. 1, the sales tax in Chicago is going up to 10.5% from 10.25%.
Push to sideline Johnson from picking new police chief draws mixed response–Crain’s Chicago Business,July 31, 2026
Chicago’s City Council is being asked to extend the deadline to replaceretired Police Supt. Larry Snelling, a move that would block Mayor Brandon Johnson from making the final decision unless he wins reelection.
Acting CFO leaves city six months after assuming interim role–The Daily Line, July 30, 2026
Nearly six months after stepping into the city’s chief financing officer role on an acting basis, acting CFO Steven Mahr has left the job just before another likely contentious city budget season begins.
Former Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg takes focus statewide as top aide to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul–CBS News,July 30, 2026
For the first time since she made her move, she discussed how the investigations she led and the whistleblowing skills she developed as Chicago’s inspector general will now be used on a statewide basis.