On February 21, Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed his FY 2025 budget. The FY 2025 proposal raises $52.993B and spends $52.695B, for a surplus of $289M. $170M of the projected surplus revenues would be set aside to put into the Budget Stabilization Fund at the end of the fiscal year. The budget contains $827M in new taxes but removes approximately $400M in annual revenue by eliminating the state’s 1% grocery tax. Additionally, it fully funds the state’s $10.1B FY 2025 statutorily required pension contribution.
Gov. Pritzker proposed a new pension ramp that would change the existing pension funding plan from 90% in FY 2045 to 100% in FY 2048. This would be achieved by allocating half of the funds currently being used to pay off bonds until FY 2030 and FY 2033 to make additional pension contributions after the bonds are retired. If this commitment is made now, it will save taxpayers an estimated $5.1B by FY 2045 and decrease the annual pension payment growth rate from 2.6% per year under the current 90% in FY 2045 ramp to 1.85% under the proposed 100% in FY 2048 ramp.
See the attached document for a complete summary of Gov. Pritzker’s FY 2025 budget proposal.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
March 15 – Senate Committee Deadline
March 19 – 2024 Primary Election
April 5 – House Committee Deadline
April 12 – Senate Third Reading Deadline
April 19 – House Third Reading Deadline
May 3 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 17 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 24 – Adjournment
May 25-31 – Contingent Session Days for Budget
November 5 – 2024 General Election
In the News
Pritzker proposes pension overhaul as House committee continues discussing changes to Tier 2 – The Daily Line, February 23, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing the most drastic pension reform in over a decade, including a change to a 30-year-old law that is the basis for how Illinois funds pensions today.
Budget reaction: Retailers, municipalities knock Pritzker’s proposed tax changes – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 22, 2024
The annual process of negotiating the state budget kicked off Wednesday with Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposing a $52.7 billion spending plan that includes hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending and tax increases, particularly for businesses.
Pritzker budget supported by $1B of tax increases and revenue changes – The Daily Line, February 22, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker plans to continue spending priorities he has championed over the last five years, but this time, they will be supported by $800 million in tax increases plus more rearranging of funds to provide more revenue.
Proposed tax hikes raise red flag for GOP; Mendoza calls it a ‘grand slam’ – The Daily Line, February 22, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker’s focus on migrants and his proposed variety of spending increases with scattered tax cuts being supported by tax hikes in other areas is not sitting well with Republican lawmakers.
Democratic PAC loses appeal of massive fines for not timely reporting campaign spending – Chicago Tribune, February 21, 2024
The State Board of Elections rejected Wednesday a request to reconsider or lower more than $100,000 in fines levied against a political action committee that helped expand the Democratic Party’s majority on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Illinois Governor Proposes Fully Funding State Pensions by 2048 – Bloomberg, February 21, 2024
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is proposing a plan to fully fund the state’s pensions by 2048 as he seeks to bolster the finances of the worst-rated US state.
Former state Sen. Terry Link asks judge for probation after wearing wire on fellow lawmaker – Chicago Sun-Times, February 22, 2024
Former state Sen. Terry Link asked a judge Wednesday to give him probation for dodging $82,000 in taxes, arguing that he has done everything in his power to make amends — including wearing a wire.
Editorial: Tribune endorsements for US Congress in 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th districts – Chicago Tribune, February 22, 2024
1st District Democrat Jonathan Jackson, the incumbent, is running unopposed on his side of the ticket in this overwhelmingly Democratic district, which includes much of the South Side of Chicago and continues southwest to Joliet.
Illinois Poised for First Deficit After Three Years of Surplus – Bloomberg, February 20, 2024
Illinois is facing its first budget deficit in three years as the state deals with rising costs for everything from education to services for migrants.
News in brief: Trump endorses Bost; Comptroller releases migrant spending tracker – The Daily Line, February 21, 2024
Former President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in the 12th Congressional District Republican primary, dealing a major blow to Darren Bailey. And Comptroller Susana Mendoza released a new portal to track migrant spending.
Reinsdorf visits Springfield to pitch stadium funding plan to legislative leaders – The Daily Line, February 21, 2024
Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf took a trip to Springfield on Tuesday to pitch lawmakers on a reported plan to devote $1 billion to help the team build a new ballpark in The 78 just south of the Loop in Chicago.
How money and gerrymandering ended 40 years of GOP dominance in the 91st House – McLean Chronicle, February 20, 2024
If past is prologue, the campaign for 91st District State Rep. promises to be really expensive. After 40 years of GOP control, the district flipped Democratic in 2022, as Sharon Chung, a teacher and musician, became the first Korean-American to be elected to the Illinois General Assembly. She garnered 52.3 percent against businessman and Normal Town Council member Scott Preston.
Lawmakers exam audit of COVID grant program featuring campaign contribution with possible conflict of interest – The Daily Line, February 21, 2024
State lawmakers on the Legislative Audit Commission reviewed a report on Tuesday of a COVID-19 recovery grant program for businesses that raised numerous red flags with state auditors, including a possible conflict of interest for a key decision maker and a state department giving out grants outside the boundaries of the law.
IL FARMERS TAKE LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS TO SPRINGFIELD – Brownfield Ag News, February 20, 2024
A range of concerns are on the table as farmers from across Illinois gathered with legislators in Springfield Tuesday. Illinois Farm Bureau president, Brian Duncan, says the organization is closely watching numerous legislative proposals this spring…
President Pritzker? Political analysts speculate on Illinois gov’s future amid Biden’s uncertainty – Fox 32, February 20, 2024
On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker will deliver his sixth State of the State address. His budget is likely to include plans to deal with a $900 million deficit, money for asylum seekers, and more green jobs. However, it’s what he won’t be addressing that has our political analysts talking.
Six Races to Watch A Month from Primary Day – The Illinoize, February 20, 2024
With four weeks to go before Primary Election Day on March 19, we have six races to watch the next 28 days: House District 31- Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) vs. Michael Crawford With the withdrawal of Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago) from the neighboring 32nd House District, Flowers becomes the main target inside House Speaker Chris Welch’s caucus.
Leaders outline expectations for governor’s budget address – The Daily Line, February 20, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver his sixth budget proposal on Wednesday under the most challenging budget circumstances in several years. Lawmakers in both parties expect the budget to reflect fiscal responsibility.
Questions of race and ethnicity in Illinois Supreme Court race highlight diversity of the Latinx experience – Injustice Watch, February 19, 2024
Five years ago, Latinx politicians were a united front calling for diversity in the judiciary and lambasting then-Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke for appointing a white judge to a majority-Latinx Cook County subcircuit.
A permanent Illinois child tax credit would put a serious dent in poverty – Chicago Sun-Times, February 20, 2024
The Illinois General Assembly can take a big step forward in reducing child poverty. Our state can become the 15th nationally to enact a permanent child tax credit, relieving working parents of the indignity of choosing which bills to pay and which necessities to provide for their families. Doing so makes economic sense and could enable a more dignified set of outcomes for nearly 1 million households.
Bill would permit supervised use, decriminalize magic mushrooms in Illinois – The State Journal-Register, February 20, 2024
Legislation allowing the supervised, adult-use of psilocybin commonly as magic mushrooms is being considered by state lawmakers. State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, is leading Senate Bill 3695 where Illinois looks to the become the third state — joining Oregon and Colorado — to legalize the adult use of psilocybin.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker confronts migrant crisis, projected shortfall as he prepares for his sixth budget address – Chicago Tribune, February 20, 2024
Funding challenges from the migrant crisis and immigrant health care to boosting early childhood education butt up against a projected shortfall of almost $900 million in the coming fiscal year as Gov. J.B. Pritzker prepares to give his sixth budget address on Wednesday.
4 things to watch for in Pritzker’s budget address – The State Journal-Register, February 16, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker is prepping for his budget address before the state legislature Wednesday, ahead of a fiscal year with many asks and an estimated deficit.
Unions target far-right Illinois state representatives – WGLT, February 16, 2024
Unions representing teachers, laborers and police officers are spending big bucks to try primarying southern Illinois Republicans.
Capitol Cast: Sam McCann trial ends as strangely as it began – Capitol News Illinois, February 17, 2024
CNI’s Jennifer Fuller talks with Hannah Meisel, who covered the federal corruption trial of former state Sen. Sam McCann
As corruption trials continue, Illinois lobbyist reform effort pushed in General Assembly – Chicago Tribune, February 19, 2024
Illinois laws regulating lobbyists and their influence on state government have long been criticized as being too weak, especially for a state with a history of influence peddling and corruption.
Nichols Withdraws After Welch Sides with Opponent – The Illinoize, February 18, 2024
The House Democrat campaign operation confirmed late Friday Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago) has withdrawn from his primary with Assistant Cook County Public Defender Lisa Davis.
Rep. Tarver talks new bills, state budget at Kenwood town hall – Hyde Park Herald, February 16, 2024
At his first town hall of the legislative session, state Rep. Curtis J. Tarver II (D-25th) dove into his local and statewide priorities for the year amid a relatively slow session in the state house.
‘Never rat on your friends, always keep your mouth shut.’ Mike Madigan’s man is going to prison for taking that to heart. – Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2024
“Everybody gets pinched, but you did it right; you told ’em nothin’ and they got nothin’ ” Jimmy Conway told a youthful Henry Hill in the classic gangster movie “Goodfellas” after the mob-connected teenager was arrested for selling stolen cigarettes, clammed up to the police and was then released by a corrupt judge.
Gerrymandering continues to ruin our democracy – Chicago Sun-Times, February 19, 2024
It’s heartening to see some focus lately on the scourge that first started to ruin our democracy, gerrymandering: “In Illinois politics, remaps keep the powerful in power,” Feb. 2.
Reinsdorf’s ‘save-the-Sox-for-Chicago’ argument has a familiar ring – Chicago Sun-Times, February 22, 2024
Thirty-six years ago, Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf had his bags packed and the trucks loaded for St. Petersburg, Florida. A stadium was all but waiting for him. So was a city and its baseball-hungry fan base — with open arms.
Johnson taps official at center of Little Village implosion debacle to keep buildings safe – Chicago Sun-Times, February 23, 2024
A city official who was found negligent after an investigation into the 2020 coal plant implosion in Little Village that left the community blanketed in dust is now leading the city’s department responsible for making sure buildings are safe.
Why is Jerry Reinsdorf spending millions buying up parking lots around the United Center? – Chicago Tribune, February 23, 2024
As White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf seeks $1 billion in taxpayer funding for a new ballpark in a planned mixed-use district in the South Loop, his associates have spent millions of dollars buying parking lots run by his competitors to build what could be a similar district around the United Center.
Opinion: The science backs up the city’s decision to yank ShotSpotter – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 22, 2024
The debate over whether or not to extend ShotSpotter’s $49 million contract despite the technology repeatedly being proven to not even remotely deliver on its promises is completely fiscally irresponsible and disrespectful to the communities that have to bear the brunt of the technology’s failures.
Calling guilty verdicts an ‘inexplicable’ outcome that ‘no rational jury’ could reach, Burke seeks acquittals – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 22, 2024
Convicted former Chicago alderman Ed Burke has asked for acquittals and for a new trial.
Lawson proposes ordinance to ensure City Council confirmation of future health commissioners – The Daily Line, February 23, 2024
Ald. Bennett Lawson (44) has filed an ordinance that would require the city’s public health commissioner to receive City Council confirmation before their appointment was finalized.
Bond proposal pushed by Johnson would invest in housing, workforce development, neighborhoods – The Daily Line, February 23, 2024
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration released a detailed plan on Wednesday for how the city’s housing and planning departments intended to spend $1.25 billion in bond proceeds should the City Council approve the proposed borrowing plan.
S&P lowers outlook on Chicago’s GO bonds to stable – The Bond Buyer, February 22, 2024
S&P Global Ratings has revised the outlook on Chicago’s general obligation bonds to stable from positive, the rating agency announced Thursday. S&P affirmed its BBB-plus rating on the bonds.
Johnson cracks door open to subsidizing White Sox stadium in South Loop – Chicago Sun-Times, February 21, 2024
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday cracked the door open to providing a public subsidy to build a new $1.2 billion White Sox stadium in the South Loop, provided the team and the developer “put some skin in the game.”
Conservative policy group launches push against transfer tax measure – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 22, 2024
A statewide conservative think tank is launching an effort to swat down the city’s March 19 ballot referendum on raising the transfer tax on $1 million-and-up property sales to raise money for anti-homelessness efforts.
Reinsdorf says Sox need a new stadium to compete — and stay in Chicago – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 21, 2024
If Chicago is to keep the White Sox from moving out of state — and the team is to be a consistent game winner — it must have the revenue and lures that a new stadium would provide.
City Council passes ordinance limiting where new dollar stores may open – The Daily Line, February 22, 2024
Following an impassioned speech by Ald. Matt O’Shea (19), the City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of an ordinance (SO2023-0004978) that places limits on where new dollar stores may open citywide.
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis faces a hard reelection fight as he tackles challenges from four fellow Democrats – Chicago Sun-Times, February 21, 2024
Walk into U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’s office in Chicago’s East Garfield Park, and you’ll find accolades hung wall to wall from his nearly three decades in the 7th District seat.
Metra set to buy its first battery-powered trains for use during off-peak times – Chicago Tribune, February 21, 2024
Metra is set to get its first battery-powered trains in the coming years, which could replace diesel-powered locomotives in places and times of day with fewer riders. Metra touted the trains as a more economical and environmentally friendly option during off-peak times, and believes the trains will be among the first to use the technology in the U.S.
Mayor Brandon Johnson pitches borrowing $1.25 billion for housing and development – WBEZ Chicago, February 20, 2024
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to introduce a plan at Wednesday’s City Council meeting to borrow $1.25 billion to fund affordable housing and other development projects throughout the city — marking the first major development proposal from the freshman mayor.
After altercation, City Council member calls on colleague to resign leadership posts – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 20, 2024
Two City Council members from neighboring wards had to be physically separated during an argument after a meeting last week. Veteran Ald. Greg Mitchell, 7th, and freshman Ald. Desmon Yancy, 5th, got into a shouting match that boiled over outside the City Council chamber during a disagreement over an ordinance Yancy introduced that would affect housing in the South Shore neighborhood both represent.
News in brief: Chicago sues oil and gas companies; Cook County receives MacArthur grant for criminal justice reform efforts – The Daily Line, February 21, 2024
Chicago’s mayor announced a massive lawsuit against multiple oil and gas companies and an oil industry trade association. And Cook County has received additional philanthropic dollars for a criminal justice reform program.
City Council to vote on dollar store regulations, housing commissioner, police-related settlements and bag tax amendment – The Daily Line, February 21, 2024
The City Council will meet Wednesday and take up a proposal to limit the number of dollar stores citywide. The council will also consider final approval of millions of dollars in police-related legal settlements, confirmation of the city’s new housing commissioner and an ordinance providing for a comprehensive staffing analysis for the police department. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in council chambers.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, his message, and the media: Time for a course correction before public loses faith – Chicago Sun-Times, February 20, 2024
If Mayor Brandon Johnson even had a honeymoon with the news media, it’s over after less than 10 months in office. The City Hall press corps has turned hostile, openly frustrated with a mayor who is seldom accessible and evasive when he does take questions. Newspaper editorials are critical and, at times, disdainful while portraying Johnson as in over his head.
From Daytona Beach, NASCAR offers post-mortem on ‘incomplete’ Chicago Street Race – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 21, 2024
Few sporting events are more at the mercy of mother nature than racing. Even light rain can render the treadless stock car tires all but useless. That weather vulnerability is what forced NASCAR to postpone its flagship Daytona 500 race on Sunday. It’s also what race officials say tainted the success of the first-ever Chicago Street Race in July 2023.
Leaders outline expectations for governor’s budget address – The Daily Line, February 20, 2024
Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver his sixth budget proposal on Wednesday under the most challenging budget circumstances in several years. Lawmakers in both parties expect the budget to reflect fiscal responsibility.
Questions of race and ethnicity in Illinois Supreme Court race highlight diversity of the Latinx experience – Injustice Watch, February 19, 2024
Five years ago, Latinx politicians were a united front calling for diversity in the judiciary and lambasting then-Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke for appointing a white judge to a majority-Latinx Cook County subcircuit.
A permanent Illinois child tax credit would put a serious dent in poverty – Chicago Sun-Times, February 20, 2024
The Illinois General Assembly can take a big step forward in reducing child poverty. Our state can become the 15th nationally to enact a permanent child tax credit, relieving working parents of the indignity of choosing which bills to pay and which necessities to provide for their families. Doing so makes economic sense and could enable a more dignified set of outcomes for nearly 1 million households.
Bill would permit supervised use, decriminalize magic mushrooms in Illinois – The State Journal-Register, February 20, 2024
Legislation allowing the supervised, adult-use of psilocybin commonly as magic mushrooms is being considered by state lawmakers. State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, is leading Senate Bill 3695 where Illinois looks to the become the third state — joining Oregon and Colorado — to legalize the adult use of psilocybin.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker confronts migrant crisis, projected shortfall as he prepares for his sixth budget address – Chicago Tribune, February 20, 2024
Funding challenges from the migrant crisis and immigrant health care to boosting early childhood education butt up against a projected shortfall of almost $900 million in the coming fiscal year as Gov. J.B. Pritzker prepares to give his sixth budget address on Wednesday.
Mayor Brandon Johnson fires city’s cultural affairs chief, building commissioner – Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2024
Mayor Brandon Johnson has been slow to assemble his own team, but those efforts have picked up steam with the ouster of two more city department heads.
ShotSpotter contract with Chicago extended through end of summer – Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2024
The Chicago Police Department will keep its access to the controversial ShotSpotter gunshot detection system after a last-minute deal Friday — hours before the contract was set to expire.
Early primary voting in Chicago delayed until Cook County judicial candidate is removed from ballot – Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2024
Early voting for the March 19 primary election in Chicago was temporarily shut down Friday after the Illinois Appellate Court ordered the removal of a judicial candidate from the ballot.
