Click here to see the summary of Gov. Pritzker’s FY 2027 Budget Proposal.

 Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

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

Chicago biotechs laud Pritzker plan to expand R&D tax credits – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 20, 2026

Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to let Illinois companies sell their research and development tax credits to other businesses — a move biotech leaders say would funnel much-needed cash to startups and make the state more competitive for innovation-driven companies.

 

Democratic Senate frontrunners stick to talking points, split on Israeli-Palestinian conflict – Chicago Sun-Times, February 19, 2026

The three front runners for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat mostly kept to their prior scripts at a debate broadcast by WGN Thursday night, splitting the most on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

Democrats bash bill banning abortion in Illinois – WAND TV, February 19, 2026

Democratic lawmakers are bashing a Republican bill to ban abortion in Illinois just days after the sponsor celebrated with advocates.

 

In State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker pitches affordability and Illinois resilience to Trump – Chicago Tribune, February 18, 2026

The governor’s annual address kicked off budget negotiations with lawmakers that will carry on until the Democratic-controlled legislature’s scheduled adjournment at the end of May. Pritzker’s opening bid proposed a $56 billion spending plan balanced with the help of $649 million in tax increases and tweaks.

 

Pritzker proposes $56B budget with minimal new spending, tax on social media companies – Capitol News Illinois, February 18, 2026

The governor delivered the final budget address of his second term on Wednesday, proposing a spending plan that largely maintains the status quo and forgoes significant broad-based tax increases.

 

Democrats offer muted praise of Pritzker’s speech, Republicans dismiss ‘campaign’ rhetoric – Capitol News Illinois, February 18, 2026

Rank-and-file Democratic lawmakers acknowledged the strain from federal cuts and touted Pritzker’s efforts to protect key programs from the chopping block. But some expressed disappointment in the largely defensive posture the governor is staking out. Republicans were less generous in their assessment of the budget picture Pritzker painted. But they found some items to agree on, including slightly less charged rhetoric than his 2025 speech, which was delivered just weeks into Trump’s second term.

 

Trump administration’s latest funding threat: $128 million withheld in highway dollars – Chicago Tribune, February 17, 2026

President Donald Trump’s administration — which within the last year has frozen or rescinded more than $2 billion in funds for Illinois infrastructure projects — is threatening to withhold even more money from the Land of Lincoln, this time in federal highway dollars.

 

Gov. JB Pritzker expected to propose ‘maintenance’ Illinois budget, legislative leader says – Chicago Tribune, February 17, 2026

One day before Gov. JB Pritzker’s scheduled budget address, Illinois’ four top legislative leaders briefed on the plan Tuesday agreed it will have to hew to the line in a tight fiscal year, with one Democratic leader saying he doesn’t expect the governor to embrace calls by some progressive lawmakers to more aggressively tax Illinois’ highest earners.

 

Juliana Stratton’s $25-per-hour minimum wage plan draws fire from rivals in US Senate race in Illinois – Chicago Tribune, February 17, 2026

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s call for an immediate increase in the federal minimum wage drew criticism at a debate from her two main rivals for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, who each called her plan politically unrealistic.

 

Pritzker to present 8th budget as Illinois faces federal funding uncertainty – Capitol News Illinois, February 16, 2026

Gov. JB Pritzker will present his eighth budget on Wednesday and outline a plan to deal with limited revenue growth and significant uncertainty over the future of federal funding for the state.

 

Ranked choice voting stalled in Illinois, waiting for clarity from the courts – WGLT, February 16, 2026

Several Illinois municipalities are trying to implement ranked choice voting, but confusion about Illinois election law has slowed the implementation process. Several lawmakers are trying to change that.

 

A look back at Pritzker’s first seven budgets – Capitol News Illinois, February 16, 2026

Here’s a rundown of our past coverage as Pritzker enters the final year of his second term.

 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to hit Donald Trump, budget gap in speech – Chicago Tribune, February 15, 2026

On the eve of his next statewide address in an election year where both he and Democrats hope to retake Congress, Pritzker is expected to deliver a speech shaped as much by political crosscurrents as by fiscal math. It will likely present a more optimistic picture of Illinois’ finances than last fall’s estimate that the state faces a $2.2 billion budget gap.

 

OPINION: As Trump administration holds back funding, new taxes could be in store for Illinois – Chicago Sun-Times,  February 14, 2026
 

The Illinois government is considering implementing new taxes to cover a significant budget shortfall triggered by the Trump administration’s decision to withhold expected federal funding. This potential shift in fiscal policy aims to stabilize the state’s finances as local leaders navigate an increasingly strained relationship with the federal government.

 

Trump administration cuts Illinois transportation dollars – Chicago Tribune, February 13, 2026

The Trump administration says it’s revoking more federal grant dollars in Illinois — this time for electric vehicle charging stations. On the chopping block in Illinois is a $100 million grant to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for electric vehicle charging stations and a $3.6 million grant to the secretary of state’s office, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget said.

 

Bill to regulate homeowners insurance rates could reemerge this session – Capitol News Illinois, February 13, 2026

A bill that would give state insurance regulators authority to review and modify homeowners insurance rates failed on the floor of the House last year but could be revived for a second vote when lawmakers return to the Statehouse next week.

 

Cook County State’s Attorney issues protocol for prosecuting illegal behavior by federal immigration agents – The Daily Line, February 20, 2026

A couple weeks after Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order that directs the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to investigate potential crimes committed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration agents in the course of their duties.

 

Fulton Market high-rise plan moves ahead despite zoning objection – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 19, 2026

A proposed apartment high-rise that would open the door to Loop skyscraper-scale buildings in the Fulton Market District took a key step toward reality today despite the objection of the city’s top zoning official.

 

Chicago homes fly off the market as ‘wild’ 2026 season gets underway – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 19, 2026

In the month ended Feb. 15, a little more than 24% of all homes listed in the Chicago area went under contract within two weeks, according to Redfin. That’s by far the highest proportion of quick contracts since the expiration of the pandemic-era housing boom.

 

Foundry Park plan clears City Council — but infrastructure question lingers – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 18, 2026

A $3 billion megaproject that would reshape a swath of the North Side with thousands of apartments and other uses hit a key milestone today by winning the City Council’s approval, a sign-off that came despite lingering concerns about new infrastructure to support it.

 

City Council deadlocks again on zoning chair – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 18, 2026

Chicago’s City Council failed again to install a permanent zoning chair today, exposing deep caucus divisions and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s limited sway over the body.

 

At City Council, Mayor Johnson pays tribute to Jesse Jackson, urges Chicago to honor him ‘with action’ – Chicago Sun-Times, February 18, 2026

“We can best honor Reverend Jackson by `keeping hope alive,’“ the mayor said before leading the Council in a moment of silence for Jackson and his grieving family. “We do that by organizing with our neighbors, advocating on their behalf and investing in the people of Chicago. In the loving memory of Reverend Jackson, let us go forth in building a just, equitable and thriving city and nation.”

 

Cook County leaders say spring property tax bills, revenues will go out on time – Chicago Tribune, February 17, 2026

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Treasurer Maria Pappas promised Tuesday that homeowners and other property owners will receive tax bills on time this spring, and that property tax revenues will go out to local governments when they are supposed to.

 

Chicago City Council to consider video gambling state notification measure and public parking violation reporting pilot, among other measures – The Daily Line, February 18, 2026

The City Council on Wednesday will consider measures to notify the state gaming board of the city’s legalization of video gambling, to create a public review period for pending retail tobacco licenses and to begin the process of establishing a pilot program to let residents report commercial vehicles blocking sidewalk, bus and bicycle access.

 

Greg Hinz: Huge super-PAC money taking control of Chicago congressional races – Crain’s Chicago Business, February 17, 2026

With an unprecedented five Chicago congressional seats without incumbents open this primary election season, you’d think the debate would center on matters like the cost of living, tax reform, generational change and controlling out-of-control federal immigration agents.

 

Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and Chicago icon, dead at 84 – WBEZ Chicago, February 17, 2026

Jackson was a Chicago institution who left footprints on the world stage, an ardent advocate for civil rights whose attempts to wield political power himself were thwarted, and channeled into the power of protest, persuasion and complaint.

 

Affordable housing effort wins Chicago Prize – Chicago Tribune, February 17, 2026

An initiative designed to boost affordable homeownership across the South and West sides was recently awarded the third Chicago Prize, a $10 million grant competition established by the Pritzker Traubert Foundation to help revive neighborhoods that historically suffered from disinvestment.

 

Who wants to be a Cook County judge? Not many. – Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2026

For the second straight judicial primary election, less than half of the seats up for grabs March 17 drew more than one candidate, continuing a decadeslong slide in competition. Observers have cited factors including the cost of campaigning, increased public scrutiny on judicial elections, and a Democratic Party that dominates local politics and discourages competition against its chosen candidates.

 

Mistakes stall back pay for hundreds of Chicago firefighters and paramedics – Chicago Sun-Times, February 13, 2026

Hundreds of Chicago firefighters and paramedics are still waiting for four years’ worth of retroactive pay raises after Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration fumbled the ball in distributing the checks.