The inauguration of the new Illinois General Assembly on January 8 marked the official start of the 104th General Assembly, setting the stage for a busy year ahead. As lawmakers prepare to dive into the legislative session, discussions are intensifying around key challenges facing the state, particularly regarding budgetary concerns and federal impacts.
Governor Pritzker has recently voiced concerns about potential repercussions from the new federal administration. While Illinois has not yet received official confirmation of any federal funding cuts, Pritzker expressed particular worry about reductions to healthcare funding, given Illinois’ reliance on federal dollars for its Medicaid program. Additionally, he addressed the future of the $2 billion federal grant for the Red Line Extension project, which was awarded under the previous administration but may be at risk due to the Trump administration’s stance on infrastructure funding. Another pressing issue is the potential deficit in funding for Illinois’ electric vehicle (EV) initiatives, a cornerstone of the state’s clean energy goals. The state’s EV infrastructure could face further setbacks if federal support for Biden’s $7.5 billion EV charger program is curtailed.
These challenges, combined with the state’s budget deficit, could complicate Illinois’ ability to maintain essential services and advance critical infrastructure projects. As the year progresses, the focus will likely remain on fiscal responsibility and efforts to bridge divides across the aisle to address Illinois’ financial hurdles.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
February 7 – Bill Introduction Deadline
February 19 – Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address
March 21 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline
April 11 – Initial Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 9 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment
In the News
Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship temporarily blocked following suit from Illinois, 3 other states – The Daily Line, January 24, 2025
A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. The decision came in a case filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and three other states.
Federal grant program extension allows food banks to purchase fresh produce, meat from Illinois farmers – The Daily Line, January 24, 2025
A program which provides funding for Illinois food banks to purchase fresh goods from local farmers has received a $14.7 million boost from the United States’ Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The ‘Make Michael Madigan Money Plan’ was powerful speaker’s focus, feds argue in waning days of corruption trial – Chicago Tribune, January 23, 2025
In his testimony earlier this month, former House Speaker Michael Madigan cast himself as a champion of the working class, a consensus-builder who used his power to bring people together on legislation and protect constituents from greedy utilities and corporations.
Attorney general: Ex-Speaker Mike Madigan’s chief of staff should forfeit state pension – Chicago Tribune, January 23, 2025
The onetime chief of staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan should permanently forfeit a $154,000 annual state pension because of his 2023 conviction on charges he lied to a federal grand jury and attempted to obstruct a probe into his ex-boss, according to the Illinois attorney general’s office.
Rep. Steve Reick: Illinois cannot afford the pension reforms in Fair Retirement and Recruitment Act – Chicago Tribune, January 24, 2025
The most pressing issue facing Illinois is the massive debt owed to our public pension systems; our five state plans are currently underfunded by an estimated $140 billion, and billions more are owed to the other public pensions (the city of Chicago, Chicago Teachers Union and downstate police and fire, among others).
Sarah Garza Resnick: Illinoisans must stay vigilant on abortion rights and access under Donald Trump – Chicago Tribune, January 24, 2025
Many Illinois residents believe their abortion rights and access are “Trump proof,” thanks to many years of legislative victories in Springfield. It’s true that Springfield has put important protections into place in recent years, such as the Reproductive Health Act, the expansion of Medicaid and private insurance coverage for abortion care, and protections for patients and providers from criminalization. But the scary truth is, our rights remain at risk with Donald Trump in the White House with control over the Supreme Court and both the House and Senate.
New state grant program for disadvantaged small businesses – Capitol City Now, January 24, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker Thursday announced a grant program for small businesses in the state. He said the program gives businesses some “breathing room” for investment.
State Rep. Regan Deering pushes transgender sports ban days after being sworn in – WGLT, January 23, 2025
New Republican state Rep. Regan Deering, who represents parts of Bloomington, wasted no time wading into a fierce political debate in her first days after taking office.
Pritzker, Johnson, Emanuel blast Trump on DEI, immigration orders – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 23, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel offered up a full-throated defense of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives today at a West Side lighting manufacturer.
Illinois Supreme Court hears oral arguments in challenge to law limiting venues in constitutional challenges – The Daily Line, January 23, 2025
The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on a challenge to an Illinois law which limits the venues for constitutional challenges.
Former assessor’s office director pleads guilty to bribery charges – Chicago Tribune, January 22, 2025
A former high-ranking director in then-Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios’ office pleaded guilty Wednesday to accepting sports tickets, restaurant meals and other bribes in return for lowering certain property tax assessments.
Illinois LGBTQ organization responds to Trump executive order slashing gender identity protections – WCIA, January 22, 2025
On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that removes some protections for the LGBTQ community. A leader of an Illinois LGBTQ advocacy organization is advising people how to respond.
Metra fare hikes, 40% service reduction looms without funding fix – Daily Herald, January 22, 2025
The clock is ticking for transit agencies facing a crater-sized budget hole, Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski warned at a Wednesday meeting.
As closings begin in Madigan trial, here’s a look at the lawyers’ target audience: The jury – The Chicago Sun-Times, January 22, 2025
Michael Madigan’s jury is made up of ordinary Illinoisans whose lives have likely been affected by the former speaker, given his record-breaking 36-year tenure as the leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. Now, his fate rests in their hands.
Closing arguments begin in historic racketeering trial: ‘Madigan abused the tremendous power he wielded’ – The Chicago Sun-Times, January 22, 2025
The arguments follow 11 weeks of testimony in which jurors heard from 63 witnesses. Most notable among them was Michael Madigan himself. He testified for nearly 12 hours over four days earlier this month. His co-defendant, Michael McClain, opted not to testify.
Ranked choice voting could boost election fairness, supporters say. But it faces a steep uphill climb in Cook County. – Chicago Tribune, January 23, 2025
As political division and mistrust surfaced again this inauguration week for Americans, some suburbs and Illinois towns are looking to put into action a system that proponents hope can boost fairness and increase trust in the election process: ranked choice voting.
United CEO says Trump is focused on fixing air-traffic logjams – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 22, 2025
The leader of United Airlines Holdings Inc. said President Donald Trump and his incoming administration plan to address air-traffic control problems fueling flight delays that have roiled carriers in recent years
Stellantis’ Belvidere Assembly Plant to reopen after company strikes tentative deal with UAW – The New York Times, January 22, 2025
Pritzker signs law eliminating subminimum wage for people with disabilities – The Daily Line, January 22, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Dignity in Pay Act Tuesday, starting the process of eliminating the subminimum wage for people with disabilities.
Illinois joins in lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship – Chicago Tribune, January 21, 2025
Illinois joined three Western states on Tuesday in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship.
Pritzker criticizes Trump’s courting of tech CEOs, lack of communication – Capitol News Illinois, January 21, 2025
A wave of executive orders and bold pronouncements of his vision for the country highlighted President Donald Trump’s first day back in the White House Monday.
‘Individual rights are under attack’: Pritzker, Illinois lawmakers assess Trump’s first two days – Daily Herald, January 21, 2025
About 2,000 undocumented immigrants could be deported from Chicago in the coming days by President Donald Trump’s administration, Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday.
Illinois Chamber of Commerce expands Legislative Affairs Team – WTWO/WAWV, January 21, 2025
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has announced it is expanding its Legislative Affairs Team, as Ramiro Hernandez is joining the team as the new Executive Director of the Tax Institute and Municipal and County Affairs, according to the chamber of commerce.
Activist mounts legal challenge to another Illinois diversity law – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 21, 2025
Activist Edward Blum is targeting another diversity effort in Illinois, this time suing over a new state law that requires many nonprofit organizations to publicly disclose aggregate data about race, gender and other demographics of their board members and officers.
County is short millions for supportive housing – NPR Illinois, January 21, 2025
An estimated $3 million is what it would take to put Sangamon County’s unhoused population in homes.
Pritzker, advocacy groups react to Trump inauguration – The Daily Line, January 21, 2025
“To all who are being made to feel unsafe and reduced by a takeover of the federal government, by those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the good people of Illinois, we will not stand idly by,” he said.
Indiana would like to redraw border with Illinois – Chicago Tribune, January 21, 2025
Indiana legislators would like to redraw the Indiana-Illinois border to absorb parts of Illinois, but the proposed action would face roadblocks on the Illinois side, which would prevent a border shift, political officials and experts said.
Trump pardons 1,500 defendants in Jan. 6 rioting, including dozens from Illinois – Chicago Tribune, January 20, 2025
On his first day back in office, Republican President Donald Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of 1,500 defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, making good on a campaign promise that will affect dozens of Illinoisans.
Long list of ag policy possibilities in Illinois – Illinois Farmer Today, January 18, 2025
As the Illinois General Assembly began its 2025 session, Chris Davis, director of state legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau, said this year is going to be an interesting one for agriculture.
Madigan trial shows he brought his troubles on himself – Chicago Sun Times, January 17, 2025
Many think Madigan understood where the legal lines were and never crossed them. But the prosecution has shown jurors evidence otherwise.
Budget constraints, caucus tensions face House Speaker Welch in his third term – The Capitol News, January 17, 2025
Recent caucus erupted into shouting, drawing criticism from governor.
Ruiz-Branch: How IL’s grid plans will focus on underserved communities – 92.7WMAY, Januar
Illinois plans to spend $1.5 billion through 2027 in significant grid investments to help meet the state’s ambitious clean-energy goals, with nearly half of funds going toward addressing environmental disparities.
Gov. Pritzker announces $14.7 mil to support local growers, communities – The Southern Illinoisan, January 19, 2025
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced $14.7 million in federal grant funding will be used to extend the state’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program beyond June 30, 2025. The program purchases food from socially disadvantaged growers for distribution to underserved communities at no cost.
Illinois lawmakers react to the start of President Trump’s second term – WBBM, January 20, 2025
Former Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger ‘didn’t want’ Biden’s pardon, but ‘appreciates’ it – Chicago Sun Times, January 20, 2025
In the final minutes of his term, Biden pardoned Kinzinger and other members of the Select Committee on the January 6th Attack. “I am not nervous, I’m not scared, and I will not back down,” Kinzinger said.
Chicago’s TIF spending process violated transparency laws, judge rules – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 24, 2025
How Chicago allocated economic development funding should have been more transparent over the last four years, according to a Cook County Judge.
Ethics committee to hold hearing on city ‘do not hire’ list policies, October OIG report – The Daily Line, January 24, 2025
The City Council’s ethics committee on Tuesday will hear from the human resources department about the city’s ineligibility for rehire policy, which is also colloquially known as the “do not hire” list. The Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight will meet at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers.
Brandon Johnson’s campaign gives back most of a $50,000 contribution from fund run by a City Hall lobbyist – Chicago Sun Times, January 24, 2025
The Chicago Latino Public Affairs Committee, run by City Hall lobbyist Homero Tristan, contributed that amount to Friends of Brandon Johnson in June 2023. The City Hall inspector general found the contribution violated a $1,500 contribution cap, and the difference was refunded.
‘Troubled’ Housing Authority of Cook County spent more than $60,000 at Six Flags – Chicago Tribune, January 24, 2025
The state’s second-largest housing authority, which was flagged by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as “troubled” in part because of an absentee board, low-grade property inspections, incorrect reporting on leases, high outstanding balances for tenants behind on rent and failure to submit financial reports on time, spent more than $60,000 on such trips.
Health and Human Relations committee approves working group to study, stop violence against transgender people – The Daily Line, January 23, 2025
The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations on Wednesday approved an ordinance creating a working group to study the murder of transgender people and other violence against transgender people, nonbinary people and others across the gender identity spectrum in the city and Cook County.
Massive development planned for United Center area awaits council approval following Plan Commission vote – The Daily Line, January 23, 2025
Plans to transform the area around the United Center into a massive mixed-use development will now need to be taken up by the City Council after receiving approval from the Chicago Plan Commission last week.
City Council majority demands removal of artwork at Cultural Center that it calls antisemitic – Chicago Sun-Times, January 22, 2025
The display, titled “U.S.-Israel War Machine,” includes one puppet branded “Uncle Sam” with blood on his face and a T-shirt that includes a tank, the word “money,” a dollar sign and the words, “Thank You” with a smiley face. Another puppet depicts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with blood on his hands
Health and Human Relations committee to consider establishment of transgender violence working group tied to mayoral executive order – The Daily Line, January 22, 2025
The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations will meet Wednesday and consider the establishment of a working group to study the murder of transgender people and other violence against transgender people, nonbinary people and others across the gender identity spectrum in the city and Cook County, with specific focuses on the murder of trans women and the experiences of non-white transgender people.
Chicago police reminded they can’t cooperate with deportations – WGN9, January 21, 2025
WGN Investigates has learned Chicago Police officers are being reminded about what they “can” and “can’t” do if President Donald Trump’s promised immigration raids happen.
Chicago braces for fight with Trump border czar – Crain’s Chicago Business, January 20, 2025
Tom Homan has crisscrossed America since President-elect Donald Trump named the former cop and immigration official his border czar, promising “shock and awe” alongside the biggest deportation the US has ever seen.
Waguespack ordinance would prohibit mayor, other executive officials from dual roles with sister agencies – The Daily Line, January 21, 2025
An ordinance introduced last week would disallow the city’s mayor and a slew of other appointed executive-level officials from holding dual employment with any of Chicago’s sister agencies. The proposal, sponsored by Ald. Scott Waguespack (32), was put forth in response to the news Mayor Brandon Johnson remains on leave from Chicago Public Schools (CPS), where he used to teach.
Johnson, deputy mayor for immigrants address how city is preparing for Trump’s immigration enforcement – The Daily Line, January 21, 2025
With President-elect Donald Trump taking office Monday afternoon and the City Council choosing not to make proposed changes to Chicago’s sanctuary city law last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson and city officials have laid out how the city will respond to federal immigration enforcement actions within city limits.
Settlement approved in whistleblower lawsuit against Board of Review commissioner – The Daily Line, January 21, 2025
A former Cook County Board of Review employee will receive $180,000 to settle a whistleblower lawsuit he filed alleging he was retaliated against for refusing to obey “unethical and unlawful” directives from Comm. Samantha Steele (D-2). The settlement agreement was approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners Thursday.
Federal authorities have identified dozens of targets for deportation in Chicago area, sources say – ABC7, January 21, 2025
Chicago immigrant community on edge over mass deportation fears with Trump inauguration.
Undercover sting exposes rampant housing discrimination across Chicago area, watchdog group says – Chicago Sun Times, January 20, 2025
Real estate agents, brokerage firms and landlords routinely violated state law by rejecting renters who sought to use housing vouchers, the Housing Rights Initiative claimed in a slew of complaints filed Monday.
Man banned from Chicago Park District jobs after scandal now working for alderman – Chicago Tribune, January 21, 2025
Despite a ban from Park District work after he was asked to resign from a top post there for his involvement in the agency’s sexual abuse lifeguard scandal, a longtime government employee has again found a job with a Chicago alderman.
Bronzeville Bears? Just punt on using state infrastructure money for stadium at Michael Reese site – Chicago Sun Times, January 18, 2025
Bronzeville is on the rebound and could use infrastructure investment. Illinois as a whole needs to fix crumbling roads and bridges. But $466 million in public money to help along a $6.4 billion NFL franchise at the Michael Reese site? Pass.
Chicago Public Schools, teachers union reaffirm being a ‘sanctuary space’ ahead of Trump administration – Fox News, January 19, 2025
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) released a joint letter on Thursday reaffirming that they are a “sanctuary” space for “all students, parents, employees, and community members at the school for school-related business.”