The 2026 regular session of the Illinois General Assembly adjourned in the early morning hours on Sunday, June 1. The General Assembly passed an FY 2027 budget package, a transit trailer bill, an energy trailer bill, a cannabis omnibus, AI regulation legislation, a Medicaid omnibus, and a variety of other key pieces of legislation but adjourned without passing a Bears stadium bill, a labor omnibus, or an elections omnibus. Click here for a summary of the state’s FY 2027 budget package and other important legislation from the end of session.
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
Bill on governor’s desk would allow homeowners to recoup excess equity after property tax debt sale–The Daily Line,June 5, 2026
Three years after a U.S. Supreme Court decision uprooted property tax sales across the country, the Illinois General Assembly approved a bill that would bring the state into compliance.
Bears blame game spreads far and wide if team leaves Illinois for Indiana–Chicago Sun-Times,June 5, 2026
Springfield’s inaction on incentives to keep the team in-state is just the latest in a long-running political comedy of errors.
The details of Illinois’ budget raising social media, crypto and fantasy sports taxes and pausing gas tax hike–Chicago Tribune, June 5, 2026
A nearly $56 billion state spending plan is headed to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk after the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature approved it in the early-morning hours of another overtime spring session.
Man running for Illinois governor includes Nazi salute in ballot name–Peoria Journal Star, June 4, 2026
A candidate who previously included the Nazi salute in his ballot name in Indiana is now running for governor in Illinois.
Illinois GOP governor nominee Darren Bailey seeks to block independent from Nov. 3 ballot–Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2026
Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey’s political campaign, fearing an independent candidacy from a former GOP operative might siphon away votes in a general election, is challenging the petitions of Collin Corbett, alleging they lack the minimum 25,000 legally valid signatures needed to make the Nov. 3 ballot.
Illinois OKs immigration detention limits and e-bike rules while prescriptions board and police bill stall–Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2026
As the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its spring session early Monday morning in overtime, Democratic lawmakers sent Gov. JB Pritzker a slate of bills targeting immigration enforcement, electric vehicles and voting rights, while a proposed prescription drug affordability board and a police quota ban joined the Chicago Bears stadium tax break package in dying without final votes.
Speaker Welch explains how his 60-vote rule affects his decisions–Capitol News Illinois, June 2, 2026
House Speaker Emanuel “Chis” Welch, D-Hillside, uses an unofficial rule in his caucus that requires 60 Democrats to commit to supporting a bill before it is called for a vote on the floor. Welch told Capitol News Illinois Tuesday the rule fosters trust between members and makes legislation more effective.
Pritzker gets his insurance regulation bill out of both chambers–Central Illinois Proud, June 2, 2026
Last summer, State Farm increased its home insurance rate by 27%, much to the outrage of Gov. JB Pritzker.
Pritzker says all options still being considered for Chicago Bears after Senate deal not taken up by House–The Daily Line,June 2, 2026
Gov. JB Pritzker said a measure intended to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois that was approved by the Illinois Senate early Monday is not the “final bill,” saying conversations continue between the legislature and the team.
Bill expanding BoS Center, medical district in Springfield stalls–State Journal-Register, June 1, 2026
A bill that would expand the Bank of Springfield Center along with expanding and renaming the Mid-Illinois Medical District in Springfield ultimately stalled before Illinois’ spring session ended.
Gov. JB Pritzker touts wins in $56B Illinois budget, but some work in election-year plan went unfinished–Chicago Tribune,June 1, 2026
Speaking in his ceremonial office at the Illinois State Capitol hours after lawmakers voted early Monday morning to approve a nearly $56 billion election-year state spending plan, Gov. JB Pritzker made his case that eight years of his financial stewardship have put a once-struggling state on sounder footing.
Illinois rideshare drivers could soon collectively bargain while Waymo self-driving car plan stalls–Chicago Tribune, June 1, 2026
Illinois rideshare drivers could soon collectively bargain with Uber and Lyft after the state General Assembly passed legislation early Monday outlining a path toward unionization.
Illinois Legislature bans new immigration detention centers near homes and schools–Chicago Sun-Times, June 1, 2026
A bill awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature would bar new immigration detention centers from being built within 1,500 feet of certain community buildings.
After property insurers raise rates, a state cracks down–PoliticoPro, June 1, 2026
For nearly a year, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) has sought to empower the state to reject hikes in property-insurance rates, calling them “unexplained” and “unfair.” Now, as Pritzker eyes a run for president, he is about to sign his wish into law.
Springfield’s overtime slog ends in $59B budget–Crain’s Chicago Business,June 1, 2026
The budget totals $55.9 billion, supported by a similar amount of revenue. The spending plan included an $830 million supplemental current-year spending plan, meaning the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget is essentially flat.
Lawmakers vote to phase out county tax-lien sales–Crain’s Chicago Business,May 31, 2026
Illinois is poised to become the last state to overhaul its property tax sale system in response to a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, after lawmakers approved legislation that will phase out Cook County’s decades-old practice of selling tax liens to private investors.
The Bears said Chicago wasn’t in play. Records point to a different story–Crain’s Chicago Business, June 4, 2026
The Chicago Bears told key Springfield lawmakers they had only limited discussions with City Hall about a potential new stadium, but records obtained by Crain’s show team and city attorneys held at least six calls and virtual meetings in April while legislators were considering a package of incentives to facilitate a move to Arlington Heights.
Obama Presidential Center set to start welcoming up to 1 million visitors per year–Chicago Sun-Times, June 4, 2026
The Obama Presidential Center has begun welcoming some of the first visitors of up to a million per year that are estimated to visit the Jackson Park museum, community center and park area, which will hold a grand opening on Juneteenth.
Opinion: The race for Chicago’s mayoral future is very much underway–Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2026
If you thought the primary season was madness in March, be warned: That brief reprieve you enjoyed from election ads and campaign mailers will soon come to an end.
Chicago area transit oversight board approves sales tax hike as NITA law goes into effect–The Daily Line, June 3, 2026
With the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act going into effect June 1, the current board overseeing Chicago-area transit approved a sales tax raise for Cook County and the collar counties.
Susana Mendoza launches bid for Chicago mayor–Crain’s Chicago Business, June 3, 2026
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza officially entered the 2027 Chicago mayoral race today, becoming the highest-profile candidate to declare a challenge to Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Springfield wins put Chicago ‘in the mix’ for Bears stadium–Chicago-Sun Times, June 2, 2026
Springfield’s stalled drive for Bears stadium legislation and lingering questions about the potential playing field in Hammond, Indiana, leave Chicago as the team’s best play for a new dome.
Landmark transit funding legislation takes effect today. Here’s what commuters can expect.–Chicago Tribune,June 1, 2026
Landmark legislation intended to prevent service cuts on the CTA, Metra and Pace goes into effect today. The transit law is expected to raise about $1.5 billion for public transit annually.
City launches down payment, closing cost grant assistance program to increase attainability of homeownership–The Daily Line, June 2, 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the city Department of Housing on Monday unveiled a new program to help some prospective homeowners with down payments and closing costs.