The 2025 regular session of the Illinois General Assembly adjourned in the early morning hours on Sunday, June 1. The General Assembly passed an FY 2026 budget package and a variety of other key pieces of legislation but adjourned without passing a Chicagoland transit reform and funding package, energy omnibus, or elections omnibus. Click here for a summary of the state’s FY 2026 budget package and other important legislation from the end of session.
In the News
Pritzker prepares to defend Illinois’ sanctuary policies to House oversight committee, criticizes ICE actions in Chicago – The Daily Line, June 6, 2025.
As Gov. JB Pritzker prepares to testify before Congress next week, he called federal immigration actions in Chicago Wednesday “inappropriate.”
Conway’s big money moves – Politico, June 6, 2025.
Chicago Ald. Bill Conway’s splashy fundraiser Thursday has folks wondering if he might have other political plans besides a reelection bid in 2027.
Illinois legislators skip on several environmental bills – Axios Chicago, June 5. 2025.
Some big environmental bills — dealing with transit, clean energy, plastics and more — fizzled last week in Springfield. Advocates say they’re ready to pick up the pieces.
Illinois Freedom Caucus files lawsuit against Democratic legislative leaders over budget process – WAND News, June 5, 2025.
Multiple Eastern Illinois Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit against Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch Thursday calling last weekend’s budget process unconstitutional.
Plan heading to Pritzker’s desk could provide compensation for land owners if carbon capture damages crops, property – WAND News, June 5, 2025.
A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk could require the state to pay land owners if their property is disturbed by carbon capture construction. This is one of two bills passed this spring to quell concerns of farmers and Republican lawmakers.
Legislative leaders discuss next steps for failed transit reform push – Capitol News Illinois, June 5, 2025.
Minutes before the clock hit midnight and the calendar flipped to June 1, the Illinois Senate advanced a much-watched legislative proposal to reform and fund public transportation in the Chicago area and prevent dire cuts to service.
State Sen. Dave Koehler reflects on spring session and helping pass Illinois’ $55 billion budget – WGLT, June 5, 2025.
In the days following the end of the session, Democratic state Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria looked back at the tense spring session.
Illinois Senate Transportation chair says he hopes to pass transit reform and funding ‘ASAP’ – The Daily Line, June 5, 2025.
The chair of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee said he remains committed to passing transit reform and funding as soon as possible.
Dillard: Transit Agencies Preparing for “Pretty Scary Decisions” – The Illinoize, June 4, 2025.
How are Chicago area mass transit agencies preparing for the future after the legislature failed to pass governance reform and a plan to help close a $770 million “fiscal cliff” for 2026?
Joe Walsh might run again — as a Dem – Politico, June 5, 2025.
Joe Walsh, the former Illinois congressman who once aligned himself with the Tea Party, announced Wednesday that he’s joining the Democratic Party — and he’s considering running for office again, too.
While Gov. JB Pritzker scored wins during legislative session, cellphone ban, other initiatives fell short – Chicago Tribune, June 5, 2025.
Entering a legislative session amid questions about whether he’d run for a third term, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker outlined an ambitious agenda that ended with mixed results.
Column: Record budget continues Democrats’ tax-and-spend spree – Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2025.
If Illinois smokers needed a reason to quit the evils of tobacco, the legislature’s hike in the state’s tax on cigarettes has been handed to them. Or it gives them a chance to visit Kentucky and Indiana to stock up on their smoking supplies.
Baby food safety, press freedom, public defender measures will head to governor – Capitol News Illinois, June 4, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker will have hundreds of bills to review after lawmakers concluded their spring session, including measures protecting press freedoms and baby food, as well as creating a state public defender’s office.
New Illinois laws and tax changes set to kick in on July 1, 2025 – MyStateline, June 4, 2025.
On July 1st, 2025, several new laws and tax changes are set to go into effect in Illinois.
Bill creating Office of State Public Defender heads to Pritzker’s desk – WCIA News, June 3, 2025.
A bill helping the state’s public defenders with a new office in the Judicial Branch is headed to the governor’s desk. Public defenders are government appointed lawyers for people accused of criminal charges who cannot afford legal representation.
Former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh says he’s becoming a Democrat – WGN9 News, June 3, 2025.
Joe Walsh, who previously represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional district as a Republican, said Tuesday he is becoming a Democrat, marking the end of his five-year streak as a political independent after leaving the GOP in 2020.
Proposal to ban at-home sexual assault kits in Illinois awaits Pritzker’s signature – WCIA News, June 3, 2025.
At-home sexual assault evidence collection kits are a scam sold online. Now a bill on the governor’s desk would ban the sale, marketing and distribution of them.
Bill aimed at helping Illinois farmers control deer populations heads to Pritzker’s desk – WCIA News, June 3, 2025.
Legislation aimed at making it easier for residents to obtain a hunting permit — and to help control the deer population — has passed both the Illinois Senate and House and is headed towards the governor’s desk.
With electric prices going up, advocates tried — and failed — to reform the energy sector – Capitol News Illinois, June 3, 2025.
Heading into the end of the legislative session, consumer advocates, renewable energy industry groups and environmental advocates were hopeful about a bill that would have overhauled Illinois’ energy industry. It would have been the largest energy reform in years, touching almost every part of the state’s electricity sector. Some said it would have been as significant as the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act — the law that requires fossil-fuel burning power plants to shutter by 2045.
Illinois’ swipe fee law put on hold while being challenged in court – The Center Square, June 3, 2025.
Banking groups are applauding the news that Illinois’ controversial Interchange Fee Prohibition Act is being placed on the back burner for a year. The law would prohibit interchange fees from being charged on portions of credit and debit card transactions that include taxes and gratuities.
A set of Illinois Democratic bills to regulate cryptocurrency head to the Governor’s office – Wand News, June 3, 2025.
Two Democratic plans in Springfield would begin some of the first regulations to be put on the cryptocurrency industry. It would start by requiring all cryptocurrency operators to be registered with the state of Illinois.
University of Illinois braces for visa revocations for Chinese students – Chicago Sun Times, June 4, 2025.
Agus came to the U.S. from Indonesia in August to study computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The 20-year-old, who is one of more than 100 Indonesian students enrolled at UIUC, chose the central Illinois school for its highly rated programs and connections to companies for which he dreams of working. He chose to remain downstate between semesters to live in the area’s welcoming community. But he has felt terrified since the federal government said last week it would begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students.
After Marathon Springfield Session, Illinois Lawmakers Look Ahead to What’s Next – WTTW, June 2, 2025.
Illinois lawmakers worked right up to the May 31 deadline to pass a $55.2 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
Illinois Legislative Leaders tease possible return this summer – Vandalia Radio, June 3, 2025.
Legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle have concerns for what lies ahead with an eye on possibly coming back before the fall veto session.
The business community just dodged big tax hikes in Springfield — but perhaps not for good – Crain’s Chicago Business, June 3, 2025.
Businesses escaped a pile of new taxes and fees by the time legislators left Springfield on Sunday, after passing a new $55 billion state budget including potential levies on Uber and Lyft rides, deliveries of food and merchandise, and digital advertising.
Illinois legislators left Springfield without funding public transit (for now). Here’s what that means for CTA, Metra, Pace. – Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2025.
For months, Chicagoland’s transit agencies have sounded an alarm: If lawmakers don’t plug a looming $771 million budget gap, they warned, residents will experience drastic service cuts on the CTA, Metra and Pace next year.
Corn farmers tip hats to Rahm Emanuel – Politico, June 3, 2025.
Rahm Emanuel wrote the book on cities — literally, it was called “The Nation City: Why Mayors Are Now Running the World” — but since his time as U.S. ambassador to Japan, he has gained a new appreciation and expertise in agriculture.
General Assembly approves $55.2 billion budget backed by sports wager, nicotine tax – The Daily Line, June 2, 2025.
The Illinois General Assembly approved a $55.2 billion budget Saturday night, supported in part by taxes on tobacco products, sports betting and corporations.
Transit bailout falls apart in Springfield as clock strikes midnight – Crain’s Chicago Business, June 1, 2025.
A proposed overhaul to reform and provide needed funding for regional transit fell short during the General Assembly’s Spring session, postponing the conversation and nudging transit agencies to the edge of a $771 million fiscal cliff.
IL House passes bill raising minimum detainment age for minors to 13, creating juvenile justice task force – Wand News, May 31, 2025.
The Illinois House passed a bill Saturday to raise the minimum detainment age for minors from 10 to 13 years old. Sponsors said raising the detainment age can give young people a fair chance and prevent early criminalization.
Illinois lawmakers pass bill that would protect police K9s – My Stateline, May 31, 2025.
The Illinois Senate passed a bill that would ensure long-term veterinary care for retired K9s. Illinois State Police are expected to create the Police K9 Care Fund, which would award grants to handlers.
For mentally ill people facing low-level charges, lawmakers take steps to get them care, not prosecution – Chicago Sun Times, May 31, 2025.
Criminal defendants in Illinois who are mentally ill have often languished behind bars not because they’ve been found guilty of a crime but because they’re waiting to be placed in a state mental hospital.
Greg Hinz: Budget passed, but Springfield leaves the big stuff undone – Crain’s Chicago Business, June 2, 2025.
To call it a train wreck would be an exaggeration. After all, the Illinois General Assembly was able to approve a $55.2 billion fiscal 2026 budget, even if it included $1 billion in new taxes and a series of one-time revenue sources.
WATCH: Illinois taxpayers to pay $1 billion more in taxes for approved $55B budget – The Center Square, May 31, 2025.
Illinois taxpayers are on the hook for over a billion dollars of tax increases to fund a $55 billion budget, the most expensive spending plan in state history. Before approving the plan in the House, state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, said the budget is compassionate and fiscally and socially responsible.
Feds recommend Michael Madigan go to prison for 12.5 years – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 30, 2025.
Federal prosecutors say former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan should be sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison for his conviction on bribery, conspiracy and fraud charges.
Ethics committee to hold hearings on proposed ethics board rule changes, OIG Audit and Program Review annual plan – The Daily Line, June 6, 2025.
The City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight on Monday will hold subject matter hearings on the inspector general office’s Audit and Program Review Section 2025 Annual Plan and on the proposed changes to the Chicago Board of Ethics rules and regulations.
Local officials, protesters clash with ICE outside office over detentions in growing escalation over Trump’s immigration tactics – Chicago Tribune, June 5, 2025.
Organizers were first alerted of ICE activity when Yolanda Chavez, a member of Organized Communities Against Deportations, went into the office for a check-in Wednesday morning and didn’t come out for hours. The organization quickly mobilized supporters outside, said Antonio Gutierrez, president of the nonprofit.
Still time for Chicago area transit funding solution, House speaker says – Fox 32 Chicago, June 3, 2025,
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch put the brakes on the massive transit bill in the House, saying it wasn’t ready for prime time. But fear not, he says. There’s still time to come to a solution.
Top mayoral aides make the case for local grocery tax, sales tax on services – Chicago Sun Times, June 3, 2025.
Chicago needs a sales tax on professional services, a local version of the state-eliminated 1% grocery tax, and a greater share of state income and personal property replacement taxes to close its $1.12 billion budget gap, top mayoral aides said Tuesday.
Johnson urges state lawmakers to tax the ‘ultra rich’ to avert mass transit cuts – Chicago Sun Times, June 3, 2025.
Following state lawmakers’ failure to pass a mass transit funding bill, Mayor Brandon Johnson urged the Illinois General Assembly Tuesday to steer clear of taxes that hammer working people, and instead turn to the “ultra rich” to pony up $770 million to avert layoffs and service cuts at CTA, Metra and Pace.
Alderpeople debate city debt, budget woes during finance committee hearing on credit downgrades – The Daily Line, June 4, 2025.
At a committee hearing Tuesday, city finance officials defended the city’s debt load and painted the city’s credit position as stronger than recent ratings agency actions would indicate, while alderpeople also heard from an outside finance analyst who warned about the city continuing to rely on debt to finance projects.
Fitch Ratings warns Chicago to embrace structural budget solutions or face potential ratings downgrade – The Daily Line, June 2, 2025.
Analysts from Fitch Ratings point to trouble ahead for Chicago’s credit worthiness if the city cannot agree on structural solutions to widening budget gaps and burdensome debt.
Contracting oversight and equity committee to consider making veteran business participation program permanent – The Daily Line, June 2, 2025.
The City Council Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity on Tuesday will consider a measure to make a city equity goal that ensures veteran-owned businesses can participate in city contracts permanent.
Fitch Ratings warns Chicago to embrace structural budget solutions or face potential ratings downgrade – The Daily Line, June 2, 2025.
Analysts from Fitch Ratings point to trouble ahead for Chicago’s credit worthiness if the city cannot agree on structural solutions to widening budget gaps and burdensome debt.
Chicago Bears’ stadium efforts run out of time in Springfield, but suburban lawmaker says deal was close – Chicago Tribune, June 2, 2025.
While the Illinois General Assembly didn’t end up passing legislation this session that helped or hurt the Chicago Bears’ stadium efforts, one suburban lawmaker said the legislature got close to a deal on property tax legislation — a measure widely seen as a way to ease a team move to Arlington Heights.
