At the beginning of May, both COGFA and GOMB released updated revenue projections for FY 2025 and FY 2026. With strong April revenues, COGFA increased its FY 2025 revenue projection to $53.931B, up 0.6% (or $317M) from its March revenue estimate of $53.614B and up 1.22% (or $632M) over the $53.281B revenue estimate at the time of the FY 2025 budget’s passage. GOMB, which last released revenue projections in February along with the governor’s budget address, also slightly increased its FY 2025 projection to $53.919B, up 0.04% (or $19M) from its February revenue estimate of $53.900B and up 1.2% (or $631M) over the estimate at the time of the FY 2025 budget’s passage. COGFA and GOMB project that FY 2025 will be the highest revenue year in state history, surpassing FY 2023. At a difference of only $12M, the two agencies’ projections are essentially identical.
GOMB and COGFA also aligned their FY 2026 projections. COGFA increased its FY 2026 revenue projection to $54.490B, up 0.5% (or $266M) from its March FY 2026 revenue estimate of $54.224B. This revision is a result of corresponding increases to its FY 2025 baseline projection. More notably, GOMB decreased its FY 2026 revenue projection to $54.917B, down 1.0% (or $536M) from its February revenue estimate of $55.453B. GOMB’s February projection was higher than COGFA’s March estimate for a few key reasons: (1) GOMB’s projection included the $492M in revenue increases from the governor’s budget proposal, (2) COGFA’s projection included collections from February, whereas GOMB only had January numbers, and (3) GOMB had a more optimistic economic outlook at the time. When factoring out the $492M in potential revenue increases that have not passed yet, GOMB’s FY 2026 revenue estimate stands at $54.425B. The recent changes by both agencies bring their projections in line with each other, differing by only 0.12% (or $65M). Both agencies projected conservatively, preparing for potential federal government cuts.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment
In the News
Senate Transportation Committee chair confident Chicago-area transit reform will pass before session adjourns – The Daily Line, May 16, 2025.
With a little more than two weeks until adjournment, the head of the Senate Transportation Committee says he’s confident they’ll pass reform for Chicago-area public transportation.
US Rep. Jonathan Jackson not endorsing colleague Robin Kelly in her bid to succeed Dick Durbin in Senate – Chicago Tribune, May 15, 2025.
After U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly said this week that Rep. Jonathan Jackson was among 18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus endorsing her Democratic primary bid to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Jackson announced he is not backing Kelly and instead remaining neutral in the race.
Yolanda Androzzo and Paul Nestadt: Safe storage of firearms would save Illinois teens’ lives – Chicago Tribune, May 16, 2025.
There’s a quiet moment — a pause — that can mean the difference between life and death.
Illinois Republicans renew push to revise SAFE-T Act – KWQC, May 15, 2025.
Illinois Republicans have renewed their push to walk back key pieces of the criminal justice reform that ended cash bail.
Speaker removes Democratic Rep. Fred Crespo from committee chairmanship for ‘not communicating’ – Capitol News Illinois, May 15, 2025.
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch made the extraordinary move of removing an appropriations committee chair on Wednesday with two weeks left in the legislative session and a tightening fiscal landscape.
Illinois House passes bill requiring stricter police hiring practices following Sonya Massey’s murder – WAND News, May 15, 2025.
The Illinois House passed legislation Thursday to require law enforcement have stricter hiring practices following the murder of Sonya Massey.
Race for retiring US Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat opens up contests for Chicago-area congressional seats – Chicago Tribune, May 15, 2025.
The still emerging race to succeed Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate featuring candidates from within the state’s congressional delegation has created a domino effect — a growing list of contenders now racing for suddenly open seats in the U.S. House.
A Pritzker, Axelrod, Emanuel imbroglio – Politico, May 14, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s indecision on running for a third term as governor has put him in the spotlight this week.
IL state lawmakers to address $771M public transit funding shortfall – ABC 7, May 15, 2025.
State transportation leaders are giving an update this morning on how transit negotiations are going.
Editorial: Buckle up, folks, Illinois’ budget is $536M short. Tax hikes cannot be the fix. – Chicago Tribune, May 15, 2025.
With a little over two weeks before a deadline to pass a state budget, Illinoisans suddenly are being made aware of a deeper-than-anticipated shortfall.
Rahm Emanuel flirts with idea he’d run for president – Chicago Sun Times, May 14, 2025.
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel openly flirted with a 2028 presidential candidacy Wednesday, telling a nationally televised talk show audience that he is “in training” for a White House bid.
Illinois gas tax is increasing this July. Here’s what you need to know – The State Journal-Register, May 15, 2025.
Gas will soon get a little more expensive in Illinois.
Pritzker budget team slashes state’s revenue forecast by $536 million – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 13, 2025.
The governor’s budget office now expects about $500 million less in revenue for the coming fiscal year, which will make it more challenging for the General Assembly to come up with a budget.
Legislation seeks to rein in rental ‘junk fees’ in Illinois – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 13, 2025.
A bill that would restrict landlords’ ability to charge move-in fees, background check fees and late fees is working its way through the Illinois Legislature.
Illinois seeks to prevent feds from tying funding for states to immigration enforcement – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 13, 2025.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 19 other Democratic attorneys general filed a pair of lawsuits Tuesday against Trump administration policies designed to block federal funding to states that don’t carry out U.S. immigration enforcement.
Illinois sues Trump administration after threat to cut transportation, FEMA funding over immigration enforcement – The Daily Line, May 14, 2025.
Illinois is joining two lawsuits to preemptively stop the Trump administration from ceasing emergency response and infrastructure funding for states who do not assist with federal immigration enforcement.
Illinois farmers struggle to stay afloat as federal trade policies create uncertainty – The Daily Line, May 14, 2025.
Already facing decreased revenue in recent years, federal trade policies present a threat to Illinois farmers trying to stay afloat. That’s according to Nick Paulson, a professor at the University of Illinois, who gave an industry outlook to the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee Tuesday.
Canadian electric minibus manufacturer to open its first US plant in Peoria – Chicago Tribune, May 13, 2025.
As Lion Electric faces liquidation and the auction of its shuttered Joliet electric bus factory, the state has announced another Canadian EV bus manufacturer will be opening a plant in Peoria.
IL-EATS reinstated for remainder of fiscal year – Farm Week Now, May 14, 2025.
The Illinois Equitable Access Toward Sustainable Systems (IL-EATS) program was reinstated for the remainder of the fiscal year. Sufficient funding to finish out the state fiscal year 2025 was determined by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in March after USDA reversed its decision to cease reimbursements for the program, which is funded through Local Food Processing Agreement (LFPA) grants.
Illinois Freedom Caucus suggests state should only spend $44 billion for Fiscal Year 2026 – Wand News, May 13, 2025.
The Illinois Freedom Caucus argues Illinois needs to trim the fat of Democratic budgets and are proposing a spending plan of their own. The Illinois Freedom Caucus presented their own budget proposal on May 13, 2025. Gov. JB Pritzker presented a $55 billion budget in February, but the Freedom Caucus told reporters in Springfield Tuesday that lawmakers only need to approve $44 billion.
WATCH: Legislation would limit how consumers can buy an electric vehicle in Illinois – The Center Square, May 13, 2025.
In a state that has been striving to get more electric vehicles on the roads, an Illinois lawmaker wants to place restrictions on how consumers can buy an EV. State Sen. Ram Villivallam’s Senate Bill 1939 would prevent future independent EV manufacturers from selling cars except through auto dealer networks.
Tight fiscal picture, federal funding uncertainty complicate state budget talks – Chicago Tribune, May 13, 2025.
With less than three weeks until the Illinois legislature’s scheduled adjournment, lobbyists, nonprofits, activists and others are ramping up efforts to get a piece of the state’s multibillion-dollar budget for everything from after-school funding to housing for people leaving prison.
Raoul pushes legality of DEI in Illinois as federal government looks to roll policies back – The Daily Line, May 13, 2025.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a panel Monday to push the legality of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the face of federal action attempting to outlaw them.
Lingering drama in the Senate race – Politico, May 13, 2025.
The New York Times is out with a juicy story about the Illinois Senate race and the “deep animosity” that Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Congress members Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, all Democrats, apparently hold for each other.
Editorial: Some potential relief from Washington for Illinois’ budget – Chicago Tribune, May 13, 2025.
You may not hear too many Illinois Democrats say it out loud, but we expect they’re feeling some measure of relief at the news out of Washington.
Gov. JB Pritzker is pondering a reelection run. But should he seek a third term if he wants to be president? – Chicago Sun Times, May 13, 2025.
As he hedges about his future, Gov. JB Pritzker appears to be leaning toward a third term run next year, but it’s a decision that could have an impact on any potential 2028 White House bid of his.
School mascot bans stall in Illinois Senate but could be revived – St. Louis Public Radio, May 12, 2025.
Two bills in the Illinois General Assembly that would require some school districts to change their mascots, logos and team names have stalled in the Senate — but still have paths forward.
WATCH: IL state rep asks tollway to explain error costing taxpayers $44.6 million – Cities 92.9, May 12, 2025.
The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is being asked to explain a costly mistake to taxpayers.
State Senator initiates audit into Discovery Partners Institute after project objective change – WCIA News, May 9, 2025.
In Springfield, State Senator Chapin Rose is leading a full audit of the Discovery Partners Institute at the University of Illinois. There was supposed to be a tech hub built in Chicago, but that project was cancelled and shifted to focusing on quantum computing. U of I System President Timothy Killeen has been heading the institute for the past eight years.
Opinion: The party is over when it comes to next year’s state budget – Chicago Sun Times, May 9, 2025.
I spent some time talking with a top legislative budget negotiator last week who said rank-and-file legislators will very soon have to come to terms with a state budget environment unlike anything many have ever seen before. The “budgeteer” didn’t know yet how things would shake out, but the person was adamant that weak revenues combined with total uncertainty from both the federal government and in the national economy meant the new state budget should most definitely not be overloaded with spending.
Illinois lawmakers considering fee to benefit conservation – Brownfield News, May 9, 2025.
The deputy director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says a proposal to introduce a new per acre fee for taking agricultural land out of production is gaining momentum in the General Assembly.
Illinois’ move to end time limit to prosecute human trafficking passes Senate Committee – WCIA News, May 9, 2025.
An Illinois lawmaker wants to give survivors of human trafficking and related offenses more time to get justice. Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Crest Hill) passed a bill out of the Senate Criminal Law Committee that would remove the statute of limitations for victims of sex trafficking or exploitation to bring charges after they turn 18 years old.
Illinois lawmakers push for immigrant healthcare funding amid budget cuts – News Channel 20, May 9, 2025.
Illinois lawmakers are urging for increased consideration in funding immigrant healthcare within the state as the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program faces potential budget cuts. The program, which provides healthcare for eligible adults, is scheduled to end on July 1 unless additional funding is secured.
‘People say enough is enough’ — Citizens Utility Board fighting record-breaking gas rate hike – WCIA News, May 9, 2025.
The largest gas rate hike in Illinois history could be coming soon. Nicor Gas submitted a major price hike request back in January — $309 million — and the ICC still has seven more months before it makes an official ruling. However, the Citizens Utility Board has remained consistent in its messaging against the request.
Schakowsky backs Hanley for state senate seat – Evanston Now, May 9, 2025.
Winnetka environmental activist Patrick Hanley announced his bid Thursday for the Illinois State Senate seat being vacated by Laura Fine as she runs for Congress, and already has a big name backing him.
Eye On Illinois: Record revenue month no cause for celebration – Shaw Local News, May 10, 2025.
In April, the state’s General Fund grew by $7.613 billion, the second largest monthly haul ever.
The only more prosperous period was April 2022, when the Fund collected $8.037 billion, goosed by federal stimulus programs.
Democratic lawmakers struggle to find consensus on criminal justice measures – Chicago Tribune, May 12, 2025.
Criminal justice reform has long been one of the most divisive issues between Democrats who control the Illinois General Assembly and the Republican minority.
New protections for domestic violence victims in Illinois now in effect under Karina’s Law – CBS News, May 11, 2025.
New protections for victims of domestic violence are now in effect in Illinois under Karina’s Law. The law requires guns to be removed from the home of an accused abuser when their victim is granted an order of protection in a domestic violence case. Police must confiscate the guns from an accused abuser within four days of a judge issuing an order of protection.
Two years in, Brandon Johnson’s progressive allies worry their movement is stalled – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 16, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson is acknowledging missteps while selling the first half of his term as an underreported success story. His mantra nowadays: He’s moving Chicago toward becoming the “safest, most affordable big city.”
Johnson talks relationship with council, success, regrets at two-year mark – The Daily Line, May 16, 2025.
As Mayor Brandon Johnson passes the halfway point in his term, he sat down with The Daily Line to tout his administration’s achievements, express regret about insufficient communication and comment on how his legislative agenda will be shaped by the funding upheaval in the federal government.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago finance officials to privately pitch investors – Chicago Tribune, May 15, 2025.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and top city officials are hosting potential buyers of city debt to hear Chicago’s borrowing and spending plans this week, a key moment that is happening behind closed doors as the mayor faces another financial crossroads.
Housing committee OKs economic disclosure exemption for short-term right-of-entry agreements, recommends lease renewal for Neighborhood Payment Center – The Daily Line, May 15, 2025.
The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Wednesday approved changes to the city’s rules for requiring economic disclosure documents from people seeking city actions and a lease renewal for a Department of Finance payment center, but it postponed a vote on the designation of a Far North Side ward for property tax incentive purposes.
Chicago’s population is growing again – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 15, 2025.
Chicago’s population is back in growth mode after several years of decline.
Transportation committee passes resolution urging state to fund public transit – The Daily Line, May 15, 2025.
The City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way on Wednesday approved a resolution (R2025-0016638) urging Illinois state lawmakers to pass “a transit omnibus package that addresses the impending fiscal cliff faced by the [Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)], Metra and Pace with all haste, to hold ourselves accountable in providing this essential service to the people of the Chicago region.”
Workforce committee approves ordinance qualifying some for city jobs who lack degrees – The Daily Line, May 14, 2025.
Alderpeople on Tuesday approved an ordinance that would allow people without college degrees to qualify for certain city jobs in some cases if they have equivalent work experience.
City commission approves $67 million in TIF funds for massive Central Loop renovation – Chicago Tribune, May 13, 2025.
The largest project envisioned so far for the LaSalle Street Reimagined program took a step closer to reality Tuesday when the Community Development Commission recommended that City Council approve it.
Chicago state lawmaker launches bid for Congressional seat – Fox 32 Chicago, May 13, 2025.
State Sen. Robert Peters, a Democrat from Chicago, announced his campaign for a U.S. House seat representing parts of the city’s South Side and southern suburbs in the 2026 midterm election.
Wrigleyville alderman wants more transparency from vacation rentals like Airbnb – Chicago Tribune, May 13, 2025.
Vacation rental companies like Airbnb might soon be required to share more information with the city in a bid to boost transparency as Chicago aldermen again seek more control over the industry.
Housing committee to consider economic disclosure requirement changes, lease renewal for Neighborhood Payment Center – The Daily Line, May 13, 2025.
The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Wednesday will consider changes to the city’s rules for requiring economic disclosure documents from people seeking city actions and a low affordability designation for a part of the city’s Far North Side.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s second year found him fighting unexpected battles – Chicago Tribune, May 11, 2025.
One recent Sunday afternoon, Mayor Brandon Johnson strode into a scene that seemed tailor-made for shoring up his political base.
Northwestern medical school cuts, consolidates research centers, including one focused on equity – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 9, 2025.
Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine announced internally last month the closure of several research centers and a merger of two centers as part of a faculty-led review conducted late last year.
Public Safety Committee approves appointment of former CFD deputy district chief as new OEMC director – The Daily Line, May 12, 2025.
The City Council Committee on Public Safety on Friday approved the appointment of Frank Velez to serve as the next director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC).
News in brief: Pedestrian and traffic committee to hold hearing on speed cameras; Workforce committee to consider ordinance on alternative qualifications for city employment – The Daily Line, May 12, 2025.
The City Council’s pedestrian and traffic safety committee this week will hold a hearing on new speed cameras, and its workforce development committee will consider a measure that would allow applicants for city jobs without college degrees to still qualify in certain cases.
The Catholic church’s social service arm in Chicago uses lobbying firm that also represents abortion provider – Chicago Sun Times, May 12, 2025.
The Catholic church’s social service arm has long offered resources to women with unplanned or unwelcome pregnancies to give them alternatives to abortion, which the church’s leadership opposes. But Catholic Charities in Chicago is using a lobbying firm that also represents an abortion provider, and the same lobbying firm and its employees have given campaign money to politicians and groups backing abortion rights, the Chicago Sun-Times found.
Are we going over the cliff? Lawmakers have just days to save Metra, Pace and CTA from massive cuts – Daily Herald, May 11, 2025.
When state lawmakers convened in January, they faced two seismic transit challenges — fixing a $770 million shortfall facing Metra, Pace and the CTA, and reforming how those agencies are governed.
Transit Advocates Push Mayor, Board For Nationwide Search For Next CTA Boss – Block Club Chicago, May 9, 2025.
A Chicago Transit Board meeting Thursday saw transportation advocates and elected officials sounding alarms, fearful the board was going to name a mayoral insider as the agency’s president — but, ultimately, no new leader was announced.
