Third Reading Report: November 17, 2025

Illinois Legislative News

Following a highly productive veto session in October, the Illinois General Assembly will return to Springfield for their 2026 regular session in January. The Senate convenes on January 13, followed by the House one week later, on January 20. Each chamber is only in session for one week in January, reflecting the heavy activity during veto session, which advanced significant legislation on energy, public transportation, immigration enforcement, and decoupling from certain federal tax changes.

As always, the most significant piece of legislation next year will be the state’s FY 2027 budget, with Governor JB Pritzker scheduled to deliver his annual State of the State and budget address on February 18. Additionally, if the federal government cuts subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the General Assembly may consider options to replace that funding at the state level, despite limited discretionary spending capacity. 2026 is a midterm election year, and many members will be up for reelection and will look to spend time in their districts ahead of the March 17 primary election.

The 2026 General Assembly session is notable for its lack of days when both the Senate and House will be in Springfield at the same time, relative to previous years. Before May, the only times both chambers will be in session together are the last two weeks of February, the last week of March, and the second full week of April. Legislative activity heats up in May, with both chambers scheduled for all four weeks ahead of the scheduled adjournment date of May 31.

January is prime bill introduction season, and the first major deadline of the 2026 session will be the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) request deadline on January 16, marking the start of the LRB blackout period. Following the LRB request deadline, February 6 is the bill introduction deadline. Once all bills have been introduced, they will begin to be considered in committees ahead of the Senate committee deadline on March 12 and the House committee deadline on March 27. Both the House and Senate have their initial chamber third reading deadline on April 17, opposite chamber committee deadline on May 8, and opposite chamber third reading deadline on May 22. The final few weeks of session are typically the busiest leading up to the scheduled adjournment date of May 31.

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

February 6 – Bill Introduction Deadline

February 18 – Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address

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

<span style=”font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,112,192);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial”>In the News

<a href=”https://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-house-republicans-governor-release-proposed-agency-spending-cuts-report?utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_14_25&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=thedailyline” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-house-republicans-governor-release-proposed-agency-spending-cuts-report?utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_14_25%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3J6MfdTnOgYaJ7WJk15-qY”>Illinois House Republicans call on governor to release proposed agency spending cuts report </a>– The Daily Line, November 14, 2025

Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Sept. 23 instructing state agencies to find up to 4 percent in budget cuts. The goal, Pritzker said at the time, was to be proactive as the state anticipates federal actions could throw the state budget out of balance.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=d7eb2ea150&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3Dd7eb2ea150%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw03KI3pKLujfdr9EjRjA-xL”>Pritzker believes government shutdown will help Democrats in 2026 midterms, Republicans disagree</a> – ABC 7 Chicago, November 13, 2025

After 43 days, federal employees are slowly returning to work. But the finger-pointing continues with Democrats and Republicans blaming one another for the pain it caused over the last six weeks.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-supreme-court-oral-arguments-state-agencies-authority-interpret_law?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_13_25&amp;n=24″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-supreme-court-oral-arguments-state-agencies-authority-interpret_law?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_13_25%26n%3D24&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Td3MfOPNYie5mYdUbwJh7″>Illinois Supreme Court hears oral arguments on state agencies authority to interpret law </a>– The Daily Line, November 13, 2025

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday will consider a massive legal settlement to resolve a case related to a disgraced former cop and multiple agreements to allocate financial assistance to housing and park projects. The committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers.

<a href=”https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/editorial-dick-durbin-government-shutdown-democrats/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/editorial-dick-durbin-government-shutdown-democrats/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2IHehMQiubXYeQ7_7pb2v2″>Opinion: In defense of Dick Durbin, honorable public servant of our state</a> – Chicago Tribune, November 13, 2025

Dick Durbin has seen his share of epic political battles as Illinois’ senior lawmaker in Washington. So he surely isn’t surprised at the slings and arrows coming his way from fellow Democrats after being one of eight Democratic senators to vote to reopen the government on terms most in his party say constitute capitulation to the detested Donald Trump. But we suspect he is surprised by the amount of poisonous rhetoric.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=11f43b9b3b&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3D11f43b9b3b%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2VaB8N7oeETmu5yHBF_c9p”>Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker worries that Trump will go to extremes to distract from Epstein files</a> – WGN, November 12, 2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s worried about how President Donald Trump might respond to the growing controversy over documents tying him to Jeffrey Epstein.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-commerce-commission-invenergy-seek-multistate-transmission-line-approval-upheld-illinois-supreme-court?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_13_25&amp;n=27″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-commerce-commission-invenergy-seek-multistate-transmission-line-approval-upheld-illinois-supreme-court?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_13_25%26n%3D27&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1fN-d3zaNj8ckxhbeXhUcO”>Illinois Commerce Commission and Invenergy seek to get multistate transmission line approval upheld by Illinois Supreme Court </a>– The Daily Line, November 11, 2025

Office of Public Safety Administration (OPSA) Executive Director Era Patterson, who was confirmed in September, talked during a budget hearing last week about how rightsizing and efficiency efforts have reduced spending in an office frequently accused of bloat, with OPSA proposed for its lowest budget since 2021.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=a9241d2e2a&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3Da9241d2e2a%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3if8LJOx5gQBe_rrbHV3tT”>Illinois lawmakers pass behavioral healthcare parity law, send plan to Pritzker’s desk</a> – WAND News, November 11, 2025

Illinois could soon increase access to behavioral healthcare and substance use treatment by improving insurance adequacy. The mental health parity plan is heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk after three years of hard work by state lawmakers.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=5ca10e3944&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3D5ca10e3944%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543621000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0HRRHZCawRImZ9lm3iDDCV”>OP Township Supervisor Thomas challenges Welch for Democratic leadership spot </a> – Austin Weekly News, November 11, 2025

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch will face an Oak Park resident for the 7th Democratic State Central Committeeman seat next March. But that Oak Park resident will not be Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. Instead, it will be Oak Park Township Supervisor Tim Thomas, who at the deadline on Nov. 3 filed nominating petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

<a href=”https://www.thecentersquare.com/issues/general/article_1bda79d4-5bdc-4c59-b130-3348b74ba6bc.html” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thecentersquare.com/issues/general/article_1bda79d4-5bdc-4c59-b130-3348b74ba6bc.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2RLQUleSI4WeHFwVoclmoI”>Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums </a>– The Center Square, November 10, 2025

Giannoulias visited Chicago churches Sunday to push his campaign aimed at restricting insurance companies from using certain data to determine premiums.

<a href=”https://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-commerce-commission-invenergy-seek-multistate-transmission-line-approval-upheld-illinois-supreme-court” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thedailyline.com/illinois-commerce-commission-invenergy-seek-multistate-transmission-line-approval-upheld-illinois-supreme-court&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw01nubwVHm97IO4YI9mb5vI”>Illinois Commerce Commission and Invenergy seek to get multistate transmission line approval upheld by Illinois Supreme Court</a> – The Daily Line, November 11, 2025

The Illinois Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case Wednesday on the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) approval of a multistate transmission line project.

<a href=”https://www.thedailyline.com/bill-limiting-junk-fees-charged-renters-clears-illinois-senate-hurdle” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thedailyline.com/bill-limiting-junk-fees-charged-renters-clears-illinois-senate-hurdle&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2vTxrFmbk0gKGH3voDumtB”>Bill limiting ‘junk fees’ charged to renters clears Illinois Senate hurdle</a> – The Daily Line, November 10, 2025

The Illinois Senate passed a measure to limit the fees landlords can charge to renters, but the measure still needs to be approved by the Illinois House.

<a href=”https://capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-history-making-senator-recounts-career/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-history-making-senator-recounts-career/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2tXD5wzBTBlO4MGyc3V1bI”>History-making senator recounts career</a> – Capitol City Now, November 10, 2025

You won’t get far in politics without money. That’s what former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun learned early on.

<a href=”https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/key-illinois-democrats-at-odds-with-durbin-over-shutdown-vote-again/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/key-illinois-democrats-at-odds-with-durbin-over-shutdown-vote-again/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ytmZdFHLi8Y9dSdPDL_xY”>Key Illinois Democrats at odds with Durbin over shutdown vote — again</a> – Capitol News Illinois, November 10, 2025

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is once again at odds with other prominent Illinois Democrats over a vote that set in motion a plan to end the record-long federal government shutdown.

<a href=”https://wgntv.com/news/illinois/darren-bailey-to-remain-in-race-for-illinois-governor/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wgntv.com/news/illinois/darren-bailey-to-remain-in-race-for-illinois-governor/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1E-BDult2d30zh9gPXFw_U”>Darren Bailey to remain in race for Illinois Governor</a> – WGN9, November 10, 2025

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey confirmed Monday that he will be staying in the race for governor.

<a href=”https://www.thecentersquare.com/issues/general/article_1bda79d4-5bdc-4c59-b130-3348b74ba6bc.html” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thecentersquare.com/issues/general/article_1bda79d4-5bdc-4c59-b130-3348b74ba6bc.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2RLQUleSI4WeHFwVoclmoI”>Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums</a> – The Center Square, November 10, 2025

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has expanded his campaign to regulate auto insurance rates.

<a href=”https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/10/rep-haas-says-she-has-malignant-tumor-but-my-prognosis-is-very-good/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/10/rep-haas-says-she-has-malignant-tumor-but-my-prognosis-is-very-good/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3_vIF_6qQ2tGqFYdARer0s”>Rep. Haas says she has malignant tumor, but ‘my prognosis is very good’</a> – Capitol Fax, November 10, 2025

I want to share a personal update. Several weeks ago, I discovered a small lump on the side of my neck, just behind my right ear. The next day, I went to the doctor, who ordered further testing and referred me to a specialist. After additional evaluation, surgery was recommended and I’ve since undergone that procedure successfully. Following the biopsy, I learned that the tumor was malignant, and I will soon begin proactive radiation treatments. My doctors are optimistic, and my prognosis is very good.

<a href=”https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_a0007e5a-8d69-47ee-8d02-d241c98c2543.html” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_a0007e5a-8d69-47ee-8d02-d241c98c2543.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zGzTHtOTFjlK01G3ggPFh”>WATCH: IL comptroller candidates focus on transparency, timely reporting</a> – The Center Square, November 10, 2025

Transparency is a key talking point for Illinois comptroller candidates. One Republican and five Democrats have filed nominating petitions to replace outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who announced earlier this year she would not seek reelection.

<a href=”https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/jim-dey-prison-bound-former-comed-ceo-lobbying-for-pardon/article_d0fb4a3a-fa39-46f5-9127-0337abbdf4c8.html” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/jim-dey-prison-bound-former-comed-ceo-lobbying-for-pardon/article_d0fb4a3a-fa39-46f5-9127-0337abbdf4c8.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw11JhgDJMeKS4AREj1az8wF”>Jim Dey | Prison-bound former ComEd CEO lobbying for pardon</a> – The News Gazette, November 10, 2025

Former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore isn’t scheduled to report to federal prison until December. But she’d prefer not to go at all.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=219bc48a2f&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3D219bc48a2f%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3uuS9y7LmD-UzvP6JfpRjF”>Opinion; What’s the point of Illinois Republicans? We asked them.</a> – Chicago Tribune, November 9, 2025

Democrats have twice as many seats as Republicans in the General Assembly, relegating conservative lawmakers to the outskirts of policy influence. Adding to Republican difficulties: It is hard to recruit candidates when people know how stacked the deck is here.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=af23c98d6b&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3Daf23c98d6b%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hCo047ZMVraSroZsZthEm”>After states told to ‘undo’ SNAP payments, what happens?</a> – WGN 9, November 9, 2025

At first, states were instructed to <a href=”https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5591140-size-of-november-snap-payments-revealed-heres-the-minimum-maximum-benefits/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5591140-size-of-november-snap-payments-revealed-heres-the-minimum-maximum-benefits/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1QpBiaDBo5Ip9c8WYPzBaC”>send out partial benefits</a>, then <a href=”https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5591140-size-of-november-snap-payments-revealed-heres-the-minimum-maximum-benefits/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5591140-size-of-november-snap-payments-revealed-heres-the-minimum-maximum-benefits/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1QpBiaDBo5Ip9c8WYPzBaC”>slightly larger benefits</a>, then <a href=”https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5595760-usda-snap-full-benefits-states/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5595760-usda-snap-full-benefits-states/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Vsjtha8KzN4UdFGC26GS3″>full benefits</a>. Then Friday night, the Supreme Court responded to a request from the Trump administration to <a href=”https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5596200-supreme-court-halts-snap-order/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5596200-supreme-court-halts-snap-order/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0MlFQAueYHQBarrkANpu7I”>halt that latter decision for the time being</a>, just hours after several states had sent out full SNAP benefits to their recipients.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=9a5f483f84&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3D9a5f483f84%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1s6tvk96wz9Rn4wBayWkGK”>Federal shutdown, budget cuts challenge state policymakers</a> – Capitol News Illinois, November 7, 2025

The recent suspension of federally funded food assistance for needy Americans as well as upcoming rule changes in Medicaid are presenting difficult challenges for state policymakers.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=1b90d5b854&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3D1b90d5b854%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2J5qDH8S9lDWoKR5dxLqIl”>Transit bill includes $3.8M for Springfield-Chicago air service</a> – Crain’s Chicago Business, November 7, 2025

State legislators authorized $3.75 million to help keep daily commercial flights operating between Springfield and Chicago. The subsidy was contained in a single paragraph tucked inside the 1,036-page transit legislation that passed during the early hours of Halloween and is awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-department-law-budget-2026-hearing-corporation-counsel-mary-richardson-lowry-social-media-tax-confidence-defense?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_14_25&amp;n=13″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-department-law-budget-2026-hearing-corporation-counsel-mary-richardson-lowry-social-media-tax-confidence-defense?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_14_25%26n%3D13&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw37Igd0x6gFY0U5hZHI9Lfw”>Law department leaders express confidence in ability to defend proposed social media tax from court challenges during budget hearing</a> – The Daily Line, November 14, 2025

Leaders from the Department of Law (DOL) told alderpeople during a budget hearing Thursday they would hire staff to bring in additional revenue, fight the Trump administration against frozen grant funds and continue to strategize to settle large swaths of police misconduct cases tied to problematic officers.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-november-2025-preview-tif-allocations-violence-against-women-task-force-landmark-designation-downtown-office-conversion?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_14_25&amp;n=19″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-november-2025-preview-tif-allocations-violence-against-women-task-force-landmark-designation-downtown-office-conversion?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_14_25%26n%3D19&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2yT2NFWu_Q7K8pEo_49ewa”>Council to consider TIF allocations, violence against women task force creation, landmark designation for downtown office conversion</a> – The Daily Line, November 14, 2025

The City Council on Friday will consider numerous proposals to allocate city financial assistance to housing and park district projects, the latest multimillion-dollar legal settlement related to a notorious ex-cop and a resolution to create a task force focused on gender-based violence.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/city-treasurer-boycott-treasury-bonds-authoritarian-regime-president-donald-trump?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_14_25&amp;n=22″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/city-treasurer-boycott-treasury-bonds-authoritarian-regime-president-donald-trump?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_14_25%26n%3D22&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Ugkt8_RHPuNRA64Kg2zEW”>City Treasurer announces boycott of U.S. Treasury bonds to protest “authoritarian regime” of President Donald Trump</a> – The Daily Line, November 14, 2025

“We will not invest in the authoritarian regime of Donald Trump while he wages a war on Chicago,” Conyears-Ervin told the budget committee. “Chicago’s money should work for Chicagoans and not to bankroll attacks on our communities.”

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-police-oversight-bodies-2026-budget-hearing-copa-ccpsa-board-discipline-arbitration-cases?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_14_25&amp;n=25″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-police-oversight-bodies-2026-budget-hearing-copa-ccpsa-board-discipline-arbitration-cases?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_14_25%26n%3D25&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1DN3TAWcwZvIeX7JULPWKb”>Police oversight bodies discuss how their work will continue in 2026 during budget hearings</a> – The Daily Line, November 14, 2025

The city’s police oversight bodies — the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) and the Chicago Police Board — detailed their proposed 2026 budgets before the Committee on Budget and Government Operations Wednesday.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=cbf3e51910&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3Dcbf3e51910%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MSMBOHBzvsnzJR0Q-mF0c”>Johnson pushing for $18B, five-year infrastructure spending plan</a> – Crain’s Chicago Business, November 13, 2025

The infrastructure plan includes issuing up to $3.9 billion in general obligation bonds over five years, and the new borrowing is drawing fire from members of the City Council who only authorized $830 million in infrastructure borrowing in February in a narrow 26-23 vote after a protracted fight over the structure of the financing.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-human-resources-department-2026-budget-hearing-commissioner-sandra-blakemore-shortened-hiring-timelines?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_13_25&amp;n=12″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-human-resources-department-2026-budget-hearing-commissioner-sandra-blakemore-shortened-hiring-timelines?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_13_25%26n%3D12&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0y9niWj5lJ4O4LACkMyfLY”>Human resources commissioner details steps taken to shorten hiring timelines during budget hearing</a> – The Daily Line, November 13, 2025

Alderpeople on Wednesday asked the head of the Department of Human Resources (DHR) about shortening the time it takes to hire new employees during a budget hearing. The human resources department oversees recruiting and onboarding new city employees, developing the city’s workforce and includes a board to hear claims of discrimination and other misconduct.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=3ac4755b23&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3D3ac4755b23%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KswYvfzTeMcLW8K7_Y4D8″>CTA board approves no fare increase in 2026 budget, questions when new transit bill money will come</a> – Chicago Sun Times, November 13, 2025

The Chicago Transit Authority’s board approved a 2026 budget without a fare increase, while board members questioned when the agency would receive its first chunk of new state transit money still needed to fund dream projects such as overnight Orange Line service.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-budget-committee-ernst-young-financial-report-2026-budget-alderpeople-more-cuts-savings?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_12_25&amp;n=11″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-budget-committee-ernst-young-financial-report-2026-budget-alderpeople-more-cuts-savings?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_12_25%26n%3D11&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3sBL-J4YtRNpGL8G2zAr1_”>Alderpeople grill officials on Ernst and Young financial report, calling for mayor’s office to incorporate more cuts, savings into upcoming budget</a> – The Daily Line, November 12, 2025

The over $3 million mayor’s office-commissioned report, conducted by Ernst and Young, identified a range of $530 million to $1.396 billion in savings and new revenue, as the report examined low- and high-level versions of the various recommendations along with accounting for the immediacy of implementation. While some could be implemented in the upcoming budget, others require more time or legislative action to come to fruition or fully realize their potential savings.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-finance-committee-reynaldo-guevara-settlement-tif-funds-parks-housing-projects-recap-november-2026?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_12_25&amp;n=14″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-finance-committee-reynaldo-guevara-settlement-tif-funds-parks-housing-projects-recap-november-2026?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_12_25%26n%3D14&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw34cHyK4RzCaWJRwxc-BKx9″>Finance committee approves $17M Guevara-related settlement, TIF funds for parks, housing projects</a> – The Daily Line, November 12, 2025

The committee approved a $17 million proposed payout to Jose Maysonet, who alleges that disgraced ex-Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara and other officers beat him until he falsely confessed to a 1990 double murder. Guevara’s alleged misconduct has been pervasive and has sparked multiple city lawsuits and settlements.

<a href=”https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc&amp;id=287343f374&amp;e=d41f89f7f8″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://rkprsolutions.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dced8dc49db1d985fb3dec4ccc%26id%3D287343f374%26e%3Dd41f89f7f8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2-9cTlWmDIamHPbm8oMYcp”>Chicago alder confronts Gov. JB Pritzker in Little Village over corporate tax</a> – Fox 32 Chicago, November 11, 2025

Sigcho-Lopez appeared to ask Pritzker about his opposition to a proposed corporate head tax from Mayor Brandon Johnson to help close a $1 billion budget deficit.

<a href=”https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/warning-chicagos-budget-strategy-joe-ferguson-oped” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/warning-chicagos-budget-strategy-joe-ferguson-oped&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw24h4NicXjpHhzO5tR809GT”>Opinion: Joe Ferguson: Don’t waste Chicago’s chance to fix its structural problems</a> – Crain’s Chicago Business, November 10, 2025

The city of Chicago has reached a fiscal tipping point. If you think that sounds familiar, you would not be wrong. But this time is different. The current mayoral administration downplays the dire nature of present realities by revisiting the fiscal sins of the city’s past and prioritizing short-term remedies to the city’s deficit rather than doing the hard work of fixing Chicago’s structural problems.

<a href=”https://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-finance-committee-preview-november-2025-guevara-settlement-tif-funds-housing-parks-property-tax-hearing” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-finance-committee-preview-november-2025-guevara-settlement-tif-funds-housing-parks-property-tax-hearing&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw18ACQtI_PV0brYkM1l70XY”>Finance committee to consider $17M Guevara-related settlement, TIF funds for parks, housing projects</a> – The Daily Line, November 10, 2025

<a href=”https://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-office-public-safety-administration-2026-budget-hearing-director-era-patterson-efficiencies-timekeeping-civilianization-reduction-spending” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-office-public-safety-administration-2026-budget-hearing-director-era-patterson-efficiencies-timekeeping-civilianization-reduction-spending&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1YVJ0lBfColzXQtd78rmoJ”>Alderpeople press OPSA director on civilianization progress, spending reduction efforts at budget hearing</a> – The Daily Line, November 10, 2025

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-finance-committee-preview-november-2025-guevara-settlement-tif-funds-housing-parks-property-tax-hearing?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_10_25&amp;n=14″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-city-council-finance-committee-preview-november-2025-guevara-settlement-tif-funds-housing-parks-property-tax-hearing?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_10_25%26n%3D14&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2IMZkhVQH1I5KuHRerOIrE”>Finance committee to consider $17M Guevara-related settlement, TIF funds for parks, housing projects</a> – The Daily Line, November 10, 2025

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday will consider a massive legal settlement to resolve a case related to a disgraced former cop and multiple agreements to allocate financial assistance to housing and park projects. The committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers.

<a href=”http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-office-public-safety-administration-2026-budget-hearing-director-era-patterson-efficiencies-timekeeping-civilianization-reduction-spending?e=f53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93&amp;utm_source=thedailyline&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=tdl_professional_11_10_25&amp;n=17″ target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedailyline.com/chicago-office-public-safety-administration-2026-budget-hearing-director-era-patterson-efficiencies-timekeeping-civilianization-reduction-spending?e%3Df53db9d0500847a59bcd8524d9518d93%26utm_source%3Dthedailyline%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dtdl_professional_11_10_25%26n%3D17&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1hm4N8agXUt5zmkc24f_cq”>Alderpeople press OPSA director on civilianization progress, spending reduction efforts at budget hearing</a> – The Daily Line, November 10, 2025

<a href=”https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-gkukuhl-thpohjuk-k/” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-gkukuhl-thpohjuk-k/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw107jMFm8kWzKm-tyXLzYA_”>Rising grocery prices dampen holiday cheer — here’s how some Chicagoans are coping</a> – Chicago Sun-Times, November 7, 2025

Since December, the Chicago Sun-Times has been tracking shelf prices monthly of 35 common grocery items at four major Chicago retailers. So far, prices of most items have edged higher or remained unchanged.

<a href=”https://news.wttw.com/2025/11/05/chicago-police-department-overspent-its-budget-501m-over-5-years-data” target=”_blank” data-saferedirecturl=”https://www.google.com/url?q=https://news.wttw.com/2025/11/05/chicago-police-department-overspent-its-budget-501m-over-5-years-data&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763478543622000&amp;usg=AOvVaw22suHsSuehOLhUARAU2SV1″>Chicago Police Department Overspent Its Budget By $501M Over 5 Years</a> – WTTW, November 5, 2025

The Chicago Police Department spent more than its City Council-approved budget in five of the last six years, costing Chicago taxpayers more than $501.2 million in unanticipated expenses, records show.

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