The Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield for the first week of a two-week fall veto session from Tuesday, October 14, to Thursday, October 16. Committee and floor action was limited in both the House and Senate, and the Senate canceled its scheduled session day on Thursday.
Before adjourning for the week, the Senate passed several measures that were left outstanding from the regular session:
- SB 243 is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) omnibus that already passed the House back in May. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.
- SB 642 is a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) extension omnibus that extends project timelines in the City of Chicago, the Village of Millstadt, the City of Mattoon, and the City of Sterling. The bill will now be sent over to the House for committee and floor consideration.
- HB 2394 increases the weight limit for battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks to align with the federal standard. The bill passed the Senate despite concerns about increased road wear and tear, especially since these vehicles do not pay Motor Fuel Tax. Having previously passed the House, the bill now awaits the governor’s signature.
Energy and Chicagoland transit funding and governance reform were expected to be major issues during veto session. The House Executive Committee held a subject matter hearing on the RTA fiscal cliff on Wednesday, October 15, though updated bill language has not yet been filed. Despite a series of energy-related hearings held over the summer, new omnibus energy legislation has also not been introduced during veto session.
The House held several extended caucus meetings throughout the week to prepare for the second week of veto session, when more substantive legislative action is anticipated. After a one-week recess, the General Assembly will return to Springfield for the second week of veto session from October 28 to 30.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2
In the News
Krishnamoorthi hauls in another $3 million in three-way Senate race as race to replace Schakowsky heats up – Chicago Sun-Times, October 16, 2025
The Federal Election Commission is keeping tabs on Senate candidates with the highest fundraising tallies, and Krishnamoorthi ranks third nationwide with a total of $24,878,520.73 raised.
Dabrowski sets fundraising bar at $1.5M in GOP primary for governor – Capitol News Illinois, October 16th, 2025
Dabrowski raised $1.5 million through self-funding and contributions from several wealthy donors, including billionaire Dick Uihlein. The party’s 2022 nominee, former State Sen. Darren Bailey, raised just over $20,000 but didn’t launch his campaign until a few days before the fundraising deadline.
RTA leaders testify to House committee, House speaker says transit reform remains a ‘critical issue’ for veto session – The Daily Line, October 16, 2025
As Illinois lawmakers discuss a measure that would disband and replace the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the authority’s leaders joined the House Executive Committee Wednesday to discuss how Chicago-area transit could be improved.
Illinois sues State Farm for release of homeowner insurance data – The Daily Line, October 16, 2025
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Tuesday against State Farm Insurance seeking the release of homeowner insurance data.
Opinion: Abraham Scarr: Lawmakers must ensure Illinois consumers get insurance worth their payments – Chicago Tribune, October 16, 2025
Across America and here in Illinois, homes and cars are among the most expensive things people buy. But payments on these pricey purchases don’t end with mortgage or car loan installments. Insurance to protect these investments is costly as well — but much less costly than not having insurance, in case of some sort of disaster or accident.
Transit funding, Bears remain questions as Illinois General Assembly gathers – 5 Chicago, October 15, 2025
Illinois lawmakers are facing a series of tough questions during their fall veto session, including the future of public transit and of the Chicago Bears.
Illinois lawmakers clash on how to condemn political violence – CI Proud, October 15, 2025
In the second day of veto session, Republicans and Democrats in Illinois General Assembly argued over how to condemn political violence.
Live from Springfield: Environmental advocates urge lawmakers to “fix and fund public transportation” at Climate Action Day at the Capitol – Streetsblog Chicago, October 15, 2025
It’s a particularly crucial time for transit boosters, because we are now peering into the abyss that would be the Chicagoland transit fiscal cliff. If the Illinois General Assembly doesn’t pass a public transportation reform and funding bill soon, the CTA, Metra, and Pace will face a major budget gap in 2026, resulting in widespread service cuts and layoffs. That would be a major blow to the entire Land of Lincoln economy.
Gov. JB Pritzker and his wife report $10.3 million in taxable income — $1.4 million in gambling winnings – Chicago Tribune, October 15, 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker, five months before Democratic primary voters head to the polls as he runs for a third term as Illinois governor, released partial tax records Wednesday showing he and his wife reported more than $10.3 million in taxable income — including more than $1.4 million in income from gambling.
State Week: Madigan goes to prison – NPR Illinois, October 15, 2025
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, convicted earlier this year of corruption, has begun serving a 7 1/2 year prison sentence. He reported to a federal facility in Morgantown, West Virginia this week.
Illinois sues State Farm for release of homeowner insurance data – The Daily Line, October 15, 2025
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) Director Ann Gillespie, alleges that State Farm has refused to comply with a regulatory examination conducted by the department.
Back in action: Illinois House Speaker, Minority Leader break down veto session priorities – WAND News, October 14, 2025
House Democrats and Republicans spent hours meeting behind closed doors with their caucuses after leadership canceled two hearings scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Elections board hearing officer recommends Illinois Senate President Don Harmon pay nearly $10 million fine – Chicago Tribune, October 14, 2025
The Illinois State Board of Elections will decide next week whether it should follow a hearing officer’s recommendation and reject state Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a nearly $10 million fine for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state campaign finance limits.
Governor’s budget office anticipates $267 million shortfall in FY26 budget, $2 billion deficit in FY27 – The Daily Line, October 14, 2025
The governor’s budget office is anticipating the fiscal year 2026 budget will be more than $200 million out of balance, due largely to changes in federal tax law included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The report also anticipates a $2.2 billion deficit in the upcoming fiscal year.
House committee holds hearing on property tax bills intended to modernize data keeping, increase review process transparency – The Daily Line, October 14, 2025
The House Revenue and Finance Committee met Friday to hear three property tax bills intended to improve transparency in the review process for appeals and modernize assessor data retention.
Opinion: The Bears’ impatience notwithstanding, this ‘megaprojects’ bill isn’t soup yet – The Chicago Tribune, October 14, 2025
Lawmakers reconvene Tuesday in Springfield for the start of the fall veto session and at least one major bill that appeared slotted for action already has fallen by the wayside. In a refrain familiar to Chicago sports fans accustomed to our teams’ frequent futility, the Chicago Bears will have to wait until next year to win approval of legislation the team says it must have to begin construction of its new Arlington Heights stadium.
Appeals court allows federalization of troops but says they can’t be deployed – Capitol News Illinois, October 13, 2025
A federal appeals court has allowed the federalization of National Guard troops in Illinois but told the federal government that those troops can’t be deployed while the case makes its way through the courts.
Illinois lawmakers to tackle immigration and budget deficit in veto session – WGN9, October 13, 2025
The Illinois General Assembly’s veto session gavels in Tuesday with a massive to-do list and significant questions about whether anything can pass. Springfield lawmakers have three days this week and three more days later in October to take up major unresolved issues from the spring.
Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield for veto session, debate over Bears stadium funding continues | The Chicago Report – Fox32, October 13, 2025
Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-65th District), the Assistant Minority Leader, joins us to discuss lawmakers’ return to Springfield for the fall veto session, focusing on issues like transit funding, energy costs, and insurance rates. Gaste also weighs in on the Bears stadium proposal, saying taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used to fund private facilities.
Lawmakers head to Springfield mulling transit reform, ICE response – Chicago Sun Times, October 13, 2025
State lawmakers head to Springfield Tuesday with a full agenda for their fall veto session as Illinois residents deal with rising energy bills, a looming mass transit crisis and an influx of federal immigration agents. That might not leave much legislative bandwidth for Mayor Brandon Johnson to get any help plugging a $1.15 billion city budget hole — or for the Bears to find enough blockers in their rush for a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
State deficit projections look dim – Chicago Sun-Times, October 10, 2025
The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget projected last week the current fiscal year’s budget will run a $267 million deficit. The budget office recommended taking “immediate” action to plug the hole.
Ford announces Jesse White endorsement, strong fundraising – Riverside-
State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, one of 16 people vying for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Illinois 7th district, announced Thursday that he’s been endorsed by former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
Illinois lawmakers could vote on Chicago transit, energy, criminal justice bills during veto session – WAND News, October 10, 2025
State lawmakers are set to return to Springfield Tuesday for a two-week veto session. The six days of the session will be jam-packed with discussions on Chicago transit, energy and criminal justice reform.
22 states, including Illinois, are in a recession or on the brink: Moody’s Analytics – WCIA.com, October 10, 2025
Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the state’s problems stem from a mix of slowing immigration, increasing tariffs and federal job cuts.
Retired military leaders condemn Trump effort to deploy National Guard in Chicago – Chicago Sun-Times, October 16, 2025
The attempted deployment that remains stalled by a federal judge would violate “the Constitution of this great nation,” according to Major Gen. William Enyart, who led the Illinois National Guard from 2007 to 2012.
Mayor Johnson proposes $16.6B budget that revives corporate head tax, imposes first-ever social media tax – Chicago Sun-Times, October 16, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson Thursday delivered on his promise to “challenge the ultra-rich” and make corporations pay their fair share, proposing a $16.6 billion budget for 2026 that includes $586.6 million in progressive tax and fee revenues and a record $1 billion tax increment financing surplus to rescue the city and Chicago Public Schools.
Johnson to give 2026 budget address, City Council to consider new fire union contract, DFSS commissioner appointment, Broadway upzoning – The Daily Line, October 16, 2025
The City Council on Thursday will consider final approval of a new contract with the union representing Chicago firefighters, the appointment of a new Department of Family Support and Services (DFSS) commissioner and the upzoning of North Broadway in Uptown and Edgewater.
Calls For ‘Belt-Tightening’ in Chicago Budget Face Hurdles Amid Few Options for Pain-Free Cuts – Illinois Answers Project, October 15, 2025
Facing a nearly $1.2 billion budget gap, budget makers in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration have been dogged by a question: Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
ICE activity is stressing Chicago’s building managers, who warn rents could rise – Chicago Suntimes, October 15, 2025
Frightened by federal agents, some tenants can’t pay rent on time after missing work, while maintenance staff aren’t showing up to job sites. Property owners and managers worry continued ICE activity will force them to pass costs to tenants.
Driven by arts and culture, pedestrian traffic in Downtown Chicago exceeds pre-pandemic levels, report finds –Chicago Suntimes, October 15, 2025
Chicagoans and tourists are flocking to the Loop in record numbers with arts, culture and dining as the main attractions, as the area recovers post-pandemic. Several new housing developments indicate the Loop is becoming more of a neighborhood.
Mayor eyes head tax in ’26 budget but emboldened Council might have final say – Chicago Sun-Times, October 15, 2025
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th), who marshaled opposition to Johnson’s 2025 budget, warned the mayor to prepare for another budget rewrite that includes deeper budget cuts to help make the case for higher taxes.
Plan to upzone parts of Far North Side wards passes zoning committee – The Daily Line, October 14, 2025
A proposal to allow taller, denser buildings, promote additional housing and pedestrian-focused businesses and reduce red tape in three Far North Side wards won approval by the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards Tuesday, sending final approval to the City Council later this week.
Preckwinkle unveils largely flat $10B county budget for 2026, including new fund to mitigate grant losses – The Daily Line, October 14, 2025
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday unveiled a $10.01 billion proposed budget for 2026 in an address where she also excoriated the actions of the Trump administration that are anticipated to impact the county budget.
Health and human relations committee approves DFSS commissioner appointment – The Daily Line, October 14, 2025
The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations on Thursday approved the appointment of a permanent Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) commissioner.
Johnson expected to revive head tax in 2026 budget plan – Crain’s Chicago Business, October 13, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to propose reinstating the city’s corporate head tax to help solve a $1.15 billion 2026 shortfall, according to sources familiar with his preparations.
CTA plans 10% fare hike, joining Metra in raising rates – Crain’s Chicago Business, October 13, 2025
The Chicago Transit Authority says it plans to raise fares about 10% next year, following Metra’s announcement last week that it will raise fares 13% to 15%.
Edelman names new president amid broader leadership changeup – Crain’s Chicago Business, October 13, 2025
Chicago-based PR giant Edelman named Mainardo de Nardis its new global president and chief operating officer. He replaces longtime company executive Matthew Harrington, who was named the firm’s executive vice chairman.
Metra riders will pay more next year: agency unveils proposed 2026 budget – Chicago Tribune, October 10, 2025
Metra, the CTA and suburban bus service Pace are facing a structural budget deficit as they get closer to running out of one-time federal pandemic relief funds. Ridership, meanwhile, hasn’t rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
