NOTE: We will not put out a weekly update on Monday, December 30 or Monday, January 6 due to the holidays.

Illinois Legislative News

Lame Duck and 2025 General Assembly Session Preview

Following veto session at the end of November, the Illinois House and Senate released their calendar for the 2025 regular session. Both chambers also flagged January 2 through 7 as tentative dates for a lame duck session of the outgoing 103^rd General Assembly. House and Senate leadership recently finalized the dates for lame duck session from January 4 through 7, avoiding conflicts with holiday travel.

Lame duck session will bring about the final opportunity to pass legislation before former president and president-elect Donald Trump takes office. Going back to veto session, some Democrat members expressed a desire to pass legislation to mitigate against potential Trump Administration policies or federal funding cuts. However, no action on this front occurred in veto session.

Additionally, members have discussed a potential energy omnibus package, with a focus on battery energy storage systems. Battery storage legislation was considered in the 2024 regular session but did not pass, allowing more time for stakeholders to negotiate in the summer and fall.

Finally, legislation to regulate delta 8 hemp-derived cannabis products could be considered. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford introduced the Hemp Consumer Products Act (HB 4293) at the end of May, and it passed through the Senate before stalling in the House. Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently expressed his support for legislation to regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products in lame duck session even though it will continue to face staunch opposition from the many small businesses who produce and sell hemp-derived products.

Following the conclusion of lame duck session, the 104^th General Assembly inauguration will occur on January 8. The Senate will welcome 3 new members (1 Democrats and 2 Republicans), while the House will see 7 new members (5 Democrats and 2 Republicans) inaugurated. The partisan makeup of the House and Senate will remain identical to the outgoing 103^rd General Assembly. Democrats will maintain supermajorities in both chambers with a 40 to 19 split in the Senate and a 78 to 40 split in the House. Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch appear all but certain to hold their leadership positions in the new General Assembly.

2025 session deadlines are approaching quickly with the LRB request deadline coming up on January 24 and the bill introduction deadline on February 7. Central to the 2025 session is the FY 2026 budget process, which will face pressure to address the $700M Chicago area transit funding deficit, among other new spending requests, in a limited revenue growth environment. Gov. Pritzker is scheduled to give his annual state of the state and budget address on February 19. The General Assembly will work to pass a budget before their scheduled adjournment date of May 31.

Illinois’ Population Increasing in 2024 Census Estimates

On December 19, the U.S. Census Bureau released its Vintage 2024 population estimates. The new population figures, which estimate the 2024 population using a baseline from the 2020 Census, show that the overall U.S. population grew by 1% (or 3.3M people) to a total of over 340M from 2023 to 2024. This marks the fastest annual population growth figure for the entire country since 2001 and a complete recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic which saw the country experience record low population growth of 0.2% in 2021. International migration accounted for 84% (or 2.8M people) of the nation’s population growth over the last year, up from 1.7M people in 2022 and 2.3M people in 2023. Increasing birth rates following the pandemic also added 519,000 to the U.S. population in 2024.

For the first time since the 2020 Census Post-Enumeration Survey, the 2024 Census Vintage estimates show that Illinois gained population over the last year. The state grew by an estimated 0.5% or 68,000 residents, the largest numeric increase of any state in the Midwest. International migration was the largest reason for the state’s population growth, with Illinois adding an estimated 112,955 immigrants in 2024, up from only 31,529 in 2023. Increasing birth rates were another factor leading to Illinois’ population gains, with birth outpacing deaths by 11,012 in 2024, up from only 4,866 in 2023.

However, Illinois continued to lose residents to domestic outmigration with an estimated 56,235 residents leaving for other states. This figure is a significant improvement over the 141,656 lost to domestic migration in 2023, showing that state-to-state losses are slowing down. Illinois domestic migration losses in 2024 were the third highest in the country, only behind California (-239,575) and New York (-120,917).

Additionally, the Census Bureau revised their 2023 population estimate to show that Illinois gained 32,826 residents, rather than losing 20,438 as was previously reported. This update is at least in part a correction related to the 2020 Census Post-Enumeration Survey, which found that Illinois’ 2020 Census population figure was significantly undercounted. Even with reported population growth in 2023 and 2024, Illinois’ estimated population of 12,710,158 is 0.87% (or 111,656 residents) lower than it was in the 2020 Census.

City Council Passes 2025 Chicago Budget

On December 16, the Chicago City Council passed a $17.1B 2025 budget by a narrow 27 to 23 vote. Mayor Brandon Johnson received enough votes to pass the budget, after much negotiation, by eliminating the proposed property tax increase in its entirety. Johnson’s initial budget proposal included a $300M property tax increase, which faced strong opposition and was incrementally decreased with each subsequent proposal down to no increase in the final version.

In order to balance the budget without increasing property taxes, the 2025 city budget levies over $180M in new taxes and fees (see below for some of the highlights). Notably, the budget also defers a $40M debt payment from the 2009 loan for the purchase of the former Michael Reese Hospital site.

• Decreases the city’s rideshare surcharge from $1.75 to $1.50 and expands the fee to apply on weekends.
• Increases the streaming service tax from 9% to 10.25%.
• Increases the single-use bag fee from $0.07 to $0.09 and decreases the amount retailers can recoup from $0.02 to $0.01.
• Increases the tax on digital goods, such as software or cloud storage, from 9% to 11%.
• Increases the residential zone parking permit fee for everyone under age 65 from $25 to $30.
• Increases the city sticker replacement fee for everyone under age 65 from $5 to $20.
• Increases the parking garage and valet fee tax from a tiered system of 20% on weekdays and 22% on weekends to 23.25% all the time.
• Increases the pedicab two year-license fee from $5 to $40.
• Increases the wholesale food sellers two-year license fee from $660 to $1,320.
• Increases the fine for violating any of the city’s general licensing provisions for businesses from a range of $200 to $1,000 to a range of $400 to $5,000.
• Increases the public vehicle violation fee (largely applicable to cabs) from a range of $50 to $400 to a range of $75 to $1,000.
• Creates a new $500 fee for utility companies to access public way utilidors.

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

January 4-7 – Lame Duck Session

January 8 – Inauguration of the 104^th General Assembly

January 24 – LRB Request Deadline

February 7 – Bill Introduction Deadline

February 19 – Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address

March 21 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline

April 11 – Initial Chamber Third Reading Deadline

May 9 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline

May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline

May 31 – Adjournment

In the News

Census data shows Illinois population is growing again – Crain’s Chicago Business, December 19, 2024

The state’s population grew slightly last year, adding nearly 68,000 residents, or 0.5%, according to Census Bureau estimates out today. The figures reverse a downward trend, but it’s not clear how much the data reflects a change in growth itself or whether it’s the result of a revision by the Census Bureau due to a change in methodology.

Immigration drives 68,000 increase in Illinois population, Census reports, though residents keep moving out – Chicago Tribune, December 20, 2024

Illinois gained nearly 68,000 people from 2023 to 2024, reversing a recent trend of population losses, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday. Much of the increase was due to an influx of migrants, a trend that played out across the country. The increase of 67,899, or 0.5%, was small and paled in comparison to the growth of 563,000 in Texas, but the numeric growth was the most in the Midwest.

Madigan lawyers send jurors home for holidays with warm thoughts about ex-Speaker – Chicago Sun-Times, December 19, 2024

Federal jurors have heard two months of evidence that prosecutors say proves former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan guilty of “corruption at the highest levels of state government.”

Former AT&T Illinois executive accused of bribing Mike Madigan gets new trial date – Chicago Sun-Times, December 19, 2024

Former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza will face trial again June 3 after his first trial ended in September with a hung jury, a federal judge said Thursday. U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman had previously delayed rescheduling La Schiazza’s trial, saying he first wanted to hear arguments on whether to acquit La Schiazza. But Gettleman shot down the former utility executive’s long-shot bid for an acquittal last week.

Successful Illinois EATS program faces uncertainty – Brownfield, December 19, 2024

The executive director of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association says the state’s successful Illinois EATS program faces an uncertain future. Raghela Scavuzzo says the program has provided increased market opportunities for farmers and much needed food for communities. “That is funded through the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program.” She says, “It really has allowed the opportunity to expand our wholesale markets, which was what we wanted to see.

Federal prosecutors rest their case against Illinois’ once-powerful speaker, Michael Madigan – Chicago Sun-Times, December 18, 2024

Federal prosecutors rested their case Wednesday against former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, the once-powerful Southwest Side Democrat whose reign in Springfield shattered records but ended amid a wide-ranging corruption investigation.

Temp Agency or Tech Platform? Advocates Say Staffing Apps Are Skirting Laws, But Companies Say They’re Exempt – WTTW, December 18, 2024

For years, the debate has raged over ride hailing apps Uber and Lyft — are they taxi companies or tech firms? The tech giants have been firm in their stance that they’re merely a tech platform connecting independent drivers with passengers looking for a ride.

Illinois Democrats push to accomplish a slew of last-minute goals as President Joe Biden’s era ends – Chicago Tribune, December 18, 2024

One month before President Joe Biden cedes the White House to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, Biden’s administration and the Democratic majority in Illinois’ congressional delegation are scrambling to check off final items on their to-do lists.

Gov. Pritzker recently signed 177 bills which go into effect on January 1 in Illinois. Here’s the list… – WSILTV, December 17, 2024

In August, Governor JB Pritzker released a list of 265 Senate and House bills he signed into law. Pritzker took action on the 265 bills on Friday, August 9, signing all of them into law. Some of the bills went into effect at the time of his signature, while 177 go into effect on January 1, 2025. Here is a list and breakdown of each bill going into effect on January 1, 2025. See the list below…

Workers prepare for Illinois minimum wage increase in the new year – WAND, December 17, 2024

Minimum wage workers will see an increase on their paystubs in 2025. Minimum wage workers are not the only ones who can see an increase on their wages. “So for tipped workers you know, it goes up to $9 dollars an hour. It was set at 8 dollars and 40 cents, so it goes up to nine.

After nine weeks and some 50 witnesses, feds close to resting their racketeering case against Madigan – Chicago Sun-Times, December 17, 2024

Federal prosecutors appear on the cusp of resting their wide-ranging case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan — but jurors wound up leaving the courthouse early Tuesday without hearing any such announcement. That’s despite a prediction made by prosecutors Tuesday morning to U.S. District Judge John Blakey that they would likely wrap up their case in the afternoon. Instead, the judge sent the jury home at 2:30 p.m.

Illinois laws create roadblocks, but don’t stop deportations, expert says – Northern Public Radio, December 18, 2024

Rudy Valdez leads the public safety committee for the Coalition of Latino Leaders in Rockford. He remembers the community pushback several years ago when Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana considered allowing for a portion of the county jail to be used as a detention site for ICE — the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency — which executes deportations.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has returned from the State of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Midwest Delegation – WREZ, December 17, 2024

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has returned from the State of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Midwest Delegation. While there, she and other elected U.S. officials met with the Israel Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and community-based groups.

Electors cast official votes for president – Capitol News Illinois, December 17, 2024

Illinois officially awarded its 19 electoral votes Tuesday to Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the unsuccessful Democratic candidates to be the next president and vice president of the United States.

Illinois Senate president must act quickly to protect nursing home residents – Chicago Sun-Times, December 17, 2024

In recent years, Illinois has been rated near the back of the pack in the quality of patient care at its nursing homes. That should encourage the Legislature to find ways to improve nursing home care. It’s a challenge, because nursing homes are still suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Illinois law requires employers to disclose pay scale and benefits in job postings by 2025 – KHQA, December 16, 2024

The Pay Transparency Law takes effect January 1, 2025, in Illinois. This law requires pay scale and benefit information in job postings. The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding job seekers and employers that, effective January 1, 2025, all job postings made by employers with 15 or more employees will need to include pay scale and benefit information.

Illinois lawmakers allow emergency security rules for state buildings following threats to elected officials, staff – The Daily Line, December 16, 2024

In light of recent safety and security threats to Illinois lawmakers and their staff, Secretary of State officials detailed to committee members Tuesday why they filed a rare emergency rule that will tighten security at the state Capitol. Amy Williams, senior legal counsel assistant for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, said during the Tuesday Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meeting that the Nov. 18 emergency rule filing came after several recent safety threats made to state officials. As of Dec. 9, she said, there have been 17 safety threats to the state capitol building so far in 2024, which is higher than years’ past.

VIDEO: Unions pitch ‘fix’ to Illinois’ pensions without knowing taxpayer cost – The Center Square, December 13, 2024

The taxpayer cost of enhancing Tier II pensions in Illinois isn’t known as legislators hear of a proposed change they could take on in the new year. For months, members of the General Assembly have been holding hearings about what some say is the need to enhance benefits for some public employees hired after 2011, because their benefits may not be in line with standards set by Social Security. There were also arguments that the benefits are not enough to attract and retain talent for the public sector.

Public agencies eye Illinois’ unused lump-sum budget funds – Chicago Sun-Times, December 14, 2024

The Democratic legislative leaders and the governor agreed to squirrel away $260 million in lump-sum appropriations to various state agencies last spring. But now some groups are figuring out that a big pile of state money is just sitting there and they are trying to stake their claims.

Editorial | Illinois legislators prepare to face a tough budget year – The News-Gazette, December 14, 2024

It caught a lot of attention when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office recently forecast a multibillion-dollar budget deficit without spending cuts or revenue increases. But bad news falls harder on some than others. That’s why Democratic Party leaders are warning their caucus members in the Illinois House and Senate of trouble ahead. House Speaker Chris Welch said he is telling fellow Democrats to not “come in the door looking to spend more money.”

With prosecutors set to rest in Madigan corruption trial, tapes will help jury take measure of the man – Chicago Tribune, December 15, 2024

Unless Michael Madigan shocks the Illinois political world and testifies at his own federal corruption trial, the only thing the jury will have heard from him when it soon comes time to decide his fate is what’s on federal tape. Over the past eight weeks, prosecutors have brought forth an onslaught of evidence in a case that sprawls over nearly a decade and involves big-ticket legislation, large utilities, nitty-gritty ward politics and glitzy real estate developments from the West Loop to Chinatown.

Paper tigers: Intentionally weak government oversight gives Illinois public officials cover for corruption – Chicago Tribune, December 15, 2024

Carol Pope lasted only about two years as the Illinois General Assembly’s inspector general before quitting in frustration. When Pope, whose job was to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by legislators and their staffers, asked for more autonomy amid a burgeoning corruption scandal in the legislature, lawmakers instead passed a law limiting her powers.

Secretary Osman retires after leading IDOT’s ‘golden age’ – QCBJ, December 15, 2024

Quad Cities leaders are lauding recently retired Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Omer Osman for his lasting and significant contributions to Quad Cities infrastructure. On Monday, Dec. 9, Gov. JB Pritzker said Chicago transportation expert Gia Biagi would succeed the IDOT secretary, pending Illinois Senate confirmation.

Duckworth, Durbin Announce Funding To Help Prepare Young Illinoisans To Succeed In High-Demand Careers – Effingham Radio, December 14, 2024

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced more than $7 million in grant funding for five youth organizations in Illinois participating in the U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthBuild Program, which is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational services for 16 to 24 year-olds who left school without a secondary diploma.

Leaked email sheds light on Johnson’s efforts to oust Martinez – Crain’s Chicago Business, December 19, 2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s adviser on labor issues told the Chicago Board of Education the mayor expected Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to be out by Sept. 26. That’s according to an internal memo reported today by the Chicago Tribune. Crain’s submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for the same document in October, but received a heavily redacted copy in response:

Cook County assessor staff addresses, adjusts property reclassification policy concerns – The Daily Line, December 19, 2024

After Cook County officials recently reclassified the county’s Class 3-18 tax assessment definition for mixed-use buildings, the assessor office’s chief-of-staff testified before county board commissioners on Wednesday about how the office corrected the language to ease mounting property owner and tenant concerns.

Rahm Emanuel for president? – Politico, December 18, 2024

EVERYONE’s TALKING about what Rahm Emanuel might do next. His name is still in the mix as a possible candidate to lead the Democratic National Committee, and some folks in Chicago wonder if he might return home to work in the corporate world until a political job opens up — maybe the U.S. Senate, should Sen. Dick Durbin not seek reelection.

Greg Hinz: Will Johnson learn from his budget fiasco? – Crain’s Chicago Business, December 18, 2024

Like the kid who discovers that his shiny new toy came without batteries or a warranty, Chicago soon will figure out if it already hasn’t that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s big Christmas present is less than wonderful.

Community Organizations Work to Combat Chicago’s Food Insecurity Crisis, Grocery Deserts – WTTW, December 16, 2024

Twice a week, Circle Urban Ministries in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood opens its food pantry’s doors to the public, serving all those who come. “It’s an area that can easily be swept under the carpet,” said Darriel Anderson, the organization’s outreach coordinator. “It really impacts a large population of Chicago.”

Sheriff Tom Dart plans to scrap decades-old electronic monitoring program over safety concerns – Chicago Sun-Times, December 17, 2024

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says he’s phasing out his electronic monitoring program for people awaiting trial because he can’t run it safely anymore. Dart says he plans to stop accepting new detainees into the program after April 1. But he said he will continue to run it until the cases of the rest of the detainees in his program are adjudicated.

City Council finally passes Johnson’s $17.3B budget — with no property tax hike – Chicago Sun-Times, December 16, 2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $17.3 billion budget — minus a $68.5 million property tax increase — was finally approved by the City Council on Monday, but the political rifts it caused will linger, endangering Johnson’s future agenda. The co-chairs of a 19-member Progressive Caucus that usually is the bedrock of Johnson’s support delivered that message loud and clear prior to the 27-23 vote on a budget that holds the line on property taxes, but includes $165.5 million in other taxes, fines and fees.

Chicago alderpeople pass lawsuit settlement, indebtedness check ordinance – The Daily Line, December 17, 2024

Just before the Chicago City Council at last passed its contentious fiscal year 2025 budget, its members passed on Monday a substitute ordinance that would make sure all recipients of lawsuit settlements from the city would first be subject to an indebtedness check by the comptroller.

City Hall ouster exposes rift in Johnson’s environmental mission – WBEZ Chicago, December 15, 2024

For almost three years, Raed Mansour has been the city’s top official investigating two major health threats to Chicagoans: air pollution and extreme heat. Moving ahead on a plan to install about 140 air pollution sensors across the city — at a cost of almost $1 million — Mansour invited more than a dozen community members from some of the most polluted neighborhoods to see the devices and help assemble them at a North Side city warehouse in early November.

Ex-Rep. Eddie Acevedo forgets his glasses — and his past testimony — as he takes the stand in Madigan trial – Chicago Sun-Times, December 16, 2024

Convicted former state Rep. Edward “Eddie” Acevedo briefly took the witness stand Monday and contradicted prosecutors’ claim that he did no work for thousands of dollars he was paid by two utilities allegedly trying to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

Illinois could help beat the transit fiscal cliff by shifting federal funding from highways to public transportation – Streetsblog Chicago, December 16, 2024

Let’s get real: Illinois has a looming public transportation crisis on our hands. Federal COVID-19 subsidy money, which has kept the CTA, Pace, and Metra running despite lower post-pandemic ridership, is projected to run out by 2026. How can we dodge this transit fiscal cliff in Chicagoland, the metro region where roughly three-quarters of Prairie State residents live? Here are some possibilities that have been discussed:

Old-school Chicago stocks take a victory lap – Crain’s Chicago Business, December 17, 2024

The stock market is in record territory, heavily fueled by chipmakers such as Nvidia and Broadcom. But some of the leading Chicago stocks are decidedly old school. United Airlines tops the list. Its shares have more than doubled in price this year, reaching at an all-time high of $105.09 on Dec. 5 before retreating slightly to $96.05.

Johnson offers to dump property tax hike to win a budget deal – Crain’s Chicago Business, December 15, 2024

After Mayor Brandon Johnson stood down last week amid what amounted to a high-stakes game of chicken on his $17.3 billion 2025 budget, the City Council is being briefed on a plan today to eliminate a $68.5 property tax through debt savings and spending cuts. Hoping to salvage a vote by tomorrow before having budget negotiations potentially so upended by aldermanic opposition that Johnson loses complete control of the process, his staff has scheduled briefings with the City Council this afternoon, but it’s up in the air if enough support will materialize to end a months-long stalemate.

Mayor Brandon Johnson calls off vote on 2025 city budget – Chicago Sun-Times, December 13, 2024

After a frantic search for votes that came up short, Mayor Brandon Johnson has called off Friday’s vote on his 2025 budget — a vote he was destined to lose. Even some members of the mayor’s Progressive Caucus, including Alds. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd), Jessie Fuentes (26th) and Angela Clay (46th), were refusing to play along by passing a budget balanced with the help of a $68.5 million property tax and a slew of other taxes.

Plans to overhaul Chicago Union Station could take a step forward in 2025, but more money is needed – Chicago Tribune, December 16, 2024

Long-running plans to revamp Chicago’s Union Station are poised to take a step forward in 2025, as Amtrak prepares to begin modernizing and boosting capacity at the commuter and intercity rail hub. But the construction marks only one step of Amtrak’s plans to overhaul parts of the station. The railroad, which owns Union Station, still needs to line up more funding for the rest of the work, a prospect that could face questions with a new presidential administration set to take office.

Cook County’s property tax system is complex and burdensome. Here’s how it can be fixed. – Crain’s Chicago Business, December 16, 2024

When Mayor Brandon Johnson announced an earlier version of a city budget that included plans — that went back on a campaign promise — to raise Chicago property taxes, resistance was high.

Cook County official tried to ‘escape’ after alleged DUI crash in Andersonville, 911 caller said – Chicago Sun-Times, December 13, 2024

A Cook County elected official tried to flee the scene of a crash she allegedly caused while driving drunk last month in Andersonville, according to a 911 caller who told a dispatcher the driver was clearly intoxicated. Samantha Steele, a Democratic member of the obscure but influential Cook County Board of Review, is facing a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence following the Nov. 11 crash in the 5000 block of North Ashland Avenue.