Administrative Rules

CAPITOL COMPLEX ACCESS

The SECRETARY OF STATE proposed an amendment to the Part titled Public Use of the Capitol Complex and Springfield Facilities (71 IAC 2005; 49 Ill Reg 14931) that makes permanent SOS’ current policies regarding security screening of persons entering buildings within the Capitol Complex. A “government photo identification card” allowing an individual to bypass security screening is currently defined as a photo ID card issued by the General Assembly, SOS or any State agency. The rulemaking removes provisions that, effective 7/1/26, would have broadened this definition to include ID cards issued by federal and local government agencies and IDs issued by SOS to lobbyists and vendors, their employees, and employees of State agencies that do not issue photo IDs. Those affected by this rulemaking include State employees, lobbyists, vendors and news media.

Illinois Legislative News

On October 30, when the federal government was in the midst of what became the longest shutdown in U.S. history, Gov. JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-8 to address food insecurity and food access in Illinois. At that time, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were scheduled to pause on November 1 as a result of the shutdown. Although federal SNAP funding has since resumed, this executive order ensured that $20M in state support would flow to foodbanks across Illinois to cover a portion of the gap in federal funding. Of the $20M, approximately $10M is coming from both the Department of Human Services (DHS) budget and the state’s newly created Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements and Governmental Emergencies (BRIDGE) Fund.

The state’s FY 2027 budget created the BRIDGE Fund and reserved $100M in the Fund meant to mitigate federal government cuts and funding uncertainty. Situations like the pause in SNAP funding were exactly why the BRIDGE Fund was established, and this shutdown marked its first real test. However, even when the FY 2027 budget passed, the $100M funding amount was largely seen as insignificant to address potential cuts to healthcare programs or SNAP.

For reference, Illinois receives approximately $4.7B per year in SNAP funds from the federal government. On a monthly basis, that is around $392M for SNAP, so the state’s $20M in emergency relief funding could only provide full SNAP benefits for one or two days in November. As a result, the state established maximum allotments for each of Illinois’ seven foodbanks: Greater Chicago Food Depository, $9.6M; Northern Illinois Food Bank, $2.3M; Eastern Illinois Foodbank, $1.4M; Central Illinois Foodbank, $1.2M; St. Louis Area Foodbank, $1.4M; Tri-State Foodbank, $875,000; Riverbend Foodbank, $700,000.

As of November 19, after the federal government shutdown ended and funding for SNAP resumed, Illinois’ BRIDGE Fund balance stands at $88.67M. Given rising uncertainty around federal support, lawmakers are likely to revisit the BRIDGE Fund and consider whether additional state reserves or new mechanisms are needed to buffer future disruptions in the final seven months of FY 2027 and beyond.

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

In the News

Chicago-area transit agencies present updated budgets with no fare increases after state legislature approves new funding package – The Daily Line, November 21, 2025

Altogether, Chicago-area transit agencies are proposed to have an operating budget of $4.4 billion, a $293.4 million or 7.2 percent increase from 2025 budget estimates. Combined ridership is expected to be about 393 million people, about 71 percent of 2019 levels.

Lobbyist who testified in Madigan trial over scheme to help sexual harasser remains part of Statehouse world – Chicago Sun-Times, November 21, 2025

But a year after testifying as a government witness at the Chicago trial — which ended in a conviction and prison sentence for Madigan — Will Cousineau remains a Statehouse lobbyist, records show.

Illinois Supreme Court hears oral arguments in tort case surrounding Sterigenics Willowbrook facility – The Daily Line, November 20, 2025

The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case questioning if a permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) absolves potentially harmful chemicals from being considered pollution.

Quinn advocates for proposed property tax amendment after Cook County homeowners see sharp increases in 2024 bills – The Daily Line, November 20, 2025

After Chicago homeowners saw the largest increase in their property taxes in 30 years, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is calling on the Illinois General Assembly to approve a “millionaire” tax referendum.

Comptroller candidates spar over taxes, experience in candidate forum – Capitol News Chicago, November 19, 2025

State legislators Karina Villa, Margaret Croke and Stephanie Kifowit all sparred over whether the state budget is falling short of addressing the state’s needs. Each candidate at the forum said they support again trying to pass a graduated income tax amendment to raise state revenue.

Petition-passing Pat Quinn is back – Capitol City Now, November 19, 2025

His latest idea is one which he says would save $4.5 billion for most Illinois property owners, and he would raise that money on the backs of those who make more than $1 million. This would be an extra three percent tax after you’ve earned your first million, via a Constitutional amendment which the legislature must approve for November 2026.

Pritzker discusses immigration crackdown with Pope Leo XIV in Rome – Capitol News Chicago, November 19, 2025

Gov. JB Pritzker met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Wednesday, with the two discussing the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration raids and the governor formally inviting the Chicago-born pontiff back for a visit to his hometown.

Harmon will not have to pay $9 million fine after state election board deadlocks – The Daily Line, November 19, 2025

The fine came over a dispute regarding a self-funding rule that lifts donation caps for Illinois races. The rule states that if a candidate spends more than $100,000 on their own campaign, then their campaign is considered self-funded, and donation caps are therefore lifted for all candidates in the race.

Illinois Supreme Court to hear arguments in case on Illinois tort law – The Daily Line, November 19, 2025

The Illinois Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in a case questioning if the existence of an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) permit means emissions from a facility are not considered pollution.

Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller, Republican primary for governor proving to be most competitive statewide races – The Daily Line, November 19, 2025

Pritzker is seeking his third term. With Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton running for Illinois’ open seat in the U.S. Senate, Pritzker selected former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell as his running mate.

Opinion; Ted Dabrowski: Illinois Republicans want their party to make arguments, not excuses – Chicago Tribune, November 19, 2025

Excuse my paraphrasing of Public Enemy, but to answer a question recently posed by the media — “What’s the point of Illinois Republicans?” — the point is to fight the powers that be.

New Federal Rules Could Put Formerly Unhoused People Back Out on The Streets Across Illinois – Illinois Answers Project, November 18, 2025

The Trump administration is dramatically cutting the money available to help pay for housing for people in need, including those with mental illness or disabilities.

Illinois Supreme Court to hear arguments in case on Illinois tort law – The Daily Line, November 18, 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.

Opinion: Rob Elliott: As the government reopens, Illinois farmers are still left waiting – Chicago Tribune, November 18, 2025

Farming is harder than it has been in decades. Since 2022, corn and soybean prices have dropped by as much as 30%, while input costs have only gone up. That squeeze is felt every day on family farms such as mine, which has operated for more than a century in Warren County. Next year, farm income could fall another 23% — a $40 billion decline, one of the steepest drops in the past 30 years. For corn farmers such as me, and thousands more across Illinois, the situation is especially dire: Corn income has fallen 45% since 2022, reaching its lowest level in 15 years.

Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller, Republican primary for governor proving to be most competitive statewide races – The Daily Line, November 17, 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.

Opinion: A redistricting truce between Illinois and Indiana? Yes, please – Chicago Tribune, November 17, 2025

While many of us will be hunkering down to watch Illinois and Northwestern — or Michigan and Ohio State — duke it out Nov. 29, there’s a new kind of interstate rivalry brewing. The great issue driving this animosity is political maps, and who can rig the system best to give their political allies an advantage.

Lawmakers Push for Stronger Prison Security following recent – ABC3, November 17, 2025

Six inmates at Pinckneyville Correctional Center received treatment after a suspected drug exposure over the weekend. This incident is raising alarms about ongoing issues in Illinois prisons.

Gov. JB Pritzker deposits $25.5 million of his own money into campaign fund as he ramps up bid for third term – Chicago Tribune, November 17, 2025

Gov. JB Pritzker has deposited $25.5 million from his vast personal fortune into his campaign fund with four months to go until Illinois’ March 17 primary elections and a year before voters will decide whether to give the billionaire Democrat a historic third term in Springfield.

Senate President Don Harmon faces new challenge over near-$10M campaign finance fine – Chicago Tribune, November 17, 2025

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is facing a new challenge over a State Board of Elections staff finding that his campaign committee owes $9.8 million in fines for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state limitations.

Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller, Republican primary for governor proving to be most competitive statewide races – The Daily Line, November 17, 2025

Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski is running with emergency room physician Carrie Mendoza, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick is running with author Robert Renteria and suburban businessman Rick Heidner is running with Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike.

New gun legislation looking to make a difference in Illinois – WCIA.com, November 14, 2025

Mayors, police chiefs and more heard the breakdown of the Responsibility In Firearms Legislation Act, or RIFL. Experts say people being hurt from firearms costs the public in Illinois between $18-20 billion each year. This new act would pass those costs onto gun manufacturers instead.

Alderpeople express opposition to property tax hike as budget solution at City Club panel event – The Daily Line, November 20, 2025

After an impasse over the 2026 city budget was laid bare this week, four members of the City Council appeared on a City Club of Chicago panel Wednesday to debate potential solutions to the city’s nearly $1.2 billion budget gap, with all of them seeming to agree that a property tax levy hike, even though not currently proposed, should be off the table.

Property value drop in Loop blamed for sticker shock on South and West side homeowners, county treasurer’s study says – The Daily Line, November 20, 2025

A stark drop in commercial property values in the Loop is one of the main drivers behind sticker stock for homeowners that recently received second installment Cook County property tax bills, according to a study released this week by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office.

Post-bailout transit budgets call for service increases – Evanston Roundtable, November 19, 2025

CTA, Metra and Pace officially approved the 2026 budgets without service cuts or fare increases, and with some additional money to expand service. But if the budgets are approved by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) next month as expected, the transit agencies won’t be getting all the new revenue they’re entitled to under the new transit bill, and it remains unclear how the new budgets would impact Evanston specifically.

With budget delayed, Council approves lingering landmark designation for Bankers Building, debates vacant zoning chair post – The Daily Line, November 19, 2025

The City Council on Tuesday met to formally delay a key portion of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget plan after the Committee on Finance failed to advance the annual revenue ordinance Monday, which included a revived corporate head tax and multiple other tax, fee and fine proposals.

Finance committee votes down revenue ordinance containing head tax, but mayor vows to continue push to tax the rich – The Daily Line, November 18, 2025

The City Council Committee on Finance voted down Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal to revive a corporate head tax to fund various community safety initiatives Monday alongside myriad other tax, fine and fee proposals, quashing an attempt to get his spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year over the finish line this week and delaying any approval into December.

Many alderpeople still hesitant on mayor’s budget proposal as finance, budget committees to convene – The Daily Line, November 17, 2025

The mayor and his budget team did not introduce the ordinances that make up the annual city budget during a City Council meeting Friday, signaling that even a now-revised version of mayor’s controversial proposal to increase taxes on businesses and the wealthy to plug a nearly $1.2 billion gap next year may not have the votes to pass out of the finance and budget committees as planned Monday.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas says she’s ‘in’ for Chicago mayor – Fox32, November 17, 2025

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced she’s running for Chicago mayor, saying she’s “in and not getting out” during an appearance on ChicagoLIVE. Pappas said the city needs “a gray-haired grandmother” to bring people together and “get this train back on track,” pointing to her long record in office.

Many alderpeople still hesitant on mayor’s budget proposal as finance, budget committees to convene – The Daily Line, November 17, 2025

The mayor and his budget team did not introduce the ordinances that make up the annual city budget during a City Council meeting Friday, signaling that even a now-revised version of mayor’s controversial proposal to increase taxes on businesses and the wealthy to plug a nearly $1.2 billion gap next year may not have the votes to pass out of the finance and budget committees as planned Monday.