On September 23, 2025, Gov. JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-05, instructing state agencies to reserve 4% of their FY 2026 appropriation to mitigate the economic policies of the Trump Administration. According to the Governor’s Office, the recently enacted H.R. 1 (a.k.a. the One Big Beautiful Bill) and other federal policy changes have led to increased tariffs, wealth inequality, strained Illinois businesses, and could lead to an economic downturn. As required by the Executive Order, most state agencies must conduct budget reviews to find areas of reduction within the next 30 days, limit non-essential spending, and use restraint in hiring decisions. Agencies must prioritize essential roles and propose changes or transfers as a mitigation plan in case the state ends up facing a budget shortfall.

The order does not apply to the General Assembly, Judicial Branch, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Offices of Executive Inspectors General, Executive Ethics Commission, State Board of Elections, Illinois Power Agency, State Board of Education, any public college or university, or any state retirement system.

The anticipated federal policy changes from the Trump administration come as Illinois’ economy has been strong. Illinois’ GDP crossed the $1 trillion mark in 2022, revenues grew to record levels allowing for balanced budgets, the state has received nine credit rating upgrades, saved over $2 billion in a rainy-day fund, and reduced the bill backlog from over $17 billion to only a standard monthly accounts payable balance. In FY 2026, Illinois budgeted for 2.4% General Funds revenue growth over the previous year. Two months into the new fiscal year, the state has only achieved 0.5% revenue growth. Even so, it is far too early to determine if the projected revenue growth level can or cannot be achieved.

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1

October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2

In the News

Odd couple GOP ticket: Conservative farmer, suburban party chair unite to challenge Pritzker. – Daily Herald, September 25, 2025

Former gubernatorial candidate and staunch conservative Darren Bailey launched a repeat campaign Thursday and once again chose a suburban running mate, Aaron Del Mar of Palatine.

Lawmakers optimistic on transit funding – Evanston Now, September 25, 2025

Four key Illinois legislators say that the upcoming veto session in Springfield will end with a solution in place for the $771 million “fiscal cliff” facing Chicago-area mass transit.

Judge rules feds can’t block Illinois’ disaster funding in response to immigration laws – Capitol News Illinois, September 25, 2025

The Trump administration cannot withhold federal emergency funding from Illinois because the state refuses to participate in federal immigration enforcement, a Rhode Island federal judge ruled on Wednesday.

Illinois lawmakers discuss implementing compulsory voting, consolidating elections to increase voter turnout – The Daily Line, September 25, 2025

With Illinois voter turnout decreasing in the 2024 general election, lawmakers are looking at options to encourage more eligible voters to show up on election day. House Bill 2718 would establish compulsory voting, also known as universal voting or mandatory voting, in Illinois, essentially requiring all eligible voters in Illinois to cast a ballot.

Illinois Republicans admit impeachment effort of Pritzker likely to go nowhere – Fox2 Now, September 24, 2025

House Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly now admit their effort to impeach Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker is likely going nowhere.

Candidate for IL governor Ted Dabrowski criticizes Pritzker during presser outside Broadview ICE facility – WGN9, September 24, 2025

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski held a press conference Wednesday outside the ICE facility in Broadview. Dabrowski spoke on how, if elected, his first call of duty is to repeal sanctuary city status across Illinois.

Illinois health department recommends COVID vaccines for all adults – Capitol News Illinois, September 24, 2025

The Illinois Department of Public Health recommended all adults receive the COVID-19 vaccine this fall. The decision goes against recent guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State budget cuts ordered amid Trump fears – Politico, September 24, 2025

Pritzker directed state agencies to carve out 4 percent from their operating budgets and stash the savings into reserves, a buffer against what he calls the economic wreckage wrought by Trump’s policies.

Pritzker calls out ‘Sinclair’, ‘Nextstar’ for not reinstating ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ – NBC Chicago, September 24, 2025

Nexstar Media Group said Tuesday that the ABC stations it owns and partners with will not resume airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” even as Disney brings the program back nationally.

Illinois lawmaker, parent question state’s use of Child and Family Services interns to investigate abuse and neglect – CBS News, September 23, 2025

Representative Jed Davis a single parent joined forces to take on one of the most powerful agencies in Illinois: the Department of Children and Family Services. The two of them are publicly questioning the use of interns to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.

Ex-ComEd exec who testified against Madigan, others to be sentenced next year – Chicago Sun Times, September 23, 2025

Former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez is finally due to be sentenced for his role in the conspiracy that brought down former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, but he still isn’t expected to learn his fate for another five months.

Illinois Democrats want answers from DHS Secretary Noem about ICE operations – Chicago Sun Times, September 23, 2025

A letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questions the “military-style tactics” of ICE agents and asks for a definitive answer into how many Illinois arrests have been made since federal authorities announced the launch of “Operation Midway Blitz” on Sept. 8.

President Donald Trump’s DOJ argues against gun ban signed by Gov. JB Pritzker after Highland Park shooting – The Chicago Tribune, September 22, 2025

President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice weighed in Monday against the ban on high-powered firearms that Illinois and Gov. JB Pritzker passed after the Highland Park Fourth of July mass shooting in 2022 but found itself on the defensive as an appellate court justice grilled an assistant attorney general about whether “facts matter” as she tried to justify the administration’s position.

Illinois declined to give sensitive voter data to the DOJ. Some GOP states are doing the same – Capitol News Illinois, September 22, 2025

The Trump administration has asked at least 27 states for sensitive voter information, including driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. Illinois declined the request, only divulging the same information it discloses to political parties.

Activists call for state sell-off of Israel bonds, stocks – WBBM Newsradio, September 22, 2025

Activists today renewed their call for the managers of the state’s employee pension funds to sell off stocks and bonds they believe support Israel’s military actions against Palestinians in Gaza.

Opinion; Illinois Dems refuse to tempt fate with a remap – The News-Gazette, September 22, 2025

Illinois Democratic House members argued it would be difficult to further gerrymander an already massively manipulated map of Illinois’ 17 congressional districts and that trying to do so could blow up in their faces. Jeffries and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker have repeatedly urged Democratic states to further gerrymander their congressional maps to offset potential GOP gains in re-GOP-gerrymandered states like Texas and Missouri.

Illinois leaders push back over DHS request to comply with immigration detainers – CBS News, September 20, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security said it’s New York, California, and Illinois on notice, as they have not cooperated with the request to comply with immigration detainers.

Former Gov. Jim Edgar lies in state at the Illinois Capitol – Capitol News Illinois, September 19, 2025

Former Gov. Jim Edgar lies in state in the Illinois Capitol rotunda on Sept. 19, 2025. Edgar’s memorial service took place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Central Baptist Church in Springfield. The event was livestreamed.

Walter ‘Red’ Burnett confirmed as next 27th Ward alderman in unanimous vote – The Daily Line, September 26, 2025

The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to confirm former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr.’s son, Walter “Red” Burnett, as the next alderperson of the 27th Ward.

Council approves compromise measure legalizing coach houses, conversion units in multifamily, business zones, some single-family areas – The Daily Line, September 26, 2025

The City Council on Thursday gave final approval to a broad end to the city’s ban on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) but delayed votes on a measure that would legalize video gambling and a measure meant to protect outdoor employees from extreme heat

Lead sponsor calls off vote to legalize video gambling in Chicago – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 25, 2025

A controversial ordinance legalizing video gambling terminals in Chicago was held in committee by the lead sponsor today rather than being called for a final City Council vote.

City Council OKs new stadium, $90M corrupt cop settlement, housing measures – Chicago Tribune, September 25, 2025

The City Council on Thursday approved the Chicago Fire FC’s plan to build a $650 million soccer stadium at a vacant South Loop lot known as The 78. The stadium is being bankrolled by billionaire Fire owner Joe Mansueto, but tens of millions of public dollars are still needed.

Border Patrol spotted with guns on Chicago River in Trump’s latest deportation push – Chicago Tribune, September 25, 2025

At least two Border Patrol boats carrying uniformed armed officers cruised through downtown Thursday along the Chicago River, in the feds’ latest show of force as part of Operation Midway Blitz.

Housing committee approves package of anti-gentrification pilot programs for area surrounding Obama Presidential Center – The Daily Line, September 25, 2025

The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Wednesday approved an ordinance that would establish multiple programs to prevent gentrification and displacement of residents who live in the area near where the Obama Presidential Center is being built.

Chicago police officer accused of buying guns for man who smuggled them to Mexico – Chicago Sun Times, September 24, 2025

Kevin Rodriguez allegedly bought the guns in 2024. He surrendered to authorities Tuesday and was ordered released on an unsecured bond.

Former Cabrini-Green site gets a new developer, with plans calling for apartments, condos and townhomes – Chicago Sun Times, September 24, 2025

The Chicago Housing Authority chose a new development team to transform 7 acres near the old Cabrini-Green public housing complex, several months after financial pressures forced the original developers to back out of the project.

Mayor Brandon Johnson pushing to reorganize City Council chairs; aldermen unsure of votes – Chicago Tribune, September 24, 2025

With a key ally out of the City Council, Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to switch up the aldermen who hold the body’s power levers. Johnson administration officials are lobbying aldermen with a plan to install a progressive Zoning Committee chair while winning over the council’s powerful ethnic caucuses with upgrades of their own.

Immigrant rights group says ICE agents targeting Chicago homeless shelters for arrests – CBS News, September 24, 2025

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights said ICE agents detained and released two people who were outside the shelter at 3034 W. Foster Ave. in the North Park neighborhood. The building was once a U.S. Marine Corps reserve training center, but was purchased by the city in 2023 to transform into a shelter for asylum seekers, and now assists anyone experiencing homelessness in Chicago.

Brace for impact: Tax hikes loom for South, West side homeowners – Chicago Tribune, September 23, 2025

Residential properties throughout the South and West sides had their property assessments double or even triple last year. Those higher assessments will likely help trigger steep hikes in property tax bills for homeowners in the neighborhoods.

Museum of Science and Industry workers’ union votes to authorize strike – WBEZ, September 23, 2025

The museum employees have been in contract negotiations for more than two years. Workers say 90% of eligible employees voted to strike, if necessary.

Heat illness prevention ordinance advances out of Workforce Development committee over business opposition – The Daily Line, September 23, 2025

An ordinance that would establish employer standards and procedures to protect employees that mostly work outside from heat-related illnesses during extreme temperatures was approved by the City Council Committee on Workforce Development Monday despite opposition from some in the business community.

News in brief: Economic development committee to hold hearing on infrastructure bonds, transportation committee to consider expanded lifejacket exemptions – The Daily Line, September 23, 2025

The City Council’s economic development committee on Tuesday will hold a hearing on the fiscal impact of a multimillion-dollar bond package for infrastructure projects passed earlier this year. The transportation committee will consider expanding the number of instances where passengers on recreational boats can forgo lifejackets.

Trump attacks Chicago in Kirk eulogy – Capitol News Illinois, September 22, 2025

At Sunday’s high-profile memorial service for Charlie Kirk, Trump told mourners that one of the last things the slain conservative activist and Illinois native said to him was, “Please, sir. Save Chicago.” Trump then launched into a familiar refrain, saying, “We’re going to save Chicago from horrible crime.”

Chicken soup for the CTA rider’s soul: While the transit agency is standing on the verge of a budget crisis, positive vibes at town hall – Streets Blog Chicago, September 19, 2025

These are nerve-wracking days for Chicagoland public transit agencies, workers, riders, and advocates as we teeter on the brink of a $771 million regional transit fiscal cliff next year. While the transit agency is standing on the verge of a budget crisis, positive vibes at town hall.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatens to pull CTA funding over safety concerns – CBS News, September 19, 2025

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is threatening to pull federal funding to the Chicago Transit Authority over safety concern.