On September 18, the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee held a hearing discussing SB 40, an energy omnibus bill that was considered at the end of the 2025 regular session of the Illinois General Assembly. In the hearing today, there were four panels discussing different aspects of the legislation: (1) storage, (2) nuclear, (3) solar, and (4) energy efficiency.

Testimony on storage focused on the need for battery storage to stabilize prices and increase grid reliability, especially as renewables become more proliferated. Advocates emphasized that SB 40’s storage provisions would deliver significant savings to ratepayers and reduce volatility in the energy market. Alternatively, some industry and manufacturing groups raised concerns about financing mechanisms and potential ratepayer cost increases.

There was broad agreement amongst stakeholders at the hearing on lifting Illinois’ moratorium on new large-scale nuclear construction to meet growing energy demands and ensure grid reliability. The General Assembly passed legislation allowing for the construction of small modular reactors back in 2023, Public Act 103-569. Industry and business groups argued that nuclear energy is necessary for economic development and data center expansion, while environmental advocates supported a careful approach, suggesting the General Assembly delay action until spring to account for federal regulatory changes. Even if the state were to lift the moratorium on the construction of large-scale nuclear reactors, it would take years before the new reactors would be ready to go online.

Solar advocates warned of funding shortfalls that could stall the Illinois Shines program and called for statutory changes in SB 40 to extend support. The bill would expand solar access through virtual power plant models and storage rebates, with strong support for maintaining job growth and reliability benefits driven by distributed solar-plus-storage systems.

Energy efficiency experts emphasized that expanding efficiency programs is the most immediate and cost-effective way to lower ratepayer bills and reduce strain on the grid. SB 40 would increase savings standards and raise spending caps, with proponents citing long-term net savings for both Ameren and ComEd customers.

The General Assembly is preparing to consider omnibus energy legislation in the upcoming fall veto session on October 14-16 and 28-30.

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1

October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2

In the News

Illinois lawmakers call for vote on state bill lifting restrictions on companies who boycott Israel – Chicago Sun Times, September 18, 2025.

Current Illinois law, passed in 2015, stops the Illinois Investment Policy Board from working with companies that boycott Israel or Israeli companies. It was the first of 38 states with similar laws on the books.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office scrubs photo with intervention worker later charged in fatal Mag Mile crash-and-grab – Chicago Tribune, September 18, 2025.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office said he was “extremely troubled” a community violence intervention worker he posed with was arrested days later in a fatal smash-and-grab burglary.

Pritzker likens Trump White House to ‘authoritarian regime,’ urges Americans to protest Kimmel suspension – Chicago Tribune, September 18, 2025.

Appearing on MSNBC’s “The Briefing with Jen Psaki,” the Democratic governor accused President Donald Trump of following an authoritarian playbook by silencing his opponents and urged Americans to “write letters, write e-mails, post online, speak up [and] protest” ABC’s decision.

Death Threat Made Toward State Representative Candidate Joe DeBose – WMCL, September 18, 2025.

Earlier this week, Joe DeBose announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 118th District and in the comment section of a story about his announcement online, a person made what is clearly a death threat against him.

Pritzker talks preserving democracy, encourages peaceful protest at Cap Times Idea Fest – The Daily Cardinal, September 18, 2025.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker discussed the 2026 midterm election, preserving democracy and the national guard pulling out of Chicago in an interview with Washington Post Chief Political Correspondent Karen Tumulty at the Cap Times Idea Fest Saturday.

Republicans and Democrats oppose potential statewide delivery tax in Illinois – 25 News, September 17, 2025.

The state would tax all Illinoisans a $1.50 delivery charge to help with the Chicago Transit Bill. Those delivery taxes would help save Chicago’s public transit, which is headed towards a $750 million fiscal disaster in January. The last vote on the delivery tax was in May, and it proposed taxing all non-medical and grocery deliveries. It did not pass the House then and is unlikely to succeed now.

Illinois lawmaker suggests estate tax reform for farmers – Central Illinois Proud, September 17, 2025.

State Representative Sharon Chung said in a town hall Tuesday she hopes to change the estate tax to help Illinois farmers. Her proposal would increase that exemption to $6 million, which she hopes will put more farmers under the exemption threshold.

Opinion: Rural Illinois’ food economy depends on immigrants – Investigate Midwest, September 17, 2025.

While every farm-dependent county in the state has lost population in the past decade, counties tied to meatpacking and food processing are holding on thanks to foreign-born workers — a trend that could be upended by Trump’s deportation plans.

Republicans and Democrats oppose potential statewide delivery tax in Illinois – 25 News, September 17, 2025.

The state would tax all Illinoisans a $1.50 delivery charge to help with the Chicago Transit Bill. Those delivery taxes would help save Chicago’s public transit, which is headed towards a $750 million fiscal disaster in January.

Bill introduced to establish “Charlie Kirk Day” in Illinois – WAND TV, September 17, 2025.

A bill has been introduced that would recognize September 10 each year as “Charlie Kirk Day” in Illinois.

Downstate will get ‘something’ from Chicago transit bill according to Illinois House Speaker – Central Illinois Proud, September 16, 2025.

Illinois’ Speaker of the House on Tuesday confirmed that Downstate will get something out of the Chicago transit bill.

Illinois House speaker says lawmakers are more aware of their surroundings – WGLT, September 16, 2025.

While the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has escalated fears of political violence, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been on high alert since June 14, when Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home.

Welch securing political terrain ahead of State Central Committeeman election – Austin Weekly News, September 16, 2025.

With six weeks remaining before candidates begin filing nominating petitions, Welch has done the work and appears favorably situated to attain Sun Tzu’s ideal of victory without confrontation. He has crafted a show of support that may well avoid an actual battle for the 7th District seat on the influential Democratic State Central Committee.

Joe DeBose Announces Campaign for Illinois House District 118 – WMCL Radio, September 16, 2025.

Conservative leader and business owner Joe DeBose has officially announced his candidacy for State Representative in Illinois’ 118th District. With the seat now open, DeBose is stepping forward to ensure Southern Illinois has a strong, experienced, and unapologetic voice in Springfield focused on results.

Amid backlash, Pritzker calls for leaders — especially Trump — to tone down rhetoric – Capitol News Illinois, September 15, 2025.

Illinois Republicans say governor’s rhetoric is sowing more division. Gov. JB Pritzker said political leaders — starting with President Donald Trump — need to do more to condemn political violence.

Opinion: Jim Edgar was proud to be governor of the state he loved – Capitol News Illinois, September 15, 2025.

Jim Edgar set his cap for a career in state government, to him a high calling, in the 1960s when he was student body president at Eastern Illinois University in his hometown of Charleston. His greatest legacy is a continuing program he created to imbue smart, upwardly mobile young people from across Illinois with his devotion to doing good for his state.

Why is suburban State Sen. John Curran opposing Metra funding in his own district? Road builders have fueled his campaigns – Streets Blog Chicago, September 15, 2025.

Southwest-suburban State Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont) represents a district stitched together by trains.

Illinois lawmaker files bill that would impeach Gov. Pritzker. Why it is unlikely to pass – Rockford Register, September 15, 2025.

An Illinois representative has filed a bill that would impeach Gov. JB Pritzker, arguing that Pritzker has incited violence on multiple occasions.

Opinion: Many public officials feel unsafe right now – Chicago Tribune, September 15, 2025.

More than one public official has told us over the last few days of their increased wariness when out and about, and this sense of unease extends to media figures, especially those who offer commentary in the political realm.

Former two-term Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, who led the state through much of the 1990s, dies at 79 – Chicago Tribune, September 14, 2025.

Jim Edgar, the two-term Republican governor who guided Illinois through much of the 1990s with a low-key yet intense persona and a meticulous focus on fiscal matters aimed at preparing the state for the 21st century, died Sunday. He was 79.

Opinion: Candidate campaign funds can double as piggy bank – The News-Gazette, September 14, 2025.

State laws that purport to regulate how state legislators spend their campaigns funds were never meant to work as their authors proclaimed.

Imprisoned Madigan man sues for his financial freedom – The News-Gazette, September 13, 2025.

Former Madigan Chief of Staff Timothy Mapes has filed a Cook County lawsuit challenging the state’s decision to strip him of his pension because of his criminal conviction.

CTA warns service could stop at 9 p.m. daily without more money from Springfield – CBS News, September 18, 2025.

CTA officials on Thursday warned they might be forced to eliminate 24-hour service next year, with buses and trains possibly running only from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., if state lawmakers don’t provide hundreds of millions in funding to bail out the Chicago area’s three mass transit agencies.

Plan Commission approves revamped proposal for The 78 with Chicago Fire stadium – The Daily Line, September 19, 2025.

The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday approved updated plans for a massive new stadium development in the South Loop and a new office-to-residential conversion downtown.

Budget task force ideas include inflation-indexed property tax hike, extended hiring freeze, furlough days and new head tax – The Daily Line, September 18, 2025.

A group of two dozen business, nonprofit and civic leaders unveiled their preliminary recommendations Tuesday to address the city’s $1.2 billion estimated budget gap for 2026, which include both ideas to raise new revenue and cut spending.

Metra hoping to avoid service cuts in 2026 – Evanston Now, September 18, 2025.

Reductions in Metra commuter train service might not happen next year after all, even if the Illinois General Assembly fails to come up with new funding to avoid the fiscal cliff.

As ICE and DHS enter Chicago, Pritzker says Trump is ‘losing it’ – Capitol City Now, September 16, 2025.

After backing off on his suggestion to send the National Guard to Chicago to help fight crime, President Trump is reportedly suggesting it again.

Chicago Budget Task Force Recommends Tax Hikes, Higher Fees To Close $1 Billion Gap – Block Club Chicago, September 16, 2025.

A task force of civic and business leaders issued the budget report Tuesday. It includes almost 90 recommendations to help fill the city’s $1.15 billion budget hole, including furlough days for city workers.

Supreme Court allowed controversial immigration stops in L.A. What does the ruling mean for Chicago? – Chicago Sun Times, September 16, 2025.

“Operation At Large,” the deportation campaign that began this summer in Los Angeles, expanded to the Chicago area on Tuesday. But experts say the recent Supreme Court decision permitting stops in L.A. based on factors like race and language doesn’t change the law around racial profiling.

Federal immigration agents sweep across Chicago area as advocates try to make sense of ‘patchwork’ enforcement – Chicago Tribune, September 15, 2025.

Federal immigration enforcement agents fanned out across the Chicago region on Monday, arresting at least 17 people in the city and suburbs and being spotted by immigrant advocates and others at a Chicago courthouse and in cities from Elgin to Aurora.

Crime is down in Chicago, but still a focus in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fight with Trump – Chicago Tribune, September 15, 2025.

As President Donald Trump has recently threatened to send federal troops to clean up Chicago’s violence, local officials have trumpeted a factor complicating his plans: Crime is down in the city.

Trump sends troops to Memphis, says Chicago ‘probably next’ – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 15, 2025.

President Donald Trump approved a National Guard deployment to Memphis, expanding the federal government’s efforts to crack down on what he has cast as out-of-control crime in Democratic-run cities.

RTA presses the CTA, Metra and Pace to share more details about looming service cuts – Chicago Tribune, September 15, 2025.

Public transit riders could soon know which of their bus routes and train lines will get cut if the CTA, Metra and Pace don’t secure hundreds of millions of dollars in additional state funding.

Lower crime rate in Chicago not an easy win for Mayor Johnson – Chicago Tribune, September 15, 2025.

As President Donald Trump has recently threatened to send federal troops to clean up Chicago’s violence, local officials have trumpeted a factor complicating his plans: Crime is down in the city.

As Trump steps up Fed attacks, Chicago finance execs weigh in – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 15, 2025.

With the U.S. Federal Reserve expected to make its first interest rate cut of the year this week, Chicago finance executives are voicing confidence in Chairman Jerome Powell in the face of fresh attacks from President Donald Trump on the independence of the central bank.