After a busy few weeks of legislative action, the Illinois General Assembly completed its first chamber committee deadline week a bit ahead of schedule. While the official deadline for moving bills out of committee is Friday, March 21, lawmakers concluded business on Thursday, March 20, and canceled all floor and committee action originally set for Friday. Thousands of proposals were introduced earlier in the session, but lawmakers rushed to get their bills through committee before the deadline. This week was an eventful one, as a number of significant proposals passed out of committees.

Not every proposal made the cut, but this isn’t necessarily the end of the road. This week, the House moved 382 bills out of committee, while the Senate advanced 137 substantive bills to the Floor. Almost 2,000 bills never made it out of House Rules and Senate Assignments; however, many bills still have alternate paths forward through amendments or end-of-session omnibus legislation, giving legislators opportunities to refine and amend their proposals in the coming weeks.

Now that the initial chamber committee deadline has passed, the focus shifts to the next big hurdle: the April 11 initial chamber third reading deadline. Neither the House nor the Senate have called any bills on third reading yet in the 104^th General Assembly, leading to a busy few weeks leading up to the third reading deadline.

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

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

Gov. JB Pritzker’s Illinois Democratic Party targets Richard Irvin as he seeks third term as Aurora mayor – Chicago Tribune, March 21, 2025

After making history in 2017 as Aurora’s first Black mayor and cruising to reelection four years ago, Richard Irvin now faces a political challenge partly of his own making as he seeks a third term leading Illinois’ second-largest city.

Budzinski, Pritzker discuss impacts of federal cuts at Urbana roundtable – The News-Gazette, March 20, 2025

“We don’t have the votes to change this,” replied Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “What we do have is our voices in local communities and the stories that we can tell about the devastation that has occurred.”

IL Senate committee approves bill protecting families from crime free housing evictions – WAND TV, March 19, 2025

A bill moving in the Illinois Senate could protect families from evictions under crime free housing ordinances.

Local reps want tighter state laws on the undocumented – Capitol City Now, March 19, 2025

Statehouse Republicans Tuesday rolled out a package of bills to counter Gov. JB Pritzker’s policies on undocumented immigrants.

Sentencing for ex-Speaker Michael Madigan on bribery conviction set for June 13 – Chicago Tribune, March 19, 2025

The order by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey comes more than a month after Madigan, once the most powerful politician in the state, was convicted by a jury on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges alleging he used his public office to increase his power, line his own pockets and enrich a small circle of his most loyal associates.

‘Anjanette Young Act’ passes House committee six years after wrongful police raid on Young’s apartment – The Daily Line, March 19, 2025

House Bill 1611, proposed by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), would establish a series of requirements law enforcement officers must follow when executing a no-knock warrant.

Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients – Chicago Tribune, March 19, 2025

In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone.

Bill aimed at bolstering county public defender system moves forward in Springfield – Chicago Tribune, March 19, 2025

On Tuesday, the 62nd anniversary of the landmark court decision, an Illinois House committee approved by a 10-5 vote a measure that would create a statewide public defender’s office to assist under-resourced county public defenders throughout Illinois.

Intrigue builds over ‘Emanuel for president’ move – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 18, 2025

Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he has nothing to do with a new group that wants him to run for president — and says he has no idea who put the somewhat mysterious organization together.

Roberts rejects Trump’s call for impeaching judge who ruled against his deportation plans –Daily Herald, March 18, 2025

In an extraordinary display of conflict between the executive and judiciary branches, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected calls for impeaching federal judges shortly after President Donald Trump demanded the removal of a judge who ruled against his deportation plans.

Judge rules DOGE’s USAID dismantling likely violates the Constitution – Daily Herald, March 18, 2025

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution and blocked billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from further cuts.

‘Clean Slate Act’ to automatically seal records for nonviolent felonies to be proposed in Illinois House – The Daily Line, March 18, 2025

Under the proposed measure, all felony convictions already eligible for expungement will be automatically sealed by the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the circuit court. The measure would exclude violent crimes.

The state must pass hemp restrictions while Mayor Brandon Johnson’s local efforts flounder, a City Council majority says – Chicago Tribune, March 18, 2025

A majority of the Chicago City Council wants Illinois legislators to pass rules on the sale of hemp products, calling into doubt Mayor Brandon Johnson’s efforts to regulate it at the city level.

Recordings of deceased state senator should be barred from upcoming corruption trial, attorney says – Chicago Sun Times, March 18, 2025

State Sen. Emil Jones III, who remains in the Illinois Senate two-and-a-half years after being charged with bribery, faces trial April 7.

Over fear of bird flu outbreak, IL lawmakers want to regulate the mink trade – WAND TV, March 17, 2025

A bill filed by a State House Democrat would add regulations on an unregulated minx fur trade in Illinois.

Former Illinois State Representative Dan Brady is running for Bloomington Mayor – WZND, March 17, 2025

Brady’s campaign for mayor includes increasing public safety, updating infrastructure, economic development and supporting businesses. His contenders are Cody Hendricks and current Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe.

Prisoner Review Board sued for negligence a year after released prisoner killed Chicago boy – Capitol News Illinois, March 17, 2025

Lawsuit claims systemic failures on part of PRB, Dept. of Corrections, Chicago Police, others.

Illinois Appellate Court revives city’s lawsuit against now-closed Indiana gun shop – Chicago Tribune, March 17, 2025

A panel of Illinois Appellate Court judges last week revived a 2021 lawsuit brought by the city of Chicago against a now-closed gun shop in northwest Indiana that allegedly knowingly sold firearms to straw buyers for years.

100 to 1 in opposition to Illinois Homeschool Act ahead of hearing – The Center Square, March 17, 2025

Nearly 4,000 opposition slips have been filed against a measure in Illinois to regulate homeschooling. That’s 100 times more than the nearly 40 who have filed in support.

Eye On Illinois: Once again, lawmakers consider stepping on IHSA’s self governance – Shaw Local News Network, March 17, 2025

In a situation where IHSA’s broad policy causes unintended consequences, it’s easy to understand how a full-scale reversal could result in a similar number of albeit different problems.

Two Illinois Dems allegedly want the White House in ’28 – The News-Gazette, March 17, 2025

Self-styled Illinois political tough guy Rahm Emanuel has been making the media rounds recently, including in Chicago, discussing his ambitions for seeking public office. When a political party is as lost as Illinois Republicans are, minor characters often step forward to run for major office.

Illinois shouldn’t rush to tax drivers by the mile to pay for our roads – Chicago Sun Times, March 14, 2025

Tracking people every moment they’re driving sounds like more surveillance that the public won’t welcome. A “road usage charge” as a motor fuel tax alternative raises other questions.

Illinois debated ditching its 110-year-old state flag—but voters overwhelmingly prefer a design that experts ‘hate’ – Fortune, March 14, 2025

“People overwhelmingly prefer our current state flag,” said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

Bracing for budget crisis, Metra agreed to pay lobbyist as much as $4.65M for work on transit fiscal cliff – Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2025

The five-year lobbying contract is in effect as the the region’s four transit agencies, including Metra, stare down a $771 million budget gap when federal COVID-19 relief funding runs out next year. Agency heads and advocates have warned that steep service cuts and fare hikes are at stake unless transit gets additional state money.

Comparing 3 Bears stadium proposals in Arlington Heights, Bronzeville and the lakefront – Chicago Sun Times, March 20, 2025

Three multi-billion dollar proposals have been put on the table for the next home of the Chicago Bears. Here’s a look at how each one sizes up.

Sen. Seth Lewis: Just trust Chicago? Not when it comes to public transit – Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2025

A financial crisis is looming — one that could reshape public transit and strip suburban communities of their voice. Northeast Illinois’ transit systems — Metra, Pace and the CTA — are facing a $770 million fiscal cliff next year, and major decisions that will affect riders across the region.

Developer pitches 26-story hotel near Obama Presidential Center – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 20, 2025

Veteran real estate developer Allison Davis wants to build a 26-story, 250-room hotel a few blocks from where his longtime friend former President Barack Obama is building his namesake presidential library.

Immigration crackdown leads to numerous reports of ICE agents near Chicago Public Schools, emails show – Chicago Tribune, March 19, 2025

The Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration has led to a string of concerned reports from principals and parents to Chicago Public Schools officials, according to a review of internal communication from district security personnel.

Grubhub awarding cash prizes to Chicago restaurants that launched in the pandemic – Chicago Sun Times, March 19, 2025

The Chicago-based food delivery company is taking applications for a new award honoring restaurants that opened in 2020 and are still running.

Chicago retail sales boosted by spending swell in apparel, e-commerce – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 19, 2025

Chicago consumers increased their spending on clothes and online purchases in 2024, even as they showed some hesitancy toward dining out and making big-ticket purchases in 2024.

Chicago Public Media avoids layoffs as dozens of staffers take buyouts – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 18, 2025

Chicago Public Media avoided layoffs after nearly three dozen employees took buyout offers, leading to the Sun-Times newsroom shrinking by 20%.

NASCAR loses another founding partner of its Chicago Street Race – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 18, 2025

The Chicago Street Race has quietly lost another of its “founding partners” as NASCAR gears up for what could be its final summer in the city.

Gold Coast’s distressed Ambassador Chicago hotel finds a rescuer – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 18, 2025

A group of high-net-worth investors has purchased the historic Ambassador Chicago hotel out of receivership and added it to a cluster of independently managed boutique inns around the city.

‘A pretty aggressive timeline’: Five things to know about Kennedy construction 3.0 – Daily Herald, March 18, 2025

More than eight months of Kennedy Expressway construction slog begins this week and there’s some key details to know, especially for drivers headed to O’Hare International Airport or the Jane Addams Tollway.

Robbery of $30,000 necklace incited wild brawl, shoot-out at O’Hare after Spirit flight – Daily Herald, March 18, 2025

A $30,000 gold necklace caused a wild shoot-out at O’Hare Airport, where nearly 60 shots were fired and a self-proclaimed rapper was wounded last week, according to police reports.

How Loop restaurants’ lunch business is faring – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 18, 2025

Lunch business in the Loop is improving, albeit slowly.

Chicago-based Realtors group takes a drubbing in new survey – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 18, 2025

Despite more than a year’s effort to rebuild its reputation after a string of scandals and setbacks, the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors is highly disliked both by real estate professionals and by the general population, a new survey shows.

Blackstone facing $346 million foreclosure at River North office building – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 17, 2025

A prominent River North office building owned by New York-based Blackstone is on track to join the deep pool of downtown properties being seized by lenders.

The ‘Re-Reconstruction’: Mayor Brandon Johnson doubles down on outreach to Black Chicago – Chicago Tribune, March 17, 2025

Cook County assessor fixes hundreds of misclassified properties following Tribune-Illinois Answers investigation – Chicago Tribune, March 16, 2025

Nearly half a billion dollars in taxable real estate value has been added onto the Cook County rolls after the county assessor fixed hundreds of mistakes.

Concern over CTA salaries, overtime – Chicago Sun Times, March 14, 2025

Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, chair of the House Transportation: Rail Systems, Roads & Bridges committee, is heading into the transit funding discussions armed with a thick binder of CTA salary data.

Chicago wants city contractors to share in budget pain – Crain’s Chicago Business, March 14, 2025

Amid a budget crunch and an uncertain economy, Chicago is asking city vendors to take a 3% haircut on their existing contracts.