With the fall veto session about a month away, conversations are ramping up surrounding which outstanding issues the General Assembly will take on. Several major issues were left unresolved earlier this year, and since then, shifting federal policies and mounting economic pressures have only raised the stakes. The October session is shaping up as a chance to revisit big-ticket items like the energy omnibus bill, data center regulations, and the looming transit funding crisis.

One of the most closely watched fights will be over data centers. Illinois has been actively seeking to expand these facilities with generous tax breaks, but critics say their enormous energy demands and lack of transparency around sustainability call for tighter rules. House Speaker Chris Welch has already suggested that data center measures are likely to resurface this fall, potentially folded into a broader energy package. Lawmakers are considering proposals that would require new facilities to offset their energy use with clean power or meet stricter reporting standards, ideas that stalled last spring after industry pushback.

The data center industry continues to advocate for reforms to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which it views as a major liability concern. Hyperscale data center campuses continue to ​relocate in neighboring states due to these concerns. It remains unclear whether BIPA reform will advance during October’s veto session or be pushed to next spring. Industry stakeholders are working closely with organized labor and key legislators to finalize language that would address industry concerns and bring these massive economic development projects to Illinois.

Transit funding is also expected to take center stage, though the urgency has shifted somewhat. The Regional Transportation Authority recently approved a $74 million transfer to help the CTA push back its “fiscal cliff” into mid-2026. That stopgap gives lawmakers more room to maneuver, but it doesn’t erase the underlying $546 million regional deficit projected for 2026. For that reason, transit advocates still see the October veto session as an important moment to press for a long-term funding and governance fix. Realistically, the legislature could delay action until January or even fold the issue into the FY 2027 budget process.

The debates over data centers, transit funding, and the possible revival of the energy omnibus bill suggest this fall’s session may be less about introducing new ideas and more about catching up on policies that stalled earlier in the year, while also responding to new financial and federal pressures shaping Illinois’ political landscape.

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

October 14-16 – Veto Session Week 1

October 28-30 – Veto Session Week 2

In the News

Service cuts unlikely for PACE in 2026 – Evanston Now, September 11, 2025.

PACE suburban buses will not be driving over the fiscal cliff of service cuts until 2027 according to a presentation to the Regional Transportation Authority board on Thursday.

RTA survey: CTA satisfaction lags Pace, Metra – WBBM NewsRadio, September 11, 2025.

We’re getting a look at a new report card from CTA, Metra and Pace passengers … and when it comes to satisfaction, the results show the agencies are not equal.

Rep. Miller blames political violence on ‘corrupt’ media, ‘radical left’ as Illinois GOP honors Charlie Kirk – Chicago Sun Times, September 11, 2025.

In a resolution introduced Thursday, the three GOP members of the Illinois delegation wrote that Kirk’s death “must be a Turning Point for the Nation and be proof that Charlie Kirk did not die in vain.”

IL Secretary of State candidate talks issues, Giannoulias yet to announce – The Center Square, September 10, 2025.

Although Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has yet to announce plans for reelection in 2026, an Illinois Republican has launched her campaign.

State Board of Elections to rule Oct. 21 on $9.8M Harmon campaign fine – Journal of Oak Park, September 9, 2025.

A decision on State Sen. Don Harmon’s (D-Oak Park) appeal of a $9.8 million fine by the Illinois State Board of Elections’ will be made at the board’s Oct. 21 meeting.

Pritzker: ‘Attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying’; Illinois officials react to Kirk’s death – Springfield State Journal-Register, September 10, 2025.

“The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying,” Gov. JB Prtizker posted on Facebook. “Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm. I’m sending my sympathies to his family and friends at this time.”

Pritzker: Bears need to pay off Soldier Field before asking for help from Springfield – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 10, 2025.

Gov. JB Pritzker says paying off the debt on Soldier Field is the price of admission for the Chicago Bears to get property tax legislation the team is seeking in Springfield that would help it move from the city to the suburbs.

Scott Doody announces candidacy for 118th District state representative – The Southern Illinoisian, September 10, 2025.

Small businessman and former radio host Scott Doody of Anna has announced his candidacy for the open seat in the 118th House District.

Sara Feigenholtz seeks reelection, citing LGBTQ+ record and decades of service – Windy City Times, September 8, 2025.

Veteran lawmaker Sara Feigenholtz is running for another term in Springfield, emphasizing her LGBTQ+ advocacy and decades of service as she squares off against a political newcomer.

Gabel plans run for Evanston Dems top job – Evanston Now, September 10, 2025.

Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel is preparing to circulate petitions for the spring primary ballot as a candidate for Evanston Democratic Committeeperson, according to a source with knowledge of the plan.

Republican Darren Bailey, who lost governor’s race in 2022, seeking rematch against Gov. JB Pritzker – Chicago Tribune, September 9, 2025.

Darren Bailey, the downstate Christian conservative farmer and former state lawmaker who was the Republican Party’s unsuccessful 2022 candidate for governor, will seek the nomination next year to once again challenge Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, Bailey’s planned running mate said.

Darren Bailey to run for Illinois governor, once again, on GOP ticket with Aaron Del Mar – Chicago Sun Times, September 9, 2025.

Darren Bailey is running it back against Gov. JB Pritzker — this time, with a more moderate running mate.

Pritzker says senator is ‘late to the table’ for transit funding – The Center Square, September 9, 2025.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a Republican state senator is late to the table when it comes to public transit funding, but Pritzker also says he is looking at all potential revenue sources.

Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. named next Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court – WAND TV, September 9, 2025.

Neville will be the second Black Chief Justice in Illinois history, following the late Justice Charles E. Freeman, who served from 1997 to 1999.

Bears bullish on $2B Arlington Heights stadium plan, with tax breaks – The Real Deal, September 8, 2025.

Team aims to finance project privately but still needs Springfield’s help

Chicago Republican enters congressional primary against Rep. LaHood, who he calls a ‘RINO’ – WGLT, September 8, 2025.

Another Republican candidate has announced their intention to defeat U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood in the 16th Congressional District.

State rep says IL GOP will be outspent ’20 to 1′ in 2026 elections – The Center Square, September 8, 2025.

The latest Federal Election Commission numbers show the Democratic Party of Illinois with more than $1.8 million in receipts this year to just over $975,000 for the Illinois Republican Party.

US Rep. Danny Davis endorses Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in Democratic Senate primary – Chicago Tribune, September 8, 2025.

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who will retire in 2027 at the end of his 15th term, announced he was backing Stratton as the would-be successor to outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin during a news conference at the office of Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th, another political stalwart on Chicago’s West Side, who is also backing Stratton.

Pritzker’s ‘move’ comments ‘insulting’ to Illinoisans, Freedom Caucus says – The Center Square, September 8, 2025.

Members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus say people want to leave the state because Gov. J.B. Pritzker has run it into the ground.

Bears’ stadium project advances in Arlington Heights, awaits legislative nod – WGN TV, September 7, 2025.

The old race track is long gone and if the Bears have their way, they will begin building a domed stadium that will be the envy of football fans across the NFL and the pride and joy of area residents.

Sangamon Co. courts toss bill-reading suit – The Pantagraph, September 7, 2025.

Republicans are likely hoping that if they keep bringing these cases to the court’s attention, the Supremes will eventually decide that the record has been ‘sufficiently developed’ to support their claim.

State Sen. Napoleon Harris reimburses his campaign fund more than $23k over questionable expenses – Chicago Sun Times, September 7, 2025.

The refund comes after the Chicago Sun-Times raised questions about whether he was using his Friends of Napoleon Harris committee to pay for personal items, from clothing at high-end department stores and hotel stays to luxury cars.

Antioch mayor mulling GOP run for governor – The Daily Herald, September 7, 2025.

Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner announced Sunday he is considering running for Illinois governor as a Republican in 2026, adding that he expects a final decision by the end of the month.

State’s revenue growth for August was a disappointment – The News-Gazette, September 6, 2025.

The state’s revenue picture is concerning because two of the “Big Three” sources — personal and corporate income taxes — declined in August as compared to the same month a year ago, while sales tax numbers increased by $127 million. A state report shows that general fund revenues have marginally increased — 0.5 percent — for the first two months of the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Illinois will ban fraudulent restaurant reservations Jan. 1 – WAND TV, September 6, 2025.

The bipartisan plan will ban third-party reservation companies from listing, advertising, promoting, or selling reservations without written agreements with restaurants.

Poll: Chicago Latinos oppose Johnson and Trump, support more police – Fox 32, September 11, 2025.

A new poll sponsored by the Urban Institute sheds light on how Chicago’s Hispanic voting population aligns politically.

How does immigration enforcement work in Chicago? – WBEZ Chicago, September 11, 2025.

Immigration authorities primarily operate in three facilities in Chicago: one for court hearings, another for check-in appointments for those being monitored and a third that’s an administrative center. Under the Trump administration, those places have served an additional purpose: to arrest people.

Trump backs away from Chicago troop deployment threat – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 10, 2025.

President Donald Trump said he plans to deploy federal troops to another US city in a bid to argue his federal takeover of Washington’s law enforcement is working.

‘Operation Midway Blitz’ blasted release of jail inmates, but holding them in Illinois takes a court order – Chicago Tribune, September 10, 2025.

As it advertised its so-called Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, the Department of Homeland Security used social media to broadcast a now-familiar refrain.

Why Gov. Pritzker says Trump’s threats to Chicago make him worry about 2026 elections – NPR, September 10, 2025.

Pritzker alleges that Trump wants to set a pattern of military intervention before the 2026 Congressional elections.

Brendan Reilly makes it official: He’s challenging Toni Preckwinkle – Crain’s Chicago Business, September 10, 2025.

Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, is officially mounting a primary challenge to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, in a race that will challenge the longtime incumbent’s grip on county government.

Alexi Giannoulias: What really works to fight carjacking in Chicago – Chicago Tribune, September 10, 2025.

For the past three years, the wonky-sounding Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council has distributed grants through the secretary of state’s office, aimed at preventing carjackings and auto thefts while holding criminals accountable.

Pritzker won’t call Trump for help with public safety amid ICE operation – The Center Square, September 9, 2025.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he and his allies are winning in the fight over increased immigration enforcement efforts from the Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz.

Listen: Gov. Pritzker: “People are afraid” as ICE enforcement starts in Chicago – WBBM, September 9, 2025.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports Gov. Pritzker says the state has confirmed ICE agents have launched enhanced immigration enforcement in Chicago.

President Trump launches long-promised Chicago deportation campaign, dubbed ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ – NPR Illinois, September 8, 2025.

President Donald Trump’s administration announced the launch of its long-promised deportation campaign in Chicago on Monday, just hours after Trump bemoaned the city’s violent crime.

Chicago in ICE crosshairs – Politico, September 8, 2025.

At least three arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents occurred Sunday, signaling that President Donald Trump’s crackdown on Chicago may be underway.

Trump says ‘We’re not going to war’ with Chicago day after Truth Social post – Fox 32 Chicago, September 7, 2025.

President Trump on Sunday said, “We’re not going to war,” when he was asked about an AI-generated post on his Truth Social account threatening Chicago with deportations and referencing the recently renamed Department of War.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new speed cameras see big early revenue as aldermen tout safety impact – Chicago Tribune, September 7, 2025.

Attached to a light pole on South Ashland Avenue, the newly-minted speed camera flashed a total of eight times in about 30 seconds one August afternoon, cars zooming by after cruising off I-55 a few blocks north. Drivers ticketed for speeding there on June 1 — the first day the camera went online — have so far paid the city more than $60,000, in increments of $35 and $100.

President Trump portends immigration actions with ‘Chipocalypse Now’ post; Gov. Pritzker calls it ‘not normal’ – Chicago Tribune, September 6, 2025.

President Donald Trump set the stage for a surge of immigration enforcement actions in Chicago with a social media post Saturday morning depicting military helicopters flying over the city’s lakefront using the title “Chipocalypse Now.”

Trump warns of ‘Chipocalypse’ as peaceful crowd protests planned federal deployment – Chicago Sun Times, September 6, 2025.

“‘I love the smell of deportations in the morning,’” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social in a meme referencing the Vietnam War film “Apocalypse Now.” Demonstrators rally near Great Lakes base and in the Loop to decry potential ICE action.