104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to convene Tuesday, January 28 through Thursday, January 30. Today, Friday, January 24, is the deadline to request a bill be drafted for consideration this spring. Note: to allow staff adequate time to draft legislation, the Legislative Reference Bureau will not accept requests to draft amendments between now and February 7. Friday, February 7 is the bill filing deadline.
Both chambers continue to organize the 104th General Assembly. Senate President Don Harmon announced the Senate committee chairs for the 104th General Assembly. Read the full list here. Meanwhile, Speaker Welch announced his appointments to House committees. The list is here.
2025 Spring Session Key Dates and Deadlines:
January 24: House and Senate LRB Request Deadline (LRB Blackout Begins)
February 7: Deadline – Bill Introduction Deadline Both Chambers
February 19: Governor’s Budget and State of the State Address
March 21: Deadline – Committee Deadline Both Chambers
April 11: Deadline – Third Reading Deadline Both Chambers
May 9: Deadline – Committee Deadline Bills in Opposite Chamber
May 23: Deadline – Third Reading Deadline Bills in Opposite Chamber
May 31: Adjournment
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
New Laws: Governor JB Pritzker signed the bipartisan Dignity in Pay Act (HB 793) into law on Tuesday. The Act phases out 14(c) subminimum wage authorizations in Illinois over five years, ending by December 31, 2029. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Illinois Department of Labor will oversee this process. Read more here.
IBHE Approves FY 26 Budget Request: The Illinois Board of Higher Education approved a recommended FY 2026 budget that aims to advance the state’s equity-driven higher education strategic plan, “A Thriving Illinois.” The approved budget proposes an overall 4% increase, representing an additional $108.8 million, in higher education funding (excluding the State University Retirement System).
Getting a boost under the recommended budget: the Monetary Award Program (MAP), which is slated for a $50 million increase (bringing the total MAP appropriation to $761.6 million). To continue closing equity gaps in access, persistence, and completion, the budget recommends a $24.7 million (2%) increase in operating funding for public universities. These funds, the Board advises, should be allocated using an equity lens to provide support for student success — particularly for those from low-income households.
Recognizing the role of community colleges in meeting the state’s education and workforce needs, the IBHE is also recommending a $7.2 million (2%) funding increase for community colleges, adult education, and career and technical education programs.
Some final highlights of the budget proposal include a $15 million increase for scholarships to increase the skills of the current early childhood workforce and a $4 million increase for the Pipeline for Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH). This program aids those in nursing and other healthcare pathways to enter or advance their careers. Read more here.
Pulaski Savings Bank Closure: Citing “unsafe condition[s] and impaired capital,” the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, along with the FDIC, took control of Pulaski Savings Bank in Chicago at 6 p.m. last Friday. Millennium Bank agreed to purchase Pulaski Savings Bank, ensuring uninterrupted service for customers. Pulaski Savings Bank had $49 million in assets at closure and began operating as a branch of Millennium Bank on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
IDFPR Adds Additional Licenses to New Online System: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced that four more professions can now be licensed through its new online system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment). Launched last autumn, CORE will handle all licensing procedures within two years. New license types added this week: Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA); Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA); Behavior Analyst Continuing Education Sponsor; and Licensed Certified Professional Midwife. Read more here.
Electric Vehicle Grants: The next round of funding for the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program is now open, with some 3,500 rebates expected to be awarded. Rebates will issued subject to the availability of funds. Read more here.
IDPH Launches Violent Death and Firearm Injury Dashboard: The Illinois Department of Public Health launched a new dashboard that provides detailed information about all violent deaths and firearm-related injuries in the state. The dashboard is divided into two sections: “Illinois Firearm Injury Rates” and “Illinois Violent Deaths.” It aims to inform data-driven prevention and intervention efforts by presenting county-level data on the types of incidents (e.g., homicide, suicide), weapon types, and victim locations. Read more here.
Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced $10 million in grant funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program. The program’s goal: help small businesses use capital improvements to achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create or retain jobs. The program emphasizes equity, keying in on businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups and very small businesses (fewer than 10 employees). Eligible projects for capital resources include planning, land and building acquisition, building additions or structures, site improvements, rolling stock, and durable equipment.
Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process; grant awards will range from $10,000 to $245,000. The application deadline is April 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Read more here.
Fortune Brands Expands Deerfield Headquarters: Governor JB Pritzker, Fortune Brands Innovations, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced new investments in the company’s expanded headquarters in Deerfield. Supported by an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) agreement, Fortune Brands Innovations will expand its headquarters, thereby consolidating the company’s U.S. operations into a single global headquarters.
The expansion is designed to fuel innovation, accelerate digital solutions, and drive the growth of core products. Fortune Brands is an industry-leading innovation company dedicated to creating smart, safer, and more beautiful homes.
Tax Relief Available for Victims of California Wildfires: The Illinois Department of Revenue is offering disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in southern California affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds that began earlier this month. Affected taxpayers have until October 15, 2025, to file various tax returns and make tax payments. Read more about filing and payment relief here.
OTHER NEWS:
CGFA Releases Actuarial Analysis of Tier-2 Pension Fix: The legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability released an actuarial analysis of pension legislation — HB 5909 (Kifowit) — which was filed last fall. According to the findings, the Tier 2 “fix” proposal, which is backed by employee unions, would cost taxpayers nearly $30 billion through 2045. The annual state cost starting in Fiscal Year 2027 (beginning in mid-2026) is estimated at $1.13 billion. This estimate includes the “big 3” pension plans (state, university, and teachers), but excludes local pension funds as well as the funds for judges and legislators.
Segal, a consulting firm frequently used by COGFA, conducted the actuarial report. It determined that HB 5909’s adjustments to the Final Average Salary calculation would cost an additional $1.1 billion through 2045; changes to the annual COLA payments would add $4.4 billion; and lowering the retirement age to match Tier One recipients would cost $11.3 billion. Read the report here.
AG Raoul Challenges President Trump’s Citizenship Executive Order: Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of states in filing a lawsuit Tuesday challenging President Trump’s new executive order ending birthright citizenship. The lawsuit contends the recent measure violates the constitutional rights to which all children born in the U.S. are entitled.
On Thursday, a federal judge granted the motion calling the Executive Order “blatantly unconstitutional”. The lawsuit is here. Read more here and here.
AG Raoul Issues Updated Immigration Enforcement Guidance: Attorney General Raoul has provided updated guidance to state, county, and local law enforcement agencies about enforcing federal immigration laws – especially concerning the Illinois TRUST Act and the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. In general, the laws prohibit law enforcement agencies from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement and create requirements to support immigrants who have been victims of violent crime or human trafficking. Read more here.
Illinois Diversity Law Faces Court Challenge: Activist Edward Blum is challenging an Illinois law that requires nonprofits to disclose demographic data of board members and officers. Blum’s group represents two anonymous Illinois nonprofits in a suit filed in a U.S. district court against Illinois Attorney General Raoul and others. The suit argues the law, effective January 1, infringes on First Amendment rights by compelling speech and violates the 14th Amendment by promoting race-based recruitment. It seeks an injunction to prevent enforcement of the law. Read more here.