104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly is currently on summer break. Both chambers will return for a two-week veto session on October 14–16 and October 28–30.
The House Executive Committee canceled its hearing to discuss HB 4017. The hearing had been scheduled for July 8 at 2pm in the Bilandic Building in Chicago.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Governor Pritzker issued warnings this week about the “devastating” impacts the passage of the federal budget bill will have on Illinoisans who rely on government assistance for healthcare and food, as well as the impacts on education.
The Governor predicts approximately 330,000 of Illinois’ 3.4 million Medicaid enrollees will lose coverage over the next 10 years, out of pocket expenses will rise for certain Medicaid populations, premiums will increase for the majority of families with ACA marketplace coverage, healthcare facilities are in danger of closing – including 9 rural hospitals and 90 nursing homes, new work requirements and changes to the redetermination, renewal and eligibility process which will present “barriers” to coverage.
The new law also prevents large nonprofits (like Planned Parenthood of Illinois) that provide abortion services from receiving Medicaid funding for any medical care, even unrelated treatments, for one year starting the day of enactment. This provision is expected to cost PPIL roughly $16 million. A federal judge temporarily blocked the measure on Monday, giving the group’s clinics a two-week reprieve. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Public Health said they are working with PPIL “to minimize any potential future cuts” that would limit access for Medicaid patients.
Under the new law, Illinois will also need to cover a larger share of the administrative costs and benefits associated with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which may amount to several hundred million dollars in expenses.
The Governor also criticized changes that affect both K–12 and higher education. According to the Governor, the new law will negatively impact K-12 education by defunding programs that support working families. This includes the elimination of the SNAP-Ed program, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits that affect students’ access to healthcare and meals, the introduction of tax credits for private school donations that could reduce funding for public schools, and the removal of funding aimed at addressing air pollution in schools.
Furthermore, the Governor argues that the new law jeopardizes college affordability for working-class students throughout Illinois by lowering the annual limits for graduate and parent loans and eliminating options for student loan repayment.
Read more here, here and here. Capitol News offers more here and here.
Pure Lithium Corporation Moves Operations to Illinois: Governor JB Pritzker announced that Pure Lithium Corporation will relocate its operations from Boston to Chicago to support commercial production of lithium metal batteries. The move is supported by a $46 million investment and the REV Illinois program. Pure Lithium’s Illinois operations aim to manufacture batteries for various markets, including drones, defense, consumer electronics, energy storage, and electric vehicles. The company plans to open a new facility in Chicago’s Fulton Market district this year, expanding from its initial research and development phase. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: The Governor made the following appointments.
· Manish Mehta will serve as a member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.
· Frank Soto will serve as a Member of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Jacqueline Haralelli will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Dennis O’Brien will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Efi Poziopoulos James will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Elaine Llerena will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Kurt Carlson will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Roma Dalal will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· William Gallagher will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Edward Lee will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Khama Sharp will serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
OTHER NEWS:
Election Update:
2nd Congressional District: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller will seek the Democratic nomination in the 2nd Congressional District to replace Congresswoman Robin Kelly who is running for the open US Senate seat. Also seeking the Democratic nomination are State Senator Robert Peters, Eric France and Adal Regis. Former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. is also considering a run, although he has not made an official announcement at this time.
9th Congressional District: State Senator Mike Simmons announced that he will join the crowded field of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in the 9th Congressional District. Simmons, who is currently midway through his four-year term in the Senate, stated that he is running to support families who feel priced out of the district.
Also entering the Democratic race this week is Phil Andrew, a gun violence prevention advocate and attorney. Andrew has experience as an FBI hostage negotiator and later founded PAX Group, a crisis management advisory firm.
Other Democratic candidates include fellow State Senator Laura Fine, State Representative Hoan Huynh, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala, civil rights attorney Howard Rosenblum, progressive influencer Kat Abughazaleh, community organizer and former Schakowsky aide Miracle Jenkins, high school math teacher David Abrevaya, Evanston resident Bethany Johnson, environmental health and safety professional Justin Ford, and homeless advocate Lauren Million.
17th Congressional District: Montez Soliz of Rockford announced that she will challenge first-term Congressman Eric Sorenson in the Democratic primary. Soliz said the race is “a turning point for a generation ready to lead, ready to act, and ready to build a future we all deserve.” Soliz stated that she would stand for “everyday people.”
Illinois General Assembly:
Republican Linda Polacek, a York Center Park District commissioner and a Marine Corps veteran, announced she will challenge Democratic Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton in the 23rdSenate District.
Crystal Loughran is once again seeking the Republican nomination in the 76th House District. Loughran lost the 2024 Republican primary to Liz Bishop 67-33. Bishop went on to lose a relatively close race to Democrat Amy Murri Briel.
Republican Ajay Gupta filed paperwork to run against Democratic Representative Janet Yang Rohr. Gupta is a tax lawyer and teaches at Chicago-Kent College of Law. The 41st House District leans double-digit Democratic.
Conservative personal injury attorney Zachary Meyer is challenging Representative Charlie Meier in the Republican primary in the 109th House District. Meyer is receiving backing from Tom DeVore, the failed 2022 candidate for Attorney General.
Several sitting legislators announced their reelection bids this week, including Senator Mike Halpin, Representative Dennis Tipsword, Representative Jeff Keicher, Representative Norrine Hammond, Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, and Representative Dan Ugaste (who had been contemplating running for Governor).
AG Files Amicus Brief in Lawsuit Against US EPA:
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with 19 other attorneys general, submitted an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for ending the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program.
In their brief, Raoul and the coalition argue that the EPA’s action violates congressional directives and constitutional principles. They request that the court halt the program’s termination, citing that it causes significant harm to low-income communities and communities of color. Read more here.