103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly returns to session on Tuesday, April 30, with both chambers scheduled for session through Friday. That day — May 3 — is the committee deadline for bills in the opposite chamber.
Four weeks now remain in the scheduled Spring session (although both chambers are reserving May 25 through May 31 as contingent session days should the Legislature not meet its May 24 adjournment deadline).
A list of upcoming Senate committee hearings is here; find House committee hearings here.
The House Personnel and Pensions Committee held a subject matter hearing this week on the Governor’s proposal to fully fund Illinois’ pensions by 2048. Pritzker also has indicated an openness to discussions about increasing the cap on Tier 2 pension earnings to match Social Security. Capitol News covers the hearing here.
2024 Key Dates and Session Deadlines:
May 3: Committee Deadline for Bills in the Opposite Chamber
May 17: House and Senate Third Reading Deadline for Bills in the Opposite Chamber
May 24: Adjournment
May 25 – 31: Contingent Session Days
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Housing Rehab Grants Awarded: A combined $8.9 million for housing rehabilitation projects will be going to 14 recipients of the Community Development Block Grant for Housing Rehabilitation. The grants’ goal: Assist low-to-moderate income homeowners with improvements to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions. Multiple uses are approved for the funding, including for structural work, electrical, plumbing, new appliances, flooring, ADA, and accessibility accommodations. See the recipients here.
Electric School Bus Grants: Replacing existing diesel school buses with new all-electric school buses is the objective of an open-ended $17.7 million Notice of Funding Opportunity from the Illinois EPA. School districts that own their buses are eligible applicants, as are commercial school bus providers.
Specifically, the grants are for replacement buses located/operating in one of the three priority areas outlined in the Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Plan. Program monies can be applied toward electric bus charging equipment as well as bus purchases. The grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the opportunity itself remaining open until funding is depleted. Learn more here.
FEMA Grants: FEMA is offering two grants for nonprofits who are deemed at a high-risk of potential terrorist attacks. The grants will be administered through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency – Office of Homeland Security. The grants will be awarded through the FY 2024 Urban Area Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP-UASI) (for Cook County nonprofits) and the FY 2024 Statewide Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP-S) (for nonprofits located outside of Cook County). Read more here.
OTHER NEWS:
Moody’s Revised Outlook: The state’s outlook was revised from “stable” to “positive” by Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday. The new status is “driven by continued improvement in fund balance and budget reserves which has been supported by stability in revenue and state decisions to short up financial health,” according to the rating service.
In all, Illinois has seen nine credit upgrades since 2021 from Fitch Ratings, Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings. More here.
Chicago Bears Unveil Plan for New Lakefront Stadium: Plans for the Chicago Bears’ new lakefront stadium have been unveiled; it is projected to cost $4.6 billion (with the Bears pledging $2.3 billion in private funding). Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson supports the plan, while Governor Pritzker and Senate President Harmon remain “skeptical.” Speaker Welch notes that he is open to conversations but is prioritizing the passing of a balanced budget. See the press release here; renderings of the project here; and the economic impact study here. The Chicago Tribune offers more here.
Illinois Gaming Board: The Illinois Gaming Board met this week. A summary of action taken by the Board is here.