104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly will return for a two-week Veto Session on October 14 – 16 and October 28 – 30.
The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a hearing on August 18 at 2 pm to discuss new federal energy policy and the potential for increasing summer rates. The hearing will be held virtually and can be streamed here.
The Senate Insurance Committee will conduct a hearing on August 20 at 10 am to discuss insurance rates in Illinois. The hearing will be held virtually and can be streamed here.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
New Laws: Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 2586, which makes several updates and changes to the Illinois State Police to aid in modernizing their statutory authority and missions. Specifically, the bill amends the Division of Criminal Investigation Language to be compliant with “Alicia’s Law” and codifies the existing process for the state to provide funding for law enforcement agents to target online criminals who engage in child pornography and lure children into face-to-face meetings.
Also signed this week, SB 1953, which requires more thorough background checks when hiring police officers. The legislation is a recommendation by the Massey Commission.
Also, now law — SB 2323, which creates the Illinois Statewide Trauma-Informed Response to Human Trafficking Act, requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build a network of services for human trafficking survivors. The multiagency plan includes collaboration between the Illinois State Police, Department of Human Services, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Labor, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
The Governor also signed a package of bills designed to support both organized labor and Illinois workers. The package includes:
SB 1976, also known as the Illinois Workers’ Rights and Safety Act, was an initiative of the Illinois AFL-CIO and IDOL to preserve worker protections set forth under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act—regardless of any federal rollbacks. The law also requires the Illinois Department of Labor to replace any repealed federal occupational safety standards with state standards.
HB 1889 amends the Prevailing Wage Act to ensure that when federal construction projects are administered by a state or local government, workers are paid the Illinois prevailing wage whenever it exceeds the federal rate.
Amendatory Veto: Governor Pritzker issued an amendatory veto to HB 2658 to correct “formatting errors” in the final version of the bill. The legislation creates the Equality for Every Family Act and makes a series of changes to Illinois law to provide more inclusive parentage terminology and clarify the Act’s applicability to all family types. Read the veto message here.
Illinois Approved to Launch State-Based Marketplace in November: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Illinois’ transition to a state-based health insurance marketplace. Originally launched in 2013 as a branded portal to access Healthcare.gov, Get Covered Illinois will now function as a complete state-based marketplace.
Starting on November 1, Illinois residents who were previously enrolled through Healthcare.gov will transition to Get Covered Illinois for their 2026 coverage. Customers who need assistance can contact a wide network of Get Covered Illinois-certified brokers and navigators throughout the state, who offer free application and enrollment support. Read more here.
Loan Applications Open for Social Equity Licensees: Applications for Round 3 of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program opened on August 11th. This funding round includes $40 million designated for Direct Forgivable Loans (DFLs), which are fully financed by the State. Loans will be available to qualified, licensed social equity craft growers, infusers, transporters, and adult-use dispensing organizations.
Applicants will be selected based on factors such as social equity status, financial need, and their progress towards becoming operational. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will also evaluate the financial resources of the applicants. To be eligible, applicants must be licensed social equity cannabis businesses recognized by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation or the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
The Department will host a series of webinars to assist applicants. Applications for this round of loans will be accepted until September 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eligible applicants can view instructions and apply for the loan here. Read more here.
AbbVie Expansion: Governor JB Pritzker, AbbVie, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a $195 million investment to expand AbbVie’s manufacturing facility in North Chicago. This investment will enhance the company’s production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, create and retain high-quality jobs in the area, and strengthen Illinois’ position as a national leader in advanced manufacturing and biosciences.
This $195 million expansion is part of a larger commitment by AbbVie to invest more than $10 billion in U.S. capital projects over the next decade, highlighting the company’s long-term dedication to Illinois. Construction of the expanded facility is expected to begin this fall, further increasing AbbVie’s presence in Illinois, where it is headquartered and currently employs over 11,000 people. Read more here.
Health Facilities Planning Board: Governor Pritzker appointed Patricia Lynn Pardie to serve as a Member of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.
OTHER NEWS:
2026 Election Update: Candidates continue to announce their intentions for the 2026 election cycle.
US Senate: Former State Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy announced he will seek the Republican nomination for the open US Senate seat.
Attorney General: Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantez announced his candidacy for Illinois Attorney General as a Republican.
Comptroller: Democratic State Representative Stephanie Kifowit announced she will seek the Democratic nomination for Comptroller. She will face fellow Democratic State Representative Margaret Croke and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim in the primary.
7th Congressional District: Dr. Thomas Fisher, a South Side emergency physician and former White House fellow under the Obama administration, announced he will run on the Democratic ticket to replace Congressman Danny Davis, who is not seeking reelection.
16th Congressional District: Scott Best, a 24-year old autoworker at the Rivian electric vehicle plant in Normal, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Congressman Darin LaHood. Best describes himself as a pro-union, anti-establishment candidate.
9th Senate District: Patrick Hanley, an environmental activist, business owner, and political organizer who co-founded Operation Swing State, announced he will seek the Democratic nomination to replace Senator Laura Fine, who is running for Congress.
48th Senate District: State Senator Doris Turner announced she will seek reelection.
51st House District: Palatine realtor Andrew Namowicz is running in the Democratic primary in the seat being vacated by Representative Nabeela Syed, who is now running for the Senate. Namowicz will face Jenny Levin, a trauma nurse who now works in medical education.
55th House District: Representative Marty Moylan announced he will seek a 7th and final term in the Illinois House.
84th House District: DuPage County Board member Saba Haider announced that she will run to replace Representative Kifowit, who is running for Comptroller.
President Threatens to Deploy National Guard to Chicago: President Trump is threatening to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to address the city’s crime. Both Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed back at the President. Read more here.