104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly remains on summer break.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Bill Signings: Governor Pritzker signed two bills this week aimed at improving gun safety. SB 8, the Safe Gun Storage Act, outlines safe storage requirements in homes where a firearm could be accessed by a minor, an at-risk person, or someone otherwise prohibited from using firearms. Also signed is HB 1373, which requires every law enforcement agency in Illinois to participate in the federal firearm tracing platform eTrace to strengthen investigations and make communities safer.
Governor Pritzker also signed SB 1560, which builds on previous legislation by offering cost-free mental health screening tools to Illinois public schools and partnering with psychiatric hospitals to inform parents and caregivers about the BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) Portal.
State Farm Homeowners Insurance Rate Hike: This week, Governor Pritzker, Senate President Harmon, and House Speaker Welch co-authored a letter to the editor, urging State Farm to “be a good neighbor” by sharing data and methodologies with the Department of Insurance and consumers concerning their recent rate increase on homeowners’ policies. The letter also intimates that State Farm’s actions have brought “commonsense consumer protection” to the forefront for the General Assembly’s fall session, when legislators are expected to address rate regulation legislation. Read the full letter here.
IDFPR CORE Online Licensure: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation added 25 more license types to its new online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment). With the completion of Phase 2, a total of 88 license types are now available through CORE. Read more here.
Safe Routes to School Applications Open: The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that applications are now being accepted for the Safe Routes to School program. The program provides funding for projects that make walking, biking and rolling to school a safer option for students. Read more here.
Non-Congregate Shelter Funding Awarded: The Illinois Housing Development Authority Board approved $40 million in funding for the development of four non-congregate shelters. These shelters will create 194 units, providing a total of 422 beds for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The non-congregate facilities will offer private rooms and will not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement. They will also provide essential support services to assist residents during their transition to stable housing. Read more here.
Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program: The Illinois Housing Development Authority is accepting applications for its Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Development Program, which provides loans, forgivable loans, and grants to developers of affordable housing paired with essential support services. The PSH model aims to help individuals and families, particularly those with disabilities or at risk of homelessness, achieve housing stability and better health outcomes. This year’s program includes funding from the Illinois Opioid Remediation Fund to assist developments specifically for individuals with substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· Timothy Ryan will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.
· Thomas Carney will serve as Assistant Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
· Chala Holland will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Police Merit Board.
· Thomas Dowling will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
OTHER NEWS:
2026 Election Update:
7th Congressional District: Longtime Congressman Danny Davis officially announced his retirement on Thursday, endorsing State Representative LaShawn Ford to replace him. Also running for the open seat are Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Attorney and former chief of staff to Congressman Davis Richard Boykin, entrepreneur Jason Friedman, and Marine-turned-comedian John McCombs. Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability President Anthony Driver Jr. is expected to announce his candidacy in the coming days.
9th Congressional District: Bruce Leon announced he will join the crowded Democratic field to compete for the open seat now held by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Leon is an entrepreneur who is self-funding his campaign. He also serves as Democratic committeeman in the 50th Ward. “I’m running because I believe the people of the 9th District deserve leadership that bridges divides rather than deepens them,” Leon said in a statement. “Our challenges demand practical solutions — not rigid ideology.”
26th Senate District: State Representative Nabeela Syed, a two-term Democrat who upset a Republican in her first political campaign in 2022, will challenge appointed Republican Senator Darby Hills. Hills was appointed earlier this year to replace former Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie when he resigned.
27th Senate District: Newly appointed Democratic State Senator Mark Walker announced he won’t seek re-election in 2026 when his term is up. Walker served in the Illinois House from 2009 to 2011 and then from 2019 to 2024 before being appointed to the state Senate.
30th Senate District: Attorney Chris Henning will seek the Republican nomination in the 30th Senate District. The District is currently represented by Democratic Senator Adriane Johnson. Henning is a U.S. Army veteran who has never held elected office.
38th Senate District: Republican State Senator Sue Rezin announced she will seek reelection.
59th Senate District: Republican Senator Dale Fowler announced he will honor his term limit pledge and not seek reelection. Republican Representative Paul Jacobs, who had previously announced he would seek reelection to the House, announced he will now run to replace Fowler.
12th House District: Community leader Paul Kendrick announced he will run as a Democrat in the Illinois House District 12 to replace Representative Margaret Croke who is running for state comptroller. Croke is also endorsing Kendrick as her replacement.
Secretary of State Launches Auto Insurance Effort: The Secretary of State is spearheading a new campaign called “Driving Change,” supported by AARP Illinois, that aims to end the practice of insurance companies using socioeconomic data — such as credit scores and ZIP codes — to set car insurance rates. The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office also announced a series of town hall meetings and a website to gather stories from residents about their experiences with “skyrocketing rates” and “unfair and discriminatory ratemaking practices.” The new campaign emphasizes that driving records should be the primary factor for setting rates. Advocates believe that reforms will promote equality and transparency in auto insurance pricing, making coverage more affordable and reducing the number of uninsured drivers. Read more here and here.