103rd ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly will return for the January lame-duck Session from January 4 through 7. Members of
the 104 General Assembly will be sworn into office on Wednesday, January 8.
We are watching for the introduction of a mini energy omnibus bill during the upcoming lame-duck session. The legislation is expected to address anticipated resource adequacy constraints through specific, near-term efforts. These include reducing delays in renewable energy development, initiating energy storage procurement, supporting resource planning, and increasing energy efficiency. Negotiations continue on the package, with some labor organizations opposed to the project labor agreement language in the current draft. The Governor’s office is seeking an agreed bill.
Last Friday Governor JB Pritzker, joined by medical experts and legislators, announced his support for HB 4293 (Lightford/Buckner) which regulates intoxicating hemp products. The legislation targets hemp-derived THC and CBD products currently sold outside of licensed dispensaries, such as Delta-8 products. The bill follows reports of minors ingesting misleading or poorly labeled products. It sets limits on intoxicating hemp products, similar to the regulations imposed on legal cannabis through the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. The new regulations would ban misleading marketing and packaging that mimics consumer brands to appeal to children, while moving intoxicating hemp products into the state’s existing regulated marketplace to ensure safe testing and dosage requirements. Read more here.
2025 Spring Session Key Dates and Deadlines:
January 4 – 7: Lame Duck Session
January 8: Inauguration of the 104 General Assembly
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:
Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program: The Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program awarded $200 million in funding to 13 organizations. These grants will fund capital projects that address health-related social needs and reduce disparities in healthcare for historically underserved communities.
The grants build on the state’s Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives (HTC) program, established in 2021 to expand access to care and improve health equity. The HTC program leverages shared resources among collaborative partners to create locally-driven solutions, especially in underserved areas.
Of the 13 awardees, 6 are safety net health entities, representing 48% of the total funding. Safety net hospitals and medical centers provide healthcare to patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Read more here.
Medicaid Expands Maternal Health Coverage: The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services expanded maternal and child health coverage by making new perinatal doula and lactation consultant services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals enrolled in the Illinois Medicaid program. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, educational, and emotional support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum to improve health outcomes for birthing individuals and infants. Lactation consultants are healthcare professionals who offer breastfeeding education and support, helping parents navigate any challenges they may face.
Medicaid coverage for lactation consultant services spans the entire perinatal period, from pregnancy through infant weaning. Covered services include perinatal education on breastfeeding and human lactation, comprehensive maternal/infant/feeding assessments related to breastfeeding and lactation, and evidence-based lactation counseling to promote successful breastfeeding. Services may be provided individually, in a group, or via telehealth.
Medicaid also covers certified doula services for the full perinatal period and up to one year postpartum, regardless of pregnancy outcome. Covered doula services include perinatal counseling, education and support (including newborn care), birth plan development, labor/delivery support, care coordination, and in-person or telehealth visits to assist with basic infant care. Labor and delivery support must be provided in person. Read more here.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Governor JB Pritzker, Avina Clean Hydrogen, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the selection of Southwest Illinois as the location for Avina’s $820 million sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project. This investment will enable Avina, a pioneer in clean fuels, to develop a state-of-the-art facility capable of producing up to 120 million gallons of SAF annually using KBR’s alcohol-to-jet technology. Over its lifespan, the project is expected to prevent 25 million metric tons of aviation carbon emissions annually and create at least 150 full-time jobs in Illinois, plus 1,000 construction jobs. Read more here.
ICC Approves ComEd’s Revised Multi-Year Grid Plan: The Illinois Commerce Commission approved Commonwealth Edison’s revised multi-year grid plan (2024-2027) with modifications. The Commission approved $3.3 billion in investments and system improvements to bolster power grid reliability and support Illinois’ ongoing electrification efforts, cutting the utility’s initial $4.5 billion proposal by approximately 25%.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act required the state’s largest investor-owned electric utilities to file grid modernization plans aligned with Illinois’ clean energy goals and increased accountability measures.
ComEd was required to refile its grid plan this year after the ICC rejected the utility’s initial 2023 proposal for failing to comply with several CEJA provisions related to consumer affordability and environmental justice. Read more here.
IDNR Awards OSLAD Grants: Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced that more than $55.2 million in grant funding was awarded to 100 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. Read more here.
Adult Redeploy Illinois Grant Opportunity: The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is seeking proposals for Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) program implementation grants. A total of $1,500,000 in FY25 funding is available for 12-month projects.
The mission of ARI is to safely reduce prison use by building local systems that divert individuals from incarceration into more cost-effective community-based programs that promote reintegration. ARI provides funding and technical assistance to Illinois communities to establish a continuum of sanctions and treatment alternatives addressing social determinants of crime and promoting equity in the justice system.
This solicitation is open to county governments or judicial circuits. Applicants may submit on behalf of a group of counties or a judicial circuit. Other local government entities, private agencies, and non-profits are not eligible to apply directly but may be included as sub awardees or subcontractors within the applicant’s program design and budget. To be considered for funding, completed applications must be submitted via AmpliFund link by 5:00 p.m., January 17, 2025. More information is here.
OTHER NEWS:
Chicago Public Schools Board: On Tuesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed 10 members to the Chicago Board of Education, marking the start of the transition away from a mayoral-appointed Chicago Public Schools Board. Johnson’s selections include a mix of community activists and candidates who were unsuccessful in their bids to win a seat on the board. They will join the 10 individuals elected to the board in November. The new Board will take office on January 15. Read more here and here.
New Laws: Senate Democrats compiled a list of new laws taking effect in 2025. Read about the news laws here.
Equal Pay Act: The Illinois Department of Labor is reminding employers and job seekers of changes taking place to the Illinois Equal Pay Act. Effective January 1, 2025, the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 will require employers with 15 or more employees to include pay scale and benefit information in all job postings. Additionally, these employers must inform current employees of all open job opportunities, allowing them to apply. This change, contained in HB 3129, was passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2023.
Employers Required to Provide Pay Stubs: The Illinois Department of Labor is also reminding employers that starting January 1, 2025, they must provide pay stubs to employees with each paycheck. These pay stubs must detail the employee’s hours worked, pay rates, overtime pay, and any deductions from wages. Under Public Act 103-0953, employers are required to maintain copies of employee pay stubs for three years from the date of payment, even if the employee is no longer with the company. Employees and former employees may request copies of their pay stubs up to twice per 12-month period.
Settlement Reached with GrubHub: In partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a $25 million settlement with Grubhub Inc. over its alleged deceptive business practices that harmed customers, delivery drivers, and restaurants.
Raoul’s office launched an investigation into Grubhub’s practices after receiving numerous consumer complaints. The investigation, conducted jointly with the FTC, revealed that Grubhub’s deceptive tactics negatively impacted nearly all aspects of its transactions. Specifically, Grubhub was found to have misled consumers about delivery costs and Grubhub Plus benefits, misled drivers about earnings potential, and listed restaurants on its platform without their knowledge or consent.
As part of the nationwide settlement, $24.8 million in restitution will be provided to affected consumers, while an additional $200,000 will support the Illinois Attorney General’s consumer education and enforcement efforts. Read more here.
Illinois Supreme Court Issues Policy on AI: The Illinois Supreme Court has issued a new policy allowing judges and attorneys in the state to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their work, provided they comply with legal and ethical standards. The policy, which takes effect on January 1, states that the use of AI by legal professionals “may be expected, should not be discouraged, and is authorized” as long as it adheres to relevant standards.
The policy does not mandate the disclosure of AI use in court filings. However, attorneys will face potential sanctions for submitting “legally or factually unfounded pleadings.” Other courts have previously required lawyers to disclose their use of AI, and have penalized those whose AI-assisted filings contained errors or fabricated case citations.
Ultimately, the Illinois Supreme Court has made clear that lawyers and judges who leverage AI technology remain accountable for the final work product. They must thoroughly review all AI-generated content and ensure the protection of sensitive information. Read the new policy here. The Court’s fact sheet is here.
Attorney General Raoul Warns About Unapproved Weight Loss Medications: Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning Illinois residents about misleading advertisements for unapproved versions of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. Raoul cautions that many sellers, including med spas, wellness centers, online retailers, and social media sellers, are offering compounded drugs or other illegal products instead of the legitimate brand-name or generic medications. These unapproved products may put people’s health at risk, as they have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. Raoul strongly urges residents to only obtain GLP-1 prescriptions from trusted healthcare providers and fill them at properly licensed pharmacies. Read more here.
Changes to Illinois Tax Laws: The Tax Foundation prepared a new report highlighting tax changes taking effect at the start of the new year. Effective January 1, 2025, Illinois will raise its franchise (capital stock) tax exemption from $5,000 to $10,000. Additionally, Illinois will broaden its sales tax base to include retail leases of tangible personal property, excluding certain vehicles. The state will also transition to a destination-based sourcing system for retailers with a physical presence, requiring them to remit sales taxes on out-of-state sales. To offset the costs to retailers of complying with sales tax collection and remittance laws, Illinois will allow retailers to retain 1.75% of sales taxes collected (capped at $1,000/month) starting January 1. Furthermore, the General Assembly is commissioning a study of the state’s property tax system, with recommendations due by July 1, 2026. Read more here.