104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly stands adjourned for the week, after having been in session Tuesday through Thursday. Senators will return to session Tuesday, March 3 – Thursday, March 5. The House is off for two weeks ahead of the March 17 Primary Election and returns to session Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 20.
Note, Committee Amendments to Senate Bills must be filed by 3 pm on Friday, March 6. March 13 is the deadline to pass substantive bills out of Senate committees. March 27 is the House committee deadline.
A list of Senate Committee hearings for next week is here (scroll and click “week” to view the full list).
Megaprojects Pilot: The House Revenue Committee approved, by a vote of 13 – 7, HFA # 1 to HB 910 (Buckner), which creates a statewide Megaprojects Pilot tool, a structured framework for negotiating agreements related to large-scale mega projects. The legislation will assist the Chicago Bears’ relocation to Arlington Heights, as well as other megaprojects. These projects — defined by significant investment thresholds (e.g., $500 million or specific job-creation targets) — will allow municipalities and companies to negotiate predictable payment arrangements. Key features of the proposal include:
Assessment Freeze: The project’s taxable assessed value will be frozen during the incentive period, preventing sudden changes to the tax base.
Transparency: Negotiations will be conducted publicly, involving schools and taxing districts to ensure community interests are represented.
Labor and Minority Inclusion: Companies must adhere to labor agreements and set goals for awarding contracts to minority-owned businesses.
No Double Dipping: Projects cannot receive multiple property tax incentives simultaneously.
Commitment Requirements: Companies must commit to operating in the area for at least 20 years.
The measure now heads to the full House for consideration. Read more here.
Property Taxes: The Illinois General Assembly fast-tracked approval this week of HB 598 (Tarver) as amended, which makes two changes: (1) delays the Cook County property tax sale from March 2026 to December 2026 and (2) makes a “technical change” for the city of Zion regarding property tax abatement for a decommissioned nuclear facility. The measure now heads to the Senate for further consideration. The sponsor noted that discussions continue on the broader Cook County property tax sale issue, with a solution expected by the end of the legislative session. The measure passed the House by a vote of 81-22 and the Senate by a vote of 43-7. HB 598 now heads to the Governor’s desk.
Rental Fees: The motion to concur with Senate Amendments to HB 3564 (Syed/Simmons) failed by a vote of 56-36-2 in the House. The measure, which was under consideration during the 2025 session, prohibits “junk fees” in rental housing and requires disclosure of non-optional fees.
Homeowners Insurance Rates: This week, the House Rules Committee placed HB 3799 (Gabel/Hastings) on the calendar of concurrence. The measure failed previously in the Veto Session by a vote of 56-37-6. During his State of the State Address last week, the Governor called for action on the regulation of homeowner insurance rates as part of his affordability package.
HB 3799 establishes new rules for homeowners’ insurance, including requiring: (1) insurance companies to provide at least 60 days’ notice before nonrenewal and at least 60 days’ notice for premium increases over 10%, as well as for changes in coverage or deductibles; (2) insurers to use credible, state-specific loss experience when setting rates; and (3) rates to be actuarially sound and not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. The Department of Insurance is authorized to review insurance filings, issue orders, and require rebates if rates are deemed unfair. This legislation specifically applies to fire and extended coverage insurance for residential owner-occupied properties while excluding commercial, rental, and unoccupied properties. The legislation passed the Senate during the veto session by a vote of 41-15-1.
Meanwhile, Representative Thaddeus Jones filed a competing amendment on the insurance rate issue as HFA # 1 to SB 1486 (Hastings/Jones). The amendment outlines regulations for fire and extended coverage insurance policies, prohibiting companies from raising renewal premiums by more than 10% without providing at least 60 days’ notice to the insured and the Department of Insurance. The legislation also establishes the Rates for Fire and Extended Coverage Insurance Article, which prohibits rates from being excessive, inadequate, or discriminatory. The new article also requires the use of credible state-specific loss data for rate development and authorizes insurers to supplement State-specific loss experience with countrywide, regional, or out-of-state loss experience to meet actuarial standards of credibility. HFA # 1 is assigned to the House Executive Committee.
School Cell Phone Ban: Representative Mussman filed HFA #3 to SB 2427 (Lightford/Mussman), requiring school districts to implement a policy to ban cell phones beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. This is another one of Governor Pritzker’s priorities outlined in the State of the State Address.
House Democratic AI Working Group: Representative Gong-Gershowitz will chair the newly formed House Democratic AI Working Group. Each member of the 23-member working group will be tasked with a subject area of focus. Welch said the working group will be focused on AI policy “rooted in affordability, opportunity, and in safety”.
Auditor General Confirmed: The Illinois General Assembly approved Chris Meister via SJR 55 (Rose/Rita) as Illinois’ next Auditor General, effective May 1. He will replace Auditor General Frank Mautino, who is retiring on May 31.
Other News: Reports indicate Representative Harry Benton was removed from the House Democratic Caucus. He was also stripped of all committee assignments. Neither Representative Benton nor the Speaker’s office commented on the situation.
Key 2026 Session Dates:
March 13: Deadline — Substantive Senate Bills out of Committee
March 27: Deadline — Substantive House Bills out of Committee
March 17: Primary Election
April 17: Deadline — 3rd Reading Substantive Bills in First Chamber
May 8: Deadline — Substantive Bills out of Committee in Second Chamber
May 22: Deadline — 3rd Reading Substantive Bills in Second Chamber
May 31: Adjournment
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Executive Order: Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2026-02, which transfers the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services Program (CCBYS Program) from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Children and Family Services, effective July 1, 2026.
ICC Approves Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan: The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the Illinois Power Agency’s 2026 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan (LTRRPP), which will guide the procurement of new renewable energy generation in Illinois over the next two years. The plan promotes investment in various clean energy projects, including utility-scale and community solar, wind, and hydropower. It also outlines the procurement of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for key energy companies for the years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028, addressing funding challenges and federal uncertainties. The ICC is mandated to review the LTRRPP every two years, and an updated plan is due by June 1, 2026.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· Cynthia Berg will continue to serve as Chair of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission
· Kader Sakkaria will serve as a Member of the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees
OTHER NEWS:
AG Raoul Issues Statement on SCOTUS Tarriff Ruling: Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. Raoul noted, “Today’s ruling makes clear that we are not a nation governed by royal decree. The rule of law matters, and I will continue to fight to protect Illinoisians from the economic costs of the Trump administration’s unlawful actions.” Attorney General Raoul, along with a coalition of 11 other attorneys general, had previously filed a lawsuit to challenge these tariffs, arguing that only Congress has the authority to impose such taxes. The Court ruled in favor of the states, emphasizing that Trump’s actions exceeded his delegated powers. Raoul highlighted that the ruling reinforces the importance of the rule of law and aims to protect the economic interests of Illinois residents. The ruling is here. Read the full statement here.
Community Violence Intervention: A recent 2025 impact report by the Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC) reveals that higher public investment in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) correlates with increased services and participation, leading to significant public safety improvements in Chicago. Conducted by Northwestern University’s Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research and Science, the report highlights three key findings: levels of service and participation in CVI programs increased with public investment; communities with the highest levels of violence rates are receiving public investment in CVI; and the greatest public safety gains are realized in those areas receiving the most investment. CVI employs evidence-based strategies like street outreach and social services to support those at risk of gun violence. Read more here.
Liquor Control and Compliance Portal: The Illinois Liquor Control Commission has launched a new Licensing & Compliance Portal to streamline application, renewal, and compliance processes for Illinois licensees. During the initial 90-day implementation period, licensees may experience temporary adjustments in workflows and processing times. The portal aims to provide a more user-friendly experience, improve visibility into licensing requirements, and enhance communication with ILCC staff. By integrating various divisions into a single system, the ILCC seeks to reduce administrative burdens and promote consistency, transparency, and accountability in licensing and compliance operations. Training resources, guidance materials, and technical support information are available here.
AbbVie Expanding Manufacturing: AbbVie is investing $380 million to build two new active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facilities in North Chicago, creating 300 full-time jobs. This investment highlights Illinois’ growing life sciences sector and includes the production of next-generation neuroscience and obesity-reduction medicines. In the last six months, AbbVie has committed a total of $575 million to the area, which also includes a previous investment of $195 million for another manufacturing facility and the addition of 50 jobs. Read more here.
DMG MORI Federal Services Expanding Manufacturing: DMG MORI Federal Services, Inc. is investing over $40.5 million to expand its operations in Illinois by establishing a new advanced manufacturing and R&D facility in the Chicagoland area, creating 74 full-time jobs. This facility, which will have 25,000 square feet of office space and 65,000 square feet for manufacturing, will serve as the center for North American R&D and include a Government Solutions Center, production of optomechanical scanners, and a partnership with City Colleges of Chicago for workforce development. This collaboration aims to connect students with careers in advanced manufacturing, enhancing workforce training and contributing to Illinois’ reputation as a leader in workforce development. Read more here.