104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly will reconvene January 28 -30. Friday, January 24 is the bill drafting deadline; all requests to draft legislation must be submitted to the Legislative Reference Bureau by the close of business next Friday. The bill filing deadline is Friday, February 7.
Both chambers continue to organize the new General Assembly. Speaker Welch announced his new leadership team. Representatives Manley, Ortiz and Barbara Hernandez are no longer in leadership, while Representative Gordon-Booth — who previously served as Speaker Pro Tempore and chief budget negotiator — is now an Assistant Majority Leader. Leader Buckner replaces Gordon-Booth as Speaker Pro-Tempore. Leaders Buckner, Delgado and Guzzardi replace Gordon-Booth as co-budget negotiators. New to the Speaker’s leadership team: Delgado, Avelar, Williams, Tarver, West, Guzzardi, Stuart, Morgan, and Gonzalez. Note that Leaders Williams, Evans, Guzzardi, Tarver, West, Stuart, Morgan and Gonzalez will serve in non-stipend roles.
The Speaker’s new leadership team is composed of:
Robyn Gabel – Majority Leader
Kam Buckner – Speaker Pro-Tempore and Co-Budgeteer Deputy Majority Leader
Robert ‘Bob’ Rita – Deputy Majority Leader
Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez – Deputy Majority Leader
Jay C. Hoffman – Assistant Majority Leader
Jehan Gordon-Booth – Assistant Majority Leader
Camille Lilly – Assistant Majority Leader
Eva-Dina Delgado – Assistant Majority Leader and Co-Budgeteer
Dagmara ‘Dee’ Avelar – Assistant Majority Leader
Theresa Mah – Majority Conference Chair
Nicholas Smith – Majority Officer/Sergeant at Arms
Ann Williams – Assistant Majority Leader
Marcus C. Evans, Jr. – Assistant Majority Leader
Will Guzzardi – Assistant Majority Leader and Co-Budgeteer
Curtis J. Tarver II – Assistant Majority Leader
Maurice West II – Assistant Majority Leader
Katie Stuart – Assistant Majority Leader and Floor Whip
Bob Morgan – Assistant Majority Leader and Floor Whip
Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. – Assistant Majority Leader and Floor Whip
House Democratic sub caucus chairs were also announced:
Janet Yang Rohr – Asian Caucus Chair
Justin Slaughter – Black Caucus Chair
Norma Hernandez – Latinx Caucus Chair
Terra Costa Howard – Moderate Caucus Chair
The Chairs of the Women’s Caucus and the Progressive Caucus are pending.
Speaker Welch also appointed committee chairs. The full list of committee chairs is here. Notably, the Speaker tapped Republican Dan Swanson to chair the Veteran’s Affairs Committee. The Speaker’s office also noted that he is creating the Gun Violence Prevention Committee; the International Relations, Tourism, & Trade Committee; and the Museums, Arts, & Culture Committee. Name changes to committees were made as well. The Elementary & Secondary Education: Curriculum & Policy Committee is being renamed the Education Policy Committee, while the Restorative Justice Committee is now known as the Restorative Justice & Public Safety Committee. All committee changes will be formalized via changes to the House Rules.
On the Republican side, State Representative Amy Elik was elected unanimously to serve as the Chair of the Illinois House Republican Organization for the 2026 election cycle. Elik, a CPA and lifelong resident of Madison County, is in her third term as State Representative.
Leader McCombie also announced her leadership team. Representative Charlie Meier asked to be removed from his leadership position following a recent prostate cancer diagnosis.
Members of Republican Leader McCombie’s Leadership team are:
Norine Hammond – Deputy Minority Leader
Ryan Spain – Deputy Minority Leader
CD Davidsmeyer – Assistant Minority Leader
John Cabello – Assistant Minority Leader
Dan Ugaste – Assistant Minority Leader
Patrick Windhorst – Assistant Minority Leader
Brad Stephens – Assistant Minority Leader
Jackie Haas – Assistant Minority Leader
Amy Elik – Assistant Minority Leader
Jeff Keicher – Conference Chair
Bill Introductions: Notable bill introductions from this week:
· HB1272 (West) creates The Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program Act.
· SB 66 (Peters) creates the Health Care Availability and Access Board Act to address the high cost of prescription drugs.
· Senator Holmes introduced SB 9 which creates the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. Representative Gabel introduced companion legislation on HB 1328.
· SB 8 (Ellman) creates the Safe Gun Storage Act.
· SB 20 (Lightford) creates the Hemp Consumer Products Act.
· Hospital staffing levels are targeted in SB 21 (Belt).
· Senator Koehler filed SB 41 to create the Clean Transportation Standard Act.
· Senator Rezin introduced a package of bills to protect children and consumer privacy — SB 50, SB 51 and SB 52.
2025 Spring Session Key Dates and Deadlines:
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:
Children’s Behavioral Health Portal Launched: The Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative has launched BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation), a centralized online portal for Illinois youth and families seeking mental health services and support. BEACON, accessible at beacon.illinois.gov, helps parents and caregivers identify nearby community-based resources and state-funded programs their children may be eligible for, including outpatient counseling, school-based services, wraparound family support, and residential treatment. The portal also assists families in organizing information about their child’s care and connecting with relevant state agency representatives.
ISBE Approves FY 26 Budget Request: On Wednesday, the Illinois State Board of Education approved its $11.4 billion budget request for fiscal year 2026 to fund PreK-12 education. This represents a 4.6% increase over the current year’s budget, despite the state facing a $3.2 billion revenue shortfall.
The request includes a $350 million increase in “Evidence-Based Funding,” the minimum annual boost required under the 2017 law that directs new education dollars to the neediest districts. Additionally, the budget proposal calls for a $142 million increase in “mandatory categorical” aid for expenses such as transportation and special education, as well as $75 million in new funding for early childhood programs. Read more about the budget here.
Electric Vehicle Charging: Illinois was awarded $114 million in competitive federal grant funding to support the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations across the state, including in the Chicagoland area, Springfield, Metro East, and Quad Cities. This federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will be used to build 14 truck charging hubs, expanding Illinois’ statewide charging infrastructure. Illinois received the largest award, with the second largest being $55 million. Additionally, Governor Pritzker announced $39 million in state funding to build 1,476 charging stations at 242 locations in Illinois, further improving access to electric vehicle charging. Read more here.
IDOT Awarded Federal Funding: The Illinois Department of Transportation will receive $43 million in federal funding for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency’s (CREATE) 65th & Harlem Avenue rail project. This project will construct an overpass to carry 65th Street over the tracks of the Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC), improving efficiency and safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians in Chicago and Bedford Park, Summit, and Garfield Ridge. The project will also allow for faster travel of freight trains in and out of BRC’s Clearing yard.
A number of funds will supplement the $43 million federal grant. These include $25 million in federal National Highway Performance Program funds; $13 million in IDOT matching funds; and $4.3 million in matching funds from private partner railroads. More here.
Advisory Council on Financing and Access to Sickle Cell Disease and Other High-Cost Drugs and Treatment Issues Report: The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly its first report from the Advisory Council on Financing and Access to Sickle Cell Disease Treatment and other High-Cost Drugs and Treatment. Required by Executive Order 2024-01, the report evaluates various value and outcome-based payment approaches in other states and offers recommendations for how Illinois can increase financing as well as equitable access for these drugs. The advisory council met six times over the past six months, culminating in the production of this report. See the report here.
Illinois Partners with Recycle Coach: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has partnered with Recycle Coach to provide a comprehensive, locally-tailored recycling education platform for all 6,835 Illinois units of local government. Recycle Coach will engage with all Illinois communities, ensuring all residents can access this opportunity. The goals of the undertaking include reducing contamination at material recovery facilities, increasing material diversion from landfills, preventing environmental contamination, and ultimately lowering emissions that contribute to climate change. Read more here.
Illinois Joins Multi-State Effort to Take Action Against Mortgage Service Company: Illinois and 52 state financial regulators have taken coordinated action against Bayview Asset Management LLC and three affiliates – Lakeview Loan Servicing, Community Loan Servicing, and Pingora Holdings (collectively “Bayview Companies”). The action cites the companies’ deficient cybersecurity practices and failure to fully cooperate with state regulators following a data breach impacting 5.8 million customers.
The $20 million fine and corrective plan underscore the importance of meeting state requirements to protect consumer data and complying with state supervisory demands. Read more here.
Enforcement Taken Against Block, Inc: Illinois and 47 state financial regulatory agencies have taken coordinated enforcement action against Block, Inc. for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) laws – both of which are intended to safeguard the financial system from illicit use. More than 50 million U.S consumers use Block’s mobile payment service, Cash App, to spend, send, store, and invest money.
Block agreed to a number of measures in the multistate settlement signed this week. Among them: paying a $80 million penalty to the state agencies; hiring an independent consultant to review its BSA/AML program; and submitting a report to the states within nine months. After the report is filed, Block will have 12 months to correct any deficiencies found in the report’s review. Read more here.
Illinois to Participate in Direct File: Illinois Department of Revenue announced that Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File service, beginning on January 27. Nearly two million eligible Illinois taxpayers can now use, for free, Direct File to electronically prepare and file their 2024 federal tax returns.
Then, after filing federal taxes, the program connects taxpayers to Illinois’ free state income tax filing system, MyTax Illinois, to file and complete their state returns. Direct File lets working families do their taxes for free electronically, using a single streamlined platform and avoiding paying fees to tax preparation companies.
IDOT Hosting DBE Workshops: The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting a series of free virtual workshops in January and February as part of the ongoing “Building Blocks of Success” program. The effort helps Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms strengthen their skills, grow their businesses, and bid on state projects. Encouraged to attend: new and existing DBE firms, as well as companies considering certification in the program. More info here.
2025 Supportive Housing Institute: The Supportive Housing Institute (SHI) — designed to equip groups with the knowledge to create affordable housing with integrated supportive services – is seeking applicants for its program. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
Teams applying to SHI must include a housing developer, a property manager, and a supportive services partner. Applicants are also encouraged to include a person with lived experience to provide insights on designing housing to aid future residents in maintaining stability and achieving a higher quality of life. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: The Governor appointed the following:
· John Herrmann will continue to serve as a Member of the State Board of Health.
· Samiha Syed will serve as a Member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
· Stephen Ferrara will serve as a Member of the Illinois Gaming Board.
· Kendra Cunningham and Lynne Sered will continue to serve as Members of the Illinois Labor Relations Board.
OTHER NEWS:
CTA President Announces Retirement: Dorval R. Carter, Jr., President of the Chicago Transit Authority is retiring effective January 31, 2025. His retirement comes as legislators begin to discuss such aspects of transit like whether to combine the CTA with Metra, Pace, and the Regional Transportation Authority, and how to fund local transit amid a looming $771 million budget gap (once federal COVID-19 relief funding runs out). CTA chief of staff Nora Leerhsen will serve as interim President. Read more here.
Hybrid Chicago School Board Takes Office: The Chicago Board of Education was sworn in on Wednesday, marking a historic shift in the oversight of the country’s fourth-largest school district. The board had been under the mayor’s control for decades but now is a hybrid model — 10 elected members and 10 appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
This newly constituted board will have a significant influence in shaping the future of Chicago Public Schools. The district faces immediate financial challenges, and contentious negotiations remain underway for a new four-year contract with the Chicago Teachers Union.
Mayor Johnson has yet to select the final member to bring the board to its full complement of 21 members. Read more here.
Mobile Driver’s Licenses: The Illinois Secretary of State’s office announced it is hoping by the end of the year to bring driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet to Illinois residents. The measure would let residents securely add and present their identification on their iPhone or Apple Watch; no physical carrying of the cards would be needed. Through an SoS sign-up page, residents can get updates on the program, including notice of when mobile IDs will become available. The new digital cards will not be mandatory, serving as a companion – rather than a replacement – to physical cards.
RTA Offers Transit Plan: The Regional Transportation Authority announced a “Transforming Transit” program that aims to expand the RTA’s administrative and planning powers. RTA Chair Kirk Dillard said the plan could generate $50 million in annual savings, even as Metra, Pace, and the CTA face a $770 million budget shortfall. Under the proposal, the RTA’s oversight role would broaden to include control over fares, service quality, and capital investments. The RTA would also develop a universal fare payment app and rider hub to provide customers with simple, integrated fare and service information at all stations and stops. Read the full proposal here.
Illinois Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Deere and Company: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission and the Minnesota Attorney General, filed a lawsuit against Deere and Company. The lawsuit alleges that Deere used unfair practices, driving up farmer’s equipment repair costs and keeping them from making timely repairs on critical farming equipment, including tractors.
Raoul and the coalition claim that for decades, Deere’s unlawful practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to fix Deere equipment, instead forcing farmers to rely on Deere’s network of authorized dealers. Due to this unfair steering practice, the suit alleges, Deere has boosted multibillion-dollar profits on ag equipment and parts while burdening farmers with higher repair costs.
The lawsuit seeks to stop Deere’s anticompetitive conduct. Among remedies being sought are that Deere make its fully functional Service ADVISOR repair tool (and any other repair resources) available to owners of Deere’s large tractors and combines, as well as independent repair providers. Read more here.
Deere called the lawsuit “baseless” and said it will “vigorously defend itself.” The company went on to say, “The complaint is based on flagrant misrepresentations of the facts and fatally flawed legal theories, and it punishes innovation and pro-competitive product design.”