104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois Senate is adjourned until noon on February 3. The Senate began its 2026 Spring Session on Tuesday and Wednesday, cancelling Thursday’s scheduled session. The House will convene Tuesday through Thursday of next week.
The Senate saw little action this week. Legislators submitted bills for consideration this Spring, and members and staff began relocating to newly renovated offices on the upper floors of the Capitol’s north wing – which is still undergoing a $350 million, multi-year renovation. Last year, the Senate returned to holding sessions in the Senate Chambers, and this week, some members and staff started moving into their updated offices. Construction continues in several offices on the first and second floors, as well as a new underground conference center and parking garage, and a redesigned main entrance for visitors.
We expect little action in the House next week as well. No legislation is positioned for consideration at this time, and no committees are scheduled.
Today (January 16) is the deadline to request a bill be drafted for consideration this Spring. February 6 is the bill-filing deadline.
Key 2026 Session Dates:
January 16: LRB Deadline — Both Chambers
February 6: Bill Filing Deadline — Both Chambers
February 18: Governor’s Budget and State of the State Address
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:
Federal Government Cuts Funding for Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention: It was a rollercoaster week for human service providers in Illinois. On Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Illinois State Board of Education were informed by the Trump Administration that funding for five behavioral health and suicide prevention programs was being cut. In total, over $5.94 million was in jeopardy, impacting hundreds of individuals and service providers. The Trump Administration reversed the decision late Wednesday. Read more here and here.
State Marketplace Extends Enrollment Deadline: Illinois is extending its Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollment deadline by two weeks to January 31, with coverage beginning February 1. Enrollment is down by 4% compared to last year, a smaller drop than expected given the end of enhanced tax subsidies and a projected 78% average increase in monthly premiums. As of January 4, some 445,335 Illinois residents had signed up for health plans through Get Covered Illinois.
Department on Aging Releases Comprehensive Plan: The Illinois Department on Aging has released “EngAging Illinois: A Comprehensive Plan for Living Well,” which lays out a ten-year strategy to support older adults and caregivers statewide. Built through collaboration among government agencies, experts, and residents, it addresses projected growth in the senior population and focuses on creating connected communities, health across ages, caregiver investment, and financial security. The plan prioritizes launching online resources, promoting age-friendly policies, expanding housing options, enhancing healthcare education, raising awareness for caregivers, and modernizing service delivery. The full EngAging Illinois plan is available here. Read more here.
OSLAD Grants Awarded: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced that $36 million in grant funding has been allocated to 67 local park projects across the state, to help communities acquire land and create recreational opportunities. These grants are part of the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program. Read more here.
ISBE Approves FY 27 Budget Request: The Illinois State Board of Education is requesting a $350 million increase in funding for K-12 schools, which is a 4% boost to the evidence-based funding formula. This recommendation comes after last year’s increase of $307 million and includes a return of property tax relief grants. Read more here and here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· Antonia Whalen will serve as the Assistant Secretary of Education & Care Services of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood
· Harish Patel will serve as a Member of the Employment Security Advisory Board
· Camille Dorris will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission
· Karen Caldwell will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority
· Thomas Granatir will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Medical Board
· Nancy Sage will continue to serve as a Member of the Quality Care Board
· Douglas House will serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority
· Patrick Besler will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee
· Laura Minzer will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee
· Peter Amaro will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Board of Investment
· Dr. Nneka Onyezia will serve as a Member of the Quality Care Board
OTHER NEWS:
Judge Blocks Trump Administration Funding Freeze: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from freezing $10 billion in welfare funds for five blue states, including Illinois. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian issued an emergency injunction ensuring that money from three programs—Child Care Development Fund, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and Social Services Block Grants—continues to be distributed. This decision lasts for two weeks, allowing both sides to present further legal arguments regarding the proposed cuts.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Announces Retirement: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has announced her retirement effective January 29, 2026, after 40 years on the bench, during which she served as Chief Justice from 2022 to 2025. The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed First District Appellate Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor to succeed her, making him the first Asian American to serve on the court. Justice Tailor has 23 years of judicial experience and has held various positions in the Circuit Court, including Presiding Judge of the County Division and as a justice in the Appellate Court. Before his judicial career, he worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney and a senior attorney in private practice.
State Files Suit Against Federal Government Over Immigration Enforcement: Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and officials from the Trump administration, alleging unlawful and hazardous actions by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Illinois. The city of Chicago has joined Illinois as a co-plaintiff in this case. Read more here and here.
Court Rules that Federal Administration Illegally Blocked Clean Energy Grants: A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration acted unlawfully by canceling $7.6 billion in clean energy grants aimed at projects in states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. These grants supported various initiatives, including battery plants and carbon capture efforts. The Energy Department justified the terminations by stating the projects didn’t meet national energy needs or were not economically viable. However, Judge Amit Mehta concluded that the cancellations violated equal protection rights under the Constitution, noting the administration’s decisions were primarily based on the electoral support of the states involved – a position, the judge contended – that did not align with a legitimate government interest.
US Supreme Court Sides with Congressman Bost in Election Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that candidates for public office can sue over vote-counting practices they believe are illegal, granting a win to Congressman Mike Bost. The 7-2 decision allows Bost to challenge Illinois’ practice of counting ballots received up to two weeks post-Election Day. He argues that this practice violates federal law. Lower courts had previously dismissed the case, stating that Bost did not have standing due to potential costs associated with hiring poll watchers. Read more here.