Neither chamber was in session this week. The Senate returns to session next week, February 3 – 5. Both chambers are off the following week and return to session February 17 – 19.
Friday, February 6, is the bill-filing deadline. The Governor will deliver his combined State of the State and Budget Address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday, February 18.
The Senate Assignments Committee met this week and assigned 131 Senate Bills to standing committees for consideration; the majority of these bills were under consideration during the 2025 Spring Session. A list of the Senate Committee schedule for next week is here.
Key 2026 Session Dates:
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:
Prairie State Access Fund: In response to threats to federal funding, Governor JB Pritzker’s office is partnering with the Michael Reese Health Trust to enhance access to reproductive health services in Illinois. Together, they are launching the Prairie State Access Fund to stabilize and expand reproductive health services, with grant distribution starting immediately through an initial request for proposals. This initiative — unlike traditional federal funding — is intended to provide rapid support. Read more here and here.
Grants Available for Local Food Infrastructure: The Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to distribute $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026 to support local food processing, aggregation, and distribution. Grant levels will vary, ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 for collaborative projects and from $1,000 to $75,000 for individual projects.
Eligible applicants include Illinois residents who store, process, package, aggregate, or distribute value-added agricultural products or plan to do so. These entities must meet one of the following criteria:
· an Illinois farm with fewer than 50 employees
· an Illinois cooperative with fewer than 50 employees
· an Illinois slaughter and/or processing facility with fewer than 50 employees. Slaughter and/or processing facilities must be USDA or state licensed or be a custom exempt slaughter and/or processing facility
· an Illinois food business with fewer than 50 employees
· an Illinois food hub with fewer than 50 employees
· an Illinois nonprofit organization
· a unit of local government in Illinois
To promote the growth of the local food industry, grant funding should be used for infrastructure related to processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural products. Interested individuals should pre-register with SAM.gov and the GATA Grantee Portal to prepare for the application process.
Additional information about the program on the Department’s website.
Illinois Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Some 39 recipients – supporting nearly 2000 people statewide – have been awarded over $17 million through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. This Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity initiative aims to develop a diverse talent pool for construction and building trades.
More info here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· Tiffany Mathis Posey will serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.
· Beverly Alfon Gordon will serve as a Member of the Labor Advisory Board.
· Mark Biel will continue to serve as a Member of the Labor Advisory Board
· Dr. Thomas Gleason will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Medical Board.
OTHER NEWS:
New Report Details Potential Impact of Data Centers: A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists highlights the significant impact of data centers on Illinois’ electricity demand. According to the report, by 2030, data centers could account for up to 64% of this demand, potentially leading to $24 billion in costs for residents over the next 25 years without better ratepayer protections. Researchers also note that this growth could increase pollution from fossil fuel plants and reliance on out-of-state electricity. However, the report suggests that implementing stronger clean energy policies could provide substantial economic benefits, including $2.8 billion in health savings and a reduction of $112 billion in climate damages by 2050. Read more here and here. The full report is here.
2026 Election Update: Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez has announced his independent candidacy to replace retiring Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the 4th district. He is now the second independent to join the race, following Garcia’s unexpected exit, which left Patty Garcia—Garcia’s chief of staff—as the sole Democrat on the ballot. Latino activist Mayra Macías is also running as an Independent. Independent candidates can start gathering petition signatures on February 25.