GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
New Laws: Governor Pritzker signed the following into law:
SB 315, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Measures Act, which establishes a framework for AI safety, transparency, and accountability. The legislation requires the largest AI developers to identify, disclose, and mitigate risks, and to provide independent oversight and protections for workers who report safety concerns. Read more here.
HB 4456 strengthens the Illinois Commerce Commission’s authority to approve utility low-income discount programs established by CEJA. The legislation aims to ensure that eligible customers receive discounts that cover their entire electric or gas bill, rather than only certain charges.
HB 5524 requires the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to publish a report detailing the charges that appear on a residential customer’s monthly electric bill. Read more here and here.
IDOT Offering EV Charging Station Funding: The Illinois Department of Transportation is offering $30 million in funding for EV charging stations through the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Applications are due by July 20 and require basic site location information along with a map, schematic, and photos. The projects should accommodate various vehicle types and must adhere to federal guidelines for the NEVI program, which supports the installation of DC fast chargers and Level 2 chargers. Selected locations will be revealed by the end of August. An informational webinar is scheduled for July 8 at 1 p.m. for those interested in applying. Learn more here.
IHDA Announces 1,000 New Affordable Rental Units: The Illinois Housing Development Authority Board approved $37 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), along with an additional $39 million in federal and state subordinate funding, to create and preserve 22 affordable housing developments across 15 Illinois counties. The LIHTC awards are expected to generate an estimated $303 million in private capital to support 969 affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families, seniors, and veterans. Read more here.
104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly stands adjourned until the call of the Presiding Officers. Veto Session is scheduled for November 17 – 19 and December 1 – 3.
Local Democrats selected Jared Ploger to replace Senator Linda Holmes on the November ballot. Ploger was selected over Representative Matt Hanson and DuPage County Board member Saba Haider, who defeated Ploger in this year’s Democratic primary to succeed retiring Representative Stephanie Kifowit. Ploger is a teacher, the president of Valley View Council Local 604 of the American Federation of Teachers, and a former school board member.
Representative Harry Benton resigned from the Illinois House last Friday after the Legislative Inspector General completed an investigation into unspecified allegations. While the details of the investigative report have not been made public, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch reviewed it last week and stated that it revealed “clear patterns of conduct” by Benton that were “outrageous, unethical, and unbecoming of a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.” Welch had urged Benton on Wednesday to resign or risk facing potential expulsion by his fellow members.
In his resignation letter, Benton said the matter has taken a toll on his family, and he asked for privacy. He stated that he intends to withdraw as the Democratic candidate for the 97th House District in the upcoming election. Local Democratic officials will now select a replacement to serve the remainder of Benton’s term and pick someone for the November ballot to face Republican Gabby Shanahan. Read more here.
Federal authorities indicted Democratic Representative Carol Ammons on Tuesday on 11 counts of wire fraud, making false statements, and obstruction. The indictment also charges her husband, Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons, with conspiracy to obstruct justice and a separate obstruction count. Prosecutors allege that Carol Ammons falsified state campaign finance records to conceal payments to herself and her daughter, directed state and federal funds to organizations that used public money to pay her daughter, overpaid people from campaign funds, and required cash kickbacks. The indictment comes a month after Titianna Ammons, the daughter of Carol and Aaron Ammons, was also indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts of wire fraud.
Speaker Welch responded by temporarily removing Representative Ammons from House Democratic Caucus meetings, all House committees, and access to Speaker’s Office staff and resources. He also directed staff to review the budget to determine whether any funds need to be paused or reconsidered. Welch did not call for her resignation saying she has the right to due process. Read more here and here. The indictment is here.
OTHER NEWS:
COGFA Revenue Report: June revenues surpassed last year’s by $432 million, marking an 8.2% monthly growth, aided by an extra receipting day. The Personal Income Tax saw the largest increase, up $242 million (7.9%), while the Corporate Income Tax rose by $81 million. Sales Tax receipts also grew significantly, increasing by $99 million (9.6%). Overall, individual revenue sources showed mixed performance, with notable gains in the “All Other State Sources” category and Estate Tax. Despite declines in Interest on State Funds and certain tax revenues, Transfers In increased modestly. Although Federal Sources experienced a minor decline in June, they finished slightly above FY 2025 levels. However, they fell short of budget expectations.
In FY 2026, General Funds revenues reached a record $56.300 billion, exceeding FY 2025 by $2.302 billion (4.3% growth). Excluding one-time federal reimbursements, total revenues grew by 4.4%. The Personal Income Tax remained the largest source, contributing $34.556 billion, up 4.2%. Corporate Income Tax receipts declined by 4.2% to $5.654 billion, largely due to federal tax changes. Sales Tax receipts increased by 4.5%, while combined revenues from other sources rose 8.1%, notably from a 44.4% surge in Estate Tax receipts. Transfers In grew significantly by 24.3%, driven by higher Income Tax Refund and Sports Wagering Transfers. Federal Sources increased by 3.8% but fell short of budget estimates. Overall, stronger State source revenues allowed total General Funds revenues to surpass budget assumptions by $1.003 billion. The new fiscal year began July 1. Read the full report here.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Illinois Assault Weapons Ban: A federal appeals court in Chicago this week upheld Illinois’ 2023 assault weapons ban in a 2-1 decision, reversing a lower court ruling. The court determined that the law, which also bans high-capacity ammunition magazines, aligns with regulatory traditions and does not violate the Second Amendment. However, uncertainty surrounds the longevity of the decision, as the U.S. Supreme Court has signaled it will consider legal challenges to similar laws in Cook County and Connecticut. Read more here. The decision is here.