GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
New Laws: Governor Pritzker signed the following into law:
HB 1807 reforms how the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation evaluates nursing education programs, ensuring graduates are prepared to pass the national licensing exam upon graduation.
HB 2335 makes a series of technical and clarifying changes to the 2025 Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transit Innovation, Integration, and Reform Act.
HB 2564 exempts downstate school districts from compensating the Teacher’s Retirement System for salary increases over 6% as a result of overload work.
HB 3409 prohibits the sale of cosmetic products with specified ingredients that are already banned in the European Union.
HB 3663, the Certificate of Innocence Act, amends the Court of Claims Act allowing those who have been unjustly incarcerated to bring a claim for time served in prison and receive financial compensation from the State. HB 3663 increases the maximum award amount for claims and expands the eligibility provisions for who can file a claim. Read more here.
HB 3772 bans expulsions for kindergarten through grade 2 and reforms other disciplinary measures for early childhood, prekindergarten through grade 3, and out of district alternative educational programs.
HB 3811 authorizes the appointment of a private professional guardian to serve as a temporary guardian for a person with a disability.
HB 4203 amends health insurance coverage requirements for ovarian cancer screenings.
HB 4339 creates the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law to require all high school districts to provide eligible students graduating from high school the opportunity to register to vote.
HB 4340 amends the State Prompt Payment Act, the Court of Claims Act, and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act to create more consistency and predictability for recipients of State grants.
HB 4428 establishes a mandatory court reminder program for individuals on pretrial release.
HB 4535 allows school districts to use an e-learning day if selected as a polling place that does not count toward the district’s number of emergency days.
HB 4537 addresses local governments’ administration of delinquent property taxes, bringing Illinois into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Tyler v. Hennepin County.
HB 4571 amends the Counties Code to allow certain categories of counties more flexibility to encourage and facilitate the creation of more affordable housing within their geographic boundaries.
HB 4577 updates the definitions of guided play, play-based learning, and student-initiated play to provide clearer guidance for kindergarten instruction.
HB 4659 allows survivors of domestic abuse to raise an affirmative defense in court when a loan was taken out through coercion tied to their abuse.
HB 4757 makes technical changes to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act.
HB 4762 creates a process for automatically sealing minor disciplinary records of licensed professionals under IDFPR.
HB 4966 establishes safeguards for youth in care who are placed in homes outside of Illinois.
HB 5130 authorizes the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) and an agency to mutually agree to a second 45-day extension during the second notice period.
HB 5225 expands the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists to include diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders as part of the Early Intervention Program.
HB 5393 removes limitations on Limited Health Service Organization plans to allow for covered dependents and a higher maximum benefit allowance.
SB 118 makes several changes to the Crime Victims Compensation Act.
SB 248 eliminates the “cause” requirement for individuals under 21 to file a successive post-conviction petition claiming their sentence violates the Illinois Constitution.
SB 1700 modernizes recruitment standards for deputy sheriff hires while maintaining the current training and probationary requirements.
SB 2909 prohibits an evaluator from using AI to assign a numerical score or qualitative rating for any component of a teacher’s evaluation and prohibits teacher from using AI to generate evidence of professional practice judged during an evaluation.
SB 2968 allows the State Treasurer to establish and administer a non-profit investment pool.
SB 3113 increases penalties for noncompliance with requirements to operate oil and gas wells.
SB 3114 prohibits the use of automated processes to downcode health care insurance claims and gives physicians the right to dispute downcoded claims.
SB 3164 updates Illinois Traffic Enforcement and Licensing Procedures to refine and limit how driver’s license suspensions and revocations are applied.
SB 3273 provides public school solar energy projects with an expedited path to connecting their projects to the energy grid.
SB 3341 clarifies and updates language around a minor’s ability to consent for contraceptive services.
SB 3737 requires universities to promptly readmit students following academic military leave, effective January 1, 2027.
SB 3818 incentivizes Illinois National Guard recruitment with peer-to-peer referrals, effective January 1, 2027.
SB 3926 moves the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council under the Department of Public Health, effective January 1, 2027.
SB 3967 clarifies the parameters of an existing incentive program for paying experienced Certified Nursing Assistants for tenure at long-term care facilities.
SB 4025 amends property restrictions on community water supplies.
ISBE Issues Guidance for Use of AI in K– 12 Education: The Illinois State Board of Education issued new guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence in K-12 education. The guidance was created with input from a panel of experts and notes that the initial drafts used AI tools, including ChatGPT. The guidelines stress that while AI can inform teaching and learning, it should never replace the essential human relationships and experiences that shape education. Read more here and here.
Illinois FAFSA Completion Rankings Announced: The National College Attainment Network published its Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Tracker for the Class of 2026. Illinois ranked second in the nation and first in the Midwest for FAFSA completion, with a record-high rate of 71.4% for this graduating class. Read more here.
ISAC Unveils Education Matters Illinois: The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) announced at its 16th annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) Conference that the CCE movement will evolve into a new initiative called Education Matters Illinois. This new movement aims to emphasize the importance of education as a critical societal value and address key issues related to access, equity, and workforce development. It highlights education’s role in providing opportunities for individuals and strengthening communities while intersecting with various public policy discussions. Read more here.
Illinois Prevailing Wage Published: The Illinois Department of Labor released the 2026 prevailing wage rates for construction trades across all Illinois counties. These updated rates became effective on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following IDOL’s annual statewide survey carried out in June. Read more here.
Pell Grants Open for Job Training Programs: The Illinois Workforce Pell application is now open. This program allows eligible students to use federal Pell Grant funding for short-term training programs (8 to 14 weeks) linked to high-demand careers, starting in the Academic Year 2026–27. The application period opened on July 15 and will close on August 31, 2026. Community colleges, universities, and approved private institutions can apply for academic years 2026–27 and 2027–28, with final approval from the U.S. Department of Education anticipated in winter 2026–27. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· Jeffery Pruyn will serve as a Member of the Police Officers’ Pension Investment Fund.
· Jeanne AuBuchon will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Jennifer Bae will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· James Byrnes will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Linda Cantrell will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Byrnes will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission
· Magda Derisma-Oyewole will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Bradley Gillespie will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Paul-Eric Seal will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Rachel Sinnen will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Charles Watts will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Devon Bruce will serve as President and Member of the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.
· Yadira Enriquez will serve as a Member of the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.
· Geetha Pilli will serve as a Member of the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.
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.
Former Democratic Representative Harry Benton officially filed paperwork this week to remove his name from the November ballot. Benton recently resigned following an Inspector General investigation into unspecified allegations.
An Illinois House committee will investigate Representative Carol Ammons, who was indicted on 10 federal charges, including wire fraud and obstructing justice. A petition by 11 House Republicans initiated the investigation, which requires hearings at which Ammons would be allowed to testify under oath. According to House Rules, if at least four committee members vote to authorize charges, a bipartisan committee will be formed to consider disciplinary action, which would then be voted on by the full House. Removing Ammons would require a supermajority of 79 votes. Speaker Welch appointed Leader Tarver to chair the committee, with Representatives Hoffman and Lillian Jimenez, all attorneys; Leader McCombie appointed Representative Spain as spokesperson, along with Representatives Ugaste and Niemerg. Meanwhile Ammons and her husband pled not guilty in court this week. Read more here.
OTHER NEWS:
AG Raoul Urges Federal Regulators to Deny Banking Charters for Fintechs: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, sent a letter to federal banking regulators expressing concerns about granting national banking charters to fintech companies without adequate consumer and investor protections. They urge regulators to deny charters to fintechs with a history of predatory lending or risky practices, noting a significant rise in fintechs, including cryptocurrency and payment platforms, seeking bank status in the past year. Read more here.
Settlement Reached with Generic Manufacturer Glenmark: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with 48 other state attorneys general, announced a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. The settlement addresses allegations that Glenmark participated in a long-term conspiracy to artificially inflate prices and reduce competition in the generic drug market. The settlement follows lawsuits against nearly 50 generic drug manufacturers accused of colluding to fix prices and manipulate the market. Glenmark will cooperate in ongoing litigation involving other defendants and has agreed to implement internal reforms to promote fair competition and comply with antitrust laws. Read more here.
Multi-State Settlement in Genetic Data Breach: Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a bipartisan settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe following a 2023 data breach affecting 6.9 million customers. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims, but due to limited funds, only $18 million will be immediately distributed. Illinois is receiving over $500,000. 23andMe will provide a $46.75 million class-action settlement for affected U.S. consumers who submit claims by February 17, 2026. Read more here.