GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
New Laws: Governor Pritzker signed HB 4323, officially designating July 25 as Emmett Till Day in Illinois.
SNAP: Illinois now has until October 2028 — an extra year — before it must share food assistance benefit costs with the federal government. A recent report from the Civic Federation estimates Illinois’ shared cost for SNAP benefits to be $550 million. Read more here.
Digital Transaction Tax Faces Legal Challenge: As part of the FY 27 budget package, Illinois enacted the nation’s first tax on cryptocurrency and digital asset transactions, set to take effect January 1, 2027. This week, the Digital Chamber of Commerce sued, arguing the tax is unconstitutional because it targets certain financial instruments based on how transactions are recorded. The tax, part of a broader effort to balance the state’s $56 billion budget, is expected to raise $60 million. The lawsuit alleges the law violates due process and interstate commerce protections by taxing property because it is recorded on a blockchain, rather than because it represents a fundamentally new type of property. Read more here.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: The Casey electric vehicle charging station, the first charging station built in the state through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, is now open.
IDOT awarded $23.5 million in the third round of NEVI funding for 29 projects that will expand Illinois’ interstate EV charging network. The grants will support 140 new charging ports, with each site offering at least four DC fast chargers capable of fully charging a typical EV in under 30 minutes. Read more here.
Electric Vehicle Rebates: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is offering the next EV Rebate Program application cycle, which will open Saturday, August 1, 2026, and run through Thursday, December 31, 2026. Forms and instructions on submitting a rebate application are available on the Illinois EPA’s EV Rebate Program webpage. Read more here.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is making $5 million available through the Section 319(h) Grant Program for projects that address nonpoint source pollution. The program focuses on areas of the state vulnerable to nonpoint source pollution and supports the development and implementation of watershed management plans that benefit local watersheds.
The Section 319(h) Grant Program prioritizes projects that carry out elements of an Illinois EPA-approved watershed-based plan or Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan. Eligible activities include best management practice implementation, environmental monitoring, social indicator monitoring, and outreach.
The $5 million includes up to $500,000 for watershed-based planning projects, $250,000 for education and information projects, $150,000 for monitoring projects, and $3.7 million for BMP projects. Actual funding depends on the final U.S. EPA budget approved by Congress and the allocation awarded to Illinois. The NOFO is available here. Read more here.
Quantum News: Zero Point Cryogenics (ZPC), a North American manufacturer of ultra-low-temperature cryogenic systems, is establishing its first U.S. location at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago. ZPC’s new facility will house its U.S. research and development, sales, and service operations, strengthening the supply chain for quantum technologies while creating high-quality jobs. The initiative is backed by Illinois’ Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act (MICRO) Program. Read more here.
Illinois has received roughly $30 million in federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub. This funding aims to enhance quantum technologies by expanding domestic manufacturers of quantum components and strengthening supply chains. It represents a key advancement for technological innovation in Illinois, promoting equitable job opportunities and positioning the state and the nation as leaders in quantum technology and semiconductor innovation. Read more here.
IDOT Seeking Input Through Traveler Opinion Survey: The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking the public for their feedback on the state’s transportation system and the agency’s performance through the annual Traveler Opinion Survey. The survey is through August 11.
IDOL Recovers Unpaid Wages: The Illinois Department of Labor has recovered more than $67,000 in unpaid wages for eight employees after an investigation found prevailing wage violations by Absolute Home Improvements & Cleaning Service on a public works project in Lake County. Read more here.
Workers’ Compensation Commission: Governor Pritzker reappointed Gerald Napleton to serve as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Napleton has served as an Arbitrator on the Workers’ Compensation Commission since his initial appointment in 2020. Previously, Napleton served as Associate Attorney at Ridge & Downes, P.C., where he handled prosecution of workers’ compensation and personal injury matters for injured clients.
OTHER NEWS:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Contemplates Future of PJM: The White House is increasingly concerned that PJM Interconnection LLC, which serves 67 million people from Virginia to Illinois, may not be able to provide reliable electricity at reasonable prices as demand from new data centers surges. Last week, a PJM auction failed for the third consecutive time to secure enough future supply commitments to ensure reliable service in the years ahead. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a one-day conference to evaluate next steps. Senior White House officials noted all options should be considered, including breaking up PJM, allowing some states to leave, or restructuring the organization and its governance. Read more here and here.
AG Raoul Files Lawsuit Over Federal Counterterrorism Funding: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, leading a coalition of 26 states, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s attempt to use federal funds to pressure states into complying with its political priorities. The lawsuit targets conditions set by FEMA and DHS that unlawfully impose requirements on states regarding election laws and immigration enforcement in exchange for federal funding meant for emergency preparedness. These conditions threaten to withhold billions, including over $40 million in annual Homeland Security Grant Program funding for Illinois, if states do not alter their election systems to align with federal goals. The coalition argues that this coerces states to forfeit years of investment in their election systems just to secure unrelated funding. 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.
Jessica Dixon Heitman was appointed to complete the term of former Representative Harry Benton and replace him on the November ballot. She was selected over six other challengers by the Democratic Party chairs in Will and Kendall counties. Heitman is the granddaughter of the late two-term United States Senator Alan Dixon.
The House Special Investigating Committee will hold its first hearing on August 6 in Room 114 of the Capitol. The Committee is charged with investigating Representative Carol Ammons following her indictment.
The Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously to release the Legislative Inspector General’s report concerning the complaint against former State Representative Harry Benton. The State Officials and Employees Ethics Act allows both the respondent and complainant to review the report, suggest redactions, and provide a response for publication alongside the report, if they choose. The LEC intends to have this process completed by July 31st.