104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly remains on summer break. Both chambers will reconvene October 14 through 16 and October 28 through 30 for Veto Session.
The General Assembly is transitioning to a new website, which will be fully operational on July 1. Note, access to the “My Legislation” feature — where you can create bill tracking files and track witness slip filings — will require new login credentials. All existing bill tracking files can be migrated to the new website for continuity and historical reference.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Budget Package Signed Into Law: Governor Pritzker signed the budget package into law on Monday. The $55.1 billion FY 26 budget, scheduled to take effect on July 1, marks the largest spending plan in the state’s history. Next year’s budget anticipates $55.3 billion in expected revenue, which includes more than $700 million in new taxes on tobacco, sports betting, and corporate income, as well as over $500 million in one-time revenues.
The budget package is composed of: SB 2510 (FY 26 Operating and Capital Budgets and FY 25 Supplemental); HB 1075 (Budget Implementation); HB 2755 (Revenue Omnibus); and HB 3374 (Bond Authorization).
Governor Pritzker issued an “item/reduction veto” of the Budget Bill (SB 2510), which reduces approximately $161 million from the Capital Budget. He described this action as a correction of what he termed “drafting errors.” According to the veto messages, this adjustment aligns funding for capital projects with the Bond Authorization legislation as initially intended by the General Assembly. The budget legislation, as line-item/reduction vetoed, will take effect as is, without requiring further action from the General Assembly. Read more here.
Other New Laws: Governor Pritzker also signed the following legislation into law:
· SB 2437 represents the 2025 Medicaid Omnibus legislation.
· SB 2456 represents the 2025 Sunset extension omnibus legislation.
· HB 2771 modifies and makes permanent the Hospital Assessment Program, including provisions for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to collect unpaid assessments from delinquent hospital providers.
· SB 126 requires all state-regulated health insurance plans to provide coverage for all FDA-approved treatments of Alzheimer’s Disease, medications prescribed to slow Alzheimer’s Disease progression, and diagnostic testing necessary for physicians to treat Alzheimer’s Disease.
· HB 742 delays the effective date of the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act until July 1, 2026. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act prohibits banks and credit card companies from charging businesses a fee for the portion of a transaction that is subject to a tip or tax.
· HB 850 reforms the clear and present danger statutes.
Governor Pritzker Testifies Before Congress: Governor JB Pritzker defended his governing record and Illinois’ immigration policies before the U.S. House Oversight Committee last Thursday. Along with Democratic governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Tim Walz of Minnesota, Pritzker answered questions about “sanctuary states.” The hearing included debates on public safety concerns and criticism of the Trump administration’s deportation raids. Read more here.
Made in Illinois Grant Recipients Announced: Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and IMEC announced the 2025 Made in Illinois Grant Program recipients. This year, 29 manufacturers will receive a total of $1.35 million to enhance innovation, efficiency, and growth in Illinois’ manufacturing sector. Read more here.
Elite Special Pathogen Treatment Centers: Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois has partnered with Rush University Medical Center and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to serve as Elite Special Pathogen Treatment Centers. Under agreements with the Illinois Department of Public Health, these hospitals will enhance their capacity to treat diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, and pneumonic plague. This initiative is part of the IDPH’s efforts to bolster global surveillance following the federal government’s exit from the WHO and the reduction in funding for health services. Read more here.
Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) Priority Watershed Implementation Grant: The Illinois EPA is offering a new grant program, the Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) Priority Watershed Implementation grant, which offers up to $788,000 for projects aimed at reducing nitrate loads in Illinois’ surface waters. Eligible best management practices include:
· Denitrifying Bioreactor (CP 605)
· Saturated Buffer (CP 604)
· Constructed Wetland (CP 656)
This funding aims to improve water quality and ensure public water supplies meet nitrate standards. Projects must be located within eligible watersheds and utilize one of the specified Best Management Practices.
The Notice of Funding Opportunities and additional information can be found on Illinois EPA’s GHP Priority Watershed Implementation webpage. Awards for the GHP Priority Watershed Implementation will be made until funds are expended or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first. Applicants must apply through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants: The Illinois EPA is offering $4.4 million in funding through two Section 319(h) Grant Program Notices of Funding Opportunity to combat nonpoint source pollution. The funds are available for watershed-based planning and implementation projects aimed at improving Illinois’ surface and groundwater quality.
The Illinois EPA receives federal funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency via Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. Of the total, up to $400,000 is designated for planning projects, and up to $4 million is allocated for implementation projects. This includes up to $250,000 for Education and Information projects, $150,000 for Monitoring projects, and $3.6 million for Best Management Practices. Actual funding will depend on the final U.S. EPA budget and Illinois’ allocation.
The Notice of Funding Opportunities and additional information can be found on Illinois EPA’s Nonpoint Source Grants webpage. Applications for the Section 319(h) Grant program will be accepted through 1:00 PM (CDT) on July 23, 2025. Applicants must apply through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
ICC Power Grid Workshops: The Illinois Commerce Commission invites the public and community organizations to join June workshops for a safer, more reliable power grid.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) requires Ameren and ComEd to file grid plans that support Illinois’ clean energy goals, outline system investments, and ensure accountability. CEJA requires both utilities to conduct a transparent stakeholder process for the design of their grid plan.
Illinois energy customers and other interested parties are encouraged to join — in person or virtually — in the stakeholder process to learn about the grid planning. More information about the meetings can be found here.
Gaming Board Meeting: The Illinois Gaming Board held its monthly meeting on June 4. A recap of the meeting is here.
Equitable Energy Future Grant Program: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded 27 grants totaling $23 million through the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote equitable growth within the clean energy workforce in Illinois, as outlined in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Additionally, the Governor has announced $25.5 million in grant funding for the third round of the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, which aims to support renewable energy projects in historically underserved communities. Grantees will be chosen via a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity process. Read more here.
DNR Grants: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds and the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant programs from July 1 through August 1. Read more here.
IDOA Allows Poultry Exhibitions to Resume: The Illinois Department of Agriculture is lifting the temporary suspension on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets. The suspension was initially issued in February in response to the ongoing threat of H5N1 avian flu.
Gubernatorial Appointments: The Governor made the following appointments:
· Michele L. Pankow will serve as Illinois State Fire Marshall.
· Melissa Shepherd will serve as a Member of the Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.
· Mohammed Asif will serve as a member of the Illinois State Medical Board.
· Amber Poettker will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Medical Board.
· Henry Mendoza will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission.
· John Holden II will serve as a Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
· Judy Hackett will serve as a Member of the Illinois State Board of Education.
OTHER NEWS:
2026 Election Update:
Community organizer Miracle Jenkins announced his candidacy for the 9th Congressional District, currently held by retiring Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. A Democrat and former staffer for Schakowsky, Jenkins aims to ensure more voices are heard in government. Also entering the Democratic primary this week is Bethany Johnson, an Evanston resident. In addition to Jenkins and Johnson, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, state Senator Laura Fine, content creator Kat Abughazaleh, Skokie’s Bushra Amiwala are also seeking the Democratic nomination.
In the 8th Congressional District, military veteran Dan Tully announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination for the congressional seat currently held by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Dick Durbin.
Melissa Steele is running as a Republican for state representative in the 109th District, facing incumbent Representative Charlie Meier in the primary. She describes herself as “a mother, a neighbor, a survivor” and prioritizes “dismantling DCFS.” Steele believes her life experiences — living in a halfway house, serving time, and now owning a home and a business — make her a strong candidate.
Barrington school board member Erin Chan Ding and former Barrington Village Board candidate Jesse Rojo are running in the Democratic primary for the 52nd District. They will face Maria Peterson for the right to take on Republican Representative Marty McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) in the general election.
CGFA May Revenue Report: In May, overall revenues increased by $325 million (9.2%), slightly surpassing the 9.0% growth rate of the previous month. Transfers and federal receipts primarily drove this increase. Transfers In rose by $220 million (141.9%) due to a $250 million rise in Other Transfers, including a significant $245 million transfer to the General Revenue Fund from the Capital Projects Fund.
Federal Sources contributed an additional $126 million to the GRF, but this amount remained 6.2% lower than the FY 2024 levels. Personal Income Tax decreased by $56 million (2.5%) and Corporate Income Tax declined by $78 million (28.8%) due to one fewer receipting day. Sales Tax saw a slight increase of $10 million (1.0%), while net sales tax revenue decreased by $7 million (0.8%) due to higher allocations to transportation funds. Other State Sources gained $95 million, with notable increases in Insurance Taxes and Fees, Estate Tax, and Corporate Franchise Tax, while Interest on state funds and investments dropped by $37 million. Read the full report here.
Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Appoints New Director: Tracey B. Fleming has been appointed as the Director of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Mary Milano, who is retiring after nearly 20 years. Fleming has served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission for the past five years, focusing on agency reforms and protections against unlawful discrimination, and is committed to equality, disability rights, and inclusive leadership.