104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The General Assembly will convene in Veto Session November 17 – 19 and December 1 – 3. The General Assembly has no gubernatorial vetoes to consider in the upcoming session and will instead focus on other, more urgent, high-profile matters. Note: bills passed during Veto Session with an immediate effective date require a supermajority vote in both chambers.
Bears stadium legislation is expected to take center stage when lawmakers return to Springfield for next week’s veto session. The goal is a compromise that keeps the team in Illinois without burdening taxpayers, while balancing Chicago’s interests with the suburbs’. Senator Bill Cunningham, the Senate’s lead negotiator on the legislation, said summer talks focused on a stadium-authority model that would let a municipality build a privately financed, publicly owned stadium. The Senate passed a stadium-authority proposal this spring, while the House approved a broader economic development package with incentives for a potential stadium in Arlington Heights. According to Senator Cunningham, the Bears have grown more comfortable with the Senate’s approach, which would not determine the stadium’s location. Instead, any qualifying Cook County municipality with more than 70,000 residents could create a stadium authority, and other professional sports franchises could also use the model. A final draft of the proposal has not been filed yet.
Potential successors to Speaker Emmanuel Chris Welch are emerging as House Democrats consider who will lead the chamber in the 105th General Assembly. With women expected to make up more than half of the anticipated 85-member caucus, speculation is growing that Democrats could select the House’s first woman Speaker.
Names being circulated include: Representatives Ann Williams, Eva-Dina Delgado, Jehan Gordon-Booth, and Mary Beth Canty. Also being mentioned are Representative Jay Hoffman, Kam Buckner, and Marcus Evans. Williams, Delgado, Gordon-Booth, Hoffman, and Buckner are all members of Welch’s current leadership team. Read more here.
The process for choosing a new Speaker is also taking shape. Leaders of the House’s subcaucuses are reportedly collecting names of members interested in the role. The full caucus will then meet to evaluate the candidates. A vote is not expected before early January. The process, however, remains somewhat fluid.
Personal PAC issued a statement this week urging House Democrats to select a new Speaker who will advocate for abortion and reproductive care protections in Illinois. They emphasize the need for a supportive partner within the Illinois Abortion Access Collaborative to ensure bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. Personal PAC proposes addressing the following key issues by the end of the 2027 session:
1. Amend the Illinois Living Will Act to eliminate the pregnancy exception.
2. Adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates to align with actual care costs.
3. Ensure private insurers comply with the Birth Equity Act to facilitate access to care for pregnant and postpartum patients.
4. Fortify the Reproductive Health Act to prioritize the decisions of pregnant patients and their doctors over outside influences.
The organization further calls on caucus members to oppose any speaker candidates who do not support these initiatives.
The House Special Investigating Committee will hold a hearing on November 17, at 3 pm in Room 114 of the Capitol. The Committee is charged with investigating Representative Carol Ammons, following her federal indictment.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Governor Pritzker Recovers From Medical Procedure: Governor JB Pritzker underwent an unspecified outpatient urology procedure Monday. His office said it is a routine final follow-up to a procedure he underwent in May. Pritzker kept working but did not attend any public events. His team noted, “The Governor is grateful for well-wishes and looks forward to resuming public events soon.”
Quantum Update: IBM unveiled its Quantum System Two in Chicago, marking a major milestone in Illinois’ efforts to strengthen its role as a global leader in quantum computing and advanced technology. Read more here.
Diesel Emissions Reduction Program: Illinois EPA has issued a competitive Call for Partners (CFP) for the U.S. EPA’s 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Program. The agency is seeking Illinois diesel fleet operators to collaborate on eligible projects that reduce emissions and strengthen operational resilience amid rising fuel costs.
Proposals should replace high-use diesel equipment and vehicles with EPA- or CARB-certified options that achieve the greatest emissions reductions allowed under the program.
Priority categories include, but are not limited to:
· Airport ground support equipment: Replace eligible diesel baggage tractors, belt loaders, and tugs.
· Ground power and auxiliary equipment: Replace diesel power units and similar equipment contributing to airport noise and emissions.
· Nonroad heavy equipment: Replace eligible diesel construction, industrial, or material-handling equipment in freight, logistics, and other high-impact sectors.
· Medium- and heavy-duty on-road vehicles: Replace eligible Class 5–8 vehicles—including long-haul tractors, vocational, refuse, and delivery trucks—with comparable vehicles that deliver measurable, sustained emissions reductions.
Read more here.
Danville Awarded Site Readiness Grant: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a $4 million Regional Site Readiness Program award to prepare Danville’s former Quaker Oats facility for redevelopment. Danville’s Capital Ready grant will build on the city’s industrial history by preparing vacant sites for new development. The city owns the Heatcraft site and recently acquired the former Quaker property. The state investment will restore reliable access and eliminate flood risk—a previous redevelopment barrier — to make the property shovel-ready for heavy industry, manufacturing, and logistics. Read more here.
Illinois Gaming Board: The Illinois Gaming Board is joining the International Association of Gaming Regulators in a global campaign to help consumers avoid illegal online gambling. Before wagering, consumers can use www.checkbeforeyouplay.org to check whether a site is licensed in their jurisdiction. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker reappointed Roxanne Nava to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.
OTHER NEWS:
COGFA October Revenue Report: In October, Illinois’ General Funds revenue decreased by $264 million, or 6.3%, compared to the previous year, due mainly to a significant drop in Transfers In and lower receipts from various sources. However, the Big Three revenue sources — Sales Tax, Corporate Income Tax, and Personal Income Tax — performed strongly. Sales Tax grew by $175 million (17.1%), Corporate Income Tax increased by $100 million (43.1%), and Personal Income Tax rose by $104 million (4.8%).
The notable decline in Transfers In was expected because a $304 million transfer from the previous year did not recur. Other Sources also fell $171 million, primarily due to timing issues with receipts. Federal Sources declined $92 million, marking two consecutive months of decreases. Despite these setbacks, year-to-date Federal Sources are only down 0.6% compared to last year. Overall, the increases in major taxes were not enough to offset the declines in other areas. Read more here.
COGFA Issues Municipal Pension Fund Report: The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability issued a new report on the financial condition of the Illinois Municipal, Chicago, and Cook County Pension Funds. Read the full report here.
Illinois Pauses THC Product Ban for Certain Hemp Businesses: Illinois will delay enforcement of a ban on hemp products for certain plaintiffs until at least November 19, following a lawsuit filed by the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association and other hemp businesses. They sought a temporary restraining order against state restrictions that were set to begin on November 12. The state’s attorney general’s office and various departments have agreed not to enforce the ban against the plaintiffs until a court hearing on November 19. However, the law will still be enforced against others starting November 12. The hemp industry claims the new law could lead to significant financial losses. The lawsuit includes several businesses that sell hemp and cannabinoid products, and they are contesting provisions that restrict the sale of products with more than 0.4 mg of THC. Read more here.
AG Raoul Joins Effort to Pass Kids Online Safety Act: Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a bipartisan coalition of 45 attorneys general calling on Congress to pass the Senate’s version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to strengthen protections for children and teens online. Read more here.