104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly is set to begin the 2026 Spring Session in January, marking the second year of the two-year legislative cycle. The Illinois Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, January 13, through Thursday, January 15. The House of Representatives will reconvene the following week, from Tuesday, January 20, through Thursday, January 22.
January 16 is the deadline to request a bill be drafted for spring consideration. February 6 is the deadline to file legislation.
Key 2026 Session Dates:
January 16: LRB Deadline — Both Chambers
February 6: Bill Filing Deadline — Both Chambers
February 18: Governor’s Budget and State of the State Address
March 13: Deadline — Substantive Senate Bills out of Committee
March 27: Deadline — Substantive House Bills out of Committee
March 17: Primary Election
April 17: Deadline — 3rd Reading Substantive Bills in First Chamber
May 8: Deadline — Substantive Bills out of Committee in Second Chamber
May 22: Deadline — 3rd Reading Substantive Bills in Second Chamber
May 31: Adjournment
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
College Enrollment: Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education announced that public universities in Illinois reached the highest enrollment in a decade, with nearly 190,000 students enrolled for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year. This marks the second consecutive year of enrollment growth in Illinois public universities, according to the IBHE’s annual First Look Fall Enrollment report. Read more here.
Medical Debt: Governor JB Pritzker announced that the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program has eliminated nearly $430 million in medical debt in its first year, benefiting 357,800 residents across all counties. On average, recipients saw over $1,100 in debt erased. The state is on track to eliminate $1 billion in medical debt over several years. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· Jeanne McDonald will serve as a Member of the Illinois Community College Board.
· Karen Phelan will continue to serve as a Member of the State Board of Health.
· Jimmy L. Arce will serve as a Commissioner of the Illinois Accountability Commission.
· Ric Estrada will serve as a Commissioner of the Illinois Accountability Commission.
· Robert Gordon will serve as a Member of the Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Advisory Board.
Other News:
October Revenue Report: The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability released its October update, showing Illinois’ General Funds remained stable, with a modest $24 million (0.6%) increase, and overall fiscal-year growth reached $474 million (2.9%). Personal Income Tax collections declined by $81 million (3.6%), moderating after a strong rise in September, while Corporate Income Tax receipts bounced back, rising $42 million (22.1%). Transfers played a key role, especially a $304 million influx from the Income Tax Refund Fund, complemented by increased wagering-related transfers. Sales Tax income increased by $15 million (1.5%), but net amounts decreased due to larger allocations to transportation funds. Other state revenue streams were steady, benefiting mainly from higher interest earnings and insurance taxes. Federal revenues totaled $387 million, slightly surpassing last year’s levels. Read more here.
Wetland Protection: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced changes to the Clean Water Act that will reduce protections for wetlands, prompting environmental groups in Illinois to call for legislative safeguards. The state has already lost 90% of its original wetlands, and a recent Supreme Court ruling has further diminished federal protections for about 72% of the remaining wetlands in Illinois. According to environmental groups, this leaves more than 700,000 acres vulnerable to pollution and destruction. Illinois currently lacks comprehensive state-level protections for these ecosystems, with only limited local protection in certain areas. Environmental advocates emphasize the urgency of preserving what is left. Read more here.
Supportive Housing: Housing advocates in the Chicago area are concerned that over 8,500 formerly homeless individuals may lose their homes due to new funding rules announced by the Trump administration. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has shifted its priorities away from housing-first policies, which have been widely supported for over a decade. Illinois relies heavily on HUD funding for affordable housing and rent subsidies, particularly for those with disabilities and mental illness. A new policy will cap spending from the $182 million allocated to Illinois, with Chicago and Cook County receiving about $140 million. Currently, 80% of this funding supports permanent housing for people with disabilities, but by January, HUD will require that this percentage be reduced to one-third. Read more here.
Digital Driver’s Licenses Now Available: On November 19, 2025, the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State began issuing Mobile Identification Cards, allowing users to present their driver’s licenses and state IDs digitally via their Apple devices. Mobile IDs can serve as valid age verification for individuals 21 and older, similar to physical IDs. However, businesses must verify the validity of Mobile IDs using the ILSOS Mobile ID Check App, available free to licensed establishments. This initiative aims to enhance safety and security by reducing the risk of counterfeit IDs. Retailers may also use ISO 18013-5 compliant readers for verification, though this may involve additional costs. Read more here and here.
Illinois Commerce Commission: The Illinois Commerce Commission voted this week to reduce Northern Illinois Gas Company’s (Nicor) rate request for natural gas delivery services by $146.5 million, cutting the original request from $314.3 million by nearly 47 percent. The approved return on equity (ROE) is now 9.60 percent, down from Nicor’s requested 10.35 percent. Additionally, the ICC requires Nicor to maintain a 3 percent energy burden for all customers by adjusting the low-income discount, which is a standard measure of affordability. Read more here.
The Illinois Commerce Commission also approved a significant reduction in Ameren Illinois’ rate request for natural gas delivery services, cutting it by $55.8 million from an initial $128.8 million, representing about a 43 percent decrease. The commission granted a 9.60 percent return on equity (ROE), lower than the company’s requested 10.70 percent. Additionally, Ameren is directed to maintain a 3 percent energy burden for all customers by adjusting its low-income discount, a measure recognized nationally for affordability. Read more here.