104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly concluded the first week of a two-week Veto Session. The Senate met on Tuesday and Wednesday but canceled its Thursday session. Meanwhile, the House met as scheduled from Tuesday through Thursday. Both chambers will reconvene for the final week of Veto Session, October 28 – 30.
As expected, action this week was fairly light. Caucuses in both chambers met to strategize and discuss potential agenda items. Both the House and Senate positioned legislation for potential action during the Veto Session (and beyond), and a handful of amendments were filed. A few committees met to discuss specific legislation, while others held subject matter hearings on various issues. In terms of specific action, the House considered one amendatory veto and several non-binding resolutions, while the Senate passed three bills, approved one motion to concur, and approved several resolutions.
No action was taken on the more controversial issues of energy, the transit fiscal cliff, and immigration enforcement. Highlights of this week’s action follow.
Veto Action: The House acted on one veto this week, accepting the Governor’s recommendations for change, by a vote of 74 – 38, to HB 2568 (Katz Muhl/Harmon), creating the Equality for Every Family Act. The Governor’s amendatory veto corrected drafting errors. The Senate now takes up the measure.
Other Items Under Consideration:
The House Labor and Commerce Committee unanimously approved HFA # 1 to HB 507 (Williams), which amends the Workplace Transparency Act to remove references to “consequential damages” in provisions on recoverable damages. The measure is now pending before the full House.
By a vote of 45-5, the Senate approved SB 642 (Collins/Welch), which, as amended, extends TIFS for the cities of Chicago, Mattoon, and Sterling, along with the Village of Millstadt. The bill now heads to the House.
The Senate approved SB 618 (Castro), by a vote of 51-0, which, as amended, represents a liquor omnibus. The measure now heads to the House for consideration. The bill makes several changes, including:
· Establishing a Class 3 Craft Distiller license, permitting manufacturers to produce up to 100,000 gallons of spirits annually. Class 3 craft distillers may apply to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) for self-distribution authority, limited to 2,500 gallons per year.
· Introducing a spirit showcase permit for licensed craft distillers and clarifying alcohol delivery regulations according to the ILCC interpretation — ensuring that cocktails or mixed drinks in original manufacturer packaging remain eligible for delivery.
· Amending the Cocktails to Go law to exclude products delivered in sealed, original manufacturing containers and requiring that individuals delivering cocktails obtain the signature of a recipient aged 21 or older.
· Making permanent the Cocktails to Go initiative and prohibiting third-party retailer delivery license holders from facilitating such deliveries.
· Eliminating the tax bond requirement for businesses with less than $50,000 in tax liabilities when renewing a manufacturer or importing distributor license.
· Permiting special event retailers to operate on or off premises (if specified in the license).
· Creating loyalty programs for craft crew licenses.
The House State Government and Administration Committee unanimously approved HFA # 2 to H2333 (Andrade), which eliminates the Illinois Senate’s requirement for advice and consent in appointing the Secretary of State’s Director of Personnel and the Comptroller’s Director of Human Resources under the respective Merit Employment Codes. The underlying bill modernizes terminology and procedures for technology and travel vouchers for state agencies; updates the terms “electronic data processing” to “information technology” in various statutes; allows agencies to submit electronic travel vouchers to the Office of the Comptroller; and requires the Comptroller to publish specific payroll information on its website. The measure is now pending before the full House.
The Senate Executive Committee concurred 9-4 with HA # 4 to SB 1989 (Koehler/Hoffman), which transfers the Southwest Regional Port District into the Kaskaskia Regional Port District. The full Senate now takes up the bill.
The Senate unanimously approved changes to the Open
Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. SB 243 (Porfirio/Didech) heads to the Governor’s desk.
By a vote of 44-8, the Senate approved HB 2394 (Benton/Loughran Cappel), allowing vehicles powered by propane, natural gas, or hydrogen to exceed the weight limit by approximately 2,000 pounds — making the limit comparable to that of diesel tanks and fueling systems. The sponsor noted that lowering carbon emissions is the goal of the bill, now being sent to the Governor’s desk.
Local Democrats selected Margaret DeLaRosa as state representative for the 42nd District, replacing Terra Costa Howard, who is now a circuit court judge. DeLaRosa, from Glen Ellyn, serves on the Glenbard Township District 87 School Board and is a former president of the Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Illinois Governor Joins Governor’s Health Coalition: Governor JB Pritzker has joined a coalition of Democratic governors aimed at countering the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the CDC, cut Medicaid, and spread vaccine misinformation. The Governors’ Public Alliance seeks to protect states from what Pritzker’s office describes as a “war on science” by collaborating with the global health community, sharing best practices, enhancing vaccine procurement efforts, and developing health policies. Also part of the coalition are governors from Washington, Hawaii, New York, Oregon, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Guam. Read more here and here.
SNAP Benefits: Federal officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have notified all states that they will not fund November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the federal government shutdown, now in its third week, continues. As a result, SNAP customers will not have access to any new food benefits starting on November 1, 2023. Read more here.
Stellantis Announces Plans to Reopen Belvidere Facility: Stellantis has announced a capital investment of $613 million in its Belvidere facility, resulting in the creation of 3,300 jobs in Illinois. Two new vehicle lines will be created: the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Cherokee. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has worked with Stellantis on a comprehensive incentive package to reopen the plant and rehire autoworkers. Discussions of these incentives are ongoing. The Governor cited the initiative as a significant achievement for Illinois workers, the state’s economy, and the future of American manufacturing.
Prisoner Review Board: Holly Lemons has been appointed as a Member of the Prisoner Review Board. She has over 15 years of experience in government administration and judicial education, currently serving as Professional Development Manager at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Lemons has held several leadership roles within the Illinois Judicial College and previously served for more than ten years as Circuit Court Clerk of Montgomery County. She has also been president of the Illinois Association of Court Clerks and chair of the Illinois Judicial College Committee on Circuit Clerk Education. Lemons was named Illinois County Official of the Year in 2020 and holds advanced degrees in criminal justice, psychology, and British/American literature.
Department on Aging Offers Free Medicare Enrollment Help: The Illinois Department on Aging is urging Medicare recipients to evaluate their plans during the Open Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, 2025. Either online or in person, individuals can get free assistance and info about health and drug plan options through the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). For those who change plans, new coverage begins on January 1, 2026. More information is here.
New Zero-Emission Battery Electric Locomotive Launches: The launch of a new zero-emission electric locomotive by Motive Power Resources was recently marked by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Supported by a REV Illinois agreement, MPR is expanding its facilities to produce more IRT-designed battery electric locomotives and retrofit diesel engines for use in the US and Canada. Read more here.
ILETSB Camera Grant Program: The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board opened the application period for the Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Camera Grant, offering over $56 million in state funding to equip police agencies with video technology. Grants can be up to $3 million and aim to enhance accountability and transparency while providing modern tools for officers. Eligible expenses include body-worn cameras, in-car video systems, data storage, and training for personnel. The program allows for flexible funding options, covers pre-award costs from July 1, 2025, and is open to various local government entities in Illinois. The application deadline is December 31 at 5 p.m. Read more here.
OTHER NEWS:
2026 Election Update: The petition filing period opens on October 27 and closes on November 3. Highlights from this week’s announcements are below.
Attorney General: Bob Fioretti formally kicked off his Republican campaign for Attorney General this week. Fioretti, a Democrat turned Republican, is a civil rights attorney and former Chicago Alderman.
7th Congressional District: Kina Collins is making a fourth attempt for the 7th Congressional District, entering a crowded Democratic primary field to replace Congressman Danny Davis.
State Files Lawsuit Against State Farm: Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against State Farm, claiming the insurer refused to comply with a regulatory examination into its homeowner business.
The suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of Illinois Director of Insurance Ann Gillespie, alleges State Farm did not provide state examiners with data related to premiums, types of policy coverage, insurance limits, and claims against homeowners’ policies. Read more here and here.