104th ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly returns for the final week of the two-week Veto Session on October 28 – 30.
This week, Representative Hoffman filed an omnibus energy package on HA # 3 to SB 25 (Hastings/Hoffman). The legislation makes numerous changes regarding energy planning and sustainability. Creates the Municipal and Cooperative Electric Utility Transparent Planning Act, mandating integrated resource planning for electric co-ops and municipalities. Tasks the Illinois Commerce Commission with adopting new rules and amending various existing laws to support energy transition and electrification programs. Updates to the Energy Transition Act, Electric Vehicle Act, Illinois Power Agency Act, and more, focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, and electrification initiatives. Introducing various programs, such as the Thermal Energy Network Revolving Loan Program and the Solar Bill of Rights, as well as changes affecting commercial energy storage, wind, and solar facilities. Modifies requirements for public utilities, permits, greenhouse gas regulations, and nuclear safety, establishing new oversight bodies and program supports. HA #3 is currently pending in the House Rules Committee. SB 25 is scheduled to be heard in the House Executive Committee next week.
In addition to posting committee hearings on specific legislation, the House has scheduled three subject-matter hearings for next week. A full list of House hearings is available here. Subject-matter hearings are noted below. The Senate does not have any hearings scheduled at this time.
10/28/2025 4:00 PM – Agriculture & Conservation Committee
Room 115 – Capitol Building – Springfield, IL
Subject Matter: Global Trade Changes and their impact on Illinois Agriculture
10/29/2025 8:00 AM – Gun Violence Prevention Committee
118 and Virtual Room 2 – Capitol Building – Springfield, IL
Subject Matter: Gun Violence Prevention: Community Violence Intervention
10/29/2025 9:00 AM – Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee
114 and Virtual Room 1 – Capitol Building – Springfield, IL
Subject Matter: Effects of Federal Reconciliation Package (HR 1) on Medicaid
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Executive Order: Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-06 to establish the Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC). This independent board will document the conduct of federal law enforcement agents and recommend actions to hold the federal government accountable for military-style operations in Illinois. The Commission will collect testimonies and information from various community members and experts to highlight misconduct by federal agents under the Trump Administration and create a public record for pursuing justice and accountability. Read more here.
Illinois Receives Credit Upgrade: Illinois received its 10th credit rating upgrade in just over four years, with Moody’s raising the state’s rating to A2 for its general obligation bonds. This upgrade recognizes the state’s financial improvements, including passing seven balanced budgets, eliminating the bill backlog, and boosting the rainy-day fund to nearly $2.4 billion. The Governor celebrated the upgrade, saying it reflects Illinois’ commitment to economic growth and fiscal stability. Read more here.
IDOT Revising Upcoming Letting and Contracting Process: The Illinois Department of Transportation started the recertification process for firms in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. To support small, disadvantaged businesses, IDOT will remove certain contracts from its November letting, allowing more time for recertification while maintaining access to federal funding. This adjustment is a response to new federal rules from the Trump administration that could hinder local minority- and women-owned firms from participating in state contracts. IDOT will focus on contracts critical to public safety for the November letting, which involve 144 projects valued at approximately $409 million. The selection of contracts and timelines for the paused contracts are still under review. Read more here,
Next Gen Housing Applications Open: Applications are now open for the 2026 Next Gen Capacity Building Initiative, offered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Next Gen provides training, technical support, and financial guidance to help for-profit and nonprofit developers deliver affordable housing across Illinois, with a focus on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit expertise. Read more here.
OTHER NEWS:
2026 Election Update:
Governor: With only two weeks remaining to gather signatures for the 2026 election cycle, Rick Heidner, a real estate developer and founder of Gold Rush Gaming, has officially filed paperwork to run for governor as a Republican. He has selected Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Also running on the Republican ticket are former State Senator Darren Bailey, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and conservative activist Ted Dabrowski.
56th Senate District: Kevin Hall, a former Edwardsville Township supervisor, is running for the Illinois State Senate in the 56th District.
AG Continues Support of Planned Parenthood: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with 20 other attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit against a budget reconciliation law that eliminates federal funding for its health services. The so-called Defund Provision blocks federal Medicaid funding for essential medical services, including cancer screenings and STI testing, despite federal law already prohibiting abortion funding. The attorneys general argue that Planned Parenthood often serves as the only reproductive health care provider in rural and underserved areas due to many other providers not accepting Medicaid patients. Read more here.
AG Raoul Joins Multistate Lawsuit Seeking to Protect Gender Affirming Care Privacy: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a coalition of 19 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief opposing the Trump administration’s subpoena for documents, including patient records, related to gender-affirming care at Boston Children’s Hospital. They urge the court to uphold a previous ruling that quashed the subpoena, arguing that the federal government is attempting to intimidate medical providers from offering necessary care to transgender youth. The coalition warns that accepting the Department of Justice’s interpretation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act could put healthcare practitioners at risk of criminal charges for providing evidence-based treatments, particularly in the pediatric field where off-label prescriptions are common. Read more here.
SNAP Benefits: The USDA notified states that if the federal government shutdown persists, November SNAP benefits will not be funded. Starting November 1, 2025, no new food benefits will be available for SNAP recipients during a shutdown. Read more here.