GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Executive Order: Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-07 to establish the Illinois Artificial Intelligence Cabinet, which will include experts from various fields to assess AI risks to public safety. This initiative aims to prepare the state for AI-related incidents, safeguard public assets and infrastructure, and enhance AI safety and accountability. The cabinet will provide expert recommendations, develop incident-preparedness policies, and evaluate regulatory measures to address AI’s impact on the state. The cabinet will include representatives from key state agencies, and the governor will appoint additional members in the coming weeks. Read more here and here.
Illinois Launches Reproductive Healthcare Hub: Governor Pritzker announced the launch of the Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub, the State’s new website centralizing resources for those making decisions about their reproductive health. This new online hub provides a one-stop shop for information on accessing and paying for care, while also informing Illinois residents about their rights.
The Reproductive Health Care Hub helps site visitors evaluate health care options, connect with providers, find low-cost or free pathways to care, and learn more about birth control options, abortion resources, and pregnancy and postpartum services.
The hub will also help patients, providers, and other stakeholders understand the protections Illinois law provides, including rights under the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and rights that apply to emergency care, among others. People who believe their rights have been violated will be directed to appropriate resources. Read more here.
Medicaid Coverage Update: The Pritzker administration is notifying more than 700,000 Illinois residents that they may lose Medicaid coverage because of new federal changes from H.R. 1. Half of those affected are in Cook County. Starting October 1, around 8,500 non-U.S. citizens with legal status, like refugees, will lose their coverage. Next year, approximately 700,000 people who gained Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could lose coverage if they do not meet new work or volunteer requirements and prove eligibility every six months instead of annually. This group consists of adults aged 19 to 64 without children under 18 at home. They must work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month or be enrolled in school part-time. Certain individuals are exempt, including pregnant or postpartum enrollees, parents of young children, and those who are medically frail. Coverage loss for non-compliant individuals could begin as early as April 1. Read more here. Read the letter here.
LIHEAP Assistance Available: Eligible families are encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income-eligible households with utility costs for natural gas, propane, and electricity. Applications will open October 1, 2026, and will remain open through August 13, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. Read more here.
Manufacturing Training Academy Grants: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded over $20 million in capital grants to establish five new Manufacturing Training Academies (MTAs) at community colleges in downstate Illinois. These academies aim to prepare residents for well-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing and help employers find skilled workers. The funding will enhance training facilities at Illinois Central College, Kaskaskia College, Lake Land College, Lewis and Clark Community College, and Parkland College. Programs will focus on high-demand sectors such as automation, robotics, industrial maintenance, machining, metal fabrication, and biomanufacturing. Read more here.
State Resources Available for Buyer of Tyson Foods Facility: Illinois is using Invest in Illinois Fund resources to help attract a buyer for Tyson Foods’ former beef facility in Joslin, aiming to restore operations, support jobs and the state’s beef industry, sustain Quad Cities economic activity, and add beef production capacity. The move follows Tyson’s announcement that it would close its Joslin, Illinois, and Eagle City, Utah, facilities as part of a broader beef-business restructuring tied to historic cattle shortages, affecting nearly 2,500 Illinois employees. The State is assisting impacted workers while pursuing new investment at the site. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed Dustin Ramage to serve as a Member of the Capital Development Board.
104TH ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly remains adjourned until the call of the Presiding Officers. Veto Session is scheduled for November 17 – 19 and December 1 – 3.
The Legislative Ethics Commission voted to appoint David E. Risley as Acting Legislative Inspector General, effective October 1, 2026. Risley is a Certified Inspector General with more than 30 years of investigative and prosecutorial experience, including service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. He has also investigated crimes against humanity in Iraq through the U.S. Regime Crimes Liaison Office, served as Ethics Officer for the Illinois Department of Transportation, advised the Office of the Illinois Legislative Inspector General on legal and ethics matters, and earned Certified Inspector General and Investigator accreditation from the Association of Inspectors General.
Representative Carol Ammons now faces a general election opponent. Champaign businessman Keith Smith has filed to challenge Ammons as a write-in candidate for the 103rd House District seat. Prosecutors indicted Ammons two months ago on 10 federal counts, including wire fraud, making a false statement, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. They allege she used campaign funds and state grants to benefit herself and her daughter. Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, faces two obstruction-related counts. Both have pleaded not guilty. Ammons last faced a general election challenger in 2020, when she won with 79% of the vote. Read more here.
OTHER NEWS:
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced he is running for reelection to a second term. Johnson will face a crowded field of 9 candidates: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias (who is also running for reelection), Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza (who is not seeking reelection), businessman Willie Wilson, Chicago Housing Authority commissioner Matt Brewer, Congressman Mike Quigley (who is also running for reelection), Cook County Board of Review commissioner George Cardenas, lobbyist John Kelly, businessman Joe Holberg, and cardiologist Dr. Lisa Nee. The mayoral election is February 23. If no candidate receives a majority vote, the runoff election will be held April 6. Read more here.
Federal Judge Rules in SNAP Lawsuit: Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a federal judge has permanently blocked the Trump administration from imposing penalties on states, including Illinois, related to their SNAP operations. The ruling upholds a preliminary injunction from December 2025, favoring Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general by rejecting the administration’s restrictions on food assistance for lawful permanent residents and affirming that states are entitled to a “grace period” to implement new guidance. Read more here.
States Reach Settlement With Auto Financer: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a bipartisan coalition of 41 states, reached a settlement with Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC) that offers $694 million in cash and debt relief to consumers affected by their auto loans. As one of the largest auto finance companies, CAC primarily serves consumers with limited credit. The settlement also enforces new requirements for CAC, including clear disclosures about loan risks, protections against negative outcomes from risky loans, and safeguards against dealers adding unwanted services to auto-loan contracts. Read more here.
Generic Drug Compensation: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a bipartisan group of 47 attorneys general, is encouraging consumers to check their eligibility for compensation related to certain generic drug purchases. They have sought preliminary approval to distribute settlement funds from generic drug manufacturers that allegedly conspired to raise drug prices, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut granted it. Read more here.
Attorney General Opposes Proposed Federal Healthcare Rules: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a coalition of 24 attorneys general, filed a comment letter opposing a proposed federal rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This rule could jeopardize federal Medicaid funding and disrupt state oversight of health insurance and health insurance exchanges. The coalition argues that CMS is overstepping its authority by attempting to change rules beyond what Congress has approved. The public, including states, is given an opportunity to provide feedback before such rules can be enacted. Read more here.