Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (5/29)

ILLINOIS

House passes $53.1 billion FY25 budget

In the early morning hours Wednesday, the House passed the $53.1 billion operating and capital appropriations budget (SB 251) by a vote of 065-045-000. The Budget Implementation Act (HB 4959) passed by a more narrow vote of 062-046-000.

Despite holding a Democratic super-majority in the House, its passage was followed by over four hours of theatrics, procedural maneuvering, and three vote attempts in order to pass the Omnibus Revenue bill (HB 4951) by a vote of 060-047-000, the minimum number of votes needed to approve a revenue package.

The package counts on more than $1.1 billion in revenue increases, including a $200 million graduated tax hike on sportsbooks; capping the discount that retailers receive for collecting sales tax at $1,000 per month; and extending limits on the amount of operating losses corporations can write off on their income taxes, which is expected to generate another $526 million for the state.

Lawmakers also voted 086-020-000 to eliminate the 1% statewide grocery tax (HB 3144), although the tax will remain in place until Jan. 1, 2026. Municipalities will be able to implement their own grocery tax of up to 1% without a referendum and without requiring fees.

A comprehensive end-of-session recap on the budget and other notable bills from this session will be included in Friday’s Illinois Insights update.

| AROUND THE STATE

Bill that would make key changes to Prisoner Review Board isn’t called for a vote

“Despite garnering strong bipartisan support from lawmakers, legislation that would make significant changes to the state’s embattled Prisoner Review Board was not called for a vote in the Illinois House before the chamber adjourned for the summer on Wednesday,” by the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois set to adopt ‘nation-leading’ carbon pipeline, storage rules

“The Illinois Legislature on Sunday passed a 104-page ‘SAFE CCS Act’ meant to create standards for the burgeoning carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry. The legislation includes a pause on carbon pipelines until July 2026 or until the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration updates its safety rules,” by E&E News Politico.

Lawmakers leave Springfield without regulating delta-8, other hemp products

“A bill that would’ve banned sales of pot-like delta-8 products sailed through the Illinois Senate, but never made it to the floor of the state House. That means the mind-altering products will be unchecked for yet another summer in Chicago and beyond,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Senate president says he accepts Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pledge not to close schools: ‘This is a business based on trust.’

“Illinois Senate President Don Harmon said he passed on putting a measure to extend a moratorium on public school closings in Chicago to a vote because he accepted Mayor Brandon Johnson’s promise not to shut down any schools or deplete funding for selective enrollment schools,” by the Chicago Tribune.

CHICAGO

| MORE FROM CITY HALL

Mayor Johnson Announces Kennedy Bartley as Managing Deputy for External Relations

“Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Kennedy Bartley into the new position of Managing Deputy for External Relations. In this role, Bartley will bring her years of organizing and service to Chicago as a liaison for the City with labor unions, community groups, elected officials, and other external stakeholders, many of which were instrumental in Mayor Johnson’s historic victory last year,” from the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

CPS releases schools budget under new funding formula as $391M deficit looms

“Chicago Public Schools unveiled its fiscal year 2025 schools budget Tuesday, the first to do away with enrollment-based budgeting and take on a new need-based formula,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

$27 million streetscape project will transform Logan Square, officials say

“Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) joined Mayor Brandon Johnson to break ground Wednesday on the project that will finally deliver on the vision brought to Ramirez-Rosa by Logan Square Preservation shortly after he took office in 2015,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

O’Hare modernization: City unveils designs for Satellite Concourse 1 at O’Hare Global Terminal

“The Chicago O’Hare Airport expansion and modernization project took another step forward Tuesday as Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the Department of Aviation to unveil the design of O’Hare’s Satellite Concourse 1,” by ABC 7 Chicago.

Environment committee to consider measure to create anti-littering ad campaign and hold hearing on ComEd heat emergency preparedness

“The City Council’s environment committee meeting will meet Wednesday to hold a subject matter hearing on Commonwealth Edison’s preparedness ahead of summer and to vote on the creation of a citywide advertising campaign for reducing litter,” by The Daily Line.

If you have any questions regarding this update or if you’re interested in ways to engage on these issues, please contact one of our team members here.

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