Illinois Legislative News: February 10, 2025
Third Reading Consulting Group
February 7 marks the official bill filing deadline for both the Illinois House and Senate. As of now, the Senate has filed over 2,000 bills, while the House has surpassed 3,300, signaling a busy and ambitious legislative session ahead.
One of the more notable proposals this year is the “United We Move Illinois” bill (SB 1938/HB 2963), introduced by the Labor Alliance for Public Transit (LAPT) and sponsored by Senator Ram Villivalam and Assistant House Majority Leader Marcus Evans. The bill aims to address the looming Transit Fiscal Cliff, with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace facing a projected $750 million budget shortfall by 2026. If passed, the measure would focus on improving transit safety, efficiency, and financial stability while preventing service cuts, job losses, and the deterioration of vital infrastructure. Supporters argue that without action, millions of Illinois residents who rely on public transportation could facemajor disruptions.
In other developments this week, the Trump administration took legal action against Illinois, Cook County, and the city of Chicago over their sanctuary policies. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is challenging laws like the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, arguing they prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. According to the DOJ, these policies obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. Attorney General Pam Bondi has made it clear that this lawsuit is just the start, with the administration planning to target other sanctuary jurisdictions as well.
Another major issue gaining attention this week is Illinois’ “trigger” law for Medicaid expansion. The law, enacted in 2013, stipulates that if federal reimbursement for Medicaid falls below 90 percent, Illinois would have to withdraw from the expansion program. With congressional threats to reduce Medicaid funding, lawmakers are bracing for potential challenges. If federal contributions were to decline, Illinois would face a severe financial strain, as the state would be forced to cover a significantly larger portion of the Medicaid expansion costs. This issue is growing in urgency as legislators prepare for the possibility of losing a critical funding source, putting access to healthcare for many vulnerable Illinoisans at risk.
Looking ahead, the Illinois General Assembly will hear Governor Pritzker deliver the State of the State and Budget address on February 19. This speech will provide key insights into his administration’s legislative and fiscal priorities for the year, including potential proposals to address the state’s ongoing budget challenges, economic development initiatives, and pressing policy concerns. Meanwhile, legislative committees will be gearing up for a busy few weeks leading up to the March 21 committee deadline. This period will be critical as lawmakers work to refine bills, negotiate amendments, and build support for key proposals before they can move forward in the legislative process.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
February 19 – Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address
March 21 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline
April 11 – Initial Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 9 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment