Third Reading Consulting Group
It was a busy week in Springfield as lawmakers pushed toward the April 11 initial chamber third reading deadline. Upon adjourning on April 10th, the House had already sent more than 220 bills to the Senate. In the Senate, more than 150 bills had cleared the floor.
As the General Assembly approaches May, budget negotiations and discussions are also ramping up. Governor JB Pritzker surprised everyone this week, indicating that because of increasing uncertainty on the federal level and chaos in the world economy, lawmakers could have to return to session after the session adjourns at the end of May to consider revisiting the state budget. A spokesman later clarified that the administration is preparing for unpredictable actions from President Trump, who is slashing federal agency and state and local government budgets and slapping on sweeping import tariffs. While there are no concrete plans yet for a special session, lawmakers have had to come back to Springfield for special sessions in times of fiscal uncertainty before, so this wouldn’t be unprecedented.
Despite the uncertainty ahead, Pritzker said he is still in talks with legislative leaders to get a balanced budget passed before the adjournment deadline. He stated that revenue is tracking as forecasted at this point, but cautioned that it can quickly be turned on its head based on the future of Washington. The governor also acknowledged that while lawmakers are eager to introduce new investments, no one has surfaced with a package of reductions necessary to balance out those additions, something he said will be necessary. With the weeks left in the spring session dwindling down, the pressure is on not just to pass legislation, but to produce a budget that can withstand uncertain times.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
May 9 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment