Illinois Legislative News: January 15, 2024
Check out the latest legislative updates from NASL member Third Reading Consulting Group below:
Bill Filing in Progress Ahead of the 2024 Session
With the 2024 General Assembly session scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, the House and Senate have been active in bill filing. House members have been filing bills to be considered this year ever since the end of the 2023 Veto Session. On Wednesday, the Senate re-assigned several bills to substantive committees previously re-referred to the Assignments Committee last year. These bills are likely to be reconsidered in 2024.
The House and Senate are scheduled to be on the floor at noon on Tuesday. As of Friday morning, the only committee posting for next week is the Senate Judiciary at 2:30 PM on Tuesday. Look out for more postings before the session begins.
Bally’s Temporary Casino Finishes 2023 Short of Revenue Projection
Bally’s temporary casino at Medinah Temple closed out 2023 $9.7M short of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s tax revenue estimate. The temporary casino’s initial opening on September 9, 2023 came three months later than Lightfoot anticipated due to state regulatory hurdles that delayed marketing efforts and limited the casino’s hours of operation. Bally’s executives cited these factors as why the temporary casino has underperformed thus far. Currently, the casino is trying to establish a relationship with Chicago’s gaming customers by providing convenient ways to visit the property, including free parking, new promotions, and extended hours. Since November, the casino has seen 11.8% growth in gaming revenues. However, the casino is only on track to generate $9.3M in tax revenue for the City of Chicago by the end of 2024, $25.7M less than Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 budget plan anticipated.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
January 16 – 2024 General Assembly Session Begins
January 19 – House and Senate LRB Request Deadline
February 9 – House and Senate Bill Introduction Deadline
February 21 – Governor’s Budget and State of the State Address
March 15 – Senate Committee Deadline
March 19 – 2024 Primary Election
April 5 – House Committee Deadline
April 12 – Senate Third Reading Deadline
April 19 – House Third Reading Deadline
May 3 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 17 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 24 – Adjournment
May 25-31 – Contingent Session Days for Budget
November 5 – 2024 General Election