Third Reading Consulting Group, NASL member, shares its weekly legislative news update below:
General Assembly Returns to Springfield
The Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield to begin the 2024 session on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a very light first week, and neither the House nor the Senate held any committees or called any bills on the floor. Both chambers decided to cancel Thursday’s session. After a two-week break, the General Assembly will convene again on February 6. Upon return, legislators could consider Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $1B proposed supplemental budget package to address mid-year funding needs, such as migrant services. Most of this year’s legislative action is expected after the March 19 primary election.
Illinois Ranked First in the Midwest for Workforce Development
After finishing second in 2023, Illinois ranked as the top state for workforce development in the Midwest region in 2024, according to Site Selection magazine. The state’s commitment to expanding access to innovative workforce programs and well-paying jobs has been instrumental in securing this position. “The hardworking people of Illinois are at the forefront of our state’s economic progress, making us the top state in the Midwest for workforce development for the second consecutive year,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker, accrediting the citizens of Illinois for the state’s driving economic progress.
The Site Selection magazine ranking recognizes “states that performed well in a set of measures that gauge workforce-related aspects of states’ overall employment climate.” Site Selection only compared Illinois to its peers in the East North Central region: Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio. According to the magazine’s criteria, Illinois surpassed other states in the region in workforce development due to the Pritzker Administration’s investments, such as the over 400 registered apprenticeship programs and a focus on youth apprenticeship programs. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, launched in 2021, was crucial in increasing access to well-paying jobs in trades for historically underrepresented populations. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $40M to diverse organizations and provided more than 4,100 participants with jobs in construction and trade.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
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