Illinois Legislative News: January 26, 2026
Third Reading Consulting Group
The House Convenes for 2026 Session
The House met for three days last week, spending most of its time debating non-binding resolutions on federal issues such as ICE, healthcare subsidies, childcare funding cuts, and tariffs. The chamber wrapped up Thursday morning and will not return until February 17. The Senate is also on a brief break, reconvening on February 3 for three days before returning again on February 17. Legislators in both chambers have until February 6 to file bills for this session.
GOMB Releases Update on Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order Calling on State Agencies to Withhold 4% of Appropriated Funds
Last September, Gov. JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-05, which directed most state agencies to identify and reserve up to 4% of their FY 2026 General Funds appropriations as a safeguard against federal funding changes and broader economic risk. The Executive Order also directed agencies to limit non-essential spending, purchases, and travel, and to prioritize essential roles in hiring. At the time of the order’s signing, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) estimated that withholding 4% of state agency appropriations would result in savings of $301M. Besides counteracting federal government changes and economic uncertainty, the 4% holdback was designed to largely offset a required $303M continuing appropriation to the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), one of Illinois’ five state pension funds, due to an initial FY 2025 contribution that did not meet the statutory requirement.
On Thursday, January 22, GOMB released an update on progress toward the Executive Order, including a list of state agency FY 2026 General Funds reserve targets and approved amounts. State agencies identified a combined total of $481.6M in General Funds savings from reserves under the Executive Order, exceeding the originally projected amount by $180.6M. Below is a breakdown of the savings by service area.
- Healthcare and Human Services: $361.5M (includes $200M from HFS’ decision to forgo a planned transfer to the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund due to a lower-than-expected caseload)
- Higher Education: $30.5M (includes withholding of Gov. Pritzker’s 2% or $25.1M discretionary funding increase to state universities)
- Public Safety: $22.1M
- Economic Development, Environment & Culture: $10.3M
- Government Services: $57.2M
These savings were achieved through administrative efficiencies, staffing adjustments, lower-than-expected caseloads, and cost controls. GOMB noted in its press release that funding for pensions and K-12 education was not impacted.
Looking ahead, Gov. Pritzker is scheduled to deliver his State of the State and FY 2027 budget address on February 18, 2026. Despite stronger-than-expected revenues in the first half of FY 2026, federal cuts and annual spending growth, primarily in pensions, healthcare, and education, pose challenges the state will need to address in FY 2027.
Illinois Joins 11 States in Bid for Earlier 2028 Primary
Illinois Democrats are seeking to move the state’s 2028 primary election to an earlier date in an effort to give Illinois voters greater influence in selecting the next Democratic presidential nominee. Proponents argue Illinois’ primary should be near the front of the calendar because the state is the most demographically similar to the entire United States population, according to analysis from The Conversation in 2024. Considering Illinois’ racial, ethnic, age, gender, income, education, and occupational statistics, it is the state that compares most closely to the country overall. Proponents believe that demographically similar states have the best chance of representing the sentiments of the entire nation.
Illinois joined 11 other states in petitioning the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to hold their 2028 primaries on an earlier date to gain more influence. Currently, the Illinois primary election is slated for March 21, 2028. If the effort to move the primary earlier succeeds, this would not be the first time Illinois has moved its primary election. The state moved its presidential primary in 2008, when an earlier date helped bolster then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s campaign.
The petition renews speculation about Gov. JB Pritzker’s national ambitions, with some suggesting an early Illinois primary could help position him should he decide to enter the 2028 presidential race. While the DNC remains in the early stages of determining the primary calendar, party officials say the final lineup will be based on rigorous selection criteria.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
February 6 – Bill Introduction Deadline
February 18 – Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address
March 13 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline (Senate)
March 27 – Initial Chamber Committee Deadline (House)
April 17 – Initial Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 8 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 22 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment