Illinois Legislative News: March 23, 2026
Third Reading Consulting Group
CAPITOL COMPLEX ACCESS
The SECRETARY OF STATE adopted an amendment to the Part titled Public Use of the Capitol Complex and Springfield Facilities (71 IAC 2005; proposed at 49 Ill Reg 14931) effective 3/4/26 at 50 Ill Reg 4368, that makes permanent SOS’ current policies (previously set to expire on 6/30/26) regarding security screening of persons entering buildings within the Capitol Complex. A “government photo identification card” allowing immediate access without security screening is defined as a photo ID card issued by the General Assembly, SOS or any State agency. The rulemaking removes provisions that would have, effective 7/1/26, expanded this definition to include ID cards issued by a local or federal government agency and IDs issued by SOS to lobbyists, vendors and their employees and to employees of State agencies that do not issue photo IDs. Persons with these IDs will continue to undergo security screening upon entry. Those affected by this rulemaking include State employees, lobbyists, vendors and news media.
Illinois Legislative News
Only the Illinois House of Representatives was in session this week. On Thursday (3/19), the House passed a major insurance package (SB 1486) that sponsors argue will curb excessive premium increases for both auto and homeowners insurance. SB 1486 passed largely along party lines, though several Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the bill.
Beyond the insurance debate, the House spent much of the week moving legislation through committee. One notable proposal approved by the House Revenue Committee would prohibit local governments from imposing a “head tax” on employers. The measure was prompted by recent discussions in Chicago, where city officials considered a head tax during its most recent budget negotiations.
Looking ahead, both chambers will return to Springfield next week. The Senate has extended its committee deadline to next Friday, March 27, which now aligns with the House committee deadline. That adjustment creates a more coordinated legislative calendar and sets the stage for a busier week of floor and committee activity. Notably, next week will mark the first time since mid-February that both the House and Senate will be in session simultaneously, making it an important stretch for advancing legislation before upcoming deadlines.
Illinois Primary Election News
The 2026 Illinois Primary Election took place on Tuesday, March 17. Candidates for statewide offices, U.S. Senate, Congress, the Illinois General Assembly, and various local races appeared on the primary ballot to decide the Democratic and Republican Party nominees for the November 3, 2026 general election. The primary election featured an open U.S. Senate race, open seat for state Comptroller, 20 contested Congressional primaries (9 Democratic, 11 Republican), 7 contested state Senate primaries (4 Democratic, 3 Republican), and 19 contested state House primaries (11 Democratic, 8 Republican). Election turnout figures appear to be averaging around 25% of registered voters across the state, slightly higher than the 2022 election.
While Gov. JB Pritzker did not face a contested Democratic primary for governor, his endorsed candidates performed very well in open Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate and Comptroller. Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton defeated Congressional Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly with 40.2% of the vote in the open Democratic primary to replace longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. In a highly competitive race, Pritzker-endorsed State Rep. Margaret Croke defeated State Sen. Karina Villa, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, and State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit with 34.6% of the vote.
On the Republican side, former State Sen. Darren Bailey won 53.5% of the vote, defeating Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, and Rick Heidner to challenge Gov. Pritzker for the second consecutive time. In the U.S. Senate race, former state Republican Party Chair Don Tracy won 39.9% of the vote defeating a field of six candidates to secure the Republican nomination against Stratton.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller defeated a crowded field of ten candidates including former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., State Sen. Robert Peters, Yumeka Brown, and State Sen. Willie Preston, with 40.4% of the vote.
In an open 7th Congressional District race to replace retiring longtime Rep. Danny Davis, State Rep. La Shawn Ford defeated a field of 13 candidates with 24.1% of the vote. This ended up being an extremely competitive race with Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin receiving 20.8% of votes, Anthony Driver Jr. receiving 11.2%, and Kina Collins, Thomas Fisher, Jason Friedman, and Anabel Mendoza each receiving between 5% and 10%.
With Raja Krishnamoorthi running for Senate, former Congresswoman Melissa Bean won 31.8% of the vote to secure the 8th Congressional District Democratic nomination. She emerged from a field of eight candidates including Junaid Ahmed, Dan Tully, Yasmeen Bankole, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, Niel Khot, Sanjyot Dunung, and Ryan Vetticad.
With an opening in the 9th Congressional District for the first time since 1998 to replace retiring Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss secured the Democratic nomination with 29.5% of the vote from a field of 15 candidates including Kat Abughazaleh, and State Sen. Laura Fine who each finished with over 20% of the vote.
In the General Assembly, two incumbents lost to primary challengers: Miguel Alvelo Rivera defeated Rep. Jamie Andrade in the 40th House District, and Joshua Higgins defeated House Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond in the 94th House District.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
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
November 3 – Illinois General Election