Illinois Legislative News: May 12, 2025
Third Reading Consulting Group
Last week was busy at the Capitol as Illinois lawmakers approached the May 9 opposite chamber committee deadline. With the May 23 deadline for opposite chamber third readings and May 31 adjournment on the horizon, the next few weeks will be jam-packed with committee, floor action, and budget discussions.
On Wednesday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stopped in Springfield, criticizing local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration goals. Secretary Noem spoke near the spot where Emma Shafer was killed in 2023—allegedly by an undocumented immigrant, though a lot of the details are still unclear. Noem took aim at Governor Pritzker, accusing him of turning Illinois into a “sanctuary for criminals.” Her visit added fuel to the already heated debate over immigration policy in the state. Interestingly, the night before her visit, Pritzker’s office sent out a stark message reminding people to “protect their pets”—a jab referencing Noem’s memoir story about shooting her family dog as a child.
In other news, one of the bigger legislative conversations last week happened in the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. Lawmakers held a subject matter hearing on SB 1527. This bill would lift the 1980’s moratorium on all nuclear reactors in Illinois. In 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill that lifted the moratorium on small nuclear reactors, but SB 1527 goes further by allowing all sizes of nuclear plants in Illinois. Proponents of SB 1527 argue the need to expand nuclear energy to relieve the State’s electric grid, especially with the growing demand of electricity from data centers and AI. They also point to nuclear as a possible path to a carbon-free energy future. However, opponents express concern about the lack of oversight for large-scale nuclear projects and nuclear waste management.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
May 23 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment