Governor Pritzker has directed state agencies to reserve nearly $500 million in spending for the current fiscal year in response to the uncertainty over the economy and federal funding, with the reserves largely focusing on cost savings such as forgoing hiring in certain agencies.
Regional
Posted inNews
Clean Slate Act for some non-violent convictions signed into law
Governor JB Pritzker signed the Clean Slate Act, which will automate the state’s record-sealing process for individuals with certain non-violent convictions, providing increased access to employment, housing, and educational opportunities and reclaiming $4.7 billion in lost wages annually.
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Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace Extends Enrollment Deadline
Get Covered Illinois has extended the open enrollment deadline for health insurance coverage to January 31st for coverage beginning February 1st, 2026.
Posted inLatest News
Illinois Senator Proposes Bill to Provide Opioid Addiction Treatment in Jails
State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced Senate Bill 2185 to provide medically assisted treatments and medication for opioid use disorder in every state prison in Illinois, which has seen a significant decrease in opioid overdose deaths in Kane County since the program was implemented in 2019.
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Gov. Pritzker to defend freeze against crucial Child Care and Family Assistance Programs
The Trump Administration has frozen $10 billion in federal funds for social services and childcare in five states, including $1 billion for Illinois, which could negatively impact 100,000 families and 152,000 children.
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Illinois Houswee speaker calls Bears stadium ask ‘insensitive’ amid budget pressures
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has said that the state’s priority should be to reduce the cost of living, and not to provide financial aid for the Chicago Bears’ proposed new stadium in Arlington Heights.
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As state regulators warn of impending energy shortfalls, capacity prices rise again
Illinois is facing an energy crisis due to the closure of fossil fuel plants and increasing demand from data centers, which could lead to power shortages and higher prices unless state policymakers take action to regulate data centers and increase renewable energy generation.
Posted inPolitics
Justice Department sues for access to Illinois voter rolls
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois seeking access to its complete voter registration database, citing federal requirements to keep the database updated and accurate.
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New laws: Gun storage, police background check changes take effect in 2026
Illinois has passed several new laws related to gun control, including a Safe Gun Storage Act, a bill requiring background checks for police officers, a path for first-time gun offenders to obtain a FOID card, and a law removing the statute of limitations on cases of human trafficking of minors.
Posted inNews
Illinois ag director says trade policies are ‘crushing’ farmers
The Trump administration has announced a $12 billion aid package to help U.S. farmers affected by trade disputes, but Jerry Costello II, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, says the package is insufficient and will not cover all the losses farmers have suffered.
