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June 29, 2026

Report Includes:

Legislative Updates

Statehouse & Political News 

Important Dates 

JCAR 

COGFA & Special Reports 

Grant Opportunities 

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Legislative Updates

As legislative activity continues to transition from the General Assembly to the Governor's Office, the pace of bill signings remains steady. Over the past several days, Governor Pritzker signed a number of measures into law affecting a wide range of industries and policy areas.

This week's update highlights several newly enacted laws relevant to energy and utilities, pensions, higher education, healthcare, public safety, environmental regulation, local government, animal welfare, and professional licensing. These enactments represent the latest phase of the 2026 legislative session as enacted legislation begins moving toward implementation.

Below is a summary of notable bills signed into law over the past week.

Click here to view a complete list of all legislation still pending governor action.

As always, if you would like any additional information about the below topics, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies team member.

In addition, our office will be closed in observance of the holiday on Friday, July 3. Many of our team members are also taking extended time off this week, so we appreciate your patience if responses are delayed.

Have a great week,

MBS Illinois

Government Relations Team

Our Team | michaelbeststrategies.com

The Governor has signed several bills into law over the past few days. Below is a summary of notable legislation organized by topic:

Energy and Utilities

HB 1700 – CRGA trailer bill

HB 4514 – Modifies public forum requirements for public utility rate increase hearings

Pensions and Governance

HB 4575 – Expands the filing period for trustee elections for the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund

Higher Education and Student Finance

HB 4754 – Requires private educational lenders to report additional data on default rates and cosigned loans to IDFPR

HB 5093 – Allows students who attend an Illinois high school for at least three years to qualify for in-state tuition, regardless of prior residency

Healthcare and Insurance

HB 5390 – Directs the Attorney General to adopt a uniform financial assistance form for hospitals

SB 2713 – Establishs stricter reporting requirements for violence against healthcare providers in emergency care settings

SB 2899 – Expands coverage for speech-language disorder rehabilitative services

SB 3295 – Expands coverage for durable medical equipment beginning January 1, 2028

HB 4464 – Prohibits insurers from requiring dental providers to accept payment via credit card or electronic funds transfer

Public Safety and Criminal Justice

HB 4277 – Expands notary eligibility to certain individuals with prior felony convictions

HB 4235 – Mail scanning legislation

Transportation and Public Safety Technology

HB 4472 – Establishes a statewide Blue Envelope Program

HB 4948 – Creates an Intelligent Speed Assistance Program

Construction and Local Government

HB 4361 – Requires county building inspectors to meet minimum professional qualifications beginning January 1, 2027

HB 5166 – Establishes procedures for the dissolution of drainage and sanitary districts

Consumer Protection and Accessibility

HB 45 – Requires digital coupons to be accessible in alternative formats

Environmental Regulation and Waste Management

HB 5070 – Prohibits adoption of federal environmental rules that are less stringent than current state standards

HB 5285 – Creates a fund to support monitoring and maintenance of the Sheffield low-level radioactive waste site

Pharmacy and Prescription Drug Oversight

HB 5148 – Expands requirements for prescribers to check the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program

SB 3223 – Requires pharmacies to post QR codes informing patients about FDA medication recall notifications

Animal Welfare and Veterinary Practice

HB 4255 – Expands the list of animals prohibited from traveling animal acts

HB 5411 – Authorizes certified veterinary technicians to administer rabies vaccines

Nonprofit and Estate Law

SB 4206 – Establishes a process for charities to claim assets when named as beneficiaries of non-probate instruments

Upcoming Events

July 8–9: Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation 2026 Golf Outing & Scholarship Reception (Chicago)

July 27–29: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 2026 Legislative Summit (Chicago)

July 27: SAVE THE DATE! NCSL President Elect Leader Marcus Evans Evening Reception Presented by Michael Best Strategies (Chicago)

July 29: Leader John Curran White Sox vs. Yankees Game Fundraiser (Chicago)

August 19: Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair (Springfield)

August 20: Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair (Springfield)

For additional information regarding any of the events listed above, or to request a comprehensive list of summer legislative fundraisers and political events, please contact a member of the Michael Best Strategies team.

A full calendar of events can be accessed below.

Cocktails-to-go, new state agency among laws taking effect July 1

July 1 marks a second New Year’s Day in Illinois as a new budget takes effect along with more than a dozen new state laws.

In addition to the state’s nearly $56 billion fiscal year 2027 budget being implemented and the 1-cent motor fuel tax increase being suspended for the remainder of the year, 14 news laws will go into effect on Wednesday.

Read More

‘A real farm crisis’: Illinois farm bankruptcies rise for 3rd straight year

With the growing season well underway in Illinois, farmers once again are struggling to turn an abundant harvest into survival.

In 2025, family farm bankruptcies surged 46% nationwide — reaching 315 filings and marking the third consecutive year of increases. The Midwest recorded 121 filings in 2025 — up 70% from the prior year.

The trend has only accelerated. In April alone this year, 62 Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies were filed nationwide – a 130% jump from the prior year and the highest monthly total since February 2020. The USDA projects total farm debt will rise 5.2% to a record $624.7 billion in 2026, with 330 bankruptcy cases filed.

Read More

Gov. Pritzker Announces Agency Leadership Transition

Governor JB Pritzker announced the departure of Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. Having overseen a period of growth and reinvestment in the agency, Finnie will depart at the end of the month.

“Director Finnie has led the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with a vision for the state that prioritizes people by protecting and preserving spaces that are rich in history, opportunity, and beauty,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Her tenure will serve as a guiding example for new leadership, as it brought more visitors to our state parks, new life to our historical sites, and revitalization to our ports and commercial hubs.”

Read More

Governor's Appointments

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the following appointment:

Illinois Finance Authority

J. Randal Wexler will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.

As state lawmakers stall on data center rules, Illinois cities and counties step in to fill the void

In lieu of statewide regulations, a growing number of Illinois cities and counties are telling data centers to come back later or adhere to new regulations.

In Aurora, what began as a 180-day moratorium ended with city officials bringing the regulatory hammer down on data centers after many community members complained about excessive noise, utility bills and environmental concerns stemming from the city’s existing facilities.

Read More

Important Dates

The Fall Veto Session is scheduled for the weeks of November 17-19 and December 1-3.





Click the links below for the House and Senate schedules.

JCAR

Next JCAR Meeting: Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. Room C-600, Bilandic Bldg., 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago.

Meeting will be live streamed on the JCAR website.

NEW! June 19 Flinn Report

Department of Early Childhood Establishes New Rulemaking Procedures

The newly created Department of Early Childhood proposed rules establishing procedures for responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and public petitions to adopt, amend, or repeal agency rules. As part of the transition of child care licensing from DCFS on July 1, the department will maintain public lists of licensed child care providers while allowing home-based providers to request that their residential addresses remain confidential.

Hospital Licensing Rules Modernized

The Illinois Department of Public Health proposed updates to hospital licensing requirements that modernize nursing administration standards. The changes would allow electronic nursing procedure manuals, require nursing care plans to be shared across care teams, improve access to nursing department records, and clarify that hospitals may not deny admission to patients with communicable diseases when appropriate isolation measures are available.

AI Employment Rules Withdrawn

The Illinois Department of Human Rights withdrew its proposed rules implementing the state's artificial intelligence employment law. The proposal would have established employer requirements related to AI-assisted hiring, employment decisions, and recordkeeping. The department indicated the rules were withdrawn to allow for additional stakeholder engagement and coordination with other state agencies.

EMS Rules Advance to JCAR Review

Proposed amendments to the Illinois Department of Public Health's rules governing Emergency Medical Services, trauma centers, pediatric emergency care centers, stroke centers, and hospital standards advanced to Second Notice, moving the proposal to formal review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The rules are scheduled to be considered at JCAR's July 14 meeting.

NEW! June 19 Illinois Register

Department of Early Childhood Proposes Initial Administrative Rules

The newly established Department of Early Childhood published its first proposed administrative rules, outlining procedures for public information requests, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance, and agency rulemaking. The rules also establish policies governing public access to records and the maintenance of licensed child care provider information as the new agency assumes its responsibilities.

Hospital Licensing Standards Updated

The Illinois Department of Public Health proposed significant updates to hospital licensing requirements, including modernizing nursing administration standards, permitting electronic nursing procedure manuals, requiring coordinated nursing care plans, and clarifying patient admission requirements for individuals with communicable diseases when appropriate isolation measures are available.

AI Employment Rulemaking Withdrawn

The Illinois Department of Human Rights formally withdrew its proposed rules implementing the state's artificial intelligence employment law. The department indicated it would revisit the rulemaking following additional stakeholder engagement and coordination with other state agencies before proposing a revised framework.

Food Manufacturing Code Updated

The Illinois Department of Public Health issued a notice of codification changes to the state's Food Code governing the manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding of food. The update incorporates previously adopted amendments into the Illinois Administrative Code, ensuring the regulations remain current and consistent.

COGFA & Special Reports

Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s May 2026 Monthly Briefing can be found here.

COGFA’s May 2026 Monthly Briefing Highlights:

• General Funds Revenues Continue to Outperform Expectations: Illinois posted another strong month of revenue growth in May, driven largely by a significant increase in federal-source revenues. Through the first eleven months of FY26, General Funds receipts remain ahead of last year's pace, strengthening the state's fiscal position heading into FY27. 
• Renewed Middle East Tensions Could Reignite Inflation Pressures: CGFA flagged geopolitical instability in the Middle East as a growing economic risk, particularly due to its potential impact on energy markets and fuel prices. Rising energy costs could complicate efforts to reduce inflation and may affect consumer spending and business investment.
• Illinois' Rainy Day Fund Remains Below National Standards: Despite recent improvements, Illinois' reserve fund is projected to equal only about 4.5% of annual expenditures, substantially below the national median of 14.4% and below the commonly recommended 8% benchmark, leaving the state with limited flexibility during an economic downturn.
• Unfunded Pension Liability Remains a Long-Term Challenge: Illinois' pension systems continue to carry approximately $144.6 billion in unfunded liabilities. While the Governor's FY27 proposal includes adjustments aimed at improving funding discipline and ultimately achieving 100% funding by 2048, CGFA notes that the proposals are incremental and do not fundamentally solve the state's pension challenge.
• Medicaid Continues to Be the Largest Driver of State Spending Growth: State spending growth over the last decade has been heavily influenced by Medicaid expenditures, which have more than doubled since FY16. The program remains one of the most significant fiscal pressures facing the state budget.
• Population Growth Remains Dependent on International Migration: Illinois experienced population growth in 2025, but CGFA notes that the increase was driven largely by international immigration. Without international migration, Illinois would have experienced continued net domestic population loss, raising concerns about long-term workforce and economic growth trends.

These are the items most likely to influence budget negotiations, revenue forecasting, pension policy discussions, and economic development conversations heading into FY27 and the fall veto session. 

Grant Opportunities

There are currently 140 active grant funding opportunities available through State agencies. For a full searchable list of agencies and opportunities, visit the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance CSFA website.

If you have questions about any of these grants, please reach out to a Michael Best team member.