Capitol News Illinois

06/01/2026

Despite a Hail Mary from the Senate in the final hours of session, lawmakers failed to get a Bears stadium bill into the end zone. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said they will tackle the question “sooner than later.” Brenden Moore & Ben Szalinksi report: https://buff.ly/eEJe44r

Illinois lawmakers stalled the Bears stadium bill, leaving the team weighing Illinois and Indiana options.

06/01/2026

Illinois lawmakers approved a budget after 4 a.m. Monday that includes the full $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding for public schools. Peter Hancock reports ➡️ https://buff.ly/zEvtmeK

Illinois boosts K-12 funding and restores tax relief grants, though advocates say schools still need much more.

06/01/2026

Illinois lawmakers approved a nearly $56 billion budget in the dead of the night with new taxes on social media companies and little new spending. Ben Szalinski reports ➡️ https://buff.ly/3LlbCKw

Illinois lawmakers passed a $59B budget with new business taxes, frozen gas tax hikes and funding tradeoffs.

06/01/2026

A new bill is aimed at protecting out-of-state abortion patients who get care in Illinois from retaliation when they return to their home states. Nikoel Hytrek has more: ➡️ https://buff.ly/Uzyo4aR

Illinois lawmakers advanced new abortion privacy and birth control protections aimed at shielding patients.

05/31/2026

Illinois lawmakers are just hours from their scheduled adjournment. Click the link in the comments to see what issues we're watching.

05/31/2026

After the megaprojects bill collapsed in the Senate, lawmakers are drafting a last-minute pivot that would let local governments create stadium authorities — potentially allowing the Bears to avoid property taxes altogether. Brenden Moore reports ➡️ https://buff.ly/Vvckt6z

Illinois lawmakers pursue new stadium authority plan to keep the Chicago Bears from relocating.

05/31/2026

Illinois lawmakers file a nearly $56 billion budget totaling more than 3,500 pages, but new taxes remain unclear. Ben Szalinski & Jerry Nowicki report ➡️ https://buff.ly/JjM2vB1

Illinois lawmakers unveil details of a $55.9 billion budget as session nears its final deadline.

05/31/2026

Three years after a Supreme Court decision ruled the process unconstitutional, Illinois is reforming how counties regulate property tax debt sales. Jenna Schweikert reports ➡️ https://buff.ly/wDfLXLt

Illinois approves property tax sale reforms that let homeowners recover equity after foreclosure sales.

05/31/2026

Sen. Bill Cunningham said a PILOT bill is off the table, the Bears have had several previously undisclosed meetings with the city of Chicago, and Senate Dems want Chicago to be on an “equal plane” in competing for a new stadium. Brenden Moore & Jerry Nowicki report ➡️ https://buff.ly/tlrzjZe

05/31/2026

Where we stand on the major issues as of Saturday night, from the Bears bill to the budget and BUILD. Brenden Moore & Ben Szalinski report: https://buff.ly/f8OcW7L

Illinois lawmakers race to finish budget talks as Bears stadium, h**p reform and housing plans hang in balance.