As a new General Assembly begins, it remains unclear how lawmakers and the governor plan to plug the projected deficit. Republicans’ main concern is Democrats will resort to tax increases to boost revenue and avoid spending cuts. “I know they’re going to be talking about needing additional revenue, but there’s no reason to do that. We’re spending almost $20 billion more than we were eight years ago,” Rep. CD Davidsmeyer said.

The Duane Morris report authors noted the revisions to the law should significantly reduce the risk faced by businesses in Illinois under BIPA, bringing it back into line with the risks more regularly associated with class actions under other federal and state privacy laws. However, the report authors said that risk also remains “sizable” and the potential payouts should remain attractive to plaintiffs’ lawyers.

The state’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year increased funding for homeless services by $200 million, and in 2025 there will be an additional $90 million allotted to the Home Illinois budget. However, the Illinois Shelter Alliance said the $290 million is not sufficient and is asking for an additional $100 million.

“Our expanded transfer guarantee welcomes home the students who have chosen to begin their college education in another state but are looking to return to the Land of Lincoln,” system President Tim Killeen said.

State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders remains confident that Gov. JB Pritzker and lawmakers will find a way to balance the budget and still fund the agency’s budget request – a 4.6 percent increase over this year’s budget. “While most of state government’s going to be looking at potential freezes, we are really pleased to see a governor and legislature that is committed to public education funding, even in tight fiscal times,” he said.

The Illinois state government is hiring for more than 280 positions across the Land of Lincoln as of Jan. 7.

“I would be open to any method to run downstate counties in a more efficient manner than under Cook County’s leadership, including talks with Indiana, Kentucky or Missouri,” said Dave Stopher, a Troy resident who led the charge to get the referendum before Illinois voters.

“I would say yes and no,” Nicole Hallett, clinical professor of law at the University of Chicago, said when asked if state and municipal laws kneecap immigration enforcement. “The Welcoming City ordinance does not prevent any enforcement from happening in the city of Chicago or anywhere else. ICE can fully operate … (but) it can make it a lot harder for the federal government to have an effective immigration enforcement plan.”

In 2024, through patrol enforcement and special violent crime reduction missions, ISP also saw a 7 percent decrease in fatal crashes, a 3 percent increase in illegal firearms seized, and a 24 percent increase in vehicles recovered.

State Rep. David Friess, also a veteran, said he’s unsure if U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth really cares whether Pete Hegseth is qualified. “I have no idea if she actually believes what she says, but the hyperbolic nature and the way she says it … I think it is for social media,” said Friess. “You do this stuff and you get your base riled up and I thought her actions were shameful.”

“There are many good choices for a new flag, proposed by everyday Illinoisans from around the state with thoughtful essays about what a design represents. There’s a monarch butterfly and corn kernels and profiles of Honest Abe. Each deserves your consideration. But it’s hard to represent the entire state in one flag.”

Jim Dey: “For decades, former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership team decided what passed and what didn’t — unwelcome legislation was assigned to the House Rules Committee for a quick burial. (House Speaker Chris) Welch transferred critics’ objections about him and his leadership team to his 78-member House caucus.”

If HB 1008 passes, the Indiana General Assembly would create an “Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission” tasked with helping those Illinois counties become part of the Hoosier State. ”That is a process that follows a Constitutional process for redrawing state boundaries,” Speaker Huston said. ”We think there might be some interest in the Illinois Legislature to do that.”

Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard is calling for fare hikes of 10 percent, which he estimated could generate about $50 million, driven by the need to account for inflation. That would amount to a roughly $0.25 hike on the current $2.50 CTA train fare, or an increase of about $0.68 to travel one way across four Metra zones. Another $50 million could be generated through savings from the restructured RTA.