Illinois legislative season draws to close: What the Chamber is tracking

Following an agreement to extend the Illinois legislative deadline for bills to advance out of committee in the opposite chamber, lawmakers have continued pushing priority legislation through the process. With only one week remaining before scheduled adjournment, activity in Springfield is expected to remain fast-paced as negotiations intensify around the state budget, Governor Pritzker’s Build Housing Initiative, and the Chicago Bears Stadium/Mega Project Bill.

Below is an outline for highlighting the bills we were tracking and the Chamber's stance:

• Statewide Innovation (SB 4017) - Support. This bill creates a NOVA district (New Opportunities for Vacation and Adventure Urban District) with investment and job thresholds, and allows DCEO-certified megaprojects to receive a property assessment freeze during the incentive period. Referred to the Senate Assignments Committee on May 22. 
• Welcome Home Credit (SB 3959) - Support. This bill creates a $500 income tax credit for eligible first-time homebuyers and buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years if the home remains their principal residence that year. Referred to the Senate Assignments Committee on May 22. 
• Railroad Mod Credit (SB 3765) - Support. This bill creates a tax credit for investment in qualified railroad expenses or new rail infrastructure to improve short line rail safety, efficiency, and supply chain resilience. Referred to the Senate Assignments Committee on May 22. 
• Mid-Income Housing Credit Pilot Program (SB 1926, SB 1927) - Support. This bill establishes a one-time $10 million IHDA pilot within RERZ to support "missing middle" housing with a 10% construction subsidy of up to $200,000 per unit on projects up to $1 million. Referred to the Senate Assignments Committee on May 22. 
• Business Assistance, Licensing Act (SB 3768) - Support. Comprehensive business licensing and permitting reform that embraces technology transparency and quality customer service in the state’s internal and interagency processes. Establishes a committee of key agency representatives to improve business permitting and licensing. Referred to the Senate Assignments Committee on May 22. 
• $27 Minimum Wage (SB 3821) - Oppose. This bill would significantly increase the state minimum wage incrementally by 2032, after which it would adjust annually in accordance with CPI. The bill would also end the tipped wage credit. Third reading/final action deadline was extended to May 31. 
• Community College Bachelor’s Degree Program (SB 2482) - Support. Allows community colleges to add bachelor’s programs tied to local workforce needs after feasibility studies and review of partnership options with nearby universities. Parts of the proposal may continue as a pilot. Referred to Senate Assignments Committee on February 7. 
• Passenger Rail Planning Act (SB 3285) - Support. Adds routes including Moline to key state rail and transportation plans, required regular I-DOT progress reports, and directed MPOs to consider rail corridors in project planning. Referred to Senate Assignments Committee on May 15. 
• Equitable University Funding (SB 13) - Monitor. Would have created a needs-based higher education funding formula, identified Western Illinois University as the most underfunded institution, and encouraged lower tuition reliance and stronger student outcomes. Referred to House Rules Committee on February 19. 
• Child Card Income Tax (HB 5080) - Support. This bill enhances tax credits for businesses that provide childcare for their employees by increasing the credit for annual childcare facility operating expenses from 5 to 10% and allows a 30% credit for the start-up costs associated with establishing such a facility. It also leverages recently expanded federal tax changes that support additional childcare opportunities for Illinois workers. Referred to House Rules Committee on March 27. 
• Border Community Zones - (SB 4030) Support. Allows communities within 10 miles of the state border to apply for border community status and access RERZ-like incentives to compete for development projects. Referred to Senate Assignments Committee on May 22. 

What Comes Next?

As the General Assembly moves toward its scheduled adjournment, we will continue monitoring the progress of these measures and any late-session developments tied to the budget or broader legislative negotiations.