Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions from reporters on Wednesday morning. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Gov. JB Pritzker has enjoyed mostly uniform support from Democrats, particularly in the House, on state budgets since he took office and began untangling the budget mess he inherited.  

But the budget put in front of lawmakers on Wednesday morning, which was about $400 million larger than what Pritzker asked for, was too much for several Democrats and it nearly caused the revenue plan proposed by Pritzker to fail. Had that failed, it’s likely the entire budget would have been required to be revamped to garner enough votes in June to pass with a constitution-required super majority.

Members of the House Democratic staff huddle to discuss a motion to suspend House rules around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

House Democrats’ plan to pass budget bills early Wednesday nearly exploded into disaster around 4 a.m. after multiple failed attempts to pass a $1.1 billion revenue package featuring numerous new tax hikes on largely on businesses to fund the budget.

The Illinois Capitol   

The House adjourned Wednesday morning without advancing a measure that would heavily regulate hemp to the point where those in the industry believed their products would be effectively banned.  

Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) presents the state budget to the Senate on Sunday. [Blue Room Stream]  

The Senate voted 38-21 on Sunday to pass a $53.1 billion budget alongside new tax hikes to close seven straight days of session caused by disagreement over budget details.   

Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) speaks in the House Energy and Environment Committee on Friday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The General Assembly approved an agreement between businesses and environmental groups to strictly regulate carbon pipeline construction in Illinois while providing a pathway to allow pipeline construction in a few years.  

Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) speaks on the Senate floor on Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The Senate voted to advance Gov. JB Pritzker’s top legislative priority this spring, sending the House three bills to reform health insurance and provide more equitable services for mothers of color.   

The Illinois Capitol   

Illinois legislators are working to keep information private about out-of-state residents who travel to Illinois to have an abortion.  

The Illinois Capitol   

The House advanced a large and wide-ranging tax incentives package designed to attract new businesses by creating new tax credits or expanding existing programs.  

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) speaks on the House floor in 2023. [Blue Room Stream]   

The House voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would prevent employees from being forced to sit through explicitly political or religious meetings.  

The Illinois Capitol   

Illinois lawmakers have considered legislation over the last few years to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) to crack down on an array of issues from child pornography to identity protection. Legislators’ latest plan advanced Wednesday aims to protect students from bullying.