In the early hours of Oct. 31, Illinois General Assembly passed $1.5 billion in funding for public transportation, an energy omnibus that lifts the state nuclear ban and invests in battery storage and a measure allowing private action to be taken against immigration enforcement agents who violate civil rights. 

The Illinois State Board of Elections deadlocked on an appeal from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) of a more than $9 million fine for allegedly accepting donations above campaign contribution limits. 

Illinois is co-leading a lawsuit challenging actions by the Trump administration to restrict access to gender affirming care for people under the age of 19, even in states where such care is protected by state law. 

Illinois Republicans are calling for reforms to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) after an audit found 34 violations and after an 18-year-old girl died while in foster care. 

Illinois joined a coalition of 25 states in filing a lawsuit over federal education funding for school programs that was withheld by the Department of Education. 

The Illinois House of Representatives passed 380 bills last week before the third-reading deadline, including changes to eligibility requirement for Illinois’ Electric Vehicle Rebate Program. 

The House Ethics and Elections Committee heard testimony Wednesday on measures to increase awareness of curbside voting, simplify the permanent mail-in voting process and decrease the number of required election judges at voting precincts.