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. 

Transit reform  

After months of discussion and seemingly endless revenue proposals, the General Assembly approved a transit reform and revenue package lawmakers say will provide $1.5 billion for public transit in the state.

Senate Bill 2111 would redirect $860 million in sales tax on motor fuel from the Road Fund to public transit. That amount would be split, with $731 million, or 85 percent, going to northern Illinois and $129 million, or 15 percent, going downstate.

The measure would also direct $200 million in road fund interest to public transit, with 90 percent going to the Chicago-area and 10 percent going downstate, and an increase in sales tax in Cook County and the collar counties by 0.25 percent, producing about $475 million. 

That is expected to raise the $1.5 billion the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) say they need to fill the $230 million fiscal cliff and make additional investments to improve service. 

“Every dollar we invest expands access to jobs, it strengthens small businesses, it spurs housing and commercial growth and reduces the congestion and pollution that hurt our neighborhoods. We are doing something historic today,” said Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) said. “We are reforming the structure and operation of the transit system, and we are also investing in its future.”

SB 2111 would also delay a planned fare increase by one year, with Delgado saying is intended to allow the new board to be established and examine their needs. 

The measure creates the Northern Illinois Transportation Authority (NITA), replacing the RTA. NITA would have expanded authority over the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace. The new structure is intended to create a more unified system. 

The measure also includes a 45 cents tollway increase for passenger vehicles and 30 percent for commercial vehicles, with consumer price index increases capped at 4 percent. That funding would be dedicated to capital projects for roads. 

Republican lawmakers took issue with the use of the sales tax for motor fuel and Road Fund interest, as the Road Fund is intended to be a “lock box” holding funds for infrastructure projects, with 55 percent of funds going to downstate projects and 45 percent going to the Chicago-area. 

“Overwhelmingly, the voters voted to put that lock box into effect,” said Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb). "There was nothing in that referendum that said we're going to put this all in a lock box unless you need it for something else."

SB 2111 passed the House 72-32 and the Senate 36-21. If signed, it would go into effect June 1, 2026.

Energy omnibus 

Senate Bill 25 does many of the same things as the bill’s previous iteration, Senate Bill 40. Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) said the measure is expected to save ratepayers $1.1 billion by 2030 and $7.9 billion by 2035.  

Hoffman says it does that through a myriad of provisions intended to increase Illinois’ electricity supply, by creating new generation and storage solutions, and reduce demand through efficiency programs.  

Read more: Illinois lawmakers discuss energy omnibus to increase battery storage, lift nuclear moratorium 

The measure lifts the nuclear moratorium, creates a battery storage procurement program and a thermal energy network program.  

SB 25 also allows the Illinois Commerce Commission and Illinois Power Agency to undergo integrated resource planning, a process intended to create a long-term road map for Illinois’ energy procurement.  

Read more: Illinois lawmakers consider adopting integrated resource planning in energy omnibus 

Republican lawmakers disagree with the proponent's assessment of cost savings, saying the measure would end up costing ratepayers $8 billion in rate increases to cover projects in the bill, such as the battery storage projects.  

The measure passed the House 70-37 and the Senate 37-22.  

Private action against immigration enforcement  

House Bill 1312 would allow Illinoisans to bring civil lawsuits against “any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the United States Constitution.” The measure would include federal immigration agents.  

HB 1312 would also create a 1,000-foot safe zone around courthouses, require public universities to create and adopt policies related to civil immigration actions on campus and require hospitals and daycares to establish policies related to immigration action.  

Opponents to the legislation questioned how the measure would impact Illinois law enforcement.  

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said the measure should not interfere with law enforcement who are following state and federal law.   

The measure comes after months of controversial immigration raids in Chicago, which have included numerous alleged violations of people’s constitutional rights.  

Harmon said they expect the measure to be challenged by the Trump administration.  

“I know that some of you might ask, won't this be challenged?” Harmon said. “Of course, it will be challenged, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do something, and I'm damn well willing to try it.”  

The measure passed the Senate 40-18 and the House 75-32. All three bills now go to the governor.