Gov. JB Pritzker signs the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in June. [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook]   

The budget challenge ahead of state lawmakers this coming spring became clearer this week as the governor’s office released its latest budget forecast for the coming years.  

Polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Illinois. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Illinois voters — who haven’t already cast an early or mail-in ballot — head to the polls on Tuesday with the presidential race at the top of their minds. But with Illinois expected send its electoral votes to Vice President Kamala Harris — as it has done for every Democratic presidential candidate since 1992 — eyes will be looking further down the ballot to see how General Assembly races shake out.  

Former Speaker Mike Madigan leaves the federal courthouse in Chicago following opening statements in his criminal trial. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Six months had passed since former Speaker Mike Madigan’s office was embarrassed by sexual harassment allegations made public by a political staff member in February 2018. Kevin Quinn, a former 13th Ward political operative for Madigan, had been out of a job since Madigan fired him over the allegations. Another close Madigan operative, lobbyist Mike McClain, thought Quinn needed some financial help. 

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday. [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook]   

Illinois is launching a new resource for victims of hate crimes to report incidents and access help.  

The program’s launch comes days after a Jewish man was shot in Chicago and the city’s mayor faces new controversy over his response to the incident as well as past remarks by one of his appointments.  

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin speaks at a committee meeting in Chicago on Tuesday. [U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee]

It’s not just an Illinois House committee interested in making significant reforms to pharmacy benefit managers (PBM). Sen. Dick Durbin held a field hearing for his influential U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Chicago Tuesday to discuss problems in the pharmaceutical industry and he expressed his desire to target PBMs.

 

Illinois Democratic leaders at the 2024 State Fair. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Illinois Democrats already have a record supermajority in the House with 78 members, but they have their eyes on adding even more seats this year.

The Illinois sign at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

House Republicans were able to pick up a seat during the last presidential election in 2020 but suffered a tough blow in 2022 when they lost five seats.  

Under new Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), the caucus is seeking to make incremental annual gains over several election cycles this decade as they try to bring House Democrats down from a 78-member super majority.  

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) holds a news conference in her Springfield office. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) is revising expectations for her caucus in November, saying she is “cautiously optimistic” the results will turn out well for Republicans. 

Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), left, and North Barrington Democrat Maria Peterson, right. 

Democrats have their eyes set on flipping the 52nd House District seat held by Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) as contributions pour in for Democratic challenger Maria Peterson of North Barrington.  

A Southwest Airlines plane parked at the gate. [Provided]   

Southwest Airlines will become the second carrier to take advantage of Illinois’ sustainable aviation fuel tax credit under an agreement announced this month.