The House Personnel and Pension Committee and the House Appropriations-Pensions & Personnel Committee hold a joint meeting Wednesday to get an overview of the Illinois pension system. [BlueRoomStream] 

Illinois lawmakers are discussing possible Tier 2 pension reforms as the chance of “Safe Harbor” violations increases. 

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) answers questions at the House Gun Violence Prevention Committee Wednesday in Springfield. 

The House Gun Violence Prevention Committee heard subject matter on three bills Wednesday that would aim to increase transparency around gun violence, modify the firearm transfer fee and create a firearm insurance task force.  

A state medical debt relief program has relieved more than $345 million in debt for nearly 270,000 Illinoisans since its inception last year. 

Illinois’ municipalities are seeking changes to posting requirements, preservation of their authority to implement housing programs and expansion of municipality authority to implement a motor fuel tax. 

Sen. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake) speaks at the Senate Education Committee Tuesday. [BlueRoomStream] 

The Illinois Senate is considering a bill which aims to reduce the number of redundant mandates in the Illinois School Code.  

Senate Bill 1740, sponsored by Sen. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake), would establish a Mandate Reduction Council, which would modify, combine or eliminate mandates if they are found to be outdated, redundant or unnecessarily burdensome. 

State lawmakers are considering legislation to increase Illinois' renewable energy implementation. 

Increasing energy efficiency, producing renewable energy battery storage and banning single-use plastics are all on the table this spring as the state looks to reach its climate goals.   

Proponents and opponents of Senate Bill 9 attend a meeting of the Senate Executive Committee Friday in Chicago. [BlueRoomStream] 

The Illinois Senate is considering a bill to legalize assisted dying for patients with terminal diseases. 

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is expecting revenue from Illinois' “big three” taxes to increase in Fiscal Year 2026, despite economic indicators pointing downward.  

IDOR gave a presentation to the House Revenue and Finance Committee Thursday on anticipated revenue for FY26. The department, alongside the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB), creates revenue forecasts that are used to determine spending for the new fiscal year.  

Gov. JB Pritzker delivers the annual state of the state and budget address at the State Capitol in Springfield Wednesday. [BlueRoomStream]

Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $55.2 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 which includes no new taxes and eliminates a healthcare program for undocumented immigrants. 

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks after a roundtable conversation at the Governor's Ceremonial Office in the State Capitol. [BlueRoomStream] 

Gov. JB Pritzker is pushing for legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, ban the use of cellphones in public schools and add four-year degree options in community colleges.