Issues We're Watching
The Illinois Capitol in Springfield.
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It’s a good reminder that in the final days of the spring legislative session, new bills can sort of appear out of nowhere. As of this writing early Wednesday morning, there is no budget bill, budget implementation bill, or BIMP, or any sort of Chicago Bears stadium legislation filed.
The budget and BIMP will likely be tacked on to a vehicle bill that was sent to the Senate from the House, but if the last couple of budgets are any indication, that could be in the middle of next week or late next week before we see it.
As for the Bears, we haven’t heard specifically that the team has given up home to get something done in the spring session, which was their initial preference, but the opposition to the stadium project from the Governor and legislative leaders make it highly unlikely something moves in the next ten days.
Here are a few other issues we’re watching in actual bill form:
Chicago Public School Closure Moratorium-
Over the objection of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers’ Union, HB303, would stop Chicago Public Schools from closing any schools until after a fully elected school board is in place in 2027. It passed the House 92-8 and is currently on second reading in the Senate.
Health Insurance Reform-
This legislation, HB5395, was one of Governor JB Pritzker’s top priorities this spring. It would essentially ban step therapies, where health insurance companies require smaller measures in treatment before approving more robust treatments. The bill sailed in the House (81-25), but we’ve heard it’s having a much tougher go in the Senate.
Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA) Reform-
Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) introduced changes to the much maligned law that the Supreme Court essentially begged the General Assembly to take up last year. But his legislation was met with trepidation from several business groups.
SB2979 sailed through the Senate in April and is sitting on 3rd reading in the House. Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) is the lead sponsor of the bill, so it probably has enough juice to get through the chamber and to Governor Pritzker’s desk.
Junk Fees-
Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) advanced HB4629 out of the House last month that would regulate so-called “junk fees,” unexpected, hidden charges and fees to numerous goods and services that increase the final price.
It has yet to move in the Senate.