With just eleven scheduled session days left in the spring session, legislators have just two weeks to complete their business ahead of the May 31, 2025, adjournment date. While relatively few bills have advanced this year (only a few hundred bills have advanced through committees in both chambers, out of over 6,700 bills filed) there are still large issues looming over the final days when issues are known to advance in a short and aggressive timeframe. The large issues include finalizing the state budget, an omnibus energy bill, mass transit reform, pharmacy benefit, and more.
 
The state budget remains at the forefront of all discussions in Springfield. Last week, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) released its monthly FY25 update that included a more positive revenue performance than once predicted. Early predictions had the state of Illinois entering FY26 with a multi-billion shortfall; though, those predictions have been followed by revenue that has exceeded expectations, leading to a deficit prediction today of a few hundred million dollars. Still, legislative leaders at the capitol are warning of a tougher budget than many legislators are used to, particularly with uncertainty around federal revenue, the potential of the federal government to slash contributions to state programs, and economic and consumer responses to potential changes in tariffs. IFCA will be watching for any new tax proposals to fill the budget gap.
 
SB783, IFCA’s continuous education credits on pesticide applicator license, was not called on the Senate floor this week. IFCA is still making a major push that this moves next week off the Senate floor and into the House. IFCA will immediately update our membership as things progress.