Delivered via email: October 31, 2025
The Illinois General Assembly’s actions during the Veto Session underscored a clear priority: Ensuring the state can protect residents and maintain essential services amid federal uncertainty. The scope of these legislative efforts ranged from public health, passing HB767 which strengthens the state’s immunization framework in response to changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to revenue stability, passing SB1911 to decouple Illinois’ revenues from the federal Budget Reconciliation bill (HR1). In addition, the House Appropriations–Health and Human Services Committee held a subject matter hearing on Medicaid to assess the implications of the federal Budget Reconciliation Act’s changes to work requirements, eligibility verifications, and provider taxes that could result in hundreds of thousands of residents losing coverage and impose an estimated $1.7 billion annual cost on the state by 2031.
Response to Heightened ICE Activity
HB1312, sponsored by Senate President Don Harmon and Speaker of the House Emanuel "Chris" Welch, passed both chambers and includes several provisions to safeguard individuals’ civil rights and provide protections related to immigration enforcement. As a reminder, during the Spring Session the General Assembly passed HB3247 to address legislative concerns related to K-12 schools. That new law prohibits districts from excluding students based on immigration status, disclosing immigration status, and requires districts to develop procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests for law enforcement agents to enter schools. HB1312 puts similar requirements in place for day care facilities, hospitals, and higher education. The bill also allows for a civil action against any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, it creates protections around immigration enforcement outside courthouses.
State-Level Labor Mediation Services
Another area where federal uncertainty has had a direct impact on K–12 education is labor relations. In February, the federal government eliminated the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) which provided free mediation services for unions, employers (including school districts), and public agencies. School districts across Illinois have relied on these services for decades to help solve labor disputes. While federal appropriations measures are likely to continue funding FMCS, the uncertainty has resulted in a lack of appropriate staffing to carry out programmatic responsibilities. Given the uncertainty, HB3005 authorized the creation of a state-level labor mediation services program through the Illinois Department of Labor to provide an alternative to FMCS. Proponents noted that other states already offer these services, and more states are also looking to offer state-level mediation services in the absence of a federal alternative. The bill is subject to appropriations, with the Department of Labor estimating that this would cost the state $3 million.
Governor’s Executive Order on SNAP Funding
In anticipation of the first-ever lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the federal government shutdown, Governor JB Pritzker signed an Executive Order directing $20 million to support Illinois food banks. Nearly two million Illinois residents are expected to lose SNAP benefits on November 1. However, on October 31, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture must use an emergency contingency fund to at least partially fund SNAP. The contingency fund will not cover the entire monthly cost of the program, but it could provide a temporary reprieve while Congress works to pass a Continuing Resolution to fund the government in place of annual appropriations bills.
While Tier 2 Pension Reform was not approved by both chambers during Veto Session, it did pass out of House Executive Committee (and the sponsor committed to working on it during Spring Session). This marks a significant effort in a multi-year effort by the We Are One union-led coalition to address inequities in the Tier 2 pension system. SB1937 addresses the federal “safe harbor” issue, increases other pension benefits for employees, and addresses the funding of those increased benefits.
Key provisions of SB1937 include:
Final Week of Veto Session
As the Illinois General Assembly reconvened in Springfield for the second and final week of the 2025 Veto Session, lawmakers returned to the Capitol still grappling with several unresolved issues. In the final days, the General Assembly passed significant omnibus bills including mass transit reform and a clean energy bill. It also continued to tackle major concerns at the federal level through numerous legislative initiatives. Most notably, the General Assembly passed a bill in response to the heightened federal immigration enforcement activities in Illinois. Other big issues such as congressional redistricting, Tier 2 pension reform, and the elections omnibus bill were not called for a floor vote. Some highly negotiated education bills that stalled during Spring Session, including HB3772 (K-2 discipline) and SB2427 (cell phones), also were not called.Response to Federal Actions
Scope of Federal Issues AddressedThe Illinois General Assembly’s actions during the Veto Session underscored a clear priority: Ensuring the state can protect residents and maintain essential services amid federal uncertainty. The scope of these legislative efforts ranged from public health, passing HB767 which strengthens the state’s immunization framework in response to changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to revenue stability, passing SB1911 to decouple Illinois’ revenues from the federal Budget Reconciliation bill (HR1). In addition, the House Appropriations–Health and Human Services Committee held a subject matter hearing on Medicaid to assess the implications of the federal Budget Reconciliation Act’s changes to work requirements, eligibility verifications, and provider taxes that could result in hundreds of thousands of residents losing coverage and impose an estimated $1.7 billion annual cost on the state by 2031.
Response to Heightened ICE Activity
HB1312, sponsored by Senate President Don Harmon and Speaker of the House Emanuel "Chris" Welch, passed both chambers and includes several provisions to safeguard individuals’ civil rights and provide protections related to immigration enforcement. As a reminder, during the Spring Session the General Assembly passed HB3247 to address legislative concerns related to K-12 schools. That new law prohibits districts from excluding students based on immigration status, disclosing immigration status, and requires districts to develop procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests for law enforcement agents to enter schools. HB1312 puts similar requirements in place for day care facilities, hospitals, and higher education. The bill also allows for a civil action against any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, it creates protections around immigration enforcement outside courthouses.
State-Level Labor Mediation Services
Another area where federal uncertainty has had a direct impact on K–12 education is labor relations. In February, the federal government eliminated the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) which provided free mediation services for unions, employers (including school districts), and public agencies. School districts across Illinois have relied on these services for decades to help solve labor disputes. While federal appropriations measures are likely to continue funding FMCS, the uncertainty has resulted in a lack of appropriate staffing to carry out programmatic responsibilities. Given the uncertainty, HB3005 authorized the creation of a state-level labor mediation services program through the Illinois Department of Labor to provide an alternative to FMCS. Proponents noted that other states already offer these services, and more states are also looking to offer state-level mediation services in the absence of a federal alternative. The bill is subject to appropriations, with the Department of Labor estimating that this would cost the state $3 million.
Governor’s Executive Order on SNAP Funding
In anticipation of the first-ever lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the federal government shutdown, Governor JB Pritzker signed an Executive Order directing $20 million to support Illinois food banks. Nearly two million Illinois residents are expected to lose SNAP benefits on November 1. However, on October 31, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture must use an emergency contingency fund to at least partially fund SNAP. The contingency fund will not cover the entire monthly cost of the program, but it could provide a temporary reprieve while Congress works to pass a Continuing Resolution to fund the government in place of annual appropriations bills.
Tier 2 Pension Reform
While Tier 2 Pension Reform was not approved by both chambers during Veto Session, it did pass out of House Executive Committee (and the sponsor committed to working on it during Spring Session). This marks a significant effort in a multi-year effort by the We Are One union-led coalition to address inequities in the Tier 2 pension system. SB1937 addresses the federal “safe harbor” issue, increases other pension benefits for employees, and addresses the funding of those increased benefits.Key provisions of SB1937 include:
- Annual Benefit Increases - 3% simple interest (currently lesser of 3% or ½ CPI),
- Retirement Age - For TRS, lowers the retirement age to 65 years with 10 years of service or 62 years with maximum years of service for (currently 67 years),
- Final Average Salary Calculation - Calculates final average salary using the highest six (currently eight) of the last ten years,
- Social Security Wage Base Fund - Creates a Social Security wage base fund to pay the costs of the benefits increases due to federal safe harbor compliance,
- Amortization Schedule - Extends the pension amortization schedule to 2055 (currently 2040),
- Funding - Funds these changes using 40% of expiring bond payments.