(SPRINGFIELD) Governor J.B. Pritzker signed sweeping energy legislation yesterday that will add a new charge on Illinois electric bills, starting in 2030, all to pay for state procurement of three gigawatts of battery storage. Senate Bill 25 also lifts the state’s moratorium on large nuclear reactors and requires utility companies to create virtual power plants. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act was approved by the General Assembly before the fall veto session ended in October, when last minute changes were introduced just prior to the vote.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot earlier this week, removing several Republican candidates for Governor after upholding petition challenges. So while Governor J.B. Pritzker will be unchallenged on the Democratic ticket, the four GOP gubernatorial ballot includes Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick, and Rich Heidner. The U.S. Senate candidates include ten Democrats and six Republicans.
(SPRINGFIELD) Citing a report by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the National Federation of Independent Business says state tax collections thru December are up more than $1.5 billion year-over-year from fiscal year 2025. The report shows personal income tax collections are up more than $500 million, sales tax collections increased by $300 million, and estate tax collections are up $174 million. However, corporate income tax collections are down $183 million and gross corporate income tax revenues are down by 11%.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to celebrate the reopening of the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetland Center, at Cashe River State Natural Area, in downstate Johnson County. Running from 10:00 to 2:00 tomorrow, visitors can enjoy family-friendly environmental crafts, explore interactive education & conservation booths, meet with local naturalists, and explore self-guided winter hiking, biking, and birding. The state park includes over 14,000 acres of rich wetlands and ancient cypress trees located between Interstates 24 and 57, south of State Route 146, south and southwest of Vienna, Illinois. Learn more about the Cashe River State Natural Area on the State DNR website, at dnr.illinois.gov.