VETO SESSION
The Illinois General Assembly has returned to Springfield after the summer adjournment period comes to an end.
The annual Veto Session, for decades, was used by lawmakers to consider voting to override vetoes leveled by the governor on bills that were passed during the previous spring Session. In recent years, the Veto Session has been used by Democrats to ram through tax increases, erode Second Amendment Rights, and pass new legislation unrelated to veto action. Governor Pritzker has vetoed very few bills in recent years, as Democrats hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate, and rarely pass legislation that would see the governor exercise his veto authority.
This year’s Veto Session is likely to see Democrats work to move on an “omnibus” energy package that is guaranteed to raise already sky-high electricity prices. A looming mass-transit “fiscal cliff” may be addressed through the implementation of any of a number or a combination of unpopular and costly tax increases like a $1.50 per-delivery tax hike on items like Amazon purchases and food delivery or new sales taxes on any of a number of a wide variety of services, such as lawn care, plumbing, home maintenance, and more.
Unfortunately, the Veto Session is also often a time when fresh legislation, that really has no place being considered during the annual gathering of lawmakers, is rushed through the process.
Illinois citizens would be smart to stay tuned closely to the actions of the General Assembly. The first day of the fall Veto Session is Tuesday, October 14, lasting through Thursday, October 16. The second week of the Veto Session begins on Tuesday, October 28, and concludes on Thursday, October 30.
Interested citizens can follow all the action by visiting ilga.gov/House/AudioVideo.
Today after the legislative session concluded, I released the following statement:
“Today, we witnessed yet another relentless barrage of partisan hypocrisy, filled with finger-pointing at the federal government instead of confronting the many important issues at home. While Illinois families are struggling with soaring costs and growing distrust in their leaders, Illinois Democrats are wasting time and taxpayer dollars to play political games.
“With only four legislative days remaining, Speaker Welch and the House Democrats are negotiating tax hikes and a new green energy giveaway package behind closed doors, while play acting on the House floor to distract from it.
“It’s time to put Illinois first and deliver solutions concerning skyrocketing energy costs, public safety, and to overall relief to the families who need it most.”
CORRUPTION
After former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was convicted in February 2025 on a series of federal corruption charges, a series of sentencing-phase presentations and hearings culminated in his June 2025 sentencing to serve 7.5 years in federal prison. The sentencing federal judge stated that this was an appropriate term for him to spend behind bars, one that was firmly based upon the pattern of bribery and corrupt conduct – as displayed in evidence presented to a jury in a court of law – shown by the onetime power broker and by members of his political inner circle.
Mr. Madigan was ordered to report to federal prison no later than Monday, October 13. Seeking to remain free during his criminal appeal, the longtime head of the Illinois Democratic Party and his counsel filed papers in a federal appeals court to stay enforcement of his imprisonment deadline. However, in an appellate order filed on Friday, October 3, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this plea.
On Monday, I released the following statement:
“Today marks another painful chapter in Illinois’ long and troubling history of public corruption. Each scandal chips away at the public’s trust and further erodes confidence in our state government.
“What’s most disappointing is the silence from so many in the majority party, lawmakers either unwilling to condemn this behavior or unwilling to take real action to prevent it from happening again. Their inaction speaks volumes.
“Illinois can’t afford to keep repeating this cycle of scandal and shame. Meaningful ethics reform could be passed tomorrow, if only Democratic leaders would find the courage to join us in restoring integrity and trust in state government.”
BUDGET
Just a few months into the new fiscal year, the state of Illinois already has bad budget news.
It expects a $267 million deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30, in large part because of tax cuts passed by Congress.
The new forecast puts additional pressure on already shaky state finances. Legislators scrambled to balance this year’s $55.1 billion budget with tax-law changes and one-time funding sources. Gov. JB Pritzker already has told state agency leaders to look for ways to hold back spending by 4%.
The Governor’s Office of Management & Budget now forecasts the state’s largest revenue sources — income tax and sales tax — to be $827 million lower this year than previously expected. But that shortfall is offset by other revenue, winnowing the deficit to $267 million.
Read more from Crain’s Chicago Business.
POLITICAL RHETORIC
At a press conference last week, Governor Pritzker tried to blame Republicans for inflaming rhetoric, while refusing to take responsibility for his own divisive record.
I set the record straight: “Governor Pritzker’s words have only deepened tensions here at home. Just last week he called ICE agents ‘jackbooted thugs,’ urged Illinoisans to ‘fight it with everything we have,’ and told them to ‘ask for badge numbers and record everything.’ These remarks don’t calm the waters, they pour gasoline on the fire.”
When it comes to toning down the rhetoric, Governor Pritzker should start by looking in the mirror. His record speaks for itself:
- March 2025: “What we really need is to become street fighters.”
- April 2025: “Donald Trump is okay if people in Chicago die.”
- April 2025: “These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”
- April 2025: “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption — but I am now.”
And when confronted about comparing Republicans to Nazis, the Governor tried to rewrite history. But again, his own words tell the truth:
- February 2025: “Everything he has done has been tearing down constitutional democracy — and that’s what happened in Nazi Germany.”
- February 2025: “We’re talking about the death of a constitutional republic. That’s what happened in Germany in 1933 and 1934.”
- August 2025: “The Nazis in Germany in the ’30s tore down a constitutional republic in just 53 days. It does not take much, and we have a President who seems hell-bent on doing just that.”
Even more troubling, Pritzker has encouraged bystanders to confront federal law enforcement during operations last month, calls that have coincided with days of chaos at an ICE facility in Broadview, where demonstrators blocked cars, launched fireworks at officers, and were arrested with firearms in their possession.
Governor Pritzker continues to preach unity but practice division. If he’s serious about lowering the temperature, he should stop pointing fingers and start holding himself accountable.