Senator Seth Lewis’ June Newsletter

The Senate and House adjourned in the overnight hours of May 31-June 1, and legislators are now back in their home districts for the next several months. I look forward to meeting and talking with local constituents and community groups during this time.

As of session adjournment, a total of 432 bills were passed by the Senate and House, and they will be sent to the Governor over the next few weeks. Chief among these bills was the budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on July 1, 2025. I will be highlighting other bills that passed this year in future newsletters.

Legislators Send Governor Record-High Budget with $1 Billion in New Taxes

On the final day of the spring legislative session and just minutes before the midnight May 31 statutory deadline, the legislature passed a $55.2 billion budget. The new budget includes an increase in spending of $2 billion, or 3.9%, over the current year’s spending plan.

With the passage of the FY 2026 budget, state spending under Governor Pritzker has increased by $15 billion, or 37%, since he took office six years ago. For perspective, consider this: It took every Illinois Governor in history 200 years to get to the $30 billion budget threshold. In just six years, Governor Pritzker has exploded spending to $55.2 billion. It’s the fastest, most dramatic spending expansion in our state’s history.

There was bipartisan opposition to the FY 2026 budget because many believe it continues a trend of misplaced spending priorities.  The new budget also includes approximately $1 billion in new tax increases on top of the $1 billion in tax hikes imposed just one year ago. I joined all Republicans in the Senate and House in opposing the budget. I believe we could have done much better for the people of Illinois.

The intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) community gets severely shortchanged in the new budget. Those who crafted the budget paired an 80-cent-per-hour raise for state workers who provide care to IDD community members (which I support) with a 630,000-hour decrease in the number of service hours they can work. This translates to about 150 jobs lost and a decrease in the level of care some of our most vulnerable residents will receive. This line item in the budget sends Illinois in the wrong direction regarding the care provided to some of this state’s most vulnerable residents.

Legislation to Reform Public Transit Stalls

A great deal of time was spent over the last three years to develop a new governance and funding structure for the six-county regional transit area, which includes Chicago, and the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. On the Senate Transportation Committee, on which I serve, detailed hearings and bipartisan discussions have been taking place for the last 18 months.

Unfortunately, the proposal ultimately brought forward near the end of session was heavily skewed toward Chicago and Cook County. It became less about fair and equitable board representation, shared decision-making, and funding responsibility, and more about a Chicago takeover of mass transit with suburban riders and taxpayers footing the bill. A last-minute amendment to the bill also added a statewide delivery tax of $1.50 for almost every item delivered to a home in Illinois, adding downstate residents to the mix for funding a transit system most of them probably will rarely, if ever, use.

I spoke out against the legislation when it came before the Senate, and you can click here to listen to my remarks.

With the majority of the collar county board chairmen/women opposed to the final version of the bill, Senate Democrats did push the measure through. Luckily, the transit bill stalled at that point. It was not brought up for a vote in the House.

As negotiations broke down, one of my Senate Transportation Committee member colleagues and I issued the following joint statement:

“For more than 18 months, Senate Republicans have engaged in good-faith negotiations to reform our region’s public transportation system in a way that is fair, accountable, and equitable for all riders and taxpayers, including those in the collar counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. We’ve consistently pushed for a balanced approach that ensures no single region shoulders an unfair share of the costs or is marginalized in the decision-making process.

“But today, all of that effort was undercut by a last-minute amendment that takes us in the wrong direction. Most troubling is the proposed $1.50 statewide delivery tax, a blanket charge on every Amazon package, every pizza, every online clothing purchase delivered to homes anywhere in Illinois. Whether you live in a small town downstate, a suburb, or a rural farm, Democrats want you to pay more to receive basic goods at your door.

“This is a statewide cash grab to paper over the financial failures of the Chicago Transit Authority, a system that has been mismanaged for years and is now being propped up on the backs of people who may never even ride it. The delivery tax would hit families, seniors, and small businesses alike, punishing responsible communities, all for a billion-dollar bailout for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the flailing CTA.

“This is not shared responsibility. It’s a direct pipeline from your doorstep to the City of Chicago. Senate Republicans offered a more balanced solution during negotiations. Our proposal brought city and suburban leaders together and fostered shared decision-making. That approach was rejected.”

With the majority of the collar county board chairmen/women opposed to the final version of the bill, Senate Democrats chose to move forward and they pushed the measure through. Luckily, the transit bill stalled at that point. It was not brought up for a vote in the House.

While this was a small victory, we must remain vigilant on this issue. Lawmakers could be called back to Springfield over the summer to seek House approval, or it could be brought forward during this fall’s veto session. We will continue to keep you posted but would encourage you to contact every member of the House of Representatives and urge them to oppose the transit bill. Our work on this measure is not finished and your legislative team will continue pushing for amendments that bring the transit bill back to its original intended purpose of fair and equitable board membership and voting authority, and a funding system that is not unfairly punitive to any segment of the region.

Several High Profile Bills Fail to Cross Finish Line Prior to Adjournment

While the budget and its supporting documents are on their way to the Governor’s desk, several high profile bills failed to advance prior to adjournment.

Some of the stalled measures include:

• The Homeschool bill
• Assisted suicide
• Legalization of assisted suicide
• Allowing community colleges to offer four-year degrees
• Banning mobile phone use by students in K-12 classrooms
• State funding to help the Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights

When bills stall, it is often the result of a powerful collaboration between concerned families, dedicated advocates, and engaged citizens. That was certainly the case with House Bill 2827, the Homeschool bill. I strongly believe that when communities come together to raise their voices in support of their values, we can stop damaging legislation and make a real difference. In my opinion, people’s civic involvement and collective efforts represent government at it’s very best.

However, like the transit bill, the above issues remain “alive” and could be brought up during a summer session or during veto session.

ComEd Offers Tips to Stay Cool This Summer Without Scorching Your Wallet

As you have probably heard, ComEd energy costs are increasing by about 10% this summer. This is a result of increased costs from the supplier that provides energy to several states. ComEd has developed a list of smart habits that can help make a real difference. Combined with bill assistance programs available at ComEd.com/BillSupport, you can help take the edge off of the increase while staying comfortable when the temperatures rise.

Here are five no-cost tips for lowering energy costs:

1. Shift heavy‑duty chores: Run dishwashers and laundry after 7 p.m. or during off‑peak hours. Enrolling in Peak Time Savings or Hourly Pricing can reward you with bill credits or lower rates for the same task.
2. Seal and shade: Close south‑facing blinds during the day, open them at night, and add simple draft stoppers to exterior doors. Blocking heat gain and stopping leaks can trim cooling costs by up to 10 percent.
3. Raise it a notch: Each degree you raise the thermostat saves roughly 2% on cooling. A ceiling fan makes a room feel 4 degrees cooler, letting you nudge the setting higher without sacrificing comfort.
4. Clear the airflow: Move rugs, curtains, and furniture away from vents. A free‑flowing system doesn’t work as hard, extending equipment life and lowering monthly use.
5. Cash in on rebates: Through ComEd’s Energy Efficiency Program, you’ll find discounts on certain window A/C units, smart thermostats, and more. The upfront savings pair with long‑term reductions – often 15% or higher – on your annual energy bill.

To address the rising energy cost issue, this spring I co-sponsored a three-part legislative package aimed at improving energy reliability and affordability across the state. Bills in the package include:

• Senate Bill 1234: Creates the Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force, which would examine how state policies, including the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), are impacting energy prices and reliability.
• Senate Bill 1235: Repeals the forced 2045 closure date for coal and natural gas plants under CEJA and allows for the construction of new gas peaker plants to meet energy demand without fear of premature shutdowns.
• Senate Bill 1236: Cuts red tape at the Illinois EPA to fast-track permits for new power plants. One key example is the Lincoln Land Energy Center in Pawnee, which began the permitting process in 2017 and is now not expected to open until 2028 due to delays.

Unfortunately, the majority party chose not to call our bills prior to adjournment. I am hopeful they will receive the attention they deserve when we return to Springfield.

Lewis Summer Events Underway in 24^th District

I have created a comprehensive list of summer and fall events in the 24^th District, and this year’s outreach events offer something for everyone. Please mark your calendars now for these upcoming events:

• June 18, ICASH Unclaimed Property Event: Wood Dale Public Library, 520 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• June 24, New Carol Stream Office Open House: Carol Stream Legislative Office, 994 W. Army Trail Road, Carol Stream, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
• June 26, New Wheaton Office Open House: Wheaton Legislative Office, 416 E. Roosevelt Road, Suite 111, Wheaton, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
• July 16, IPASS on Demand: Mary Lubko Center, 208 W. Union Avenue, Wheaton, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• July 31, Senior Health Fair: Roselle Park District Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Roselle
• August 27, ICASH Unclaimed Property Event: Warrenville Park District, 3S260 Warren Avenue, Warrenville, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• August 28, Senior Health Expo: Wheaton Park District, 1777 S. Blanchard, Wheaton, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• September 13, Children’s Safety Expo: Erickson Elementary School, 277 Springfield Drive, Bloomingdale, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• September 18, Disabilities Resource Fair: Carol Stream Park District Fountain View Recreation Center, 910 N. Gary Avenue, Carol Stream, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• October 25, Document Shredding Event: Wheaton Park District, 1777 S. Blanchard, Wheaton, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Additional events will be added, so please visit the Events page on my website often to be kept up-to-date on events happening near you!