Veto Session Wrap-Up
The legislature completed its final three days of veto session on October 28-30 (actually, we completed our work at 5:00 AM on October 31), and lawmakers will now be back home in their districts for the remainder of the year. The 2026 legislative session begins in January and will run through the end of May. Click here to view our 2026 session calendar.
Some of the highlights from the final days of veto session include the following bills that passed:
Clean Slate Act (HB 1836): Automatically seals criminal records that are already eligible for sealing under current law, removing the need for individuals to navigate the process. Non-conviction records will be automatically sealed, improving efficiency, but serious crimes like murder, sex offenses, human trafficking, Class X felonies, violent crimes, DUI, and domestic battery are excluded from automatic sealing.
Decoupling from Federal Tax Incentives (Senate Bill 1911): Allows Illinois not to follow certain parts of the federal tax code when calculating state taxes. Specifically, the legislation removes tax incentives that the federal government recently extended to businesses and manufacturers. It will increase taxes for these job creators, making Illinois less competitive when attracting new business.
Energy Omnibus (Senate Bill 25): Provides the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) with greater authority over energy rates/costs and removes current caps on how much rates can increase. It also makes a significant investment in battery storage in an attempt to improve energy capacity. It is expected to raise electricity rates.
Physician-Assisted Suicide (Senate Bill 1950): Legalizes the process of physician-assisted ending-of-life for those who meet a strict set of criteria.
Public Transit Reform (Senate Bill 2111): Diverts existing revenue streams and grants the RTA additional financial decision-making authority to solve current and future financial issues related to Illinois’ public transit system (Metra, Pace, Chicago Transit Authority) and reforms the governing boards.
Senator Seth Lewis Negotiates Transit Reforms that Solve Fiscal Cliff, Improve Public Transit System
Public transit is vital to the continued success of our region. Every day, thousands of residents in the 24th District rely on Metra and Pace to commute to work, while many others depend on it for travel to and from the City on weekends.
After two years of public hearings and intense negotiations, on October 31 I voted to support the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, landmark legislation that puts Illinois on a path toward a world-class transit system. The legislation secures long-term investments in Illinois infrastructure, implements an improved governance structure that holds transit agencies accountable to better service standards, and protects 15,000 current transit jobs held by hardworking Illinoisans in the transit industry.
Senate Bill 2111 was called during the final hour of the fall veto session, and the bill that ultimately passed in the Senate and House is significantly improved over the original version pushed by the majority party in May. Earlier versions of this legislation included a range of unpopular statewide and regional taxes, including taxes on home deliveries, streaming services, and rideshare trips, and a real estate transfer fee. These proposed revenue sources were successfully negotiated out of the legislation. While the final bill is not perfect, the version brought forward on Friday represents a substantial improvement and a meaningful step forward for our transit system and the communities it serves.
With more than $1 billion diverted from existing revenue streams that would have otherwise been passed on to taxpayers, Illinois will be able to stabilize its current transit operations. Equally important, it will fully fund paratransit for everyone in the Chicagoland region. A provision that grants the RTA greater financial authority may provide additional flexibility to meet future funding needs. Additionally, oversight and governance will be reformed, and the current Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) board will be replaced by a Northern Illinois Transportation Authority (NITA) board with greater oversight and decision-making power.
I brought concepts to the table that have been used successfully in the private sector, and advocated for them throughout our negotiating process. Through our finished product, we are investing in Illinois’ future by modernizing our public transit systems to better connect communities and strengthen our economy. These transformational reforms will improve reliability, sustainability, and access for riders across the RTA region and provide additional funding for improvements to downstate transit systems. By building a more efficient transit network, we’re laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth and opportunity and making Illinois a place where people want to live and not leave.
The effective date for SB 2111 is June 1, 2026.
Over 300 Take Advantage of FREE Sensitive Document Shredding Event and Food Drive
I want to thank everyone who came out recently for the document shredding event and food drive I co-hosted in Wheaton with State Representative Amy Grant. We had a constant flow of traffic through the two-hour event, and we filled the shred truck.
We also collected non-perishable food items and toiletries that were donated to the Milton Township Food Pantry, and I was amazed by the generosity shown by the 24th Senate District community.
Resources Available to Address Food Insecurity During Government Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown continues, SNAP benefits are beginning to be affected. Those experiencing hunger or food insecurity are encouraged to visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website at: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=163179.
Senator Lewis to Partner with CUB for FREE Session on Reducing Energy Costs
Please save the date! My staff and I are putting the finishing touches on an exciting event that will help people save money on their energy bills.
On December 4, I am partnering with the Illinois’ Citizens Utility Board (CUB) for a FREE session on how to reduce electricity costs. Each participant will have an opportunity to speak one-on-one with a CUB counselor to receive a personalized analysis of their energy bills, so those who attend should bring their most recent utility bills with them.
CUB Utility Bill Clinic
Thursday, December 4
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wheaton City Hall
303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton
Attendees will receive information on:
- Solar and electrification programs that can help lower your utility bills
- Rebates and strategies for reducing energy costs through efficiency programs and DIY solutions for homeowners and renters
- Spotting unnecessary charges on your gas and electric bills
- Income-qualified financial assistance programs
Registration is required for this event, and walk-in guests will not be able to be accommodated. In a few weeks, participants will be able to sign up for an appointment between 3:00 and 5:00. When the event details are finalized, the registration form will be posted on the events page of my website (https://senatorlewis.com/events/). I expect the registration portal to be open in a few weeks.
Lewis Sponsors Diwali Celebration at State Capitol
It was an honor to sponsor a Diwali celebration at the State Capitol on October 29. My sincere thanks go out to the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha for hosting the celebration in the rotunda. Many other Hindu Mandirs from Illinois joined us, including the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago, the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, and the Kaival Gyan Mandir of Chicago.
Diwali is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in the Hindu faith. It is often called the “Festival of Lights,” symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
The central themes of Diwali are hope, prosperity, and righteousness. The celebration usually lasts five days and falls in October or November, based on the Hindu lunar calendar. Diwali is a time of spiritual reflection and renewal, and it encourages people to let go of negativity, seek inner light, and cultivate goodness and generosity.
Click here to view a short video highlighting the event.
Expanded EV Rebates: More Time, Broader Access for Illinois Drivers
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced revisions to its Electric Vehicle Rebate Program, incorporating changes from 2025 legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly. The application portal for this latest round of rebates opened on October 28, 2025, and closes on January 31, 2026. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
The updates include a revised definition of low-income applicants, now encompassing individuals and families with incomes not exceeding 80 percent of the regional or county median income for the current state fiscal year, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Illinois Income Limits by metropolitan area and county. Additionally, the timeframe for submitting applications following vehicle purchase has been extended to 180 days, an increase from the previous 90 days. All applications must be submitted during an open application period.
Eligibility criteria require the vehicle to be a new or used all-electric model legally operable on public roadways, purchased—not leased—from an Illinois Secretary of State-licensed dealership. Applicants must be Illinois residents, retain ownership for at least 12 consecutive months post-purchase, and not have received a prior rebate under the program. One rebate is permitted per individual.
Click here for further details, including full program requirements under the EV Rebate Act.
Senator Lewis Welcomes Addison Trail High School Students to the Capitol
It was a wonderful surprise last week when I learned that a group of AP U.S. Government students from Addison Trail High School was visiting their state capitol. In between committee hearings, I was able to meet with the group in the Capitol Rotunda and talk with them about my job as a State Senator. I was also able to engage in some Q & A with the inquisitive group and heard about the issues that are important to them.