McLean County Times

Illinois lawmakers concluded the final days of the recent veto session with several contentious legislative actions. According to State Representative Dennis Tipsword Jr., the process was marked by a lack of transparency, with some bills being debated in committee before their language was made available.

One major piece of legislation passed was a $2.5 billion mass transit bailout. House Democrats introduced multiple versions of this bill during the closing hours of the session, following earlier Senate action that included unpopular taxes such as a delivery tax on packages and food. The first House version proposed further tax increases, including a 7% amusement tax on events and streaming services, a $5 surcharge on large event tickets, and enhancements to automated speed cameras in safety zones. Governor JB Pritzker opposed these initial measures.

On the last night of the session, House Democrats filed a revised version as Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2111. The bill passed after midnight on a partisan vote of 72-32-0 in the House and 36-21-0 in the Senate. The package includes $1.5 billion in tax increases and $1 billion in higher Tollway charges to address a $200 million shortfall for transit funding. The new law also shifts nearly $500 million from downstate road funding to Chicago projects, altering the traditional 55/45 transportation funding split between Downstate and Chicago to an 85/15 ratio.

Lawmakers also approved Senate Bill 25, which ends Illinois’ four-decade moratorium on large-scale nuclear plants while expanding state oversight over energy production and management. Critics argue that this could deter businesses from locating in Illinois due to increased electricity rates experienced over the past summer. Concerns were also raised about battery storage safety for first responders.

Another significant measure was House Bill 1312, which bans civil immigration arrests in and around state courthouses. This legislation allows Illinois residents to sue immigration agents who violate constitutional rights such as due process or protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, with punitive damages possible under certain circumstances like identity concealment or lack of body cameras by agents. Law enforcement groups expressed concerns about unintended consequences for local agencies.

Additionally, lawmakers voted to decouple Illinois’ tax code from federal provisions related to business relief programs, which opponents say could place state businesses at a disadvantage through increased taxation.

In other updates shared by Rep. Tipsword:

The Illinois Farm Bureau Rural Development Grant Program is accepting applications through December 1, 2025, aiming to support rural development projects benefiting Farm Bureau members and rural residents statewide.

The Small Equipment Grant application period remains open until November 30; all applications are processed online via the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s website.

Local students from Flanagan-Cornell FFA received recognition at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis for their achievements.

The Pekin DMV has transitioned back to walk-in services without appointments required; updated information is available through official state channels.

Rep. Tipsword’s district office recently hosted Mobile Office Hours in Eureka with support from the Woodford County Farm Bureau.

Tipsword is a Republican who began representing Illinois' 105th House District after his election in 2023.