2025 Illinois Legislative Session Ends With WINS

6/4/25

Of the four priority bills* that LWVIL lobbied for in 2025, three bills supporting our objectives of 'Defending Democracy' and 'Supporting Equity in Education and Housing' passed the General Assembly and are now awaiting the governor’s signature. One additional bill protecting the water supply in the Mahomet Aquaphor in central Illinois also passed, as members across the state asked for support of this important environmental bill. 

We were disappointed to see to bills aimed at increasing housing and avoiding evictions did not make it out of the legislature, but at least one will remain on the watch list for either the Fall Veto Session or another opportunity next year. Also notable was the lost opportunity to see Illinois make progress on environmental waste, as a last-minute push to eliminate polystyrene in Illinois did not make it over the finish line in the House. SB1531 will remain on our watchlist to see if it can be resurrected in the Fall Veto Session.

Additionally, LWV often promotes program funding that we want to see increased or protected in the budget. This was a very difficult budget year for Illinois, and we were among a number of groups that were disappointed by items excluded from the budget that passed late last week. Fortunately, the budget bill did include education funding (through previous and current efforts to secure Evidence Based Funding), which was another topic many members lobbied for in Springfield and locally this year.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported LWVIL’s advocacy and lobbying efforts this year by attending Lobby Day, making calls, and sending letters to your legislators about our priorities. It’s great to see the League grassroots in action!

Speaking of which… to stay on top of future opportunities to promote League priorities with your lawmakers, be sure to download the League in Action app.

The League of Women Voters of Illinois also supports priorities set by our national League. Don’t forget that our US Congress still has important bills in front of it—the SAVE Act and the Big Beautiful Bill—both of which we strongly oppose. Please help us protect voting rights, Medicaid, Food/SNAP benefits, and other services recently cut from the budget by the US House. Call your senators and US Senate leadership TODAY and every Friday during our Phone Call Friday campaign.