News From State Representative Dan Ugaste – October 6, 2025

VETO SESSION

2025 Fall Veto Session Preview

In a couple of weeks, the Illinois General Assembly will return to Springfield to convene for the annual two-week Veto Session. The session is scheduled for October 14-16 and October 28-30. The Veto Session is generally intended for the legislature to review legislation passed in the spring that has received a total veto or an amendatory veto from the Governor. The legislature can seek to override a Governor's veto by a 3/5 majority vote in each chamber or vote to accept an amendatory veto.

However, the Veto Session is also often used to take up major policy issues that were not resolved in the spring or have arisen over the summer months. This year, among others, two major issues that the legislature may consider are a bailout of the Chicagoland mass transit agencies, which are facing a large fiscal cliff of approximately $200 million (which is less than 1/3 of previous estimates), and a new green energy package.

The mass transit fiscal cliff was brought on in part by transit agencies under the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) using federal COVID-19 relief dollars for general operating expenses instead of for one-time costs resulting from pandemic disruptions. Supermajority Senate Democrats came up with a "solution" late in the Spring Session to bail out the agencies that included multiple tax increases, notably a $1.50 delivery tax on nearly every package delivered to homes, including essentials like groceries. The bill passed by Senate Democrats would have generated over $1 billion in new tax revenue.

"Home delivery, especially for essentials, has become a lifeline for many families," said Deputy House Minority Leader Ryan Spain. "At a time when high prices on essentials are already hurting family budgets across the state, adding a new delivery tax on top of the sales taxes families are already paying would be devastating."

Sadly, Democrats' tax hike proposals that could come up during the Veto Session don't stop with a delivery tax. A new service tax had also been floated in the spring. Over eighty everyday services like parking, haircuts, dry cleaning, and even oil changes would be subject to the new service tax. Even very costly projects like home repairs could be taxed under the proposal that has been put forward, potentially adding hundreds or thousands of dollars in costs for residents.

"We fully expect the service tax conversation to come back during Veto Session this fall," said Deputy House Minority Leader Norine Hammond. "This is a clear sign that Illinois families and small businesses are going to be asked to do more to fill the void for Democrats' failed financial stewardship of our government. A service tax will drive up the cost of living even more for Illinois families."

On the energy front, Democrats and environmental groups are pushing another expansion of green energy policies despite massive spikes in energy costs for ratepayers due to the failures of current policies. The proposal currently includes a surcharge on electric bills to pay for battery storage developments, loosening some nuclear power restrictions, and creating new energy efficiency requirements, among other changes.

"Speaker Welch and Governor Pritzker like to pretend Illinois is leading the way on energy. But the truth is we are falling further behind while utility bills skyrocket, manufacturing jobs are at risk, and investment dollars leave our state," said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie. "Fortunately, Illinois is blessed with one of the strongest nuclear fleets in the nation. Instead of chasing unrealistic green energy deadlines and expensive subsidies, we should focus on reliability and affordability. Families don't care about 'green' slogans; they care about whether they can afford their electric bill and whether the lights stay on when it's 100 degrees or -10."

Looming over the energy debate is also an issue related to Illinois's Biometric Information and Privacy Act (BIPA). Illinois' strict regulations and concerns about energy limitations are stoking fears among job creators, particularly in the tech and construction industries, that could cost the state thousands of jobs and billions in investment.

It remains to be seen if the Governor and Supermajority Democrats may take up action to address potential shortfalls in the state budget. Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has increased state spending by roughly 40% and signed the largest budget in Illinois history at $55.2 billion in July. Yet, blaming the federal government last week, the Governor issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to identify spending cuts, reserve 4% of their appropriations, limit nonessential spending, review all hiring decisions, prioritize only essential roles, and plan for potential budget shortfalls.

House Republicans have long warned of the Democrats' insatiable lust to tax-and-spend, and the truth is, when state spending has increased nearly 40% in just six years, the financial problems facing the state are not the fault of Washington. It is the product of years of unchecked spending, gimmicks, and a closed-door process in Springfield.

There is also the possibility of Democrat proposals to enact mandatory voting for all eligible voters and change when and how local elections are conducted across the state.

However, what is not being discussed in the lead up to the Veto Session by the majority party, any form of meaningful tax relief for families and small businesses, an end to the state's failed sanctuary state policies, repealing/reforming the broken SAFE-T Act and putting public safety front and center, or ethics reform to end the decades-long scourge of corruption in state government.

ECONOMY

Analysts see growing risk of recession in Illinois

Numerous data indicators show an imminent probability that the Illinois economy, which has been stalled since 2022, will soon re-enter recessionary conditions. Data on state business cycles shows that Illinois is one of 21 states (up from 16) that are seen by Moody's as being at high risk of a recession. Illinois, which has one of the highest tax burdens of any state in the U.S., is at the top of the recession risk list.

Gov. Pritzker has responded to the growing mass of threatening data by making speeches attacking Washington, D.C. House Republicans urge Illinoisans to work together to get our own house in order instead of blaming the federal government.

QUANTUM COMPUTING

Ground broken for Illinois quantum computing hub

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will be a site for the Illinois-based research and development of microelectronic gear and software that will utilize the power of quantum physics. Current computational devices, including those embedded inside our cellphones and other fixtures, use standard physics. This means that their power is limited by the sizes of atoms and electrons. Quantum physics dives into subatomic realities. Investors and business firms believe this breakthrough could generate immense benefits for computer-controlled productivity.

In 2024, the Illinois General Assembly enacted legislation to create the Quantum Computing Campus, which led to this week's groundbreaking in the South Shore neighborhood of Illinois' Lake Michigan lakefront. A 300,000 square-foot facility will be built on the lakefront foot of Chicago's 87^th Street to house what developers say will be the world's first utility-scale quantum computer. Project sponsors include IBM and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The groundbreaking took place on Tuesday, September 30.

TAXES

Federal judge's opinion this week makes tax sale reform urgent

Under current law, Illinois counties are required to seize and sell off properties that are multi-year delinquent in their property taxes. A facet of the auctioning-off process required by statutory law in Illinois was, however, declared unconstitutional in Minnesota in the case of Tyler v. Hennepin County (2023). The U.S. Supreme Court decision placed an order on all the states where counties sell off, for their own benefit, tax-delinquent properties. The order holds that the counties must, going forward, sequester all the proceeds of the sale (if any) that surpass the total sum owed by the previous property owner to the county. The Tyler v. Hennepin County decision requires that this surplus must be returned to the prior owner.

Attorneys say that no money can change hands, including under the circumstances set forth in Tyler v. Hennepin, except through proper procedure. This, in turn, mandates the Illinois General Assembly to enact a statutory law to set forth the required procedure to enable the return of this money. Until this legal change is enacted and a procedure set forth, local counties cannot return these moneys to their proper owners even though they have been required to do so by the U.S. Supreme Court. This creates a substantial and growing legal liability for Illinois counties and their taxpayers. They are potentially liable for damage suits filed by affected property owners claiming damages and seeking enforcement and compensation. A federal judge's opinion, filed this week, makes clear that these claims for damages have standing to be considered valid. Illinois taxpayers could soon be on the hook for many millions of dollars because of the Illinois General Assembly's failure to act.

Illinois House Republicans made numerous attempts, in 2024 and again in 2025, to get their colleagues to enact a law to create this procedure. Draft language to deal with this situation and create the required procedure has been on the table for more than twelve months. A new window for emergency action will open on Tuesday, October 14, when the General Assembly convenes for its fall veto session.

OUTDOOR SPORTS

Illinois deer hunting seasons begin this week

The seasons begin with archery deer seasons. Licensed bowhunters took to their blinds starting on Wednesday, October 1. The archery deer seasons continue through Sunday, January 18, 2026, with breaks for the firearm deer season. The first of the two firearm deer seasons will begin on Friday, November 21, and extend through Sunday, November 23.

ILLINOIS PUMPKINS

The Pumpkin Capital of the World

A few weeks ago, Illinois played host to the Pumpkin Party of the Century.

That was the theme of the 59th annual Morton Pumpkin Festival, the Tazewell County town's celebration of the area's prime agricultural product. The event had a special significance this year as it marked the 100th anniversary of the community's Nestle Libby's pumpkin canning plant.

"Being born and raised in Morton, I can tell you we are very proud of our pumpkin heritage," said State Representative Bill Hauter who represents Morton and the surrounding area. "Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois generally and in my district specifically, with pumpkin production playing a huge role. We are proud to be the pumpkin capital of the world!"

That claim is more than just a boast. In 1978 Governor Jim Thompson signed a proclamation declaring Morton the "Pumpkin Capital of the World."

The basis for such a grandiose statement was that the Nestle Libby's plant was responsible for canning 85% of the world's canned pumpkin. The Pumpkin Festival, held every year in mid-September, coincides with the beginning of the pumpkin harvest and the canning season at the plant.

With more than 30 special events and an estimated 75,000 visitors, the festival is one of the largest in downstate Illinois. The Morton Chamber of Commerce runs the event with the help of around 1500 volunteers.

"From field to table, Illinois pumpkins are essential to American traditions," Hauter added. "We take great pride in our farmers, whose hard work and dedication make the fall season something to look forward to every year."

Read more at The Caucus Blog.