* They’re also apparently working on a tollway capital component…

NEW: Mass transit funding proposal from IL House Dems includes using the gas tax designated for the road fund and also granting authorization for the RTA to vote on a $0.25 tax.
Look for floor debate 6:30p tonight #twill

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) October 30, 2025

The RTA tax is a sales tax. Unlike current law, local governments will not be allowed to divert that new money for first responders, etc.

There’s also word that some of the interest on the Road Fund might be used for transit. This was a Republican idea.

…Adding… Keep in mind that nothing is set in stone until the three tops make the final decision.

…Adding… The 2019 capital bill gradually phased-out transferring sales tax on motor fuels to the General Revenue Fund. By now, it was supposed to be all heading to the Road Fund. But this budget (again) delayed that final phase-out and used the money for transit. That practice was supposed to end, but apparently, they’re gonna use that cash for transit going forward.

…Adding… The plan is actually to transfer all sales tax revenues on gas/diesel to transit, for a total of roughly $750 million a year. Add that to the quarter point increase of the RTA tax and the annual interest on the Road Fund for transit capital ($175 million a year right now) and you’re at about $1.5 billion for transit. I’ll have more for subscribers in the morning.

…Adding: 6:46 pm… House Exec is now holding a subject matter hearing on the transit bill, but no bill has been posted online as of yet. From sponsoring Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado…

* No fare increases for the first year to “allow the agency to stabilize its system.”
* Sales tax on motor fuel and redirect that to transit operations. $890 million is the number they’re using. 85 percent for northern Illinois ($756 million) and 15 percent for downstate. (She has since revised that number to $860 million, which is $731 for the RTA region and $129 million for downstate).
* Road fund interest for transit capital, shared statewide (about $200 million, with a 90-10 split between RTA and downstate).
* RTA sales tax increase of 0.25 percent ($478 million).

…Adding… Downstate Laborers’ union is opposed because the plan reduces overall money for road projects. Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) wants Downstate’s sales tax share bumped up to $150 million per year. Rep. Delgado says that can’t be done without additional revenues.

* Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) is justifiably complaining that they’re debating a bill without any actual language.

…Adding… As I noted above, Rep. Delgado says there will be a tollway hike of 45 cents for passenger vehicles and 30 percent for commercial vehicles, with CPI increase capped at 4 percent a year. That money will only be used for roads. Local 150 says this will generate up to about a billion a year in revenues to fund a $10 billion ten-year capital program, but with CPI it could be significantly higher.

…Adding… Not mentioned yet in the committee debate is that, according to Local 150 of the Operating Engineers, the split in the state’s road/bridges spending has been about 65-35 favoring downstate. It’s only supposed to be 55-45, but the state has been working on a ton of downstate roads and bridges. And it’s projected to remain 65-35 during the next five years.

…Adding: 7:47 pm… House Exec has finished debating the transit bill. Recessed until call of the chair.

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* Meanwhile, the House Revenue Committee has approved an amendment to create a sales tax and revenue (STAR) bonds program (SB1911 HA3). A similar bill passed the House last spring with 100 votes, but it wasn’t called in the Senate. The bill prohibits sports teams from using STAR bonds. The proposal allows developers to use sales tax money to finance big projects. Unlike the old STAR bonds program, this one has a lot of state oversight. The amendment is part of a larger revenue package, which includes the decoupling from recent federal tax code changes.

This post will be updated.

…Adding… The House Executive Committee is holding a subject matter hearing on HB3799, which is the insurance regulation bill currently in the Senate. The insurance industry is hotly opposed, with one testifier claiming that it will increase homeowner insurance rates higher than California’s.

…Adding… House Exec could also hold a subject matter hearing on the immigration bill that’s still in the Senate: HB1312 SA2. As subscribers know, the language was changed a bit from yesterday. Some background is here.

…Adding: 5:56 pm… House Speaker Welch is now testifying in favor of the immigration-related bill. Click here.

…Adding: 6:20 pm… The insurance regulation bill is being heard on the Senate floor. It’s expected to pass.

…Adding: 6:44 pm… The Senate has approved the insurance regulation bill. HB3799 now goes to the House for consideration.

…Adding: 8:09 pm… The Senate has passed the Energy bill. SB25 now heads to Gov. Pritzker.

…Adding… Press release…

Today, Gov. Pritzker released the following statement on the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act:

“For far too long, private grid operators have been hiking up rates that are making it harder for Illinois families to pay their utility bills. At the same time, the Trump Administration has been blocking the ability to bring lower-cost energy options online. Illinois is taking action to address these concerns and has passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act – an important step that will help lower utility bills and make our electrical grid stronger.

“This legislation takes two routes toward affordability. First, it will accelerate clean energy projects with new grid-scale batteries and other clean energy technology to increase the available electricity supply. Second, it will require utility companies to help their consumers to lower their utility bills and access energy efficient resources. This bill will build upon the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, positioning Illinois to keep growing our clean energy economy and creating good-paying jobs in communities across the state. ​

“Illinois is leading an ambitious clean energy effort that will make our electrical grid more resilient, power our economy, and make energy more affordable for everyone. I am grateful for working with the Illinois General Assembly and I look forward to signing this bill into law and help Illinoisans keep costs lower and keep the lights on.” ​

[We’re moving over to our usual format of an end of session cheat sheet. Click here. Also, you can see press releases as the evening progresses by clicking here.]