* Click here for some background. SB3276 from Sen. Elgie Sims…

Amends the Commission to End Hunger Act. Creates the SNAP Response Working Group. Provides that the co-chairs of the Commission to End Hunger shall convene and appoint the co-chairs of the Working Group. Provides that the Working Group shall review and analyze federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), gather and analyze data regarding the potential impact of the federal changes to SNAP on Illinois residents, and gather relevant estimates and data about Illinois’ SNAP payment error rate, including the monthly State-reported error rate. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to make projections about the cost to the State to maintain SNAP in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Directs the Working Group to submit a preliminary report to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2027. Provides that the preliminary report shall outline the federal changes to SNAP and identify the number of State residents impacted by those changes. Further provides that the preliminary report shall include initial recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate any harm to State residents caused by the federal changes and shall project the cost to maintain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Provides that, no later than April 1, 2027, the Working Group shall issue a full report to the General Assembly that includes an analysis on the impact of federal changes to SNAP on Illinois, final recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate harm resulting from those changes, updated projections of the cost to maintain the program in federal Fiscal Year 2028, and any other cost projections relating to the Working Group’s recommendations. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to provide any relevant additional updates to its recommendations or projections as appropriate. Specifies that all reports of the Working Group shall be published by the Department of Human Services on its website. Provides that the SNAP Working Group shall be dissolved on May 31, 2027. Effective immediately.

* GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey…

Darren Bailey, former State Senator and candidate for Governor, is urging lawmakers to enact recently introduced legislation to opt the state into the federal “No Tax on Tips” policy.

House Bill 4519 would give hospitality workers the same state tax benefits they currently enjoy on the federal portion of their taxes. It would exempt state taxes on tips up to $25,000.

“It is time for both Democrats and Republicans to act in the best interests of working people,” Bailey said. “Just because Donald Trump pushed this idea is not a reason for JB Pritzker and his allies in the House and the Senate to oppose it. We need to put people first.”

Bailey said he would sign HB 4519 if he were Governor.

“I am committed to making Illinois government work for the people of this state,” Bailey said. “I have released a policy blueprint that prioritizes working families. I want to lower taxes, create jobs and make our state a destination for jobs and opportunities. Illinois is a great state with terrible leaders. I am running to change the script and restore our state.”

* Failed 2022 Republican attorney general candidate Tom DeVore has been regularly attacking Rep. Charlie Meier on Facebook, and has endorsed his primary opponent…

DeVore is also backing GOP primary challengers to House Minority Leader Tony McCombie and Rep. Norine Hammond. That’s part of why McCombie accused DeVore last summer of acting like a “Democrat operative”.

* HB4849 from Rep. Will Guzzardi…

Creates the Farmer Tax Benefit Act. Provides that taxpayers may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for an income tax credit in an amount equal to either (i) 100% of the fair market value of a qualified donation to a conservation agency of a land protection agreement or (ii) 50% of the fair market value of the qualified donation to a conservation agency of a fee simple interest or a remainder interest in qualified real property. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.

* Sen. Laura Fine…

As ICE agents continue to spread fear and intimidation in communities across the country, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is leading a measure to ensure these officers don’t later become members of Illinois law enforcement.

She will outline her proposal at a press conference Wednesday.

WHO: State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview)

WHAT: Press conference on Senate Bill 2820

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol and live on BlueRoomStream.com

* Sen. Ram Villivalam introduced SB3285 yesterday…

Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act. Sets forth intercity passenger rail routes serving or originating in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate the aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. Authorizes the Department to nominate corridors for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program and enter into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements for each identified interstate corridor to provide for shared data, joint investment prioritization, and aligned performance measures and planning schedules. Requires the Department to include a recurring section titled Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail within each update to the Illinois State Rail Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State to: (1) recognize the target intercity and long-distance passenger rail frequencies; (2) identify relevant rail corridors within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area; and (3) include a narrative discussion of how regional transportation investments can support achievement of those frequency targets. Requires the Department and each Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider progress toward the target passenger rail frequencies when developing project prioritization criteria for multimodal investments. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

* SB3268 from Sen. Laura Ellman…

Creates the Residential Automated Solar Permitting Platform Act. On or before July 1, 2027, municipalities and counties with a population of more than 10,000 residents must adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform. Requires that the municipality or county anticipate that the residential automated solar permitting platform will have the capability to process at least 75% of residential solar applications on existing construction submitted to authorities having jurisdiction in the State. “Residential automated solar permitting platform” means software or a combination of software that automates plan review, automatically produces code-compliant approvals, accepts online payments for permitting fees if permitting fees are levied, and instantly issues permits and permit revisions for residential photovoltaic systems upon online submission of permitting fee payments, if permitting fees are levied, and a code-compliant application. Provides that a person or entity whose rights have been violated under this Act by a municipality or county is entitled to collect: (1) in the case of unlawful retaliation, all legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate; and (2) attorney’s fees and costs. Makes other changes.

* More…

* NBC Chicago | Waymo’s self-driving taxis could be headed for the Chicago area despite safety concerns: Vehicles operated by Waymo, a brand of robotaxis, are already on the roads in several major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Austin. Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner’s proposal would start a pilot program in Cook County, plus likely Springfield in Sangamon County and Madison or St. Clair counties.

* Center Square | Lawmaker says adopting federal ‘no tax on tips’ would help workers: A growing debate over how tipped income is taxed in Illinois has resurfaced as state Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, introduced legislation aiming to align Illinois law with the federal “No Tax on Tips” policy. […] “We all know that Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem, so we should be looking for every opportunity to cut taxes for Illinois citizens while simultaneously cutting government spending,” Deering said.

* WAND | Illinois lawmakers, advocates hope House passes 340B reform plan: The 340B drug pricing program was created in 1992 to improve access to care at safety net hospitals and clinics, helping low-income and uninsured patients get critical prescription drugs. However, Illinois hospital leaders say Big Pharma has limited their access to medications, as 340Bs can only sign one pharmaceutical contract.

* Post-Tribune | Ban on gratuities for public officials approved by Indiana House: A bill addressing gratuities in response to the federal case against former Portage Mayor James Snyder passed the Indiana House Monday and heads to the Senate for consideration. House Bill 1065 would make it a Class A misdemeanor for a person to offer a payment to a public servant as a reward for an official act taken by the public servant or a public servant to solicit or accept a payment as a reward for performing an official act.

* North by Northwestern | Amid Native American mascot controversies, Willie the Wildcat continues to raise no red flag: In April, Illinois lawmakers passed the Prohibit Native American Name bill in the House of Representatives that would ban the use of Native American mascots in K-12 public schools. The ban includes an exemption for schools that form an agreement with a tribal council which preserves the importance of tribal sovereignty, said Aaron Golding. Golding is the co-chair of the Education Committee for the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative. In June, prior to the closure of the legislative session, the bill was stunted in the Senate due to cost concerns from several Illinois lawmakers. These concerns stemmed from the large financial output that would be needed from public schools to change their mascots and possibly their entire brand. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, has expressed that her efforts to get more support for the bill are far from over. The evolution of this bill follows a similar trend to other proposals relevant to concerns within the Native community. “When there’s a racist mascot, the incidence of racism across all communities goes up, Golding said.” That’s why having a neutral mascot like Willie creates a more welcoming environment for local communities.