* The Sports Betting Alliance…

The Sports Betting Alliance applauded members of the Illinois House Gaming Committee for passing House Bill 4171, sponsored by House Gaming Chair Rep. Daniel Didech.

HB 4171 passed out of committee Wednesday and will prohibit Illinois home rule cities from implementing regulations or licensing on the sports betting industry to maintain uniform regulation of the sports wagering industry at the state level. Didech’s bill was introduced after the City of Chicago imposed on Jan. 1 a municipal licensing requirement and 10.25% tax on sports betting companies operating in city limits. Passing House Bill 4171 will result in more sports fans playing in the legal, regulated market and fewer seeking out illegal websites and bookies to play. […]

In November, Reps. Didech and Tarver, the Illinois House Revenue Chair, penned a letter to Chicago aldermen raising concerns about the city’s tax on sports betting, stating:

“The Illinois General Assembly has already increased the state’s sports-betting tax twice in consecutive years—first from a flat 15 percent to a tiered rate as high as 40 percent, and then by adding a per-wager assessment. Illinois now has one of the highest sports-betting tax burdens in the nation. Certainly, this was a tough vote to ensure that the state had the necessary revenues it needs to serve all those who live within our state. Therefore, we recognize the importance of finding revenue to provide services.

“The City of Chicago’s proposal, however, sets a dangerous precedent for more than 200 home-rule municipalities across Illinois. If each (or even many) were to impose its own tax on a state-regulated industry, we would end up with a fragmented and unstable framework that undermines the consistency and predictability required for effective state regulation. The ripple effect could extend far beyond gaming. These types of policies could open the door for a patchwork of local taxes in other state-controlled policy areas, making enforcement and compliance nearly impossible.”

Since sports betting was legalized in Illinois, a graduated tax on the industry was passed in 2024 followed by a 2025 per-wager tax on each bet placed in the state. The third Chicago tax was implemented Jan. 1 of 10.25% on sports betting in city limits. The Sports Betting Alliance is challenging the tax in court.

As the tax hikes have been put in place, data from the Illinois Gaming Board has shown a three-month consecutive drop in the number of legal bets placed in the state from September to November 2025.

* WAND…

An Illinois Senate Democrat has filed a bill to require grocery stores with digital coupons to have a paper option easily available for customers.

Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) said his bill can improve affordability, fairness and protect seniors who don’t use smartphones. […]

“We’re simply saying if you advertise a discount to the public, that discount should be available to the public, not just those who own smartphones, download apps and navigate digital platforms well,” Preston said.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association strongly opposes this idea, arguing the plan would make digital-only offers noncompliant since they can’t be printed by stores. IRMA leaders note the bill would raise grocery prices and reduce access to savings.

* Sen. Sen. Julie Morrison…

State Senator Julie Morrison is leading the charge with a measure that would provide support and resources to Illinoisans affected by gambling disorders. […]

Senate Bill 2749 would include gambling disorders as a recognized disorder under the Substance Abuse Disorder Act. This would enable the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery to coordinate disorder prevention, treatment, recovery and other supportive services.

This would allow and require the department to advise the Social Services Advisory Council in preventing gambling and gaming by minors, in addition to promoting public awareness of the stigma, impact recognition and prevention of gambling disorders on individuals, families and communities.

The measure would also require the department to select a statement regarding obtaining assistance with gambling disorders that licensed gambling establishment owners and master sports wagering licenses would then post publicly or include on their portal, website or app.

It also would allow for the treatment of a gambling disorder to be added as an adjunct to any of the existing treatment levels of care or to recovery home intervention and would state that harm reduction services are authorized by intervention licensure if and when legal authorization is adopted. […]

Senate Bill 2749 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

* Sen. Omar Aquino and Rep. Mary Beth Canty…

State Senator Omar Aquino, alongside State Representative Mary Beth Canty, introduced the Workforce Investment and Sustainable Employment Reporting Act to increase transparency in workforce investment practices of companies doing business in Illinois.

“Our workforce drives innovation and long-term economic growth, yet limited data is available on the core strategies companies use to invest in their employees,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “By integrating existing reporting requirements into a comprehensive disclosure system, the WISER Act delivers actionable information investors can utilize to make socially responsible investments and mitigate risk while minimizing unnecessary reporting burdens on businesses.”

Senate Bill 3975, along with corresponding House Bill 5147, would require qualifying companies to disclose standardized metrics related to workforce demographics, compensation and benefits, training and development, workforce stability and workplace quality policies, including diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives and health and safety practices. The legislation would apply to businesses with more than 100 employees and $100 million in global revenue. […]

Companies are already required to report certain workforce data elements to federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but investors and the public are still left without access to clear, comparable data on these issues that are necessary to make prudent decisions. The WISER Act would establish the first standardized state-level workforce reporting requirement in the nation and bring better transparency to how businesses operate in Illinois. […]

Senate Bill 3975 and House Bill 5147 await committee assignment.

* Sen. Kimberly Lightford…

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to close a critical gap in law by extending mandatory abuse and neglect reporting requirements to cover all senior residential settings. [..]

Under current law, if staff of a long-term care facility believes an older adult is being subjected to abuse or neglect, they must report such abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health. However, long-term care facilities do not include assisted living facilities or group homes.

Senate Bill 3179 would expand the requirement to such areas, ensuring older adults receive proper care – regardless of their living situation.

The legislation comes at a critical time as Illinois’ senior population continues to grow, with more older adults choosing assisted living facilities and group homes as alternatives to traditional nursing homes. […]

Senate Bill 3179 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.