* NPR Illinois…

On its surface, Senate Bill 3104 was a relatively straightforward energy bill – one built on the idea that solar technology is becoming smaller, affordable and accessible enough to move beyond the sprawling solar farms and commercial rooftops.

The proposal gained some initial traction during the spring session. SB 3104 cleared the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee on March 12 but remained awaiting further amendments before receiving consideration by the full Senate, illustrating both the interest in the technology and the unresolved questions lawmakers sought to address before moving forward. […]

Yet as negotiations progressed, lawmakers encountered technical questions that proved more complicated than merely plugging in a solar panel. […]

Ventura remains optimistic about the issue.

“This isn’t the end,” she said. “This is just the beginning.”

* Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin’s cannabis company is emailing Illinois customers, urging them to oppose HB5784…

It’s Uncle Tommy…

You know I hate sending bad news, but this could not be more urgent.
​
The Illinois General Assembly JUST dropped a new bill called HB5784 less than an hour ago…

It’s basically a complete ban on hemp beverages under the fake banner of “consumer protection.” (They love to twist words, don’t they?)
​
Click Here to Take 2 Minutes To Help Us Fight It.
​
Our friends at the Hemp Industry Alliance caught this immediately, but here’s the deal:
​
This goes to a vote on May 31st. (Yeah… literally 2 days..)
​
The clock is ticking, and these changes will be nearly impossible to walk back if we don’t fight this RIGHT NOW.
​
Here’s what they’re really doing…
​
Wiping out 10,000 Illinois jobs and 2,000 small businesses…
​
While pushing consumers toward unregulated, untested products with zero age verification.
​
That’s their version of “protection.”
​
When you ban something people actually want, they don’t just disappear…
​
They find another way to get it. Usually from someone MUCH sketchier than the legitimate small business you just shut down…
​
Real smart, guys.
​
Look, I’ve seen this playbook before…
​
They rush it through hoping you won’t notice until your favorite products vanish from store shelves.
​
Don’t let them get away with it.
​
Click here RIGHT NOW and tell your legislators to kill this bill.

Takes 2 minutes. Form is pre-filled. Just confirm your address and send.
​
Then forward this to everyone you know in Illinois.
​
Because once this passes, it’s game over.
​
The weasels think they’ve got us beat already… The think this is gonna sail through before we have time to react…

Let’s Prove Them Wrong.

* Sen. Ram Villivalam….

State Senator Ram Villivalam advanced a measure through the Senate to streamline implementation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act. […]

House Bill 2335 would solidify and streamline the comprehensive reforms under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act. Signed into law in December, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act addresses the fiscal cliff that was expected to cause mass layoffs and reduced transit service in 2026 and 2027 with necessary reforms and a transformational $1.5 billion investment.

The law established the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, known as NITA, which will replace the Regional Transit Authority as the new entity overseeing the CTA, Metra and Pace. It streamlines transit governance alongside a slate of reforms securing an accessible, equitable, safe, reliable and integrated public transit system.

Ahead of the law’s June 1 effective date, Villivalam is leading House Bill 2335. The proposal would clarify dates and align implementation timelines to ensure the law can be administered effectively and consistently. […]

House Bill 2335 passed the Senate Friday.

* Press release…

On Saturday, May 30 at 12pm, nearly 600 community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, students, and state legislators will rally at the Lincoln Statue outside of the Illinois State Capitol Building to urge state lawmakers to pass the POWER Act–commonsense legislation that would establish nation-leading guardrails on data centers. The rally comes as state lawmakers appear poised to adjourn without taking any action on data centers despite intense public outcry from Illinoisans across the state concerned about the impacts of these behemoth facilities and despite statewide bipartisan support for the POWER Act.

WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 12:00pm CT

WHAT: POWER Act Lobby Day rally

WHERE: Lincoln Statue, Illinois State Capitol, 401 S. 2nd St. Springfield, IL 62756 and live-streamed via facebook.com/ilenviro/live_videos.

SPEAKERS:

Emcee: Christine Nannicelli, Sierra Club Illinois
House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel
Senator Ram Villivalam
Aurora Mayor John Laesch
Griselda Chavez, Warehouse Workers for Justice
Brenda Santoyo, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Rev. Darnell Tingle, United Congregations of Metro East

* Rep. Stephanie Kifowit’s HB5793 was filed Wednesday and has picked up 31 bipartisan sponsors. Synopsis…

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall provide for the publication of the Illinois Blue Book no later than 90 days after the inauguration of each new General Assembly.