* Rep. Jay Hoffman filed HB5826 yesterday…

Creates the Data Center Energy Accountability Act. Provides that, beginning in compliance year 2028, each covered data center shall account for its annual electricity demand on an hourly basis by reporting the volume of generation that was consumed in each year, month, day, and hour.

Requires each covered data center to also self-generate, or procure, and then retire eligible environmental attribute certificates equal to 100% of the covered data center’s annual State electricity consumption.

Provides that eligible environmental attribute certificates that are retired in order to comply with the Act must have been produced by electric generation facilities and batteries that have a commercial operation date that is no more than 7 years older than the compliance year for which the environmental attribute certificates are retired. […]

Provides that, if a covered data center is unable to meet the requirements of the Act for a given compliance year, a covered data center shall make an alternative investment payment for each megawatt-hour shortfall in the applicable year. Creates the Electron Accelerator Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, to be administered by the Agency. Sets forth requirements for the Fund.

Provides that, if deemed appropriate by the Agency, the Agency shall file a utility disconnection proceeding with the Commission if a covered data center does not responsibly comply with the Act. Sets forth rulemaking abilities for the Agency. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

* Environmental groups are organizing a Nov. 18 lobby day to urge lawmakers to pass the POWER Act…

Illinois’ environmental movement will gather at the State Capitol to meet with legislators and push for support of the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513)–nation-leading legislation that protects Illinois from data center harms. These energy- and water-intensive facilities are already increasing home utility bills, polluting our air, threatening our water supply, and straining Illinois’ climate goals–and many more are coming. Let’s take action together to ensure Illinois establishes nation-leading guardrails that protect our water, energy, ratepayers, and frontline communities!

- What: Veto Session POWER Act Lobby Day
- When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
- Where: Illinois State Capitol Building, 401 S. 2nd St. Springfield, IL 62756

* House Minority Leader Tony McCombie…

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie recently filed legislation to declare April 27 of each year as Ulysses S. Grant Day. As the 18th President of the United States, Grant settled in Galena, part of Leader Tony McCombie’s legislative district, and from 1860 led the Union to victory in the Civil War.

In filing the bill to create the commemorative day named after Ulysses S. Grant, McCombie hopes to instill the important connection the former President has to Illinois and the contributions he made to the state and greater nation.

“Our state has great history that should be commemorated and this bill will make sure that the contributions President Ulysses S. Grant made will be known throughout our state,” said McCombie.

With the legislative year winding down, McCombie plans to re-file the legislation in the upcoming, new 105th General Assembly next year.

* Rep. Anthony DeLuca…

In the wake of severe summer weather that damaged communities throughout the region, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has introduced legislation to help reimburse impacted municipalities for expenses incurred while providing emergency disaster relief and restoration services.

DeLuca’s measure comes as the federal government refuses to provide assistance to Illinois, while offering support to Indiana for damage from the same storms.

“When dealing with the cleanup after storms, flooding and other disasters, it’s important to expedite efforts to get things back to normal as soon as possible,” DeLuca said. “Many local communities have shouldered the burden of these initial emergency expenses. This can leave a significant dent in their finances now and moving forward, and I believe the state has a responsibility to assist impacted areas.”

Subject to appropriation, DeLuca’s House Bill 5819 would direct the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security to award grants to local governments in counties impacted by summer storms referenced in the governor’s Aug. 18 emergency declaration. These grants would reimburse money spent on relief including reconstruction activities, repairs to essential services, bedding and temporary shelter, transportation, food and clothing, medical supplies, and personnel.