Illinois remains a top-five state economy by total output, but real growth has slowed since 2022, residents keep leaving for lower-tax states, and state spending is now growing five times faster than the economy that funds it. This page walks through GDP and growth, population and migration, jobs and the labor market, taxes and business climate, the state budget and fiscal outlook, the housing crisis, and current legislation before the General Assembly.
Economists watch three signals above all others to gauge whether a state economy is healthy: GDP growth, population growth, and job creation. Illinois posts a mixed scorecard on all three, a large, diversified economy that is still growing, but more slowly than almost every neighboring state, while losing residents and businesses to lower-tax competitors.
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Est. | 2027 Est. | 2025→2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Gross State Product ($B, 2017$) | 876.9 | 893.5 | 902.8 | 920.2 | 931.5 | 946.1 | ▲ +2.8% |
| Total Employment (1,000s) | 6,073.9 | 6,117.8 | 6,153.4 | 6,154.0 | 6,131.3 | 6,120.4 | ▼ −0.5% |
| Population (1,000s) | 12,606.2 | 12,668.1 | 12,714.6 | 12,712.0 | 12,686.6 | 12,648.6 | ▼ −0.5% |
| Personal Income ($B) | 877.9 | 923.7 | 960.2 | 1,002.4 | 1,053.2 | 1,110.7 | ▲ +10.8% |
| Private Housing Starts (1,000s) | 18.7 | 17.4 | 19.8 | 15.0 | 17.3 | 17.5 | ▲ +16.7%, still low |
| Unemployment Rate, Q4 Avg. (%) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 5.4 | ▲ +0.9 pts |
Calendar years, Q4/Q4 for annual rates. Green = improving, red = worsening, gold = mixed signal. Source: S&P Global, Illinois Forecasts, April 2026.
Illinois consistently ranks among the top five state economies in the country by total GDP, and maintains a large, diversified economic base. But real GDP growth, output adjusted for inflation, has slowed notably since 2022, and Illinois has trailed nearly every neighboring and peer state on growth since 2019.
Real GDP, all industry total, $ billions. 2025 reported through Q3; 2026–2027 are S&P Global estimates. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; S&P Global.
Nominal GDP, which is not adjusted for inflation, has risen steadily since 2019. But that headline growth overstates how much better off Illinoisans actually are: inflation distorts the picture, and once it's stripped out, real GDP growth has been far more modest.
Percent change in real GDP, 2019 to 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Every one of Illinois' Midwest neighbors, and the two fastest-growing large states in the country, grew faster than Illinois over this period. Florida (32%) and Texas (30%) grew roughly four times faster than Illinois' 7%.
The Flash Index is a weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate profits, consumer spending, and personal income, with tax revenues first adjusted for inflation. It offers a monthly, real-time read on the direction of the state economy.
Monthly index, January 2019–December 2025. Source: University of Illinois, Institute of Government and Public Affairs.
The index cratered during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, rebounded sharply in 2021, and has trended steadily downward since 2022, now sitting near its lowest sustained level of the decade outside the pandemic shock itself.
Illinois' population declined every year from 2014 to 2022, then began a modest rebound in 2023. But that rebound is being driven almost entirely by international migration into the state, while more Illinois residents than ever are moving to other states.
Net migration by year. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
IRS migration data shows large-scale movement to the South, especially Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, suggesting Illinoisans are relocating to states with lower taxes and higher perceived affordability. Migration to California and Arizona looks different: those moves are more likely driven by climate and lifestyle preferences than cost savings.
| Destination State | Net People Gained From Illinois | Net Income Gained From Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | +10,583 | +$2.4B |
| Texas | +7,795 | +$488M |
| Indiana | +5,966 | +$279M |
| Wisconsin | +5,280 | +$369M |
| All Other States & DC (35 net destinations) | Illinois lost residents to 38 states and D.C. in 2023 | |
2023 tax-year data, the most recent available. Florida, Texas, Indiana, and Wisconsin are the four destinations the IRS/Illinois Policy analysis breaks out individually; the remainder is reported only in aggregate. Total net loss that year: 55,609 residents and $6 billion in adjusted gross income. Source: Illinois Policy Institute, analysis of IRS migration data.
Source: Truth in Accounting, Financial State of the States 2025.
Lower-income migration affects state revenue much less than high-income migration. Households earning over $100,000 make up a disproportionate share of both who leaves and how much income leaves with them.
Enough high-income migration, sustained over time, can slow revenue growth even while the state's total population stays relatively stable.
Source: Illinois Policy Institute, analysis of IRS migration data, 2023.
Illinois' civilian labor force, everyone employed or actively looking for work, has barely moved since 2018. Unemployment has historically run above the national average, and in 2025 Illinois was the only state in the Midwest to actually lose jobs.
Illinois civilian labor force, in residents. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The civilian labor force represents Illinois residents who are either employed or actively seeking work, excluding military personnel and institutionalized individuals. It accounts for 51% of the state's total population, but the overall size of the workforce has remained essentially unchanged since 2018.
Monthly unemployment rate, January 2022–September 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Illinois' unemployment rate has run above the national rate in nearly every month since 2022, and stood at 4.2% in September 2025, briefly converging with the national rate. That convergence didn't last: by May 2026, Illinois' rate had climbed to 5.1%, its highest level in years.
Source: Illinois Policy Institute, analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Among the 10 occupations with the largest projected employment in Illinois, regardless of education level, nine are projected to shrink over the next five years. Only personal care aides are expected to grow.
| Occupation | 2025 Jobs | 2030s Jobs (Est.) | 5-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Managers | 178,150 | 175,960 | −2,190 |
| Laborers & Material Movers | 163,582 | 160,526 | −3,056 |
| Retail Salespersons | 136,058 | 129,842 | −6,216 |
| Stockers & Order Fillers | 132,846 | 130,552 | −2,294 |
| Fast Food Workers | 131,101 | 128,557 | −2,544 |
| Cashiers | 121,285 | 109,625 | −11,660 |
| Customer Service Reps | 111,677 | 104,516 | −7,161 |
| Janitors & Cleaners | 102,652 | 99,745 | −2,907 |
| Personal Care Aides | 93,870 | 98,494 | +4,624 |
| Waiters & Waitresses | 85,379 | 81,892 | −3,487 |
| Total | 1,256,600 | 1,219,709 | −36,891 |
Source: Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Workforce Demand 2025–2030.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois Economy at a Glance.
Illinois ranks near the top of the country on corporate income tax, property tax, and gas tax rates all at once, and the trend of businesses leaving the state has steadily worsened since 2017. Among Midwestern states, Illinois residents are also the least likely to call their state affordable.
Net firm migration (businesses gained minus businesses lost), 2010–2023. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By 2023, Illinois ranked third in the nation for the total number of businesses lost to other states, trailing only California and New York. Google, for example, has invested billions in new data centers just outside Illinois' borders rather than within it: $7 billion combined across its Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids, Iowa campuses, and $15 billion near St. Louis, Missouri. Caterpillar relocated its global headquarters from Illinois to Texas in 2022.
Source: Cleanview Project Explorer; Illinois Policy Institute.
Source: Tax Foundation, State Corporate Income Tax Rates and Brackets 2026; Property Taxes by State and County 2025.
| State | Gas Tax (Cents per Gallon) |
|---|---|
| California | 71¢ |
| Illinois | 66¢ |
| Washington | 59¢ |
| Pennsylvania | 58¢ |
| Indiana | 56¢ |
On top of taxes, Illinois' average residential utility bill was $109.99 per month in 2025, and industry analysts project that bill could rise 40% by 2030 and 100% by 2050 under current conditions.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration; ICF, Energy Demand Report 2025.
Share of residents saying their state is affordable to live in. Source: Talker Research, survey of 5,000 Americans (100 per state).
Among 12 Midwestern states, Illinois has the lowest perceived affordability: only 27% of Illinois residents say their state is affordable, well behind every neighboring state. Nationally, Illinois isn't in the bottom five, those are Hawaii (12%), Alaska and Colorado (14%), Connecticut (16%), and Rhode Island (17%), but it is the clear outlier within its own region.
Source: Tax Foundation.
Illinois' total appropriations have roughly doubled since FY2019. General Funds, the dollars the General Assembly has the most discretion over, keep climbing steadily, and state expenditures are now projected to grow five times faster than the state's real economic output.
Source: Office of the Illinois Auditor General; Illinois Commerce Commission, Citizens' Guide.
Appropriated Funds include General Funds, federal funds, and numerous dedicated or restricted state funds. A significant share of these revenues is federally or statutorily earmarked, which limits the state's real flexibility despite the larger headline budget total. General Funds are the dollars the General Assembly can allocate most freely across core priorities like education, human services, public safety, and pensions.
| Fund Group | FY2026 ($M) |
|---|---|
| Special State Funds | $86,848 |
| General Funds | $53,733 |
| Bond Financed Funds | $25,986 |
| Highway Funds | $23,324 |
| Federal Trust Funds | $17,664 |
| Debt Service Funds | $4,365 |
| State Trust Funds | $1,992 |
| Revolving Funds | $1,373 |
Source: Office of the Illinois Auditor General; Illinois Commerce Commission, Citizens' Guide; Office of the Comptroller, Statewide Accounting Management Data Warehouse.
FY2026, $ millions. Source: Illinois Department of Revenue.
Three sources, individual income tax, sales taxes, and corporate income tax, total $44.3 billion and account for roughly 80% of all General Funds revenue.
FY2026 General Funds expenditure by category, $ millions. Source: Office of the Governor, February 2026.
Education, Human Services, Pensions, and Healthcare together account for roughly 80% of all General Funds spending. Pensions alone consume a larger share of the budget than most other single category; see the Pensions page for the full breakdown of that $143.5 billion liability.
| Fund Group ($M) | FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | FY2024 | FY2025* | FY2026* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds | $37,234 | $39,113 | $40,695 | $43,750 | $47,721 | $50,674 | $52,357 | $53,733 |
| Special State Funds | $36,216 | $41,114 | $47,785 | $53,710 | $61,666 | $61,373 | $65,746 | $86,848 |
| Bond Financed Funds | $7,559 | $28,130 | $29,584 | $28,164 | $26,866 | $25,446 | $27,062 | $25,986 |
| Highway Funds | $8,999 | $16,965 | $17,590 | $18,246 | $17,941 | $19,011 | $21,035 | $23,324 |
| Federal Trust Funds | $8,401 | $12,239 | $26,545 | $31,708 | $26,323 | $22,285 | $20,515 | $17,664 |
| Debt Service Funds | $5,850 | $3,626 | $6,301 | $5,814 | $5,265 | $4,152 | $5,478 | $4,365 |
| Revolving Funds | $1,217 | $1,227 | $1,231 | $1,219 | $1,319 | $1,446 | $1,269 | $1,373 |
| State Trust Funds | $676 | $688 | $1,315 | $1,882 | $2,149 | $2,037 | $1,999 | $1,992 |
| Grand Total | $106,152 | $143,102 | $171,046 | $184,493 | $189,250 | $186,424 | $195,460 | $215,285 |
Total appropriations have roughly doubled since FY2019, from $106.1 billion to a projected $215.3 billion in FY2026. General Funds show steady, compounding growth, indicating rising baseline operating costs, while Special State Funds account for the largest single expansion. Federal Trust Funds peaked in FY2022 and have declined since, opening a short-term funding gap as federal pandemic-era aid fades.
*Preliminary data. Source: Office of the Comptroller, Statewide Accounting Management Data Warehouse, as of 7/21/25.
$ billions, 2019–2027 actual, 2028–2031 projected. Source: Statewide Accounting Management System Data Warehouse; Governor's Office of Management and Budget.
Illinois General Funds expenditures rose 37% between FY2019 and FY2026, and GOMB's own projections show a further climb to roughly $66 billion by FY2031, a 64% increase from FY2019 in just twelve years.
Cumulative growth since 2019. 2026–2031 are GOMB projections. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Governor's Office of Management and Budget.
Annual percent change in real GDP. 2025 reported through Q3 only. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Averaged across FY2019–2025, Illinois' real GDP grew about 1% per year, roughly half the 2.1% national average annual rate.
Projected Illinois tax revenue as the state economy grows. Source: Prof. David Merriman & Prof. Richard Funderburg.
Rather than raising rates, growing the underlying economy from $1.2 trillion to $1.4 trillion would, on these middle estimates, lift combined individual income, corporate income, and sales tax revenue from about $47 billion to $54.5 billion, without a single tax increase. As the saying goes: a rising tide lifts all boats.
The typical Illinois home now costs nearly 50% more than it did before the pandemic, and the state's supply of homes for sale has recovered far more slowly than the nation's. Outdated, locally-fragmented building codes are part of the reason, and two competing bills in Springfield offer very different fixes.
Source: LyLena Estabine, Illinois Policy, 2026, citing Zillow Home Value Index.
Approximate active home listings as a percent of 2019 levels. Source: Illinois Policy, analysis of Realtor.com data.
Home sales fell nationwide during the pandemic, but Illinois has been far slower to recover: active listings sat around 32% of 2019 levels recently, compared with roughly 82% nationally. Housing starts tell a similar story: after a steep drop in 2025, they're rising again, but S&P Global still projects them well below the level needed to attract or retain residents through 2027.
These signals track the same Illinois Forecast at a Glance data from the top of this page, S&P Global's 2025→2027 outlook for output, employment, population, income, and housing starts, read through the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability's own framing of what's improving and what isn't.
| Signal | 2025→2027 | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Real Gross State Product | ▲ +2.8% | Positive |
| Personal Income | ▲ +10.8% | Positive |
| Total Employment | ▼ −0.5% | Negative |
| Population | ▼ −0.5% | Negative |
| Unemployment Rate | ▲ +0.9 pts | Negative |
| Private Housing Starts | ▲ +16.7% | Moderate (still low) |
Housing starts are rising after the steep 2025 drop, but remain at levels the Commission calls too low to attract or retain residents, a moderate signal layered on top of the clearer positives and negatives above.
Source: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, FY2027 Economic Forecast; S&P Global, Illinois Forecasts, April 2026.
Source: AARP Illinois, Housing Affordability Solutions, 2026.
Illinois has adopted the strictest energy code (2024 IECC) of any Midwest state, the only one to do so, but has left every other code decision to local authorities, producing a patchwork with more local variation than any neighboring state. The next edition (the 2027 codes) is expected by the end of 2026.
Source: ICC Code Adoption Database; DOE Building Energy Codes Program.
| State | IBC | IRC | IFC | IMC | IPC | IECC-R | IECC-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Local | Local | Local | Local | Local | 2024 | 2024 |
| Iowa | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2021 | N/A | 2012 | 2012 |
| Indiana | 2012 | 2018 | 2012 | 2012 | 2006 | 2018 | 90.1 |
| Ohio | 2021 | 2018 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2018 | 2021 |
| Wisconsin | 2021 | N/A | 2021 | 2021 | 2009 | 2021 | 2021 |
| Minnesota | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | N/A | 2018 |
| Michigan | 2021 | 2015 | N/A | 2021 | 2021 | 2015 | 2021 |
| Missouri | Local | Local | Local | Local | Local | Local | Local |
"Local" = no statewide adoption; "N/A" = not adopted. Source: ICC Code Adoption Database; DOE Building Energy Codes Program.
Philosophy: preempt local zoning to force housing supply growth.
Philosophy: reduce housing costs through incentives while municipalities retain full discretion.
Source: ILGA.gov.
Senator Balkema has co-sponsored 89 economy-related bills this session, ranging from a proposed cap on spending growth to corporate tax credits, business permitting reform, and property tax relief.
Limits growth in Illinois General Funds spending starting with the FY2027 budget, capping annual appropriations increases at the state's 10-year average GDP growth rate as measured by federal economic data.
Signed into law as Public Act 104-0144. Allows the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to impose civil penalties on unchartered entities that misuse banking-related names or engage in misleading practices.
Signed into law as Public Act 104-0456. Extends the validity of school-construction bonds approved by Iroquois County CUSD 9 voters in a 2021 referendum to 10 years after the referendum date.
Phases out Illinois corporate franchise taxes, eliminating payments due on or after January 1, 2029, with full repeal effective January 1, 2030.
Every economy-related bill Senator Balkema has co-sponsored this session. Search by bill number or keyword below.
| Bill | What It Does |
|---|---|
| HB2459 | CPA Licensing ReformUpdates Illinois CPA licensing rules by revising firm definitions, replacing "substantial equivalency" with "enhanced mobility," and creating new education and experience pathways for licensure beginning in 2027. |
| HB3725 | Utility Billing DeadlinesRequires local governments to bill utility customers within 12 months for residential and 24 months for non-residential service, with exceptions for fraud or meter tampering. |
| HB5040 | Protects Local Government Restricted FundsProhibits the State Comptroller from withholding or offsetting restricted federal, state, or grant-funded money owed to local governments, and protects those funds from garnishment or debt collection. |
| SB2290 | Adds Quantum Research to Data Center DefinitionAmends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Provides that a data center also includes a quantum research facility. |
| SB2318 | Civil Penalties for Misusing Banking NamesSigned into law as Public Act 104-0144. Allows the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to impose civil penalties on unchartered entities that misuse banking-related names or engage in misleading practices, particularly those that do not accept insured deposits as a core business. |
| SB2355 | Bars State Employees from Outside Pay for State WorkAmends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that no state employee may receive monetary or other compensation from any private party for work performed within the scope of employment by a state agency. |
| SB2382 | Tax Credit for Donating On-Site Child Care PropertyCreates an income tax credit for taxpayers who donate real property to an employer for use as on-site child care, equal to the property's fair market value as determined by the Department of Revenue. |
| SB2389 | Reinstates Centralized Purchasing ExemptionReinstates the sales and use tax exemption for property purchased from an Illinois retailer by a taxpayer engaged in centralized purchasing activities in Illinois. |
| SB2405 | Limits Surprise Ambulance BillingRequires insurers to cap patient costs for nonparticipating ground ambulance providers at in-network levels, establishes payment rules and an appeals process, and treats violations as consumer fraud enforceable by the Attorney General. |
| SB2458 | Quantum Research Tax CreditCreates a 13% state income tax credit for qualified quantum information science research and development expenditures, administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. |
| SB2683 | Iroquois County Bond Referendum ExtensionSigned into law as Public Act 104-0456. Extends the validity of school-construction bonds approved by Iroquois County CUSD 9 voters in an April 2021 referendum to 10 years after the referendum date. |
| SB0056 | Paid Leave Exemption for H-2A WorkersAmends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that "employee" does not include a worker participating in the H-2A temporary agricultural program. |
| SB0062 | Build Illinois Homes Tax CreditCreates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit, providing tax credits to owners of qualified low-income housing developments against income or insurance taxes. |
| SB0089 | Uniformed Services Income Tax DeductionExtends the active-duty military pay income tax deduction to all members of the uniformed services, and defines "uniformed services." |
| SB0133 | Vehicle Tax Exemption for Deployed ResidentsExempts from state sales and use taxes motor vehicles registered in Illinois by residents who acquired the vehicle while stationed out-of-state on active military duty. |
| SB0135 | Transferable EDGE Tax CreditsAllows businesses to transfer or sell certain Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits with state approval, and extends the carry-forward period from 5 to 10 years. |
| SB0136 | Flat 10% Local Government Revenue ShareChanges how income tax revenue is shared with local governments, replacing the current formula with a flat 10% monthly transfer into the Local Government Distributive Fund. |
| SB0137 | Doubles the Small Retailer Vendor DiscountDoubles the vendor's discount to 3.5% of amounts collected for retailers or servicemen reporting less than $50,000 in monthly sales. |
| SB0140 | Income Tax Deduction for TipsCreates an income tax deduction for gratuities included in a taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. |
| SB0148 | First-Time Homebuyer Savings AccountsCreates tax-advantaged savings accounts for first-time and second-chance homebuyers to save for single-family home purchases, with rules for contributions and qualified withdrawals. |
| SB0171 | Expands Business Enterprise Act to VeteransExpands the Business Enterprise Act to include veterans and veteran-owned businesses alongside minority-, women-, and disability-owned businesses, updating procurement rules and penalties for false certification. |
| SB0270 | Independent Living Center GrantsAppropriates $16,358,900 from the General Revenue Fund to DHS Rehabilitation Services for grants to independent living centers. |
| SB0315 | Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures ActSigned into law as Public Act 104-0538. Requires large frontier AI developers to publish and annually update a risk-management framework covering catastrophic-risk assessment, cybersecurity, third-party evaluation, and transparency reporting before deploying new models. |
| SB1093 | Income Tax Act Technical ChangeAmends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. |
| SB1939 | Motor Vehicle Franchise ProtectionsAmends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Makes it a violation for manufacturers or distributors to sell new vehicles directly to consumers or to bypass an existing franchise dealer network in the state. |
| SB1236 | Streamlines Business PermittingStrengthens the Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance, requiring improved interagency coordination, technology-driven permit tracking, and an Interagency Permitting Advisory Committee. |
| SB1240 | Limits Unfunded State MandatesLimits unfunded state mandates on local governments, making them unenforceable without state funding, allows voter referenda on property tax growth limits, and increases income tax distributions to local governments. |
| SB1271 | Legacy & Employee Tax CreditsCreates a legacy tax credit for businesses headquartered in Illinois, plus an employee tax credit and a collective bargaining employee tax credit. |
| SB1304 | Eliminates First-Year Business License FeesEncourages eliminating all first-year licensing and registration fees for new businesses, including home-based businesses, established beginning January 1, 2026. |
| SB1505 | Extends Small Business Job Creation CreditExtends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit through 2032, updates full-time employee eligibility rules, and requires replacement hires within 8 weeks to maintain eligibility. |
| SB1546 | Caps General Funds Spending GrowthLimits growth in Illinois General Funds spending starting with the FY2027 budget, capping annual appropriations increases at the state's 10-year average GDP growth rate. |
| SB1606 | Nursing & Mental Health Medicaid Rate IncreaseIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing and specialized mental health facilities based on CPI inflation from a June 30, 2024 baseline, effective January 1, 2026, subject to federal approval. |
| SB1646 | Early Childhood Teacher Tax CreditCreates a state income tax credit for early childhood teachers and assistants earning $75,000 or less, $1,000 for 2026–2027 with later inflation adjustments. |
| SB1647 | Preschool Tuition Tax CreditCreates an income tax credit of up to $1,500 per child for taxpayers whose children attend an eligible preschool program in Illinois. |
| SB1699 | Reporting on Noncitizen SpendingRequires DHS to publish annual reports on state spending for noncitizen and asylum-seeking populations beginning November 15, 2025, with detailed breakdowns in state budgets starting FY2027. |
| SB1734 | Permanent Standard Exemption COLAMakes the cost-of-living adjustment to the standard income tax exemption permanent, rather than expiring for taxable years after December 31, 2028. |
| SB1759 | Route 6 Expansion FundingAppropriates $50,000,000 to IDOT for the expansion of Route 6 from Brisbin Road to Ridge Road. |
| SB1761 | Blighted Commercial Building GrantsRequires DCEO to establish a grant program for local governments to demolish or repair commercial buildings that are detrimental to public health or safety due to disrepair. |
| SB1762 | Commercial Demolition Grant FundingAppropriates $10 million to DCEO for grants to local governments for demolition or repair of dilapidated or code-violating commercial buildings. |
| SB1835 | Manufacturing Capital Investment Tax CreditCreates a 10% income tax credit for manufacturing capital investments, or 15% in rural or economically challenged areas, capped at $10 million per taxpayer annually ($20 million for distressed areas). |
| SB1888 | Extends Centralized Purchasing Tax ExemptionExtends the sales tax exemption for property purchased by taxpayers engaged in centralized purchasing activities in Illinois through December 31, 2031. |
| SB1916 | Recyclable Metal Dealer RulesAllows sale of recyclable metal, including detached catalytic converters, with written proof of ownership, requiring dealers to retain documentation and updating terminology. |
| SB1959 | Local Impact Fee TransparencyIncreases transparency for local government impact fees, requiring online posting of advisory committee members and minutes; noncompliant governments must refund fees with interest. |
| SB1994 | Credit Union Regulatory UpdatesUpdates Illinois credit union regulations to allow information sharing in suspected elder/disabled financial exploitation cases, reduces board meeting requirements, and eases merger procedures. |
| SB2045 | Unemployment Benefit Payment RulesProvides that the Department of Employment Security shall make unemployment benefit payments based on the state's average unemployment rate, effective January 1, 2026. |
| SB2046 | I-80 Interchange FundingAppropriates $350 million to IDOT for construction of a new interchange at Minooka Road on I-80 to accommodate increased traffic volume. |
| SB2047 | Self-Certification for Building PermitsCreates a self-certification program allowing qualified design professionals in participating municipalities to certify building permit compliance, overseen by the Capital Development Board. |
| SB2053 | Convention & Tourism Grant Match ReductionReduces required matching funds for convention and tourism bureau grants to 25% starting FY2026, and updates hotel tax revenue distribution. |
| SB2097 | Foster Care Expense Tax CreditCreates an income tax credit equal to foster care expenses, up to $1,000 per year, paid by a taxpayer for a qualified dependent child. |
| SB2263 | Child Care Tax CreditCreates a child care tax credit equal to 25% of the federal tax credit for each qualifying child. |
| SB2276 | Eliminates the Corporate Franchise TaxAdjusts corporate carryover deduction limitations to apply only through December 31, 2025, and eliminates the corporate franchise tax beginning January 1, 2026. |
| SB2277 | Expands Employer Child Care Tax CreditIncreases the corporate income tax credit for employee child care to 50% of start-up costs and 20% of ongoing expenses, and allows partnerships with independent providers. |
| SB2744 | Disability Hiring Tax CreditCreates an income tax credit for employers who hire individuals with developmental disabilities or severe mental illness, equal to 25% of wages paid, capped at $6,000 per employee per year. |
| SB2951 | Mortgage Foreclosure Time LimitAmends the Code of Civil Procedure and Probate Act. Sets a 10-year period to commence a foreclosure action on mortgage-secured debt, and adds creditor-approval protections in probate real estate sales. |
| SB2763 | ACA Premium Tax DeductionCreates an income tax deduction for ACA Marketplace health insurance premiums and qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. |
| SB2887 | Unemployment Benefit Payment RulesProvides that the Department of Employment Security shall make unemployment benefit payments based on the state's average unemployment rate. |
| SB2888 | Narrows Paid Leave "Employee" DefinitionNarrows the definition of "employee" under the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, excluding certain college and high school student workers. |
| SB2982 | Employee Ownership GrantAppropriates $700,000 to DCEO for a grant to the Illinois Center for Employee Ownership to expand education on employee ownership transitions and small business succession. |
| SB3047 | Excludes Veteran Disability Pay from Benefit TestsExcludes veterans' disability benefits from income calculations for Medicaid, child care assistance, and SNAP eligibility. |
| SB3067 | Transferable New Markets Tax CreditsAllows New Markets Development Program tax credits to be transferred to affiliates, sets a $37 million annual cap beginning FY2030. |
| SB3114 | Transparency in Downcoding ActRequires health insurance payors to have downcoding decisions reviewed by a qualified person, prohibits automated or diagnosis-only downcoding, and establishes dispute procedures. |
| SB3121 | Repeals Business Interest Deduction ModificationRepeals provisions concerning an addition or modification related to the business interest deduction under the Internal Revenue Code. |
| SB3873 | Permanent R&D Tax CreditAmends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes the state's research and development tax credit permanent rather than subject to periodic expiration. |
| SB4004 | Data Center Aquifer Protection ActCreates the Data Center Water Transparency and Aquifer Protection Act, barring data centers from withdrawing groundwater from the Mahomet Aquifer beginning in 2027 and requiring existing data centers to transition to alternative water sources by 2028. |
| SB4198 | SIU Corn-to-Ethanol Research FundingAppropriates $15,000,000 to the SIU Board of Trustees to expand the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at SIU Edwardsville, growing research capacity and biomanufacturing workforce training. |
| SB4203 | Community Benefit Agreements for Data CentersAmends the DCEO Law. Requires data center operators receiving state tax certificates of exemption to execute a community benefit agreement with their host community, including minimum annual payments. |
| SB3122 | Biometric Information Privacy Act UpdatesRefines definitions, adds exemptions for uses like biometric time clocks, requires 30-day notice before lawsuits, and sets a one-year statute of limitations. |
| SB3216 | Early Childhood Teacher Tax CreditCreates a $1,000 income tax credit for early childhood teachers and assistants earning $75,000 or less for tax years 2026–2027, with inflation adjustments after. |
| SB3420 | Expands Employer Child Care CreditIncreases the corporate child care tax credit to 30% of start-up costs and 10% of operating expenses, and creates a new 10% credit for qualified small businesses. |
| SB3441 | Phases Out the Corporate Franchise TaxPhases out Illinois corporate franchise taxes, eliminating payments due on or after January 1, 2029, with full repeal effective January 1, 2030. |
| SB3535 | Small Employer Paid Leave Tax CreditCreates an income tax credit for small employers (50 or fewer employees) equal to the amount paid to employees as required paid leave. |
| SB3619 | Health Reimbursement Arrangement CreditCreates an income tax credit of $400 per covered employee in year one and $200 in year two for employers contributing to a health reimbursement arrangement. |
| SB3622 | Narrows Paid Leave Act CoverageExcludes interstate goods transportation employees, flexibly-scheduled employees, and small businesses under 15 employees from the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. |
| SB3768 | Permitting Technology GrantsAllows the Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance to create a grant program for local governments to improve permitting and licensing technology. |
| SB3780 | Flat 10% Local Government Revenue ShareReplaces the current income tax distribution formula for local governments with a flat 10% monthly transfer into the Local Government Distributive Fund. |
| SB3786 | Legacy & Employee Tax CreditsCreates a legacy tax credit for businesses headquartered in Illinois, plus an employee tax credit and a collective bargaining employee tax credit. |
| SB3790 | Reinstates Centralized Purchasing ExemptionReinstates and extends the sales tax exemption for property purchased by taxpayers engaged in centralized purchasing activities through June 30, 2031. |
| SB3792 | Income Tax Deduction for TipsCreates an income tax deduction for gratuities included in a taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. |
| SB3799 | Partnership Entity-Level Tax ElectionAllows partnerships making an entity-level tax election to choose between a full distributive share method or an Illinois-sourced income method for their tax base. |
| SB3843 | Marketplace Seller Sales Tax AuditsAllows the Department of Revenue to audit marketplace sellers and delivery network companies, and permits delivery companies to deduct taxes already paid to sellers. |
| SB3848 | Homeowners Insurance Premium DeductionCreates an income tax deduction for year-over-year increases in homeowner's insurance premiums on a principal residence, limited to one per property. |
| SB3869 | Sales Tax Exemption for DiapersExempts diapers for use by infants, children, or adults from state sales, use, and occupation taxes. |
| SB3959 | Welcome Home Illinois Tax CreditCreates the Welcome Home Illinois tax credit, providing first-time homebuyers of a principal Illinois residence a $500 income tax credit. |
| SB3986 | Blocks Motor Fuel Tax CPI IncreaseProvides that the July 1, 2026 motor fuel tax increase based on the Consumer Price Index shall not occur. |
| SB4205 | Temporary Motor Fuel Tax CutReduces sales and use taxes on motor fuel and gasohol to 1.25% from July 1 through December 31, 2026. |
| SB4211 | Multi-Agency Appropriation DocumentationRequires bill amendments containing appropriations for more than one state agency to be accompanied by certain supplemental documentation. |
| SR0114 | Opposes a Progressive Income TaxOpposes a progressive income tax in Illinois and opposes reconsidering any constitutional amendment to change the flat-rate income tax language of the Illinois Constitution. |
| SR0196 | Recognizes Caterpillar Inc.'s CentennialRecognizes Caterpillar Inc. on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, commending its achievements and contributions to the economy and society. |
| SJR0031 | Supports Small & Midsize ManufacturersReaffirms legislative support for small and midsize manufacturers in Illinois and urges formation of a task force to address their needs. |
Bill numbers link to each bill's official status page on the Illinois General Assembly website (104th General Assembly).
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