IL lawmakers could address energy prices, transit, taxes during veto
session
[October 13, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session
begins Tuesday, and taxes are expected to be part of the conversation.
This year, legislators have proposed a number of different taxes to fund
public transportation.
The revised regional transit fiscal cliff is estimated to be around $300
million, down from $770 million during the spring and summer.
State Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago, said nobody likes taxes.
“But I think everything is on the table right now. I just want to make
sure we don’t burden working class and poor people more than we already
have,” Preston told The Center Square.
When asked Friday at an unrelated event in Hickory Hills, Gov. J.B.
Pritzker did not say if he would approve potential tax hikes.
Lawmakers may revisit a bill Pritzker vetoed. Senate Bill 246 would
allow the state treasurer to set up an investment pool for nonprofits.
In his veto message, the governor said the measure would allow fringe
and extremist groups to benefit from Illinois' financial investments.
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs disagreed and promised to
discuss potential next steps with lawmakers.
“I strongly disagree with the governor’s misguided belief that hate
groups would use a state investment pool,” Frerichs said in a statement
provided to The Center Square in August.
Energy legislation is expected to be a top priority during veto session
after lawmakers held hearings on various energy-related issues in recent
weeks.
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The Illinois State Capitol is shown in Springfield. Photo: Greg
Bishop / The Center Square
Pritzker blamed Illinois’ high energy prices on President Donald
Trump removing taxpayer subsidies for solar and wind. He also
pointed the finger at regional grid operators PJM and MISO.
“They are not bringing online those solar and wind projects that are
already completed and ready to go,” Pritzker said.
The governor did not say whether he would consider relaxing the
state’s decarbonization mandates which Republicans say have caused
energy bills to rise across Illinois.
Preston said he wants the state to broaden its energy portfolio to
include battery storage, but he expressed concern about the cost.
Another line item on a utility bill could crush working-class
people, he said.
“I am a hard 'no' as of right now on an energy omnibus until we can
address the issue of raising rates on ratepayers and taxpayers,”
Preston said.
The General Assembly is scheduled to meet this Tuesday through
Thursday, Oct. 14-16, and again Oct. 28-30.
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