Legislative leaders circle top priorities ahead of veto session
[November 12, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – A panel of state legislators Monday offered a
preview of the priority issues they hope to address during the upcoming
fall veto session and lame-duck session before the next term of the
General Assembly begins in January.
DATA CENTER REGULATIONS
A top priority for lawmakers in both chambers and from both parties is
passing some form of legislation that would regulate data centers –
particularly ones known as “hyperscale” data centers, which are often
used by AI companies and are significantly more strenuous on things like
public utilities and water.
Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, explained that she and her colleagues want a
bill that addresses the polarizing projects that addresses a number of
issues, and that ties local property tax relief directly to new
projects.
“We agree there needs to be a regulatory framework in place looking at
water – regulating how much water is used, how it's used, transparency,
ethics, all of those things. And then also, most importantly is the
power that goes along with it,” Rezin said.
As for the Democratic side, Rep. Edgar González Jr., D-Chicago, said he
thinks the previously considered POWER Act just has parts that “need to
be tinkered out,” and he really hopes to see the proposed legislation
pass before the end of session.
Another House Democrat leader recently told The Center Square
regulations could be better addressed in January.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
A legislative package – the Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD
plan – seeks to make housing more affordable statewide.
While partly passed in the fall, specifically increased funding for
existing financial assistance programs, the package’s proposed “red tape
cutting” in new housing construction hasn’t passed.
Pritzker said in recent weeks that BUILD could be delayed to the next
term to leave more time for negotiations and to put more work into the
specifics of the bill.
Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said while he has disagreements with the
legislation put forward by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, there are some ways the
legislature can cut the price of new homes further.
“I have to applaud the governor for bringing this forward, saying that
we need more housing, not just affordable housing, but we call it middle
income housing,” Spain said. “Some of the governor's solutions, I think
missed the mark a little bit, you know, aiming on how to take away
certain elements of local control that may not be the best solution, but
there's a lot of things.”
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The Illinois State Capitol is shown in Springfield. Photo: Greg
Bishop / The Center Square
EDUCATION FUNDING
The $9.96 billion Chicago Public Schools budget this year relies on
$150 million in state taxpayer funds that were promised after the
state budget passed by outgoing Illinois House Speaker Emanuel
“Chris” Welch to address the district’s deficit.
Retiring Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, said appropriations
legislation historically isn’t brought up until a new legislative
session, and it would be unlikely to pass without offering
additional funds statewide.
“We should find a way to afford it, but it has to go through the EBF
funding formula. For the city of Chicago to get $150 million from
that formula, about $500 or $600 million have to be poured through
the top of the funnel,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham said it’d be unlikely they could find enough funds before
the next session, meaning CPS might have to make cuts to personnel
and in other parts of its budget this year.
SMALLER PRIORITIES
Among other priorities, González said House Democrat leaders are
also prioritizing some sort of government or legislature-specific
ethics reforms during the veto session, though he said specifics are
unclear.
Cunningham said he’d be more than happy to take up any ethics reform
bills from the House.
The lawmakers also discussed potentially still passing a bill
pertaining to major economic projects and state subsidies for them,
which was initially part of a package meant to address a new Chicago
Bears stadium – another key issue expected to come up next week.
Rezin also said she wants I-80 named after Pope Leo, the first
American Pope who hails from Chicago.
Lawmakers return to Springfield Tuesday for their first week of
their veto session.
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