Democrats Push Through Woke and Expensive Agenda During Final Day of Veto Session
The 2026 fall veto session was the most expensive and reckless I have ever seen.
While most Illinoisans were asleep during the overnight hours of October 30-31, Springfield Democrats rammed through over $10 billion in new taxes and fees to fund their ongoing insatiable appetite for spending. They also passed dangerous legislation that continues to place the rights of illegal immigrants ahead of local, state, and federal law enforcement, and made physician-assisted suicide legal. Democrats could be seen high-fiving each other after each controversial vote.
Illinois Democrats Pass Anti-ICE Law Shielding Illegal Immigrants
House Bill 1312, legislation that further ties the hands of federal immigration officers (ICE) and makes it even more difficult to deport illegal immigrants, was pushed through by Democrats on the last day of veto session. The bill essentially blocks federal immigration enforcement from operating in and around Illinois courthouses. The bill prohibits civil immigration arrests inside courthouses and within 1,000 feet of them, creating “safe zones” where individuals in the country illegally can avoid detention.
Do you know who else is restricted to being within 1,000 feet of perceived danger? Convicted sex offenders. As you can imagine, I was very outspoken with my opposition to this anti-law enforcement/pro-illegal immigrant bill.
Click here to view a portion of my floor comments during the bill debate.
Through this bill, immigration agents could face $10,000 fines and civil lawsuits simply for carrying out their duties. It even allows individuals to sue federal officers for alleged violations of “constitutional rights,” with extra penalties if agents wear masks or fail to wear body cameras. The measure is designed to intimidate and penalize ICE agents, further weakening cooperation between state authorities and federal law enforcement.
The legislation comes as the Department of Homeland Security reports more than 1,500 arrests of undocumented immigrants in the Chicago area over the past several weeks. Rather than assisting in these efforts to remove criminal offenders from Illinois communities, state leaders have doubled down on policies that shield those who have broken federal immigration law and make it harder for ICE to do its job.
This is yet another example of Illinois Democrats putting the interests of illegal immigrants ahead of public safety. The bill continues the state’s pattern of undermining federal immigration enforcement and maintains Illinois’ position as a sanctuary for those here unlawfully.
Click here to view an additional portion of my floor comments on this topic.
Controversial Transit Legislation Passes General Assembly
After two years of public hearings and multiple proposals for funding streams, Springfield Democrats rammed through a sweeping public transit bill in the early hours of October 31.
Senate Bill 2111, a controversial proposal to address Chicago’s failing transit system, was called at 4:00 AM in the early morning hours of October 31, sparking criticism over both the timing and the substance of the proposal.
The controversial measure draws new revenue from several sources, including redirecting revenue from the state’s motor fuel sales tax and increasing every tollway toll by 45 cents. This proposal also strips critical funding from all parts of the state outside of Cook County, including funding for this region, and is essentially a bailout for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his failing transit system.
I voted no on SB 2111 because this plan raises costs for families who can least afford it and takes more from our communities to cover Chicago’s spending problems.
Democrats Pass Costly Energy Legislation
One of the most costly bills passed on the last day of veto session was an energy bill (Senate Bill 25) that removes current caps on how much energy rates can be increased. This opens the door to an $8 billion hike on power bills. Every Senate Republican voted against it.
I believe the provisions of the bill will drive up costs for families already struggling with high utility bills, while directing billions toward special-interest projects and unproven technology that will not make energy more affordable or reliable. The measure also strips away local control, allowing large battery storage facilities to be built within 150 feet of a home or farm with no recourse for local governments to object.
Families across Illinois are already being crushed by rising costs, and instead of offering real relief, this proposal makes things worse. By removing these protections and giving unelected agencies unlimited power to raise rates, the legislation will make energy more expensive and less reliable for Illinois families.
Springfield Democrats Push New Tax Hike Disguised as “Decoupling”
Democrats also passed a controversial proposal (Senate Bill 1911) to “decouple” Illinois from federal tax relief measures put in place by the Trump Administration in his Big Beautiful Bill. The provisions Democrats rejected are designed to help businesses recover and grow. By decoupling, Democrats are effectively raising taxes on businesses, manufacturers, and other job creators, is being criticized as another short-sighted tax grab that threatens jobs, investment, and working families across the state.
Currently, Illinois faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, and I believe this new tax hike would only make matters worse. Every other state competing for factories, jobs, and new facilities is offering incentives to build, but decoupling sends a clear message that Illinois is closed for business.
Governor Pritzker and his allies are prioritizing short-term revenue over long-term economic stability, and I believe that instead of creating jobs and helping families get ahead, Democrats are choosing yet another tax hike that raises costs, drives away opportunity, and makes it even harder for Illinois families to succeed.
