Senate lawmakers return to the Capitol on Tuesday, April 28, to begin the final stretch of the spring legislative session. The Senate is scheduled to be in session for the last week of April, and both chambers are then set to work through the final four weeks of the regular spring session before the scheduled May 31 adjournment.

Before the General Assembly adjourns, lawmakers must take up bills that have advanced from the opposite chamber. As in previous years, the biggest task ahead will be passing the state’s next budget. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed FY 26-27 budget, the largest in history, totals $56 billion, which is a 40% increase since 2019.

Republicans have argued to cover this record spending the ruling party is relying on addition new revenue of $700 million (Taxes & Fees) and on reducing promised funding to local governments by over $60 million dollars.  

The final weeks of session will likely feature more than just budget negotiations, with lawmakers also taking up a series of contentious proposals, including a constitutional amendment on redistricting and a megaprojects bill directed toward keeping the Bears football franchise in Illinois. 

Senate Republicans continue to call for transparency and fiscal responsibility, noting that Illinois families cannot afford another budget built on new taxes, short-term fixes, and higher costs.