The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield for the 2026 Veto Session on November 17–19 and December 1–3. In advance of these six legislative days, ISACo has created this resource page to help county officials stay informed about legislation and policy issues that could be considered during the Veto Session.

The page highlights bills and proposals of particular relevance to Illinois counties, including measures that may affect county authority, operations, finances and responsibilities. Resources will include bill information, ISACo analyses and policy briefs, legislative updates and other materials intended to help county officials understand the potential local impact of these proposals.

ISACo will update this page as new information becomes available and legislative priorities evolve leading up to and throughout the Veto Session. County officials are encouraged to check back regularly for the latest information.

The POWER Act

The POWER Act (HB 5513, Representative Gabel, D-Evanston) is a comprehensive energy and utility reform proposal intended to address Illinois’ growing energy demands, grid reliability and the development of new energy infrastructure. The legislation establishes new requirements affecting energy generation, transmission, storage and large energy users, including data centers. Of particular concern to counties, the legislation contains several new mandates on local governments as well as provisions that preempt or restrict local government authority over certain energy-related facilities and activities. These provisions could affect county regulatory responsibilities, land-use authority, administrative processes and costs.

ISACo Position: The legislation includes favorable data centers provisions that protect communities and ratepayers. ISACo supports these policies. The bill also includes several mandates and preemptions of local authority that are contrary to ISACo's County Platform. ISACo opposes the bill unless amendments address these concerns. 

The following resources further explain the POWER Act and county concerns.

The BUILD Act

The BUILD Act is a comprehensive housing proposal intended to increase housing supply by establishing statewide standards affecting residential zoning, permitting, accessory dwelling units, parking requirements and building codes. Among other provisions, the legislation would establish minimum residential densities, require municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units, create alternatives to local plan review and inspection processes, and permit certain residential buildings of up to six stories to use a single stairway when specified safety requirements are met. Of particular concern to counties and other local governments, the legislation includes state mandates and preemptions of local authority, including restrictions on local building-code authority applicable to counties. These provisions raise broader concerns regarding state limitations on locally adopted zoning, building, permitting and development standards. The package of legislation has a more direct impact on municipalities, but two of the bills include provisions affecting counties. Some county services could also be impacted by increased population density.

ISACo Position: ISACo opposes the two bills (HB 5626 and SB 4061) that preempt county zoning authority over stairwell requirements in certain residential building located in unincorporated areas.

The following resources further explain the BUILD Act and county concerns. 

 

Data Center Legislation

HB 5826 (Representative Hoffman, D-Belleville)

The bill creates the Data Center Energy Accountability Act, requiring covered data centers, beginning in compliance year 2028, to report electricity demand by hour and self-generate or procure and retire eligible environmental attribute certificates equal to 100% of their annual Illinois electricity consumption. Certificates must come from qualifying generation facilities or batteries with commercial operation dates no more than seven years before the compliance year and cannot involve double counting or double claiming. The Illinois Power Agency would oversee tracking and verification, administer a new Electron Accelerator Fund, and require alternative investment payments for each megawatt-hour of a compliance shortfall. The bill also requires data centers to notify the Agency upon interconnection, authorizes the Agency to initiate utility disconnection proceedings for noncompliance when appropriate, and takes effect immediately.

ISACo Position: Under Review

Supplemental Budget

Governor JB Pritzker remains open to a supplemental budget during veto session but emphasized that federal funding cuts require caution about additional state spending. He said any proposal would need to be financially workable given the state’s limited resources.

Pritzker said he had heard no progress on House Speaker Chris Welch’s pledge to pursue additional Chicago Public Schools funding. CPS approved a budget anticipating another $150 million from Springfield, but Welch reportedly had not secured his caucus’ support before making the commitment. Additional CPS funding would also likely prompt requests for schools and programs elsewhere, increasing the cost.

A supplemental budget could also address issues in the spring budget, which required 37 item and reduction vetoes. However, Pritzker said no drafting errors requiring legislative correction had been brought to his attention.

ISACo Position: Monitor