SPRINGFIELD, IL — In the wake of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session closing on May 31, Republican lawmakers gathered for a virtual town hall to recap what they call key failures and misguided proposals that either stalled or stirred controversy across the state.
From a $770 million bailout request by Chicago transit agencies to a contentious Native American mascot ban, Republicans say the latest session spotlighted disconnects between urban and downstate priorities—and they’re warning taxpayers to take notice.
Chicago Transit Funding Sparks Statewide Pushback
The most debated proposal was a multi-million-dollar funding package intended to save Chicago’s struggling mass transit systems—facing a forecasted $770 million budget gap in 2026 and warning of potential 40% service and workforce cuts if left unaddressed.
But State Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason) was blunt about what she viewed as fear-mongering:
“We all know that’s not going to happen because everyone depends on that to get to their job in the Chicago area, but that’s a scare tactic.”
State Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur) echoed that sentiment, questioning why central Illinois taxpayers should be footing the bill:
“When it comes to trying to recover $771 million on the backs of every Illinois taxpayer, there’s quite a bit of pushback.”
Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton) didn’t mince words either, calling for a full overhaul of Chicago’s transit governance:
“They need to reform their governance, their routes, and the sprawl of the different agencies… They won’t do that if they can just get more taxes and more of other people’s money.”
A specific proposal to impose a $1.50 delivery tax to help fund the transit gap also drew ridicule from Hauter:
“Whether it’s a $10 pizza or a $3,000 TV, you’d pay the same tax. That’s ridiculous.”
Mascot Ban and Mandates Face GOP Opposition
Another hot-button issue was a failed proposal to prohibit Native American mascots in Illinois schools. According to Rep. Deering, the lawmaker behind the bill didn’t represent a district with affected schools—raising concerns about overreach.
“We have a board for a reason,” she said. “We should know the best way to represent the traditions and values of our district… not leave it to Springfield politicians.”
Deering noted the bill would have impacted about 90 schools statewide, creating what she called a “costly unfunded mandate” that districts are ill-prepared to implement.
Assisted Suicide, Energy Overhaul Bills Also Fail
Among other legislative proposals that failed to gain traction this session:
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A bill to legalize assisted suicide under specific medical conditions
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A broad-ranging energy omnibus bill addressing utility regulation and renewables
None of those measures advanced past both chambers, but lawmakers on both sides expect the topics to resurface during the fall veto session or next year’s legislative calendar.
Do You Agree With the GOP Pushback?
Should downstate residents help fund Chicago transit? Should schools be forced to change long-standing mascots? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below — your voice adds to the debate.
