Government Affairs Roundup
“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
If you haven’t seen or heard the big news today, Illinois’ senior Senator, Dick Durbin, has made an official announcement that he will be retiring at the end of his current term. Durbin will retire as the number two Democrat in the Senate.
In an interview with The New York Times published this morning, the 80-year-old senator announced he will not seek re-election next year, ending a 44-year career in Congress. The decision, though widely anticipated, sets the stage for a competitive race to fill a Senate vacancy. Durbin acknowledged in the interview that stepping away was not an easy decision.
Several potential Democratic candidates are believed to be eyeing the seat, including Reps. Lauren Underwood, 38; Raja Krishnamoorthi, 51; and Robin Kelly, 68, as well as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, 59.
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Session Update
The House returned to Springfield yesterday for this week’s first day of session. Members spent less than 30 minutes on the floor before caucusing and evening committees. While the Senate was not in, one hearing took place.
The House Transportation: Regulations, Roads & Bridges committee met for a subject matter hearing on mass transit reform. This hearing focused on public safety challenges on the transit system. More specifically, testimony repeatedly highlighted the threats faced by transit operators and the daily risks of violence and disorderly conduct. Testimony was also heard from the Cook County Sheriff’s office and advocates for homeless populations.
The Senate Appropriations-Education Committee held a hearing on Tuesday. Testimony was received from the Illinois Board of Higher Education as well as some of the state universities on operational, capital, and deferred maintenance needs.
Illinois Launches Pathway for International Doctors to Address Physician Shortage
A new Illinois law aims to ease the state’s physician shortage by creating a pathway for internationally trained doctors to obtain medical licenses and begin practicing.
Enacted in 2023 and now in effect, the law introduces a tiered licensing system. Under the new framework, foreign-trained doctors can first receive a limited license, allowing them to work for two years under the supervision of a licensed physician. During this period, they must serve in either underserved communities or areas designated as having an “unmet medical need.”
After the initial two years, eligible doctors may transition to a provisional license for another two years. This phase permits more independent practice, though continued supervision is still required. Upon completing the four-year period, physicians become eligible for a full, unrestricted Illinois medical license.
Supporters say the new law offers a vital solution to a looming healthcare crisis. Piyush Vyas, president of the Illinois State Medical Society, called the licensing change a “critical step” toward alleviating physician shortages across the state.
Projections underscore the urgency. According to the Migration Policy Institute, Illinois could face a shortfall of 6,200 doctors by 2030. Meanwhile, more than 12,000 Illinois residents hold international medical degrees they currently cannot use, says Upwardly Global, a nonprofit that assists immigrant and refugee professionals in reentering their fields.
The issue extends beyond state lines. The American Hospital Association estimates a nationwide shortfall of 3.2 million healthcare workers by 2026, including physicians, nurses, and lab technicians. By 2033, the country could be short of as many as 124,000 doctors and will need to hire at least 200,000 nurses annually to keep pace.
Nearly 99 million Americans live in areas with insufficient access to primary care providers, according to Upwardly Global. In Illinois, 81 of the state’s 102 counties currently qualify as shortage areas, with even populous regions like Cook County affected in certain zones. Only 10 counties have no shortage at all.
“This shortage has persisted for years and isn’t improving,” Vyas said. “With proper training and supervision, internationally trained doctors can help close the gap in healthcare access across Illinois.”
State Representative Theresa Mah, who sponsored the legislation, emphasized the added value of a more diverse medical workforce. She noted that bilingual and culturally competent healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, especially in Illinois’ diverse communities.
“It’s in the best interest of our state,” Mah said. “We want these professionals, many of whom are already taxpayers, to see Illinois as a place of opportunity — especially given the urgent need for healthcare workers.”
As of January, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation received around 200 inquiries about the new license. However, the application process has not yet begun, as officials are still finalizing the administrative rules. A department spokesperson said there’s no timeline yet for when applications will be accepted.
Illinois Lawmakers Ponder How to Accommodate the Push for Data Centers
A surge in data center development across northern Illinois is putting significant pressure on the state’s electric grid — and prompting urgent action from policymakers.
State lawmakers held a Senate hearing on Friday to explore strategies for accommodating the rapid growth of energy-hungry data centers. These facilities, which support everything from cloud storage to AI computing, require vast amounts of electricity, raising concerns about grid capacity and long-term energy planning.
Max Leichtman, who leads efforts to attract high-demand customers for Commonwealth Edison, described the scale of the challenge. According to Leichtman, ComEd has 14 gigawatts of data center projects queued up — a staggering figure compared to Illinois’ current peak load of 22 gigawatts. “This is truly unprecedented growth,” Leichtman said.
One emerging solution gaining traction is “colocation” — building data centers adjacent to nuclear power plants. Organized labor groups, including Climate Jobs Illinois and major unions like the AFL-CIO and Chicago Federation of Labor, support this approach. They argue it can ensure a stable power supply while bolstering clean energy infrastructure. “It’s a smart, scalable solution,” said Joe Duffy, head of Climate Jobs Illinois. “Colocation aligns with both our clean energy goals and economic development priorities.”
Constellation, which operates all six of Illinois’ nuclear power plants, also backs the idea. Executive Mason Emnett told lawmakers that direct power sales from reactors to data centers could help transition nuclear plants away from public subsidies provided under the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). “This would move our nuclear fleet off ratepayer support and replace it with private investment,” Emnett said. “It’s a win for the grid and for the state’s economy.”
Illinois has spent billions under FEJA and CEJA to support nuclear energy — investments that could now be offset by private-sector partnerships with data centers. Other potential strategies discussed include ramping up renewable energy development, expanding energy storage solutions, and upgrading the state’s aging transmission infrastructure to better distribute electricity where it’s needed most.
Lawmakers face a tight timeline. After a failed attempt at energy reforms earlier this year, many are hoping to pass a comprehensive energy package before the legislative session ends in six weeks. “There has to be a real plan — from this committee or the Pritzker administration — to ensure clean energy can actually reach data centers,” said Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro).
Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Caledonia), chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, expressed confidence that lawmakers would act in time. “Hopefully in the next few weeks, we’ll have some sort of legislative plan ready,” he said.
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
[email protected]
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