“Your Timely Roundup of Local, State, and Federal Updates”
Chamber members:
On day 43 of the federal government shutdown, the House is expected to vote this evening on the Senate-approved funding package aimed at reopening the government. It is assumed that President Trump will sign the measure. With that said, it may still take several days for federal operations to fully resume, meaning flight delays and cancellations could persist as agencies work to restore normal staffing levels. SNAP benefit recipients also remain in limbo, uncertain when full payments will be restored following the prolonged disruption. More details are below.
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Shutdown Finale?
After nearly two months out of session, the House returns to Capitol Hill Wednesday for a pivotal vote that could finally reopen the federal government and end the record-long shutdown. The Senate has already approved the funding package, and while most Republicans are backing the measure, Democrats remain divided — signaling ongoing intraparty tensions even as the shutdown’s conclusion appears near.
Democratic frustration is particularly aimed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), after eight Democratic senators voted Monday to advance the bipartisan deal. Many Democrats argue the agreement offers few meaningful concessions and falls short of their policy goals, while Republicans are touting the package as a major victory for their conference.
As the political dust begins to settle, both parties are confronting the fallout from the historic 43-day funding lapse — especially on issues that have grown more visible during the shutdown, none more so than health care.
Roughly 24 million Americans rely on insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges, with about 22 million receiving subsidies to help pay premiums. Those subsidies are now expiring, threatening to send costs soaring — in some cases tripling premiums for older enrollees. The loss of ACA subsidies has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over rising health care costs and government responsibility.
In recent days, President Trump has suggested — in broad, undefined terms — that funding should “go directly to the people to purchase better healthcare,” hinting at a possible expansion of personal health savings accounts (HSAs). Meanwhile, conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has echoed calls for Republicans to do more to make health care affordable.
Democrats, though frustrated by the limited policy gains from the shutdown fight, see one potential advantage: they can frame themselves as the party of affordable health care, while casting Republicans as obstructing efforts to protect coverage and lower costs. The only concrete concession Democrats secured is a Senate vote next month on the ACA subsidy issue — though Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has not committed to bringing it up in the House, leaving its fate uncertain.
For now, as Washington moves toward reopening, the battle over who benefits politically is only beginning.
Senate Votes to Reopen Government, Sending Funding Bills to the House
After nearly seven weeks of political stalemate, the Senate on Monday approved a bipartisan package to end the record-long government shutdown, clearing the way for federal agencies to reopen later this week.
The legislation — a Continuing Resolution (CR) paired with three full-year appropriations bills — passed with help from eight members of the Democratic Caucus, who broke ranks to provide the votes needed to overcome a filibuster. The package now heads to the Republican-controlled House for final approval before landing on the President’s desk.
If enacted, the measure will extend existing funding levels through January 30, giving lawmakers additional time to negotiate the remaining nine spending bills for the 2026 fiscal year, which began October 1. The accompanying “minibus” funds three departments in full: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture–FDA–Rural Development, and the Legislative Branch.
The deal also includes provisions to reverse the Trump administration’s Reduction-in-Force actions taken during the shutdown and prohibit future mass layoffs of federal workers while the CR remains in effect.
A key element of the compromise centers on health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has pledged to allow a vote by mid-December on extending the enhanced Obamacare Premium Tax Credit (PTC) — a central Democratic demand throughout the shutdown. While the commitment falls short of guaranteeing an extension, it provided just enough assurance to secure support from moderate Democrats eager to end the impasse.
Those voting with Republicans included Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), who had consistently backed reopening the government in recent weeks. They were joined on final passage by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
Democratic leaders had long insisted that any funding deal must include renewal of the pandemic-era expansion of the ACA tax credits, arguing that losing the subsidies would sharply raise health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. While Thune’s pledge represents a modest concession, it marks a turning point in the standoff — one that brings the shutdown’s end within sight, even as the larger policy fight over health care continues.
When Will Federal Workers Get Paid Once the Government Reopens?
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed or working without pay since the government shutdown began on October 1. Now, as Congress moves toward ending the record-long standoff, those workers are expected to return to their jobs — and should see back pay deposited within days of the government reopening.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers, said it anticipates that back pay will be distributed promptly.
“Both the law that established the right to back pay and the new continuing resolution instruct agencies to provide back pay as soon as practicable, rather than requiring employees to wait until their next scheduled payday,” said Jaqueline Simon, AFGE’s policy director, in an interview with The Hill. “That won’t be tomorrow, but it shouldn’t be more than a couple of days.”
Simon noted that in past shutdowns, workers typically received back pay within two to three days after the government reopened.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday that air traffic controllers, who missed their second paycheck this week, should receive about 70 percent of their back pay within a day or two, with the remainder following within a week.
Caleb Quakenbush, associate director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, agreed that delays are unlikely once the funding bill becomes law. “Legislation passed in 2019 requires that federal workers receive back pay at the earliest possible date, regardless of when their regular pay date is,” he said. “It’s really just a matter of how quickly payroll processors at each agency can complete the necessary tabulations and disbursements.”
Historically, Congress has voted to retroactively pay furloughed or unpaid federal workers once a shutdown ends. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 codified that practice, mandating back pay for both federal and D.C. employees affected by future shutdowns.
To prevent any ambiguity this time, lawmakers included explicit language in the latest funding bill to guarantee back pay — ensuring that all affected workers will be compensated once operations resume.
Will SNAP Benefits Be Paid Once the Government Shutdown Ends?
The record-long government shutdown has created weeks of uncertainty for the 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help cover grocery costs.
Initially, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it would use emergency funds to continue payments during the shutdown. But the Trump administration later reversed course, announcing no benefits would go out in November — sparking confusion, partial payments, and conflicting court rulings that left recipients in limbo.
If the House approves the Senate-passed funding package, full SNAP funding will be restored. However, distributing those benefits may not happen all at once.
Depending on the state, recipients may have already received full, partial, or no benefits for November. Experts say those who received nothing may get their funds faster, since issuing full benefits is technically simpler than recalculating partial payments.
Once federal funds are released, most states should be able to reload EBT cards within about three days, according to Jessica Garon of the American Public Human Services Association. States that have not yet issued any benefits — such as South Carolina and West Virginia — are expected to move the fastest.
In contrast, states like Illinois and Texas, where partial benefits have already gone out, may face technical delays of up to a week, said Carolyn Vega, policy analyst at Share Our Strength.
As of this week, 13 states — including California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — have already begun issuing full November SNAP payments, according to Newsweek tracking. The USDA has not yet said how quickly it will release full funding once the shutdown officially ends.
Nearly one in eight Americans depends on SNAP, with the average monthly benefit totaling about $190 per person.
Redistricting Pressure Mounts After California Prop 50 Passes
Democrats’ resounding victories last Tuesday are intensifying pressure on blue states to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections. Several states are already moving forward, hoping to bolster Democratic representation in the House.
Virginia is leading the charge. Riding high on a strong showing in state delegate races, Democrats are pushing a constitutional amendment that could net the party two additional House seats. National Democratic leaders are preparing to funnel resources to the state to encourage voter approval.
Meanwhile, Democrats are leveraging Tuesday’s wins to pressure Maryland legislators, where party leaders are resisting plans to add a seat. In Colorado, some Democrats are exploring redistricting strategies even though any new maps wouldn’t take effect until 2028. “We can’t stick our heads in the sand,” said Colorado Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser. “We got to live in reality. Colorado, like other states, has to be prepared to take action.”
The push reflects a broader national strategy. Despite California’s likely five-seat gain, Democrats still face a deficit in the redistricting battle, as Republicans have drawn as many as nine new red-leaning seats across states including Texas and North Carolina. Party strategists are using California’s Proposition 50 win, along with unexpectedly strong margins in Virginia and New Jersey, to press state Democrats hesitant to commit fully to aggressive redistricting efforts.
Even in Illinois, where the legislature is Democratic-controlled, redistricting faces hurdles. Lawmakers have been presented with a proposed new map, and members of the congressional delegation have seen their district boundaries. However, implementing the plan would require a special session, and tight primary and ballot deadlines in early 2026 could complicate matters.
Gov. JB Pritzker criticized redistricting initiatives in Republican-controlled states, accusing former President Trump of “wanting to cheat” by pushing Texas to redraw maps in favor of Republicans. “We don’t think it’s a good idea. Redistricting across the country, not a good idea,” Pritzker said, while noting that Illinois is watching neighboring states’ actions closely.
Other Democratic-controlled states face legal or procedural barriers. New York and New Jersey currently lack clear mechanisms to redraw maps, though party operatives say some obstacles could be overcome. California’s Prop 50 campaign, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, demonstrated the potential for action despite structural challenges. Newsom’s team executed a 90-day nationwide organizing effort, earning early Democratic momentum on redistricting. “We organized in an unprecedented way,” Newsom said. “People from all over the United States of America contributed their voices and their support for this initiative.”
With the 2026 elections on the horizon, Democrats are doubling down on efforts to secure every possible advantage, hoping to offset Republican gains in other states and strengthen their hand in Congress.
Illinois Housing Development Authority and LISC Open Applications to Grow the Next Generation of Housing Developers
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) announced today that individuals may now apply to be part of the 2026 class of the Next Gen Capacity Building Initiative (Next Gen), a program designed to expand the talent pipeline for emerging developers to gain knowledge in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) industry. Next Gen equips for-profit and nonprofit developers with critical training, technical assistance, and understanding of financial resources to bring affordable housing to life in communities across Illinois.
“Next Gen is about opening doors for developers who are ready to shape the future of affordable housing in Illinois,” said Kristin Faust, IHDA Executive Director. “By expanding access to technical training and early-stage capital, IHDA and LISC are making sure that more voices and more communities can help our evolving housing needs. If you are a developer with a desire to create safe, stable, and affordable housing, don’t hesitate and apply to be part of Next Gen today.”
Launched as part of Illinois’ broader strategy to increase opportunity in affordable housing development, Next Gen prioritizes applicants with geographic diversity, ensuring that rural, suburban, and urban communities alike benefit from affordable housing investment. Applicants should have experience working in real estate development and/or finance as the Next Gen curriculum is designed around professionals with basic knowledge of real estate fundamentals who want to expand into LIHTC.
“LISC is proud to partner with IHDA to bring another year of Next Gen to Illinois, because affordable housing is at the heart of strong, healthy communities across our state,” said Meghan Harte, Senior Executive Director, LISC Illinois. “Next Gen equips emerging developers from all backgrounds with the skills, relationships and resources they need to turn their vision for community transformation into reality.”
“Next Gen gave me the knowledge and confidence to bring my first LIHTC proposal to life,” said Next Gen alumnus and Fairview Heights native Kelli Roberts. “The mentorship, networking, and technical support were invaluable in preparing me to become the affordable housing developer I was meant to be. I now see a clear path to making a lasting impact in creating housing opportunities for all throughout downstate Illinois. I encourage anyone looking to create meaningful change through helping your neighbors find stable housing to apply.”
Upcoming Webinars
- Developers interested in applying are encouraged to register and attend one of two virtual information sessions hosted by LISC: Wednesday, November 12 at 12:00 p.m. (CST) – Register here.
- Wednesday, November 19 at 5:30 p.m. (CST) – Register here.
How to Apply and Application Deadline
Next Gen applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Additional program information and online application can be found here.
About the Next Gen Program
Beginning in Spring 2026, selected participants will take part in 160 hours of specialized curriculum led by LISC focusing on affordable housing development utilizing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, including:
- Forming and managing a development group;
- Financing and deal structuring;
- The IHDA application process; and
- Property management best practices.
After completing the curriculum, Next Gen participants advancing through the development process will be eligible to apply for a pre-development loan funded by IHDA and administered by LISC. This capital will support the pre-construction and planning costs necessary to establish project design, scope, site control, and other early costs that have historically created significant barriers for smaller-scale or emerging developers.
Since the program’s inception in 2024, Next Gen alumni have submitted eight affordable housing development applications, a clear signal of its’ success in preparing new developers to enter this field.
About the Illinois Housing Development Authority
IHDA is a self-supporting and mission-driven state agency dedicated to financing the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Illinois. IHDA offers affordable mortgages and down payment assistance for homebuyers, provides financing for the development of affordable rental housing, and manages a variety of assistance programs to create communities where all Illinoisans can live, work, and thrive. Since it was established in 1967, IHDA has delivered more than $29 billion in state, federal, and leveraged financing to make possible the purchase, development, or rehabilitation of 335,750 homes and apartments for low- and middle-income households. For more information on IHDA programs, visit www.ihda.org.
About LISC
With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America—great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $1.54 billion in Illinois to build or rehab 36,700 affordable homes and apartments and develop 5.8 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space. LISC has an office in Chicago and program staff based in Chicago and Peoria. For more information, please visit lisc.org/Chicago and lisc.org/central-il.
Open Enrollment 2026: Navigating healthcare options for your small business
Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM
As small business owners compete with larger employers for talent, offering affordable health coverage has become increasingly challenging. With Open Enrollment for 2026 approaching and key marketplace subsidies set to expire, many entrepreneurs could face higher premiums and reduced coverage options. Now is the time to explore your options and ensure your business and employees are covered.
Join Small Business Majority, Affiliated Workers Association and Main Street Alliance for a free, interactive online seminar designed to help entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals and small employers navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace. They’ll break down the enrollment process, explore available plans and share practical tips to help you make informed, cost-effective decisions about coverage.
During this session, they’ll cover:
- An overview of the Health Insurance Marketplace and how it supports small businesses
- How to navigate Healthcare.gov and evaluate plan options
- Eligibility criteria for individuals, families and small business owners
- The documents and information needed to apply for coverage
- Q&A
Revenue-Based Financing Now Up to $500,000
Allies for Community Business is now offering larger loans via their new loan offering! A4CB’s revenue-based financing is available to established businesses who have a clear plan for growth.
Capital Eligibility
- Borrowers with no existing relationship with A4CB may be eligible for up to $100K
- Existing A4CB lending and coaching clients may be eligible for up to $250K
- Borrowers referred to A4CB by a banking referral partner who has known you for 2+ years may be eligible for up to $250K
- Existing A4CB clients who can offer collateral may be eligible for up to $500K
Revenue-based financing does not require a fixed repayment amount each month; instead, borrowers repay a fixed percentage of revenues earned each month. Personal collateral is not required for loans up to $250,000.
Click here to schedule a session with A4CB to discuss next steps. A meeting with a Community Lender is required before starting your application.
Stay well,
Mike Paone
Executive Vice President
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
mpaone@jolietchamber.com
815.727.5371 main
815.727.5373 direct