Don Harmon

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon's campaign accepted a $50,000 contribution from ARB Interactive, the parent company of Modo, an online casino group facing allegations of illegal gambling operations in Illinois and Arizona. The campaign later stated it would donate the same amount to local charities. The contribution occurred days before a legislative session on gambling regulation.

Illinois’ 2027 fiscal year state budget allocates $56 billion, including a $9.2 billion K-12 funding increase via an evidence-based formula. Chicago Public Schools faces a $732 million deficit, leading to program cuts, while advocates argue the state remains off track to fully fund schools by 2027.

The Bears may move their stadium to Indiana after Illinois legislators failed to pass funding, spreading blame across multiple officials including Kevin Warren, Ted Phillips, Governor JB Pritzker, and local leaders. Indiana lawmakers have approved taxes for a new stadium, contrasting with Illinois's inaction.

Illinois lawmakers remain committed to keeping the Chicago Bears in the state despite the team's continued push for a stadium in Indiana. They emphasized bipartisan efforts to pass economic development legislation focused on tax relief for residents, contrasting with Indiana's proposed taxpayer-funded stadium plan. Lawmakers and officials reiterated openness to solutions that protect Illinois taxpayers while acknowledging the Bears' shifting position on stadium locations.

Illinois’ FY27 state budget allocates $9.2 billion for K-12 schools via an evidence-based funding formula, a $350 million increase from last year, but education advocates argue the state remains off track to fully fund schools by 2027. Chicago Public Schools faces a $732 million deficit and potential staff cuts, intensifying calls for additional state support.

Lawmakers in Illinois are prioritizing a $56 million budget with potential new taxes on digital advertising, prediction markets, and cryptocurrency over finalizing a stadium deal to keep the Chicago Bears in the state. The Bears' property tax incentive (PILOT) bill remains unresolved as the legislative session nears its deadline, with Governor JB Pritzker and legislative leaders emphasizing budget negotiations over stadium discussions.