The House and Senate wrapped up the Spring session in the early hours of June 1^st. Both chambers have adjourned until the call of the Speaker and the Senate President.

Veto session will take place October 14^th-16^th and 28^th-30^th. You can view the calendar here. While Speaker Welch and President Harmon had both indicated a willingness to return to Springfield before the fall veto session, that appears increasingly unlikely.

We will keep you updated on any scheduling changes.

Illinois Chamber to Host National Civics Bee State Competition on July 31^st in Springfield 

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce Foundation is proud to host the inaugural National Civics Bee Illinois State Finals, taking place on July 31, 2025, at the University of Illinois Springfield.

The National Civics Bee, a partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, brings together middle school students from across Illinois to showcase their understanding of civics, government, and the importance of active citizenship. The event aims to inspire the next generation of civic-minded leaders and strengthen civic literacy in our communities.

We are grateful and proud to share Kinder Morgan as the Presenting Sponsor. As presenting sponsor, Kinder Morgan continues to demonstrate its commitment to education and community development throughout the state and beyond.

The Civics Bee is more than a competition; it’s a platform to empower young people to understand their role in democracy and take an active part in shaping their communities. With support from companies like Kinder Morgan, this program is poised to grow and create a lasting impact in the years to come.

For more information about the Civics Bee or to learn how to get involved, please contact Jill Vancil at: jvancil@ilchamber.org.

Advocacy in Action: Chamber Team Engages with Local Businesses Around the State 

Over the past week, the Illinois Chamber team has had the opportunity to engage with local chambers and business leaders in different parts of the state. As pictured, Government Relations Executive Director Keith Wheeler recently spoke on the impact of legislative action in the spring session with an audience of business leaders at an Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce meeting that included Illinois Chamber Board member Finny Rachel.