This week in Springfield, I continued working on issues that directly impact families across our communities, from lowering health care costs and improving public safety to addressing rising energy prices and protecting access to essential services.
As always, I remain focused on advocating for policies that support working families, strengthen our economy, and ensure government accountability and transparency. Below are updates on key legislation, state developments, and resources that may be helpful to you and your family.
Topics below include:
- Making Health Care More Affordable for Illinois Workers
- Happy Teacher Appreciation Week
- Energy Prices Remain Near Record Highs Following Latest MISO Auction
- Tribune Editorial Sounds Alarm on Illinois Energy Policy Failure
- Legislation to Strengthen Law Enforcement Coordination
- Update on Redistricting and Election Map Scrutiny in Illinois
- 150,000 Illinois households may lose federal food assistance beginning May 1
- Legislation to Strengthen Online Protections for Children
- Court Upholds Madigan Conviction, Reinforcing Accountability in Public Service
- Federal Action Creates Uncertainty for Illinois Swipe Fee Reform
- Free Museum Pass
Making Health Care More Affordable for Illinois Workers
I recently filed SB 3619 and testified on it last week in the Revenue Committee.
This legislation is designed to help make health coverage more affordable for working families while supporting employers who invest in their workforce. The bill creates a state income tax credit for qualified employers who make contributions toward Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) for their employees. Under the proposal, eligible employers would receive a credit of $400 per covered employee in the first taxable year and $200 per covered employee in the second taxable year. The goal is to encourage stronger employer-based health benefits and help reduce out-of-pocket health care costs for employees across Illinois.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the educators across our state who work every day to support and inspire our students.
Teachers do more than teach lessons, they shape futures, build confidence, and make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. Their dedication, patience, and commitment do not go unnoticed.
Thank you to all of our teachers for the vital work you do for our communities and our children.
Energy Prices Remain Near Record Highs Following Latest MISO Auction
Illinois energy prices remain near historic highs following the latest capacity auction conducted by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). The newest auction results show prices at $400 for a megawatt per day for the summer period, a near record high.
In 2023, capacity prices were just $10 megawatt per day. That figure rose to $30 in 2024 before surging dramatically in 2025, more than 20 times higher than just two years earlier.
These results indicate that rising energy costs are not a temporary spike but part of a continuing trend impacting Illinois families and businesses.
Energy experts point to a reduction in reliable, around-the-clock power generation as a key factor driving higher prices. Over time, Illinois has lost significant baseload capacity, tightening supply and increasing costs.
Our state energy policies have contributed to this imbalance by forcing plant closures without ensuring adequate replacement generation.
As prices remain elevated, concerns continue to grow about both affordability and long-term grid reliability, particularly during periods of peak demand.
Click here for more information and data on Illinois energy.
Tribune Editorial Sounds Alarm on Illinois Energy Policy Failure
A new Chicago Tribune editorial highlighted a troubling warning sign for Illinois’ energy future as a major natural gas plant in Will County is being dismantled and moving to Texas.
The editorial reports that about 900 megawatts of capacity at the 1,350-megawatt Elwood Energy facility, one of the largest gas-fired peaker plants in the region, is coming offline as Illinois continues down the path created by Democratic lawmakers under the controversial Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021.
Under CEJA, Illinois was put on a government-mandated path to phase out reliable fossil-fuel power, but Gov. Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers have failed to put forward a realistic plan to replace that lost capacity. Certain fossil-fuel units, such as Elwood, face emissions deadlines as early as January 1, 2030, while the state is pushing to eliminate carbon emissions from the power sector by 2045. While the Governor and his allies have tried to point to last year’s Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) as a solution, in reality, those changes fall short of truly addressing the immediate problem.
While CRGA allows regulators to delay plant closures in limited cases, those decisions will not be made until late 2027. By that point, power plant operators will have already been required to make binding commitments to regional grid operators years in advance.
Because CEJA requires some plants to shut down by January 1, 2030, those facilities cannot even qualify to participate in the upcoming capacity markets needed to stay operational. In short, the timeline created by state law and regional grid rules means CRGA comes too late to keep these plants open.
The result is that reliable energy generation is leaving Illinois, and ratepayers will be left to deal with the consequences through higher costs and greater threats to grid reliability. This growing disconnect between policy timelines and real-world energy needs is already leading to lost capacity, and the risk will increase if changes are not made.
Illinois cannot afford to ignore a warning sign this serious. When a major power plant is being taken apart and shipped to Texas, it should be a wake-up call that Springfield’s energy policies are failing to protect affordability, reliability, and the long-term needs of Illinois families and businesses.
Legislation to Strengthen Law Enforcement Coordination
Last week I met with Joe Abraham, an Angel Father who shared his perspective alongside Senate Republicans as we discussed ongoing concerns with Illinois’ TRUST Act and how it is impacting law enforcement coordination.
There are real questions being raised about whether current policy is limiting communication between local law enforcement and federal partners in ways that create gaps in public safety. When agencies are restricted from working together effectively, it can make it harder to respond quickly and appropriately when threats arise.
That’s why we introduced Senate Bill 4196, which would amend the TRUST Act to remove unnecessary barriers and strengthen coordination between local and federal law enforcement agencies.
From my perspective, this is about making sure we are not tying the hands of the people tasked with keeping our communities safe. We can respect due process and still ensure law enforcement has the tools and cooperation it needs to do its job effectively.
Update on Redistricting and Election Map Scrutiny in Illinois
Following last week’s discussion on proposed changes to Illinois’ redistricting process, there is now a broader legal backdrop shaping this issue. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act has renewed scrutiny of how legislative maps are drawn and the standards states use when redistricting. While Illinois leaders have indicated current maps remain in place for now, the decision adds to ongoing concerns about fairness, transparency, and political influence in the map-drawing process.
As these legal and legislative developments continue to unfold, it remains important to ensure that district boundaries are drawn in a way that protects voter confidence and upholds fair representation. Fair maps are essential to a healthy democracy, ensuring that communities are properly represented and that voters, not politicians, remain at the center of the electoral process.
150,000 Illinois households may lose federal food assistance beginning May 1
Beginning May 1, new federal SNAP eligibility changes are expected to affect an estimated 150,000 Illinois households. These updates strengthen work and reporting requirements for certain recipients receiving food assistance benefits.
I believe public assistance programs should provide support for those who truly need it while also encouraging accountability and workforce participation whenever possible. Helping individuals find stable employment and become self-sufficient strengthens families, communities, and our economy.
As these federal changes are implemented, I will continue monitoring their impact on Illinois residents and encourage anyone with questions about eligibility or available workforce resources to seek guidance and support.
Read more here.
Legislation to Strengthen Online Protections for Children
I am supporting a legislative package aimed at strengthening protections for children online as concerns continue to grow about the risks young people face in today’s digital environment.
Children today are spending more time online than ever before, and many families have raised concerns about social media, harmful content, and the collection of personal data from minors. This legislative package is focused on creating stronger safeguards and holding online platforms more accountable.
The proposals include Senate Bill 4046, which would limit social media access for children under 16; Senate Bill 3454, which increases transparency around how social media algorithms recommend content; Senate Bill 2082, which would require age verification for websites containing explicit material; and Senate Bill 3241, which strengthens privacy protections for minors online.
The goal is to ensure policies keep pace with technology while giving families better tools to help protect children online.
Court Upholds Madigan Conviction, Reinforcing Accountability in Public Service
The federal appeals court decision to uphold the corruption conviction of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is an important reminder that no one is above the law, no matter how powerful or well connected they may be.
For far too long, Illinois politics has been overshadowed by corruption and backroom deals that have damaged the public’s trust in government. Families across our state deserve leaders who are honest, transparent, and focused on serving the people, not protecting political insiders or personal interests.
When public officials abuse the trust placed in them, there must be accountability. This ruling sends a clear message that corruption will not be ignored and that public office should never be used for personal or political gain.
As your State Senator, I believe restoring trust in government starts with ethical leadership, transparency, and putting taxpayers first. The people of Illinois deserve a government that works with integrity and remains accountable to the communities it serves.
Federal Action Creates Uncertainty for Illinois Swipe Fee Reform
A recent federal development has added new uncertainty to Illinois’ effort to limit credit card “swipe fees” on the tax and tip portions of transactions. The state’s first-of-its-kind law, intended to reduce costs for retailers and consumers, is now facing legal challenges after a federal banking regulator signaled that national banks may be exempt from the requirement. The decision creates a patchwork scenario where some financial institutions could be subject to the law while others are not, complicating implementation ahead of its scheduled effective date. As this issue continues to move through the courts, it raises broader questions about federal versus state authority in regulating payment systems and the real-world impact on small businesses and consumers.
Free Museum Pass
I would like to invite anyone traveling to the Chicagoland area, the option to reserve his free, “Constituent Education Resource Card.” The card, also known as a free museum pass, gives constituents across the 53rd District the option to travel to world-class museums at no charge.
Click here for the free museum pass.
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Have a great rest of your week! If you ever need anything, please reach out to my office! We are happy to help! See locations and contacts below.
Yours truly,
Senator Chris Balkema