BENTON, IL – State Rep. Dave Severin says the 2025 Veto Session began with a whimper and went out with a bang, with taxpayers and energy customers taking a beating from Illinois Democrats. Severin says the final week of the Veto Session may go down in history as one of the most expensive and destructive legislative gatherings ever.
“From a massive RTA and CTA bailout that raids the downstate road fund. to legislation that guarantees higher electricity bills for residents and businesses, to the expansion of failed and dangerous Sanctuary State policies, Illinois Democrats and Governor Pritzker put their foot on the gas, driving Illinois government further toward the radical left,” Severin said. “I voted against the abusive policies that target taxpayers, energy customers, and law enforcement officials. Unfortunately, a lot of bad public policy made it to the Governor’s desk last week.”
Here’s a look at the major issues that moved to the Governor’s desk on the final week of Veto Session 2025.
SB 25 – Electric Battery Storage Legislation – This “Green New Giveaway” does two things: It guarantees profits for battery storage companies and it guarantees that electricity rates are going to go up for residential and business customers. Democrats argue that this will eventually save customers money and help make our electrical grid more reliable during times of peak usage. Proponents of the bill provided little to no proof of the potential benefits of this package. The truth is, nothing will ever be able to replace the reliability and the affordability of the energy provided by coal-fired power plants that have been taken offline by radical environmental policies passed in recent years. I voted NO.
SB 2111 – Financial Bailout of RTA and CTA – A massive bill to bail out the failing Regional Transit Authority and Chicago Transit Authority that raids the Road Fund and raises taxes and tolls, passed well after midnight on the final day of the Veto Session. This huge bill has massive financial implications for every Illinois taxpayer. Democrats changed the funding formula for state sales taxes collected on gasoline from a 55% split for ‘downstate’ roads and 45% for the northern district to an astonishing 85% split going to Chicago and suburban mass transit and a mere 15% going to fund downstate transit. I voted NO.
SB 1950 – Physician Assisted Suicide – This bill passed the Illinois House in late May, toward the end of the Session. The Illinois Senate passed the measure on the final night of Veto Session with the bare minimum number of votes. I voted against this legislation back in the spring session. I believe in the sanctity of life. I believe in the power of prayer in healing. I do not think allowing physician-assisted suicide is the right direction for healthcare in our state.
HB 1312 – Expansion of Sanctuary State Policies – This legislation establishes a civil cause of action (the ability to sue) anyone who violates someone else’s Constitutional Rights. This legislation takes direct aim at ICE agents and law enforcement officers who are trying to do their job in deporting criminal illegal immigrants. The Democrats voted to suspend their own rules and passed the bill in the middle of the night, giving the Republicans in the House and the public no time to review the bill’s contents. I believe this is an unconstitutional bill that will hurt morale in our law enforcement community, hurt recruitment, and cause people to retire or choose other professions. I voted NO.