Senator Sally Turner Files Legislation to Ensure Renewable Energy Projects Pay Their Fair Share
State Senator Sally Turner has filed new legislation to ensure wind and solar energy companies are paying their fair share in property taxes, helping to reduce the burden on other property owners.
Senate Bill 2706 updates the state’s outdated property tax valuation formula for renewable energy projects. The bill increases the real property cost basis used to assess commercial wind and solar energy systems, which determines how those properties are taxed.
Under current law, the base value for wind projects is set at $360,000 per megawatt of capacity and $218,000 per megawatt for solar systems. Senate Bill 2706 would raise those baselines to $588,000 for wind and $446,000 for solar beginning in tax year 2026. When the original valuation formulas were created, wind and solar were new and emerging industries, so the values were set at a lower level to help them grow. Senator Sally Turner says that since these industries are now well established, Illinois taxpayers should no longer have to subsidize these reduced rates.
Illinois’ property tax code currently establishes a uniform statewide method for valuing commercial wind and solar systems, based on their nameplate capacity and adjusted annually by an inflation-based trending factor. However, the base figures have remained stagnant for years, leading to lower tax bills for renewable developers compared to other property owners.
State Senator Sally Turner says this legislation is about basic fairness. She argues that Illinois families shouldn’t be carrying the tax load for renewable energy companies using some of the best farmland in the entire country, and that by making these industries pay their fair share, we can help ease the burden on local taxpayers and support the schools, roads, and services that our communities depend on.
Senate Bill 2706 has been filed and awaits assignment to a Senate committee for consideration.
Illinois Faces New $267 Million Deficit
Illinois is confronting a growing fiscal challenge as newly released projections reveal a $267 million shortfall in the fiscal 2026 budget. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget’s (GOMB) report warns that without significant changes, the deficit could swell to $2.2 billion by fiscal year 2027.
Since taking office, Governor JB Pritzker has increased state spending by nearly 40 percent, pushing Illinois’ budget to record highs despite warnings from Republican lawmakers.
While he continues to promote new programs and costly initiatives, including state funding for non-citizens, the state’s long-term finances are showing signs of strain. Republicans argue that the Governor’s pattern of unchecked spending and reliance on temporary revenue sources has left Illinois in a vulnerable fiscal situation.
State Senator Sally Turner says the growing deficit is the latest example of the dangers of overspending and misplaced priorities in Springfield. She believes the state must rein in spending, focus on fiscal responsibility, and protect working families from the long-term consequences of continued budget mismanagement.
State Lawmakers Return for Veto Session
State lawmakers were back in Springfield last week for the first two days of the annual fall Veto Session. During the 2025 spring session, 436 bills passed through both chambers of the General Assembly and were sent to the Governor for final action. Of those measures, four bills were vetoed, including two total vetoes, one reduction veto, and one amendatory veto.
While no action was taken on any of the vetoed legislation, lawmakers are set to return to the Capitol on October 28, which will present another opportunity for lawmakers to advance new legislation or revive bills introduced earlier this year.
Among the proposals drawing attention are measures advancing elements of the Majority Party’s broader tax-and-spend agenda, including the controversial Transit Bill, a billion-dollar bailout for Mayor Brandon Johnson that would shift control of the regional transit board to Chicago while forcing suburban taxpayers to shoulder much of the cost. Lawmakers may also consider a proposed $1.50 delivery tax on nearly every package delivered to Illinois homes.
The second week of the fall Veto Session is scheduled to run from October 28 through October 30.
Former Speaker Madigan Reports to Prison
On October 13, disgraced former Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan, officially reported to federal prison to begin serving his sentence. Madigan was convicted in February 2025 on 10 counts, including bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and related corruption charges tied to a long-running scheme with utility giant Commonwealth Edison.
In June, a federal judge sentenced Madigan to 7½ years in prison and imposed a $2.5 million fine. His attorneys had sought to delay his prison reporting date while he pursued appeals, but the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that motion earlier this month.
Madigan’s fall from power marks the end of one of the most powerful political figures in Illinois history. Yet, despite his conviction, Democrats in Springfield have shown little appetite for real ethics reform.
Senate Republicans have continued to push for stronger, common-sense reforms, including measures to establish independent oversight, tighten revolving-door restrictions, and increase transparency to help restore public trust in government. However, these proposals have repeatedly been blocked by Democratic leaders, failing to protect Illinoisans against future instances of corruption.
October is Manufacturing Month
October is recognized as Manufacturing Month, an awareness campaign designed to celebrate and highlight Illinois’ manufacturing industry and the vital contributions manufacturers make to the state’s economy.
According to the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), Illinois manufacturers directly employ more than 662,000 men and women. The IMA also reports that the state’s manufacturing industry supports $580 billion in annual economic impact, making it Illinois’ largest industry sector and one of the fastest-growing in the Midwest.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) notes that Illinois ranks as the fourth-largest manufacturing state in the nation, home to more than 14,000 manufacturing companies across a wide range of industries.
State Senator Sally Turner says that from small, family-run businesses to large employers, manufacturers provide good-paying jobs, strengthen local economies, and create opportunities for future generations.
Earlier in the month, the IMA and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center embarked on an eight-day bus tour, dubbed Makers on the Move, to celebrate the month and shine a spotlight on manufacturers across the state. For a full list of tour stops, click here.
New Grant Program Rewards Farmers for Adopting Soil Health Practices
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has launched a new cost-share program to help farmers adopt conservation practices that protect soil and improve water quality. Through the Climate Smart Agriculture Program, producers can earn $35 per acre for three years by implementing no till or strip till practices starting this fall.
The program is part of the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant initiative, which provides $67 million in funding to support producers who take steps to reduce erosion, limit runoff, and build long-term soil resilience.
Because funding is limited, participation will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Farmers are encouraged to pre-enroll now to ensure a smooth application process. The official application window opens October 27 at 8 a.m. and closes October 31 at 11:59 p.m.
Producers can pre-register and learn more at https://apps.agr.illinois.gov/CPRG/index.php.
State Senator Sally Turner says programs like this can provide important support for local farmers who are working to improve productivity and sustainability. She encourages producers to take advantage of this limited opportunity while funds remain available.