General Assembly Delays Interchange Fee Law for Another Year
The Illinois General Assembly has once again delayed implementation of the state’s controversial Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, pushing the effective date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027.
The delay was included in Senate Bill 3645, which passed the General Assembly in May and is currently awaiting action by the Governor. It marks the second time lawmakers have delayed the law’s effective date after previously moving implementation to July 1, 2026.
The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act prohibits interchange fees from being charged on the tax and tip portion of credit and debit card transactions. However, since its passage, the law has faced ongoing questions about how it would be carried out in practice by businesses, financial institutions, and payment processors.
Critics say the lack of clarity could create complications at checkout, particularly for businesses that rely on existing payment systems that are not designed to separate taxes and tips from the total transaction amount. There are also concerns about how the law could impact small businesses, workers who rely on tips, and whether businesses would need to adopt new systems or processes to comply.
The law is also the subject of ongoing litigation in federal court, which could ultimately determine whether, when, or how portions of the Act are implemented.
Democrats Push Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Residents and Noncitizens
In the final hours of the spring session, Democratic lawmakers pushed through controversial legislation that further stretches the definition of Illinois residency and expands taxpayer-subsidized tuition benefits to individuals who may no longer live in Illinois, including some noncitizens.
House Bill 5093 would allow additional students to qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois public universities and community colleges even if they have established residency outside of Illinois, as long as they previously attended and graduated from an Illinois high school or attended an Illinois community college.
The proposal comes at a time when Illinois’ higher education system is already facing serious challenges. Recent media coverage has reported declining enrollment across Illinois’ public university system, with nine of the state’s 12 public universities losing students since 2006. Illinois has also been cited as having among the highest in-state tuition costs in the nation.
Senate Republicans argue that House Bill 5093 will only add to those challenges by driving up costs for Illinois students and families while extending taxpayer-subsidized benefits to individuals who may no longer call Illinois home. Rather than prioritizing families who live, work, and pay taxes in Illinois, this legislation broadens eligibility for discounted tuition to students who may come to Illinois for an education and then leave or who have already established residency elsewhere.
At a time when higher education remains a key pathway to long-term professional success, House Bill 5093 threatens the affordability and integrity of the in-state tuition guarantee for Illinois residents. State Senator Sally Turner also noted that the bill overlooks in-state students and could pave the way for noncitizens to receive taxpayer-subsidized tuition benefits ahead of students who live in Illinois legally and are already struggling with rising college costs.
House Bill 5093 passed the Senate on a partisan vote and is expected to be signed into law by the Governor later this summer.
IDOC Formally Announces Plans to Move Logan Correctional Facility out of Lincoln
On Friday, June 5, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) officially announced its plans to rebuild both the Logan and Stateville Correctional Centers in Crest Hill, Illinois. The Logan Correctional Center, built in the 1930s, is currently located just outside Lincoln, Illinois.
Back in May 2024, IDOC floated the controversial idea of rebuilding the Logan Correctional Center at the site of the current Stateville facility, instead of making much-needed repairs to the existing facility, but they claimed no official decision had been made.
The closure announcement for both facilities triggered a statutorily required hearing process through the bicameral, bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA). Residents and legislators criticized the announcement, and the hearings were packed with hundreds of potentially affected residents opposed to the plan. At the end of the COGFA closure process, commission members who were present heavily criticized the agency’s process.
Senate Republicans argued that Logan Correctional Center should receive the necessary repairs and upgrades that it needs after years of neglect by the administration, instead of moving it to northern Illinois. If it has to be rebuilt, it should be done in Logan County, where the facility has been located for nearly a hundred years.
They noted that the move would not only be disruptive and harmful to IDOC staff and residents of the facility, but the move would also bring significant damage to the local economy, which has already been hit in recent years by other major closures.
Lawmakers Pass Ticket Sale Consumer Protection Bills
As the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up the spring 2026 legislative session, lawmakers approved two measures aimed at strengthening consumer protections in the online ticket sales and resale market.
Senate Bill 318 creates the Prohibition on Bots Purchasing Tickets Act, which targets the use of automated software, commonly known as “bots,” to purchase event tickets online. The legislation prohibits the use of bots or other automated programs that replicate human activity to buy more tickets than the posted purchase limits allow.
House Bill 4984 updates the state’s ticket resale laws by addressing a growing concern in the online ticket marketplace known as “ghost ticketing.” Under this bill, a seller would be prohibited from offering or selling a ticket they do not actually own or have in their possession.
State Senator Sally Turner said the aim of both bills was to reduce fraud, prevent misleading resale practices, improve transparency in ticket availability, and give Illinois consumers greater confidence when purchasing tickets online.
Senate Bill 318 and House Bill 4984 passed through the General Assembly unanimously and now head to the Governor’s desk for final approval.
Children’s Online Safety Legislation Passes
In the early hours of June 1, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation designed to strengthen online protections for children and provide parents with additional tools to help keep their families safe in the digital age.
House Bill 5511, known as the Children’s Online Safety Act, establishes new safeguards for minors on social media platforms, including enhanced privacy protections, expanded parental controls, and restrictions on certain interactions between minors and adults.
The legislation aims to address growing concerns about online safety and the impact social media and technology can have on young people. Senate Republicans say the measure is intended to give families additional resources to navigate an increasingly digital world while helping protect children from harmful online interactions.
House Bill 5511 received unanimous support in both the House and Senate and now heads to the Governor for further consideration.
County Fairs Kick Off Across Illinois
Across Illinois, communities are gearing up for one of the state’s favorite summer traditions as county fairs prepare to showcase local agriculture, small businesses, entertainment, and the people who help drive Illinois’ rural economy.
With more than 100 county fairs held across the state each year, fairgrounds are set to come alive with livestock shows, carnival rides, food vendors, grandstand events, and opportunities for families to celebrate the best of Illinois agriculture.
State Senator Sally Turner is encouraging residents throughout the 44th District to attend their local county fairs and support the farmers, exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, and small businesses that make these events possible.
County fairs provide the opportunity for residents to enjoy:
- Carnival Midway & Rides
- Livestock & Craft Exhibits
- Fair Food & Treats
- Live Music & Entertainment
Whether enjoying a cold lemonade shake-up, a deep-fried funnel cake, or an evening at the grandstand, attending a county fair is more than just a summer outing. It is a chance to support local businesses, connect with neighbors, and celebrate the rich agricultural talent found in communities across Illinois.
For more information on your local 2026 County Fair Schedule, visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture 2026 County Fair Schedule.