Dupage Policy Journal

Suzy Glowiak Hilton introduced SB1546 in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 4, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Provides that, beginning with the budget prepared for Fiscal Year 2027, the rate of growth of appropriations from the State general funds over the preceding fiscal year appropriations from the State general funds shall not exceed the rate of growth of the Illinois economy. Provides that the rate of growth of the Illinois economy is the compound annual growth rate of the gross domestic product in the State over the preceding 10 calendar years, calculated using data reported by the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis or its successor agency before the December 31 that immediately precedes the beginning of the applicable fiscal year."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill amends the State Budget Law of Illinois to restrict the growth of appropriations from the state general funds beginning in Fiscal Year 2027. It stipulates that the increase in appropriations over the previous fiscal year should not surpass the growth rate of Illinois' economy. This economic growth rate is defined as the compound annual growth rate of the state's gross domestic product over the previous 10 years, calculated using data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis or its successor. The bill also requires that budgets submitted by the Governor and appropriations made by the General Assembly be justified based on merit, starting from fiscal year 2013. Additionally, it mandates the Governor to submit quarterly financial reports on operating funds and provide periodic budget addresses throughout the fiscal year.

Suzy Glowiak Hilton has proposed another four bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Hilton graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1983 with a BA.

Suzy Glowiak Hilton is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 23rd Senate District. She replaced previous state senator Diane Pappas in 2023.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB1546	02/04/2025	Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Provides that, beginning with the budget prepared for Fiscal Year 2027, the rate of growth of appropriations from the State general funds over the preceding fiscal year appropriations from the State general funds shall not exceed the rate of growth of the Illinois economy. Provides that the rate of growth of the Illinois economy is the compound annual growth rate of the gross domestic product in the State over the preceding 10 calendar years, calculated using data reported by the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis or its successor agency before the December 31 that immediately precedes the beginning of the applicable fiscal year.
SB1421	01/31/2025	Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an ordinary disability benefit shall be allowed only if the employee is examined, at least annually, by a licensed health care professional appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. In the definition of "salary", provides that, for a member on a disability benefit, salary is the salary on which the disability benefit is based. Provides that the Board has the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify before the Board and to compel the production of documents and records upon any matter concerning the Fund, including in conjunction with specified matters. Sets forth provisions concerning fees of witnesses for attendance and travel and compliance with a subpoena.
SB1273	01/28/2025	Amends the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Act. Adds a licensed occupational therapist and a licensed occupational therapy assistant to the list of health care professionals that may receive a grant of $15,000 or less per year from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, subject to appropriation, for a maximum of 4 years.
SB1274	01/28/2025	Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act. Provides that a sexual assault services voucher may be used to seek payment for, among other things, taxi services and car-sharing programs. Defines "car-sharing program".
SB1275	01/28/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not consider as an expense of any public utility company, for the purpose of determining any rate or charge: (1) any amount expended for contributions or gifts to political candidates, political parties, political or legislative committees, or any committee or organization working to influence referendum petitions or elections or contributions to a trade association or a chamber of commerce; or (2) any amount expended by a public utility company for director and officer liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance. Provides that, in determining whether other types of insurance purchased by the public utility are recoverable, the Commission shall consider whether the insurance provides a financial benefit to ratepayers of the public utility or the public utility's shareholders. Provides that, if the Commission determines the insurance purchased by the public utility provides a financial benefit to the public utility's shareholders, then the amount expended shall not be a recoverable expense. In provisions concerning advertising, provides that goodwill or institutional advertising shall not be a recoverable expense. Provides that any amount expended by a public utility to compensate attorneys or technical experts to prepare and litigate a general rate case filing is a nonrecoverable expense. Provides that, in any general rate increase requested by any gas, electric, water, or sewer utility company under the provisions of the Act, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing for members of the public to provide input on the requested rate increase. Provides that a public hearing shall be held in the service territory of the utility that is requesting the general rate increase, at a time and location to be determined by the Commission.