The upcoming election day has prompted a brief government affairs roundup, focusing on significant local and state issues. Notably, the discussion includes potential changes to Illinois’ income tax structure and new legislation affecting artificial intelligence (AI) use in employment.
Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax, which was rejected by voters in 2020, might resurface as a topic of interest. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is advocating for revisiting this tax model to secure additional funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). CTU Research Director Pavlyn Jankov emphasized the need for alternative revenue streams, suggesting that a graduated income tax could generate over $3 billion annually. However, Governor Pritzker has remained quiet on this issue since the 2020 defeat. His spokesperson, Alex Gough, highlighted the administration’s focus on balanced budgets with available resources.
On another front, Illinois employers are advised to prepare for a new AI-related law set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act will restrict discriminatory uses of AI in employment decisions and require transparency from employers regarding AI deployment. Employment law expert Alex Reich noted that compliance challenges could arise due to varying regulations across states like New York and Colorado.
Additionally, candidate interviews were conducted for various political positions in partnership with Scott Slocum and 1340 WJOL radio station. These interviews covered races such as Will County Executive and several Illinois Senate and House districts.
The chamber continues to provide updates through its podcasts available online.
