Update
What We Won in Springfield
06. 02. 2026
A brief recap of the 2026 legislative session for Economic Security Illinois Action.
As working families get squeezed by rising prices and corporate greed, we fought back this spring legislative session, and we won.
We won on junk fees. After three years of advocacy on this issue, we are proud to secure passage of legislation banning hidden junk fees this session, a major win for transparency and fairness in our marketplace. The price you see should be the price you pay, and thanks to HB 228, that will soon be the reality in Illinois.
Our work to advance a guaranteed income was also central to how we showed up with our coalition in Springfield. We paved the way for Illinois to implement programs like the Newborn Equity Support Transfer (NEST) initiative. For the first time, we secured infrastructure within state government that municipalities, philanthropy, and more can use to pursue guaranteed income programs like NEST in the future. For more on our work this session, alongside parent leaders and physicians, to elevate the urgent need to support families during pregnancy and postpartum, watch our coalition rally video.
We also took on important fights that did not end with a legislative victory this year. In our efforts to shape markets, we’ve turned our attention to ending surveillance pricing. We introduced the strongest surveillance pricing bill in the nation this session, and will continue to advocate for policies that shine a bright light on where corporate greed makes life less affordable for families.
And finally, we made progressive revenue and tax equity central to the conversation about our state’s fiscal future. Through our work to close luxury loopholes and advance a Child Tax Credit fix, we helped build momentum for a tax system that asks the wealthiest to contribute their fair share while putting more money back in the pockets of working families. While these fights continue, this session showed growing recognition that Illinois can’t solve its affordability challenges without addressing the inequities built into our tax code.
This year’s progress was made possible by the strength of our coalition and the leadership of advocates, parents, lawmakers, and community members across the state who continue to fight for an economy that works for everyone. We want to thank all of you who helped us advance affordability and fairness in Illinois this year.
We are proud of what we accomplished together, and excited for the work ahead. Thank you for being in this fight with us.