HB2961
View on ILGABEST INTEREST OF THE STATE ACT
What this bill does
Creates the Best Interest of the State Act. Provides that any collective bargaining unit, contractor, or subcontractor participating in a project labor agreement shall satisfy specified requirements to promote racial inclusion, diversity, and equity. Contains provisions concerning prequalification of collective bargaining units, contractors, and subcontractors; the determination of the demographic make-up of counties; complaints to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion; and penalties. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Local Construction Training and Development Fund. Amends the Project Labor Agreements Act and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
Stuck
P(Advance)
Chance it ever
reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
Chance it becomes
law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Forecast
Low
P(law) at intro —
sponsor & topic only; no progress or delay.
Confidence: 67%
Calculating prediction drivers...
Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Crossed Chambers · Last action 542 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
-
Introduction of Bill
A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.
-
Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
-
Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
-
Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
-
Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber
If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.
-
Gubernatorial Action
The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.
Sponsor Context
William "Will" Davis
Low Influence (#81)
Bridges legislative blocs (high betweenness)
Bills sponsored by William "Will" Davis advance 1% more often than the chamber average.
Campaign finance
This is SBE campaign receipts to the people on this bill, not Moneyball and not earmarked to the bill.
Money is campaign receipts to matched candidate committees, not earmarked to this bill. Window 2025-01-01 – 2026-09-13.
$1,691,134.91
Across sponsors / voters
7
Members with trails
25
Overlapping donors
Sponsor and voter funding
| Member | Role | Receipts | Total received | Top donors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William "Will" Davis | Chief sponsor | 112 | $164,726.90 | Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. ($11,925.82); Friends of Stephanie Kifowit ($10,000.00); I.P.A.C.E. ($8,500.00) |
| Debbie Meyers-Martin | Sponsor | 64 | $63,465.00 | Comcast ($6,000.00); Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor Management ($6,000.00); Philip Rheams ($3,000.00) |
| Sonya M. Harper | Sponsor | 51 | $44,159.98 | Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Mgmt PAC ($8,500.00); Ameren ($4,000.00); SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana PAC ($4,000.00) |
| Marcus C. Evans, Jr. | Sponsor | 272 | $1,007,650.00 | IBEW Illinois PAC ($145,300.00); Carpentry Advancement Political Action Committee Fund ($135,300.00); LIUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council PAC ($102,500.00) |
| Camille Y. Lilly | Sponsor | 86 | $95,238.00 | Health Care Council of Illinois Political Action Comm. ($10,000.00); Liuna Chicago Laborers' District Council PAC ($7,500.00); Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC ($6,500.00) |
| Kevin Schmidt | Sponsor | 141 | $181,200.07 | IPACE ($50,000.00); Illinois Republican Party ($24,159.86); Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor -Management ($8,500.00) |
| Willie Preston | Sponsor | 109 | $134,694.96 | I.P.A.C.E ($7,500.00); Ben Lazare Consulting ($7,500.00); CHICAGO LAND OPERATORS JOINT LABOR-MANAGEMENT PAC ($5,500.00) |
Overlapping donors
Donors who gave to more than one sponsor or voter on this bill. Still not earmarked to the bill.
Top donors across these members
| Donor | Occupation | Employer | Receipts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBEW Illinois PAC | — | — | 2 | $145,300.00 |
| Carpentry Advancement Political Action Committee Fund | — | — | 8 | $141,300.00 |
| LIUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council PAC | — | — | 4 | $102,500.00 |
| IPACE | — | — | 3 | $50,000.00 |
| AFSCME Illinois Council No. 31 PAC | — | — | 2 | $41,600.00 |
| Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC | — | — | 6 | $40,500.00 |
| Illinois Laborers' Legislative Committee | — | — | 2 | $35,000.00 |
| SEIU Healthcare IL IN PAC | — | — | 3 | $29,400.00 |
| Chicago Teachers Union - PAC | — | — | 1 | $25,000.00 |
| Illinois Republican Party | — | — | 3 | $24,159.86 |
| SEIU Illinois Council PAC Fund | — | — | 1 | $20,000.00 |
| Ameren | — | — | 10 | $16,000.00 |
| Realtor PAC | — | — | 2 | $15,000.00 |
| Realtor Political Action Committee | — | — | 7 | $13,500.00 |
| Illinois Federation of Teachers COPE | — | — | 6 | $13,000.00 |
| Sports Betting Alliance | — | — | 4 | $12,500.00 |
| Comcast | — | — | 5 | $12,000.00 |
| Illinois Trial Lawyers Association PAC | — | — | 3 | $12,000.00 |
| Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. | — | — | 4 | $11,925.82 |
| Health Care Council of Illinois PAC | — | — | 3 | $11,250.00 |
| Ironworkers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity | — | — | 3 | $11,000.00 |
| Ben Lazare Consulting | — | — | 5 | $10,500.00 |
| Friends of Stephanie Kifowit | — | — | 1 | $10,000.00 |
| Downstate Operators Joint Labor Management PAC | — | — | 2 | $10,000.00 |
| Davita | — | — | 2 | $10,000.00 |
Witness slips
7 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Harris | Michael Best Strategies | Illinois Chamber of Commerce | Proponent | Labor & Commerce | 2025-03-12 |
| Alicia Martin | Associated Builders and Contractors - Illinois | Associated Builders and Contractors - Illinois | Proponent | Labor & Commerce | 2025-03-12 |
| Deavay Tyler | DTJ Consulting Group | DTJ Consulting Group | Proponent | Labor & Commerce | 2025-03-12 |
| Gia Orr | Michael Best Strategies on behalf of ABC of Illinois | Association of Builders and Contractors of Illinois | Proponent | Labor & Commerce | 2025-03-12 |
| Justin Mahwikizi | American Institute Of Action | Opponent | Labor & Commerce | 2025-03-12 | |
| Deavay Tyler | DTJ Consulting Ltd | Proponent | Labor & Commerce | 2025-04-09 | |
| Gia Orr | Michael Best Strategies-IL on behalf of ABC of IL | Association of Builders and Contractors of Illinois | Proponent | Labor & Commerce | 2025-04-09 |
Roll-call votes
Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.
| Date | Chamber | Type | Description | Yea | Nay | Present | NV | Outcome | Margin | Deciding voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Committee | Labor & Commerce | 17 | 5 | 2 | 5 | Passed | 12 | — | |
| H | Floor | Third Reading | 84 | 27 | 1 | 6 | Passed | 57 | — |
Action History
27 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-04-16 — Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed toSen. Willie Preston. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-06
Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. William "Will" Davis House Rule 6(b)
Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.
2025-02-06
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-06
Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-04
Committee Assignment
Assigned toLabor & Commerce Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-03-06
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Debbie Meyers-Martin Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Chief co-sponsor added.
2025-03-11
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-03-12
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass / Short DebateLabor & Commerce Committee; 017-005-002 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b)
Committee recommends passage and places it on the Short Debate calendar (limited floor discussion time). Strong positive signal — committee believes bill has broad support.
2025-03-13
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-03-25
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-03-25
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-04-07
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. William "Will" Davis
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-07
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-08
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toLabor & Commerce Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Camille Y. Lilly Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-09
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedLabor & Commerce Committee; 017-005-000
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-10
Floor Process
Recalled to Second Reading - Short Debate Rule 5-4(a)
Bill pulled back from Third Reading to Second Reading, usually to adopt a floor amendment. Common and not negative — sponsors often recall bills to incorporate negotiated changes.
2025-04-10
Amendment Actions
Positive
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-04-10
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-04-10
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed084-027-001 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-04-10
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Kevin Schmidt Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-10
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Sonya M. Harper Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Chief co-sponsor added.
2025-04-14
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House bill arrives in the Senate after passing the House.
2025-04-14
Procedural
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54
Bill queued for First Reading in the second chamber.
2025-04-14
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief Senate SponsorSen. Napoleon Harris, III Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate sponsor assigned for a House bill.
2025-04-14
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-04-14
Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-16
Cross-Chamber
Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed toSen. Willie Preston Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Alternate chief sponsor designated.
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-06 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. William "Will" Davis House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-06 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-06 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-04 | House | Assigned toLabor & Commerce Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-06 | House | Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Debbie Meyers-Martin Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-03-11 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-03-12 | House | Do Pass / Short DebateLabor & Commerce Committee; 017-005-002 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-03-13 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-25 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-25 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-07 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. William "Will" Davis | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-07 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-08 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toLabor & Commerce Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Camille Y. Lilly Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-09 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedLabor & Commerce Committee; 017-005-000 | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Recalled to Second Reading - Short Debate Rule 5-4(a) | Floor Process | — |
| 2025-04-10 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed084-027-001 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Kevin Schmidt Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Sonya M. Harper Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54 | Procedural | — |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Chief Senate SponsorSen. Napoleon Harris, III Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-16 | Senate | Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed toSen. Willie Preston Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | — |