As we close out 2025, The People’s Lobby has so much to celebrate. This year proved once again that when we fight together, we win—and we’re building the lasting change our communities deserve.
Here’s a look back at the major victories our organizing made possible.
Transforming Transit for Generations to Come
This fall, we achieved a historic win with the passage of the NITA Act (Northern Illinois Transit Authority), transforming the future of public transportation in the Chicago region
Expanding Mental Health Care Access
Also, this fall, House Bill 1085 became law, expanding mental health parity for millions of people across Illinois, making it so mental health providers are paid the same as physical health providers.
Reforming Public Defense Statewide
In June, the Illinois Legislature passed the FAIR Act (Funded Advocacy and Independent Representation Act), creating a statewide Office of Public Defense to ensure that people accused of crimes—especially in rural communities and Black and Brown communities—finally receive quality legal representation.
Standing Up for Gig Workers
In January, the Chicago Gig Alliance won $250,000 in the city budget for a worker outreach program that will provide multilingual, multimodal workers’ rights education to rideshare and gig workers across Chicago. We are now working with labor partners to win collective bargaining rights and a strong contract at the state level, so that drivers can enjoy the living wage, safety protections, and job security that all workers deserve.
Making Corporations Pay Their Fair Share
Our coalition, the Illinois Revenue Alliance, pushed the state to incorporate $355 million worth of progressive tax solutions into the state’s 2026 budget, following our lobbying and Tax Day actions.
Building Power Through Community Engagement
Throughout 2025, we hosted two powerful membership meetings and several public transit and mental health town halls across Chicago and Illinois, bringing together members and elected officials. These gatherings aren’t just meetings—they’re spaces where community members build power and chart the course for our shared future.
Every victory we celebrate is a milestone on the road to transforming our state and our communities. We know that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight, but with each win, we’re building the power we need to create a more just, equitable Illinois.
Check out our accomplishments by the numbers.
- 7 Lobby Day trips to Springfield
- 402 members turned out at the Statehouse and Chicago City Hall
- 178 legislator visits
- 8,000+ letters and witness slips sent
- 20 actions, press conferences, town halls, and listening sessions
- 75 Tax Day actions
If you’ve shown up and fought with us, the credit for these victories belongs to you. When we fight, we win. And when we win, we celebrate—because these victories belong to all of us.