Illinois lawmakers are heading back to Springfield on January 4 for a “lame-duck session” to tackle the remaining business of the 103rd General Assembly.

In years when they occur, lame-duck sessions are held after the election and the Fall Veto Session, and before newly elected lawmakers are sworn into office. Senate Republicans say it’s widely seen as a time when outgoing legislators may be more likely to vote in favor of controversial legislation without fear of political repercussions.

The most recent lame-duck session took place in January 2023 and saw the passage of a weapons ban and an expansion of abortion services. The 2021 lame-duck session led to the passage of the controversial SAFE-T Act. Back in 2011, the lame-duck session led to the passage of a 67% increase in the state’s income tax.